MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:
> On 23/02/2022 07:24, Charles Ellson wrote:
>> They were never missing to the extent that they are now with some
>> supermarkets filling shelf spaces with pictures of what is missing
>> along with printed apologies for them not being there.
>
>
>
> Not seen that anywhere?
>

I have, though I can't remember whether it was Asda or Morrisons.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sv4sto$5m1$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:57:28 on Wed, 23 Feb
> 2022, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other supermarkets.
>>>
>>> Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away). The few
>>> times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the tills of
>>> beer bellies
>>> and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout option. Presumably they assume
>>> their customers might have trouble figuring them out.
>>
>> The Lidls near me have self checkouts.
>>
>> Aldi's checkout assistants can deal with a queue of six customers quicker
>> than M&S staff can serve one customer.
>
> This is not just a grocery store, it's an M&S checkout assistant social
> club store.
>
> Where you catch up on all the gossip when your friends come shopping.
>

Not just friends! Chat with random customers about the weather and the car
park…

Anna Noyd-Dryver

On Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:26:42 +0000
martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which used to be
>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>> >from their inventory.
>>>>
>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things get worse
>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl amongst the
>chavs.
>>>
>>>>
>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other supermarkets.
>>
>> Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away). The few
>> times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the tills of beer
>bellies
>> and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout option. Presumably they assume
>> their customers might have trouble figuring them out.
>>
>I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.

I can't say I'm much of a fa, but the plus point is the dodderers avoid them
so no more waiting for Enid to fish 14.35 out of her purse in pennies.

On Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:27:25 +0000
martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>On 23/02/2022 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <sv5252$ac6$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:26:42 on Wed, 23 Feb
>> 2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>>> On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which used
>>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>>> >from their inventory.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things get
>>>>>> worse
>>>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl amongst
>>>>>> the chavs.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other
>>>>> supermarkets.
>>
>>>>  Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away).
>>
>>>> The few  times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the
>>>> tills of beer bellies  and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout
>>>> option. Presumably they assume  their customers might have trouble
>>>> figuring them out.
>>>>
>>> I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.
>>
>> The M&S I use most often has exclusively self-checkouts. (But it's more
>> of a convenience store than a supermarket).
>I would never use that store.
>
>Here's why you should not use self checkouts:-
>https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/28/poo-found-on-every-mcdonalds-touchscreen-tested-
>8178486/

Prepares your stomach for the food to come.

Plus I doubt the pin pads are any cleaner.

On 23/02/2022 16:28, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:27:25 +0000
> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>> On 23/02/2022 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <sv5252$ac6$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:26:42 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>> 2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>>>> On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which used
>>>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>>>> >from their inventory.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things get
>>>>>>> worse
>>>>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl amongst
>>>>>>> the chavs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other
>>>>>> supermarkets.
>>>
>>>>>  Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away).
>>>
>>>>> The few  times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the
>>>>> tills of beer bellies  and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout
>>>>> option. Presumably they assume  their customers might have trouble
>>>>> figuring them out.
>>>>>
>>>> I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.
>>>
>>> The M&S I use most often has exclusively self-checkouts. (But it's more
>>> of a convenience store than a supermarket).
>> I would never use that store.
>>
>> Here's why you should not use self checkouts:-
>> https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/28/poo-found-on-every-mcdonalds-touchscreen-tested-
>> 8178486/
>
> Prepares your stomach for the food to come.
That's a good point.
>
> Plus I doubt the pin pads are any cleaner.

Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> wrote:
> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which used to be
>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>> from their inventory.
>>>>
>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things get worse
>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl amongst the chavs.
>>>
>>>>
>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other supermarkets.
>>
>> Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away). The few
>> times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the tills of beer bellies
>> and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout option. Presumably they assume
>> their customers might have trouble figuring them out.
>>
>>
>
> The Lidls near me have self checkouts.
>
> Aldi's checkout assistants can deal with a queue of six customers quicker
> than M&S staff can serve one customer.
>
>
> Anna Noyd-Dryver
>
>

