Sad sign of current times.

[Lehaut]

 

Yes, a weird picture to put up. Where the "clean" square is on the photo stood, until recently, a free, solar powered Bike Station where you could blow up your bike tyres.  One of two in our local area that people (including us) used.

Now gone because person or persons unknown kept cutting off the adaptor that connected it to your tyre valve.  The local SuperU up the road took away their car/motorbike pump too as the tubing was stolen on a regular basis.

Sad.

[betise]

Yes, sad times. Our Super U mini has just got rid of the self checkout stations, due to people cheating on their vegetables!  Apparently they would weigh, and get a ticket, for a cheap veg, and then refill the bag with something of the same weight, but more expensive! Whatever you think of the rights and wrongs of self checkout, it is a sad sign of the times.

[alittlebitfrench]

2 hours ago, betise said:

Yes, sad times. Our Super U mini has just got rid of the self checkout stations, due to people cheating on their vegetables!  

What were they expecting to happen when they introduced these stupid machines in the first place ?
 

I hate self servive checkouts. They are just for greedy shareholders because food retailers don’t want to employ people and pay the money to them instead.

We have to pay not only inflated food prices in France but we also have to sell it ourselves.

Next customers will be stacking the shelves as well. 

The criminals are not the ones weighing the wrong veg. I don’t condone crime in any form or manner but in this case I would turn a blind eye.

Anyway, that is my rant over.

I wish you all a very happy end of the day.

P.s don’t get me started about not being able to check your tyre pressures in France. Not surprised there are so many accidents. Scandal !

 

 

[anotherbanana]

 Buy a tyre pump, I have carried one in the car for years.

If stores in France were not franchised prices would be lower.

[alittlebitfrench]

1 hour ago, anotherbanana said:

 Buy a tyre pump, I have carried one in the car for years.

If stores in France were not franchised prices would be lower.

If the French population got a back bone and protest at the French retailing industry as a whole prices would be lower. But they  just accept it.

It is utter madness the prices you pay in France for literally cràp compared to the Uk…for example.

Our local Auchan (next to an ephad/old peoples home) has special prices…..and the elderly pay for it. Drive 5 minutes to another Auchan and everything is very much cheaper. But they don’t, cause they can’t drive.
 

Just don’t get me started on this issue. Bandits come to mind.

 

I have a tyre pump BTW. First thing I bought in France.

We need an Asda or Sainsburys in France. Carrefour, Auchan, Leclerc…can go…******

Edited April 9 by alittlebitfrench

[Gardian]

If I may, I’ll return to the self service checkouts.

A pain in the backside for some ?  Maybe.   For me?  If I’ve got half a dozen or so items and want to get in & out quickly?  Ideal.

I’ll say no more.

[alittlebitfrench]

7 hours ago, Gardian said:

If I may, I’ll return to the self service checkouts.

A pain in the backside for some ?  Maybe.   For me?  If I’ve got half a dozen or so items and want to get in & out quickly?  Ideal.

I’ll say no more.

Yep, it works a treat until…

* the machine does not recognise the bar code….and then you have to wait for someone.

* the machine does not recognise the weight….and then you have to wait for someone.

* the machine thinks you are under 18 when buying alcohol….so you have to wait for someone and show them your grey hair.

* you don’t have a club card…so you have to wait for someone.

* the machine thinks you could be a thief….so all the goods have to be rescanned by someone.

* the machine asks you if you want a recepit. You say no…but now you can’t get out because you need the receipt to open barrier.

* In Lerroy there is no space to put large items and trolleys are not allowed. So you go back to the one and only till and join the very long queue…..whiist the 8 self cash desks are empty.

oooh I could go on.

They save money with these things….but my weekly shop bill has gone 30%. So I am not benefiting even though I am doing all the work.

[Lehaut]

Is there a similar love/hate for the Self Scan system?  Our kids got us on to it at Leclerc.  Scan as you put in basket, present at a special area, show scanner and loyalty card and either you just pay, (avoiding the pain of the self service checkout or the long queues at the normal checkout) or you do a rescan.

In the past 5 weeks we have been asked to empty our trolly once  - given a TB for correctly scanning, paid and on our way.

The hand held borne also bleeps at you if there is a BOGOF type offer to make sure you do not miss it.

I have to hold it in my hand all the time to make sure I scan everything though and am under constant wife surveillance.

[Lori]

I have experienced pretty much all of ALBF's gripes about the self-pay checkouts.  As Gardian says, if you have only a few items and there is a long line at the manned checkouts, it can be worth it.  In most cases, there is someone assigned to the self-pay area, so if/when a problem arises, they are there to assist - if they aren't assisting someone else at the time.

I avoid them if I have BOGO items or fruits/veggies that need to be weighed or counted (when required).