Frustration With Kiosks, Apps, Self-Checkout, and Tipping Prompts

[DutchmenSport]

Our local Lowes often has self check only aisles open. Me? ....

When going to Lowe's, if you go to the other side of the building where the lumber and such is located, there is always a human person at that check-out counter, at the "Pro" check-out area. They will check you out. The reason there is always someone at that register is because contractors and home improvement carpenters have large bulk items, like 2x4 and doors, sheets of dry-wall, and any other building material item.

Yes, you can take a soft drink bottle from the cabinet and pay for it there too. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PRO contractor. I always go there instead of the regular check out lanes. I get the military discount and it's confusing to use at Lowe's, especially on those self-service machines. So, I insist the cashier does it.

Now, Home Depot has self-check-outs too. But there is usually a person standing there. Since my orders seems to always be 2x4's, drywall, or some type of machine, I just let them scan it for me.

But, at Lowe's, you can use the "Pro" check-outs and don't feel guilty for doing so because you are not a contractor.

 

[NY_Dutch]

I've found using the phone apps works well for me at McDonalds and Burger King. I can place my order and simply give the code number at the speaker before bypassing the pay window to go to the pickup window. So far, my orders at both locations have always been correct. I particularly like McD's geofencing in the app, that let's them know when I'm getting close so they can prepare my order so it's fresh when I get there.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

I have 4 options for hardware here.
Mennards (Big lumber/hardware/other stuff including groceries) store about 3 blocks away, Home Depot about 3 miles. Gilroys About 2.5 miles and ACE my favorite about 4-5 miles.

Of course I know where most of the stuff I need is and I read signs super fast when I enter (The aisle ID signs)
Restaurants .. I have one I am, a regular at... I Get real good service, they call me by name and I tip well.

I've been to some where the "TIP" was to the manager (Fire that waiter) or to the if a chain store to corporate (Fire the manager) Those I do not return to.

And the growing trend of a tip to the “back of house staff” that shows up on my bill without the ability to decline?

 

[Seilerbird]

We are currently involved in a war no one wants, the economy is in the dumpster, lying is the national obsession, gas prices are obscene, racism is dominate and you are worried about Dunkin' Donuts?

 

[Kittykamper]

In most cases I would rather use a kiosk at a fast food eatery than deal with the rude folks behind the counter. There was an exception at a Bojangles in Wythville, VA recently. They don’t have kiosks and the counter person couldn’t have been more pleasant. As for self checkout, I love them. When I’m at Aldi, Lowe’s, Costco or Walmart I always use the self checkout.
It sounds like there are a bunch of cranky senior citizens here that just don’t like change. I hear rumblings of going back to the “good ole days”.

To each his own, Oldgator. Glad you like the self-checkouts. And yeah, I am cranky, but not quite a senior citizen just yet.

 

[Kittykamper]

We are currently involved in a war no one wants, the economy is in the dumpster, lying is the national obsession, gas prices are obscene, racism is dominate and you are worried about Dunkin' Donuts?

It’s just a conversation. Ease up.

 

[8Muddypaws]

Kiosks? Necessary due to skyrocketing labor costs.

I you don’t like that you’re going to flip out when you see your food/coffee etc being prepared/delivered by a machine.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

In most cases I would rather use a kiosk at a fast food eatery than deal with the rude folks behind the counter. There was an exception at a Bojangles in Wythville, VA recently. They don’t have kiosks and the counter person couldn’t have been more pleasant. As for self checkout, I love them. When I’m at Aldi, Lowe’s, Costco or Walmart I always use the self checkout.
It sounds like there are a bunch of cranky senior citizens here that just don’t like change. I hear rumblings of going back to the “good ole days”.

You could take that to the next level. Grow your own tomatoes, harvest them, put them in a plastic bag and then just pay the store.

How's that for a 'cranky senior citizen'.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Kiosks? Necessary due to skyrocketing labor costs.

I you don’t like that you’re going to flip out when you see your food/coffee etc being prepared/delivered by a machine.

That is already happening in CA where they pay their burger flippers 25 or so an hour.

The main result of this is that restaurants are becoming much more automated.

Look to the future when most all the prep and cooking is done by machines and the humans are there to feed the machines and maintain them.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

so they can prepare my order so it's fresh when I get there.

haha.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

And the growing trend of a tip to the “back of house staff” that shows up on my bill without the ability to decline?