I’m still reeling from the telling off I got at an Aldi in northern Germany
for not positioning my trolley correctly at the output of the checkout.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sv54pq$6lh$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:11:58 on Wed, 23 Feb
> 2022, ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> remarked:
>> On 23/02/2022 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <sv5252$ac6$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:26:42 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>> 2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>>>> On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which
>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>>>>> from their inventory.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things
>>>>>>> get worse
>>>>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl
>>>>>>> amongst the chavs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other
>>>>>> supermarkets.
>>>
>>>>>  Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away).
>>>
>>>>> The few  times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the
>>>>> tills of beer bellies  and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout
>>>>> option. Presumably they assume  their customers might have trouble
>>>>> figuring them out.
>>>>>
>>>> I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.
>
>>> The M&S I use most often has exclusively self-checkouts. (But it's
>>> more of a convenience store than a supermarket).
>>
>> I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!
>
> Depends; the typical Tesco Metro, or similar (in)convenience store often
> won't have a permanent till operator.
>
> So when you go in to buy something it's often quicker to scan one or two
> items yourself, rather than wait until they manage to tear themselves
> away from shelf-stacking at the back of the shop.

Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing checkouts
by dint of rotating the computer display and making the handheld scanner
available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload your basket via the
scanner into your bag than it is to load up the belt and then pick up the
assistant’s output. The big difference to the conventional self checkout is
the absence of scales weighing the contents in the bagging area. The
handheld scanner is also much better at detecting the barcode than the
fixed scanner in the conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi
speeds with this system.

In message <sv5s21$lat$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:48:49 on Wed, 23 Feb
2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sv54pq$6lh$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:11:58 on Wed, 23 Feb
>> 2022, ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> remarked:
>>> On 23/02/2022 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <sv5252$ac6$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:26:42 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>>> 2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>>>>> On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>>>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which
>>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>>>>>> from their inventory.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things
>>>>>>>> get worse
>>>>>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl
>>>>>>>> amongst the chavs.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other
>>>>>>> supermarkets.
>>>>
>>>>>>  Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away).
>>>>
>>>>>> The few  times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the
>>>>>> tills of beer bellies  and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout
>>>>>> option. Presumably they assume  their customers might have trouble
>>>>>> figuring them out.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.
>>
>>>> The M&S I use most often has exclusively self-checkouts. (But it's
>>>> more of a convenience store than a supermarket).
>>>
>>> I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!
>>
>> Depends; the typical Tesco Metro, or similar (in)convenience store often
>> won't have a permanent till operator.
>>
>> So when you go in to buy something it's often quicker to scan one or two
>> items yourself, rather than wait until they manage to tear themselves
>> away from shelf-stacking at the back of the shop.
>
>Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing checkouts
>by dint of rotating the computer display and making the handheld scanner
>available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload your basket via the
>scanner into your bag than it is to load up the belt and then pick up the
>assistant’s output. The big difference to the conventional self checkout is
>the absence of scales weighing the contents in the bagging area. The
>handheld scanner is also much better at detecting the barcode than the
>fixed scanner in the conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi
>speeds with this system.

I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
poo?
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sv5s21$lat$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:48:49 on Wed, 23 Feb
> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <sv54pq$6lh$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:11:58 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>> 2022, ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 23/02/2022 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <sv5252$ac6$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:26:42 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>>>> 2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>>>>>> On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>>>>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>>>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which
>>>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>>>>>>> from their inventory.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things
>>>>>>>>> get worse
>>>>>>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl
>>>>>>>>> amongst the chavs.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>>>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other
>>>>>>>> supermarkets.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away).
>>>>>
>>>>>>> The few  times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the
>>>>>>> tills of beer bellies  and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout
>>>>>>> option. Presumably they assume  their customers might have trouble
>>>>>>> figuring them out.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.
>>>
>>>>> The M&S I use most often has exclusively self-checkouts. (But it's
>>>>> more of a convenience store than a supermarket).
>>>>
>>>> I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!
>>>
>>> Depends; the typical Tesco Metro, or similar (in)convenience store often
>>> won't have a permanent till operator.
>>>
>>> So when you go in to buy something it's often quicker to scan one or two
>>> items yourself, rather than wait until they manage to tear themselves
>>> away from shelf-stacking at the back of the shop.
>>
>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing checkouts
>> by dint of rotating the computer display and making the handheld scanner
>> available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload your basket via the
>> scanner into your bag than it is to load up the belt and then pick up the
>> assistant’s output. The big difference to the conventional self checkout is
>> the absence of scales weighing the contents in the bagging area. The
>> handheld scanner is also much better at detecting the barcode than the
>> fixed scanner in the conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi
>> speeds with this system.
>
> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
> poo?

Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?

In message <sv54pq$6lh$1@dont-email.me>, ColinR
<rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> writes
>I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!
>

Wot 'e sed.

