Self-service machines repel customers in their droves
Here’s an unexpected problem in the bagging area – a third of customers hate self service checkouts so much that they will actually leave a store rather than having to deal with one.
Customers not only become incandescent with rage whenever they’re within 2 metres of a self-service machine, but they also fear it’s going to accuse them of nicking stuff if they don’t scan their shopping in correctly.
In a survey by retail technology company Tensator, they found that 40% of customers have experienced annoying issues with idiot machines, and 80% say they have needed help (mostly because the stupid things freak out whenever you scan anything, put anything in a bag, buy a bottle of wine or exist near them). They’re so awful that 60% would rather deal with a real-life crotchety assistant with a name tag and an attitude problem, who secretly wishes you were dead.
More than half of customers believe that it doesn’t even save time, due to the constant balls ups and pleading electronic calls for assistance involved in scanning in the average shop.
Tensator chief executive Alan McPherson said: ‘If such a high number of shoppers need help when using self-service tills, retailers need to be looking at the technology they use and the way it’s being presented to the consumer.If so many people need help, it’s not self-service.’
Basically, the self-service machine is a glitchy pile of useless crap that has put millions out of work, and it isn’t even doing its job properly.
BRING BACK PEOPLE!
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