Self-service checkouts in Slovak supermarkets have long been the subject of criticism from some customers who perceive them as an uncomfortable and impersonal solution. People mainly point to technical problems, frequent error messages when weighing goods, or the need to call the operator when verifying age or discount items.
According to critics, this system often does not deliver the promised speed, but rather stress and delay, especially at peak times when the staff is overloaded and has to serve several stations at once. Another caveat is the social dimension of automation. Some customers fear that the proliferation of self-service checkouts will lead to job losses and lower service quality, as personal contact with cashiers disappears.
The voices of seniors and less technically proficient people who do not know their way around the system and feel marginalized are also heard. However, retail chains have long argued for efficiency, shorter queues and the possibility for the customer to choose the method of purchase according to their own preferences.
In recent weeks, she appeared on social networks call for Slovaks to boycott such cash registers because they are not employees of retail chains. There was even a story of a gentleman who was supposed to solve it in his own way.
“An acquaintance was shopping today. Cash registers closed and he was persuaded to go to the self-service. He left the shopping in the basket and went home. I applaud him for his decision. Wake up everyone. They tell you that they don’t have enough staff, cashiers, so they have self-service cash registers,” says the anonymous.
“I don’t know why, as a customer who decides to leave his money in their store, I should also do someone else’s work and block the goods myself. With the hundreds of millions of profits they have with us, they are not able to pay a few people to work? I’ve been doing it for a long time and I always ask the manager to open the till. If not, I’m leaving without a purchase.” added the unfazed user.