Adrian
--
To Reply :
replace "bulleid" with "adrian" - all mail to bulleid is rejected
Sorry for the rigmarole, If I want spam, I'll go to the shops
Every time someone says "I don't believe in trolls", another one dies.

In message <sv5ton$p47$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:17:59 on Wed, 23 Feb
2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

>>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing
>>>checkouts by dint of rotating the computer display and making the
>>>handheld scanner available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload
>>>your basket via the scanner into your bag than it is to load up the
>>>belt and then pick up the assistant’s output. The big difference
>>>to the conventional self checkout is the absence of scales weighing
>>>the contents in the bagging area. The handheld scanner is also much
>>>better at detecting the barcode than the fixed scanner in the
>>>conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi speeds with this system.
>>
>> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
>> poo?
>
>Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?

Since Covid, both of the latter will be wiped by any customer who thinks
it matters.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sv5ton$p47$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:17:59 on Wed, 23 Feb
> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>
>>>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing
>>>> checkouts by dint of rotating the computer display and making the
>>>> handheld scanner available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload
>>>> your basket via the scanner into your bag than it is to load up the
>>>> belt and then pick up the assistant’s output. The big difference
>>>> to the conventional self checkout is the absence of scales weighing
>>>> the contents in the bagging area. The handheld scanner is also much
>>>> better at detecting the barcode than the fixed scanner in the
>>>> conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi speeds with this system.
>>>
>>> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
>>> poo?
>>
>> Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?
>
> Since Covid, both of the latter will be wiped by any customer who thinks
> it matters.

Then you can do the same with the scanner, touch screens etc. I’m not going
to turn into Howard Hughes.

On 23/02/2022 18:44, Adrian wrote:
> In message <sv54pq$6lh$1@dont-email.me>, ColinR
> <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> writes
>> I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!
>
> Wot 'e sed.

They're very convenient for the owners, if they can persuade me to waste
five unpaid minutes rather than employing a checkout operator for two.
(I'm not especially slow, but the extra checks of weighing each item
and convincing them that I haven't stolen a carrier bag take time.)
I tried Sainsburys today and it worked reasonable well, though I was
briefly baffled as to how to buy fresh produce. (The button for it is
grey, which I associate with an option being currently unavailable.)

In message <sv5vqf$4um$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:53:03 on Wed, 23 Feb
2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sv5ton$p47$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:17:59 on Wed, 23 Feb
>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>
>>>>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing
>>>>> checkouts by dint of rotating the computer display and making the
>>>>> handheld scanner available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload
>>>>> your basket via the scanner into your bag than it is to load up the
>>>>> belt and then pick up the assistant’s output. The big difference
>>>>> to the conventional self checkout is the absence of scales weighing
>>>>> the contents in the bagging area. The handheld scanner is also much
>>>>> better at detecting the barcode than the fixed scanner in the
>>>>> conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi speeds with
>>>>>this system.
>>>>
>>>> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
>>>> poo?
>>>
>>> Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?
>>
>> Since Covid, both of the latter will be wiped by any customer who thinks
>> it matters.
>
>Then you can do the same with the scanner, touch screens etc.

Not so easily, because the various sprays are only near the entrance.

--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sv5vqf$4um$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:53:03 on Wed, 23 Feb
> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <sv5ton$p47$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:17:59 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>
>>>>>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing
>>>>>> checkouts by dint of rotating the computer display and making the
>>>>>> handheld scanner available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload
>>>>>> your basket via the scanner into your bag than it is to load up the
>>>>>> belt and then pick up the assistant’s output. The big difference
>>>>>> to the conventional self checkout is the absence of scales weighing
>>>>>> the contents in the bagging area. The handheld scanner is also much
>>>>>> better at detecting the barcode than the fixed scanner in the
>>>>>> conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi speeds with
>>>>>> this system.
>>>>>
>>>>> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
>>>>> poo?
>>>>
>>>> Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?
>>>
>>> Since Covid, both of the latter will be wiped by any customer who thinks
>>> it matters.
>>
>> Then you can do the same with the scanner, touch screens etc.
>
> Not so easily, because the various sprays are only near the entrance.
>

Do many supermarkets still provide those? I've not used, or seen seen them
being used, for quite a few months.

