Yes, I know CVS paid a bundle to tear out their cash registers and replace them with self-service check-out stations so customers would have the convenience (cough, sputter, eye-roll) of checking-out all their own items, but I for one will not be jumping on the CVS customer-as-cashier bandwagon in New York City.
Number one, their new self-service machines slow everything down. With so many disparate devices cobbled together at the check-out stations, they don’t work so hot together. Some stop in mid-transaction and customers have to cool their heels waiting for CVS employees to materialize from where ever they hide out to fix the glitches. And some out and out refuse to do their stuff. At two nearby CVS stores, each has one totally kaput self check-out.
Number two, by the time I hit my CVS store, I’m finally finito with my errands and am loaded down with shopping bags from other stores so I’m in no mood to deal with the pain-in-the-neck chore of self check-out. To free my hands for the task, I have to drop my shopping bags on the floor (where, being plastic, they immediately flop over and spill contents in every direction (which is not even to DISCUSS the floor bacteria situation). Then comes all the rooting through pocket and purse for eyeglasses to locate barcodes and punch in numbers. I should also add I get plenty of daily exercise, so I have zero need for the additional exercise of schlepping items (some big, awkward and heavy) from basket to bar code to shopping bag, while squinting for bar codes and feeding credit cards, coupons and cash into different talking slots.
Crankiness aside, I resent doing the same work as a cashier and not getting paid for it. I don’t like working for free. And if CVS expects me to do the exact same work as a cashier and receive zero payment, what other free labor do they have in store for me further down the line? Stocking shelves? Slicing cartons open, steam-cleaning floors?
At least CVS hasn’t abolished cashiers altogether. As Yet. Each store still employs at least one cashier for renegade shoppers like myself who by-pass all the self check-out malarkey. I over-heard one of those teenage cashiers express disapproval of CVS customers who refused to change their old ways, move with the times and use the self check-outs. Clearly A dream customer for today’s hard-line corporations, this young cashier actually sees self-service check-out as a progressive move — not as an aggressive maneuver to slash payroll costs and increase company profits. What’s your opinion on this CVS move?
Will not shop at cvs anymore.
I was at a CVS 900 Edmondson Ave Catonsville MD today. While shopping I heard the automated checkout fail and call for a person to fix the problem. I asked an employee who was standing near the cash registers to checkout my purchase. He stated the store no longer has cashiers. I left my items on the counter and left. Looks like CVS has lost a customer. I might as well deal with Amazon. Amazon also sells prescriptions.