I would just 'decline' to do business there.

 

[jymbee]

Yes, you can take a soft drink bottle from the cabinet and pay for it there too. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PRO contractor.

Yep, I check out at whatever end of the store I happen to be at when finished.

I always go there instead of the regular check out lanes. I get the military discount and it's confusing to use at Lowe's, especially on those self-service machines. So, I insist the cashier does it.

Same here. I have no idea how self checking works with military discount. And I never will find out.

But, at Lowe's, you can use the "Pro" check-outs and don't feel guilty for doing so because you are not a contractor.

You can also check out at the return area just inside the door. If they're busy with others waiting to do a return I don't bother them, but if there's no customer there I'll ask politely if they can check me out and they typically do.

 

[Oldgator73]

You could take that to the next level. Grow your own tomatoes, harvest them, put them in a plastic bag and then just pay the store.

How's that for a 'cranky senior citizen'.

Yeah, that’s not being cranky that’s being…well if I said it I might get banned.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Another customer and I walked into the local Taco Bell at the same time last week. He went to the kiosk and I went to the cashier to order my to go order.

When I got my order and walked out he was still there at the kiosk trying to place his order.

Enough said.

 

[Tileman1]

I used to camp at the state forest. Drive to the station, take out an envelope, write your space number and put the money in the envelope, and drop it in the box. The last time I went, a ranger knocked on my door and told me I could stay, but in the future, I had to book online. Now I go to a locally owned park. A nice lady smiles, takes my money, and asks if I need any help. It's a better experience.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Self-checkouts don't bother me and in places like Depot & Lowes the attendants are always glad to help, usually without even being asked. Kiosks in lieu of counter service are much more annoying to me, especially if a venue I am not familiar with. But then, the counter clerks in such places are too often no more helpful than the dumb machine. Service of any sort is a rapidly disappearing concept.

[IMO] The reason is a combination of costly labor and poor manners & attitudes among many of those who work entry-level retail jobs. My daughter has made a career out of the service & hospitality industry so I get an earful from that side as well as my own experiences as a customer. It has become extremely hard to get workers at all, and good ones are a rare gem. And it's equally hard to make a living at it, whether as employee or owner.

I think many retailers would be happy to offer a small discount for self-checkout, but what it will actually be is a service charge for assisted check-out. Most large retailers don't have a net profit margin anywhere near 10%, so they will have to raise the shelf prices so they end up netting the same amount after discount. It would start out as a discount on everyday prices, but within a few weeks those everyday prices would creep up. The assisted checkout buyers simply end up paying more. There's no extra money be pocketed here - any savings from self-checkout are already factored into the business P&L.

 

[Domo]

AI Overview




There is currently no 10% discount for using self-checkout at major retailers. However, the idea is gaining traction in state legislatures. Lawmakers in states like New York have proposed bills to mandate 10% discounts for shoppers who scan and bag their own items, though these proposals have not yet been signed into law. [1, 2]

https://www.al.com/news/2026/07/10-...target-one-state-wants-to-make-it-happen.html

... and then all the products will increase by 10%. Simple solution, raise the prices and give the customer a 10% discount so profit remains untouched.

 

[UTTransplant]

I don’t like kiosks and use them only rarely. It is an issue of poor human factor design mostly. Every one is different, and I don’t use a particular one to get fast enough at it to not be bothersome. But I hate, despise, can’t stand (!!!) QR code menus! y phone is a pretty new iPhone pro, and even its screen is far too small for a page width menu. And then I have to scroll back and forth across the page and then down the page, then “turn” the page. I should not be required to read 4 and 5 point type to order food!

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

I don’t like kiosks and use them only rarely. It is an issue of poor human factor design mostly. Every one is different, and I don’t use a particular one to get fast enough at it to not be bothersome. But I hate, despise, can’t stand (!!!) QR code menus! y phone is a pretty new iPhone pro, and even its screen is far too small for a page width menu. And then I have to scroll back and forth across the page and then down the page, then “turn” the page. I should not be required to read 4 and 5 point type to order food!

Turn the phone sideways and it will be more legible…

 

[Larry N.]

Turn the phone sideways and it will be more legible…

But you then have to scroll a lot, and it's still tiny print. And not everyone has a pocket computer (aka cell phone) to do this with. In addition, they don't need my email address or my phone number (the way so many places are now offering receipts.