Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ut-ngp.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!petrus!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!pyramid!ut-sally!ut-ngp!werner
From: werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (Werner Uhrig)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: UPC Scanners (and how to deal with them and their owners)
Message-ID: <2743@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 24-Dec-85 16:56:26 EST
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.2743
Posted: Tue Dec 24 16:56:26 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 25-Dec-85 23:30:48 EST
References: <300@opus.UUCP> <942@terak.UUCP> <1482@wanginst.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: UTexas Computation Center, Austin, Texas
Lines: 72

1)  my experience agrees with other posters in that
	a) most checkout people are faster with scanners.
	b) there are a few "keying-people" that still run circles around
	   people with scanners.
	c) the scanner used (as Ron describes) 2-handed, direct-bagging,
	   is fastest.

2)  I like scanners, that speak to me, telling me what and how much, as
	the merchandise is being scanned (locally, I know of only HEB with
	those type scanners. HEB is a SAFEWAY-type chain food-and-more store,
	limited to Texas or the south-west, I believe)

FLAME-ON (woooosh)

1)  My experience is, that there is nearly *ALWAYS* a mistaken charge with
	scanners and NEVER lower, always HIGHER.

2)  Without the vocal feed-back from the scanner, it is nearly impossible
	to catch those errors.

3)  Many stores no longer mark merchandise, and not even label shelves,
	some don't even label shelves for advertised specials, telling you
	that the computer-scans the special price right.  WRONG,  I catch
	them weekly with problems.

4)  While you are busy unloading onto the scanner counter, which you have
	to in many stores around here, it is nearly impossible to follow
	the processing of the merchandise and catch the errors.

SO WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS?

a) try to remember the prices you should be charged and watch like a hawk,
	slowing down the checker if necessary.

b) when detecting an error, demand to speak to the manager to complain
	about this.  Better even, call the distric supervisor or the
	store-headquarter.  demand to get the item for free that is
	charged incorrectly to compensate for your time and effort helping
	them stream-line their operation.  To my great satisfaction, I
	found that the Safeway in Boston advertised this offer and brought
	some signs back to show to my local store-managers who had, ni the
	past, refused to do this.  (Note: the matter has not been resolved
	to my liking yet - I guess it takes some more customers demanding
	this besides me)

c) make a (mental) list of what you would like to see your store doing:
	1) marked shelves
	2) unit-pricing
	3) marked individual items
	4) marked specials (whichever flavor)
	5) checker emptying the carts
	6) register LCD display for the customer, showing weight, unit-price,
		and total price.
	7) synthesized voice announcing item, price, weight, etc.

d) convince yourself that paying attention and making an effort in time
	and unpleasantness is worthwhile, we'll all benefit in the long
	run.  Consumer Activism FOREVER !!! (raised fist here)

AND A CHRISTMAS HORROR-STORY to boot:

Went shopping late last week, nice wine-specials, about 10 out of 40 items
didn't come out with the right price.  The checker was unable to correct
all of the things; had to wait for a manager to come around.  Who then
wanted the checker to write out a problem-report on all the items that
didn't check out right, which, at that time, were already bagged, of course.
And he was surprised, when I told him "not on my time, you don't".  The extra
waiting melted some ice-cream in my car, which I was forced to eat IMMEDIATELY
when coming home - Blue Bell and Texas weather of 72 degrees in late December,
eat your heart out, snow-bound netters ...  (-:)

	Holiday Cheers,		---Werner