Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site terak.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!cmcl2!seismo!hao!noao!terak!doug
From: doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: UPC Scanners
Message-ID: <942@terak.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 16-Dec-85 12:59:37 EST
Article-I.D.: terak.942
Posted: Mon Dec 16 12:59:37 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Dec-85 02:42:33 EST
References: <300@opus.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Calcomp Display Products Division, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Lines: 15

> The computerized cash register with UPC scanner is an interesting
> animal--it has its advantages (like faster checking; probably more
> accurate) and its disadvantages (no more price stickers so you can't tell
> what you paid; price increases are retroactive to all stock).

I find that scanner-equipped stores are actually significantly *slower*
than the old manual methods (and it appears that they use as many or
even more cashiers).  Add to the list of disadvantages the flat-out
ridiculous notion of hefting a 50-lb bag of dog food onto the counter so
that the cashier can slide it across the scanner.

The retroactive price increases are a disadvantage to consumers, but
they are one of the big draws from the supermarket's point of view.
-- 
Doug Pardee -- CalComp -- {hardy,savax,seismo,decvax,ihnp4}!terak!doug