Self-Checkout at ALDI
ALDI stores in the U.S. are moving towards self-checkout, many with only a single cashier and multiple self-checkouts now -- what do you think of the change to self-checkout machines at ALDI, and what do you need to know?
I've been hearing for some time now that ALDI stores across the country have been gradually rolling in self-checkout machines, and both of my closest local stores have finally added self-checkouts. Each ALDI I have been to now sports a number of self-checkouts, with only one manned register open. I tried them out today on a couple of small orders, and while I'm nowhere near as fast as an ALDI cashier, the process went fairly smoothly and quickly.
Like them or hate them, self-checkouts are most likely coming to an ALDI store near you: These machines help reduce costs and give ALDI employees the time to tend to other duties, such as stocking shelves.
What to know about Self-Checkout at ALDI
Given this trend, what do you need to know about self-checkout at ALDI?
ALDI self-checkouts don't take cash
Well, for starters, these machines currently only take card payments: Credit, debit, EBT. If you're paying with cash, you'll need to go to a cashier. This is unfortunate if you keep track of your spending with a cash envelope system, make a habit of paying in cash, or like to use up your change on smaller self-checkout orders.
ALDI self-checkouts have you on camera
Smile, because you're on camera! Like all self-checkout stations, ALDI's machines have cameras to deter theft. You can spy with your little eye in the photo above, as I'm being filmed while taking my own picture.
Self-checkout at ALDI just has a teensy shelf
What you see is what you get here; you only get this fairly small shelf for bagging your ALDI groceries. If you tend to do larger stock-up trips, you may wish to go through the regular register. You can, however, put groceries right back into your cart after scanning: It doesn't yell at you for not placing items in the bagging area, and you'll also never hear "unexpected item in bagging area."
At least at ALDI, however, we're already used to bagging our own groceries -- so it's not as big a jump to self-checkout as at some other grocery stores!
What do you think about ALDI self-checkout?
Are you looking forward to using self-checkout at ALDI, or are you less than excited about this change?
And hey: If you think self-checkout is something; ALDI UK is trialing checkout-free stores!
Oh no, pokey people like me are going to annoy others
I always pay in cash, which means I'll be stuck in the long line waiting for a cashier.
@Nancy, what is your complaint? The cashier lines at Aldi are moving very fast, so waiting time is not long at all. I am sure that self checkout will take a lot longer, because most customers are just slower. Besides why should I do the work for any store and get NOT paid? Is pretty crazy right? Unfortunately most of the stores use self checkout, do you wonder why?? Stores almost force you to, they have maybe 1 cashier there and everything else is self checkout. This way you wait forever in line if you like service. Walmart is one of them. I noticed Aldi cut down on cashiers as well, since they transformed this way. In Germany this will not go over that well, because why should I work for free? There are some customers who believe it is faster, well maybe they should get stuck behind somebody, not very skilled in that matter and find out.
One of the reasons (besides low prices) I shopped at Aldi's was the full and fast check out service, Now they are just like the rest of the stores, becoming less attractive to go there.
I do not use self checkout in any store, period!!
@Ella, I have mixed feelings when it comes to Self Checkout. I mean, for one I often use it so I look forward to them. When a store (Lidl) removed them from nearby stores, instantly disappointed me. I don't think I'll be shopping at Lidl as much now. I asked why the self checkout lanes were removed, I was told because there was too much theft occurring. Lo and behold, the self-checkouts were taking our and guess what went in the barren area, LIQUOR!
@Ella, correcting my mistake.
I was told because there was too much theft occurring. Lo and behold, the space left behind when the self-checkouts were removed, is now being occupied by, guess what, LIQUOR!
@jt, Funny enough, it's true. The self checkout lanes lead to an increase in theft. There's an increase in untrained humans ringing things in wrong (because it's not our job, we weren't trained), people picking the wrong fruit (organic versus not organic), and people not scanning things. There's been stories on it. In fact, one day I was at Kroger and the guy next to me rang in all his groceries, stuck them in the cart, waited until the cashier was busy helping someone at a different self checkout and walked out the store with his cart. Never paid for a dime of his $100 groceries. Forgot his bread, but IDK if he cared.
@Ella, I love self checkout. Most cashiers are voiceless now anyway.
In addition, at self-checkout in New Haven, there are 7 self checkouts and 1 full service. It’s cutting down on expense additional employees.
No, I do not feel bad about that. My bank and credit union have kiosks now too.
@CM, untrained? Well we were untrained for lots of things but we learned how to do it properly. Dunkin donut kiosts, movie theaters, credit unions, toll gates, on-license renewals, on-line training.
Once I made a mistake, I asked for help. A human is still there.
What’s different is you now have a scanning screen with product and price. We are big boys and girls and use our eyes to see a problem.
@Ella, Except when I went there tonight the REFUSED to take cash! And NO regular checkouts were open.
@Bob, I went to Lowe's recently. Scanned my first item for $60. A receipt spit out instantly before I could scan my other 2 items. I was honest and told the woman there. She fixed it and thanked me for my honesty. She then said it happens all the time and most people just walk out with the item.
The self-checkout machines just showed up at my local Aldi and i HATE them. Aside from good prices the main reason I shop Aldi is because the cashiers check you out very quickly. Now I suspect the line at the real cashier line will get quite long and I'll be stuck waiting there. I refuse to use self-checkout because it exposes you to criminal liability issues if you accidentally fail to scan something. Not worth the risk and inconvenience of scanning everything yourself. I'm much more likely to shop elsewhere now -- probably Woodmans.
@Tim,
I totally agree with you !!!
@Tim, at New Haven CT, the two previous cashier lines were replaced with 7 self-serve machines. Many times I look at lone cashier with no customer. Move forward with learning something new. I embrace it. I am 70 years old and completed a Master’s degree 2 years ago. Project Management. Almost all courses were on-line. Yes, it was tough at my age. But the rewards and satisfaction of learning something new, never gets old.
It was hilarious that the WOMAN they designed on the checkout screen to demonstrate the process doesn’t look like most woman. She has exaggerated proportions on the bust waist and hips like a character from a comic. I asked the real woman cashier who designed that WOMAN and we both broke out laughing
Dont Like the self check out
Way too slow
The check out workers are so much faster
Sucks at Walmart now it sucks at ALDI
I also shop at Schnucks and Dierbergs in St Louis Mo and they have self checkouts but theirs have BOTH self checkouts for cash AND card self checkouts. Why can’t Aldi?
We already have only one person manning a single check out lane... and we have yet to get self checkout lanes at any of our ALDIs! Might be an improvement in our stores.
I'm not impressed. If I have 5 items, I don't mind self checkout. But, if I have a cartful, I refuse to self checkout. The stores never give you enough space for a full cart of groceries, or if you have heavy stuff. And most of the stores machines freak out when you use reusable bags, or don't 'bag' a 10 lb bag of flour, but stick it in your cart. Plus, Aldi has the fastest cashiers, self checkout will be slower.
Aldi drastically cutting cashier hours due to new self checkout.