In message <sv6i1k$448$1@dont-email.me>, at 00:04:04 on Thu, 24 Feb
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sv5vqf$4um$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:53:03 on Wed, 23 Feb
>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <sv5ton$p47$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:17:59 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>
>>>>>>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing
>>>>>>> checkouts by dint of rotating the computer display and making the
>>>>>>> handheld scanner available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload
>>>>>>> your basket via the scanner into your bag than it is to load up the
>>>>>>> belt and then pick up the assistant’s output. The big difference
>>>>>>> to the conventional self checkout is the absence of scales weighing
>>>>>>> the contents in the bagging area. The handheld scanner is also much
>>>>>>> better at detecting the barcode than the fixed scanner in the
>>>>>>> conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi speeds with
>>>>>>> this system.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
>>>>>> poo?
>>>>>
>>>>> Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?
>>>>
>>>> Since Covid, both of the latter will be wiped by any customer who thinks
>>>> it matters.
>>>
>>> Then you can do the same with the scanner, touch screens etc.
>>
>> Not so easily, because the various sprays are only near the entrance.
>
>Do many supermarkets still provide those? I've not used, or seen seen them
>being used, for quite a few months.

Yes, every one I visit still has them. A few have reduced the range to
just a hand gell, but that is easily dispensed and then smeared over
trolleys etc.
--
Roland Perry

On 24/02/2022 00:04, Recliner wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sv5vqf$4um$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:53:03 on Wed, 23 Feb
>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <sv5ton$p47$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:17:59 on Wed, 23 Feb
>>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>
>>>>>>> Wilko has excellent self checkouts. They converted some existing
>>>>>>> checkouts by dint of rotating the computer display and making the
>>>>>>> handheld scanner available to the customer. It’s quicker to unload
>>>>>>> your basket via the scanner into your bag than it is to load up the
>>>>>>> belt and then pick up the assistant’s output. The big difference
>>>>>>> to the conventional self checkout is the absence of scales weighing
>>>>>>> the contents in the bagging area. The handheld scanner is also much
>>>>>>> better at detecting the barcode than the fixed scanner in the
>>>>>>> conventional self checkout. I can manage almost Aldi speeds with
>>>>>>> this system.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wonder if anyone has swabbed those handheld scanners for traces of
>>>>>> poo?
>>>>>
>>>>> Trolley handles, basket handles, where does it end?
>>>>
>>>> Since Covid, both of the latter will be wiped by any customer who thinks
>>>> it matters.
>>>
>>> Then you can do the same with the scanner, touch screens etc.
>>
>> Not so easily, because the various sprays are only near the entrance.
>>
>
> Do many supermarkets still provide those? I've not used, or seen seen them
> being used, for quite a few months.
>

All my local ones still have them[1] though not that many people use
them.

[1] Tesco, Sainsbury's, 3 Co-ops, Sainsburys Local, Tesco Express, Aldi,
Lidl, Waitrose and M&S food.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 24/02/2022 05:49, Roland Perry wrote:
> Yes, every one I visit still has them. A few have reduced the range to
> just a hand gell, but that is easily dispensed and then smeared over
> trolleys etc.

The fixed dispensers are often empty but they just put out several bottles,

Certes <none@nowhere.net> wrote:
> On 23/02/2022 18:44, Adrian wrote:
>> In message <sv54pq$6lh$1@dont-email.me>, ColinR
>> <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> writes
>>> I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!
>>
>> Wot 'e sed.
>
> They're very convenient for the owners, if they can persuade me to waste
> five unpaid minutes rather than employing a checkout operator for two.
> (I'm not especially slow, but the extra checks of weighing each item
> and convincing them that I haven't stolen a carrier bag take time.)
> I tried Sainsburys today and it worked reasonable well, though I was
> briefly baffled as to how to buy fresh produce. (The button for it is
> grey, which I associate with an option being currently unavailable.)
>

Provided you don't have any items which *need* weighing, smaller Tesco and
M&S branches often have some different self-checkouts, which don't have
weighing scales either for produce or for the 'bagging area'; they actually
just trust the customer not to try to steal anything.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:
> On 23/02/2022 10:25, Graeme Wall wrote:
>> My local Tescos has recently installed more substantial barriers along
>> the gate line to prevent people hopping over the ropes. Though you can
>> still get out via the snacks/tobacconist/gambling till which is designed
>> for people to nip in and out quickly.
>
> Didn't Morrison's stop that a few years ago? The till on the outside of
> the barriers is tobacco and gambing only I think?

Our local large Sainsbury’s also has the sandwiches and such like there,
along with the returns and the bureau de change aka travel money.

Sam

--
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On 24/02/2022 09:54, Sam Wilson wrote:
> MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:
>> On 23/02/2022 10:25, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>> My local Tescos has recently installed more substantial barriers along
>>> the gate line to prevent people hopping over the ropes. Though you can
>>> still get out via the snacks/tobacconist/gambling till which is designed
>>> for people to nip in and out quickly.
>>
>> Didn't Morrison's stop that a few years ago? The till on the outside of
>> the barriers is tobacco and gambing only I think?
>
> Our local large Sainsbury’s also has the sandwiches and such like there,
> along with the returns and the bureau de change aka travel money.
>

Also the newspapers, magazines and flowers.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

In message <sv7gpf$u38$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:48:48 on Thu, 24 Feb
2022, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:

>On 24/02/2022 05:49, Roland Perry wrote:

>> Yes, every one I visit still has them. A few have reduced the range to
>> just a hand gell, but that is easily dispensed and then smeared over
>> trolleys etc.
>
>The fixed dispensers are often empty but they just put out several bottles,

Spray and dispensers all in order at Aldi this morning.
--
Roland Perry

On Thu, 24 Feb 2022 09:54:08 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:

>In message <sv7gpf$u38$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:48:48 on Thu, 24 Feb
>2022, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>
>>On 24/02/2022 05:49, Roland Perry wrote:
>
>>> Yes, every one I visit still has them. A few have reduced the range to
>>> just a hand gell, but that is easily dispensed and then smeared over
>>> trolleys etc.
>>
>>The fixed dispensers are often empty but they just put out several bottles,
>
>Spray and dispensers all in order at Aldi this morning.

I went to a Tesco this morning, and there were indeed spray and dispenser at the side of the entrance. I didn't see
anyone using them, and didn't try myself, so I don't know if the bottles had anything in them. It had finally dropped
the one-way system at the entrance, so you could use either outer door to get to the entrance. I'd guess that over 50%
of people were still wearing masks.

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:
> On 23/02/2022 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <sv5252$ac6$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:26:42 on Wed, 23 Feb
>> 2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>>> On 23/02/2022 08:38, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:06:24 +0000
>>>> martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>>>>> On 22/02/2022 16:07, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:25 +0000
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>>>>>> The Xmas just gone I really fancied a Beef Wellington (which used
>>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>> a staple in Aldi that time of year) but they seem to have deleted it
>>>>>>> from their inventory.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh dear, having to shop in Aldi? How the mighty etc. If things get
>>>>>> worse
>>>>>> you'll be shopping in the famine relief centre called Lidl amongst
>>>>>> the chavs.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Aldi an Lidl both have the same endearing feature that you can purchase
>>>>> the same items in at least a third of the time as in other
>>>>> supermarkets.
>>
>>>>  Not in the nearest Lidl to me (which thankfully is 3 miles away).
>>
>>>> The few  times I've been in the queues were about 6 deep on all the
>>>> tills of beer bellies  and cheap tracksuits and no self checkout
>>>> option. Presumably they assume  their customers might have trouble
>>>> figuring them out.
>>>>
>>> I regard no self checkouts as a plus point in any supermarket.
>>
>> The M&S I use most often has exclusively self-checkouts. (But it's more
>> of a convenience store than a supermarket).
>
> I consider self-checkouts as being the opposite of convenient!

I occasionally use them for small items, but when you have things that
don’t fit in a single bag (french bread, anyone?) you can end up waiting
ages for the overworked assistant to come and reset things and try to work
out how to get all your shopping into the bagging area at one time.

Sam (too often an unexpected item in the bagging area)

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Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 24/02/2022 09:54, Sam Wilson wrote:
>> MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:
>>> On 23/02/2022 10:25, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>>> My local Tescos has recently installed more substantial barriers along
>>>> the gate line to prevent people hopping over the ropes. Though you can
>>>> still get out via the snacks/tobacconist/gambling till which is designed
>>>> for people to nip in and out quickly.
>>>
>>> Didn't Morrison's stop that a few years ago? The till on the outside of
>>> the barriers is tobacco and gambing only I think?
>>
>> Our local large Sainsbury’s also has the sandwiches and such like there,
>> along with the returns and the bureau de change aka travel money.
>>
>
> Also the newspapers, magazines and flowers.

Flowers, newspapers and some of the magazines are in a no-mans-land in the
entrance area - you could pick them and either turn right to the outside
counter or carry on into the main aisles. There’s also a more
comprehensive magazine aisle further in.

Sam

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