Reply to: Get Free Stuff From The Co-op

[SueEllen]

Locally, a lot of people won't use the supermarket self-checkouts. There can be six of them idle and people will queue for the checkout with the human operator, while the store managers seem to have no authority to reject the things. Part of the problem is the unreliability of the dammed things - I suppose the test manager was on holiday when they 'passed' acceptance.

There was a campaign to do that a few years ago. The idea is if people keep queuing up then the supermarkets wouldn't sack their staff.

However all supermarkets will do is do what the German have been doing for years - make the staff work harder.

[Protagoras]

Same in ASDA Slough and COOP they video you on the self checkouts.

Seems to be working out for the supermarkets they are sacking staff like crazy.

Locally, a lot of people won't use the supermarket self-checkouts. There can be six of them idle and people will queue for the checkout with the human operator, while the store managers seem to have no authority to reject the things. Part of the problem is the unreliability of the dammed things - I suppose the test manager was on holiday when they 'passed' acceptance.

The local co-op has none which it to its advantage. Perhaps it's the level of theft from co-op that's given rise to their increasingly uncompetitive pricing?

And while I'm at it, the co-op card loyalty scheme stopped giving vouchers. Apparently one needs to use an App for that now. If I installed an App for every shop I use, my phone would be cluttered with junk. Yet another windscreen scraper for the winter.

[vetran]

And two supermarkets round here have recently installed cameras that video you while you check out. Looks like the plan of giving people the option to act honestly and scan their own stuff isn't such a good idea after all.

I worked on a project to allow people to scan items and pay on their mobiles with an app. Finish their shop, press pay and walk out. Couldn't get a store to trial it and proper backlash so it got canned. Just a step too far that was.

Anyone thinking that trusting the general public to do the decent thing so they can save money overall is a good idea needs their head examining.

Same in ASDA Slough and COOP they video you on the self checkouts.

Seems to be working out for the supermarkets they are sacking staff like crazy.

[vetran]

Already happening. Article on it today.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ts-UK-day.html

AAAAAHHHH its a wail link - print of the devil. Only way it could be more unreliable was if Nigel Farage had written it!

[JustKeepSwimming]

And two supermarkets round here have recently installed cameras that video you while you check out. Looks like the plan of giving people the option to act honestly and scan their own stuff isn't such a good idea after all.

I worked on a project to allow people to scan items and pay on their mobiles with an app. Finish their shop, press pay and walk out. Couldn't get a store to trial it and proper backlash so it got canned. Just a step too far that was.

I think Wallmart has them? AFAIK they are actually really good. They detect if that loose apple is actually an apple.

The issue with all these are largely they only deter thieves who have something to lose. They aren't violent, they are often taking the piss but not stealing huge amounts. The thrill chasers rather than the career criminals.

Career criminals don't give a hoots what cameras see them.

[northernladuk]

Already standard in the PRS and heavenly Hull. Formula, coffee & decent scotch you get a card /the outer box to take to the till.

Local Sainsbury you have to have a receipt to exit the till area, it seems people walk out without paying from self serve, who would have thought it?

And two supermarkets round here have recently installed cameras that video you while you check out. Looks like the plan of giving people the option to act honestly and scan their own stuff isn't such a good idea after all.

I worked on a project to allow people to scan items and pay on their mobiles with an app. Finish their shop, press pay and walk out. Couldn't get a store to trial it and proper backlash so it got canned. Just a step too far that was.

Anyone thinking that trusting the general public to do the decent thing so they can save money overall is a good idea needs their head examining.

[JustKeepSwimming]

Local Sainsbury you have to have a receipt to exit the till area, it seems people walk out without paying from self serve, who would have thought it?

They can get ****ed with that tulip. Years of encouraging people not to take a receipt and now suddenly need it or you'll be falsely imprisoned.

I think we are getting to the point where 'citizens arrest' laws need to be reformed. Beef up liability protection. Unlawful for a business to punish a member of staff or security for it. Unlawful for insurance companies to discourage it.

[vetran]

Why would it? It's not like they aren't hard to smash open when you get home.

I think I read that some places are going to an Argos style. You take up an empty jar of coffee and the cashier gives you a real one at checkout.

It's not going to be long before we get to the US style mass daylight raids. 20+ people all running in, grabbing handfuls and legging it.

Already standard in the PRS and heavenly Hull. Formula, coffee & decent scotch you get a card /the outer box to take to the till.

Local Sainsbury you have to have a receipt to exit the till area, it seems people walk out without paying from self serve, who would have thought it?

[northernladuk]

Why would it? It's not like they aren't hard to smash open when you get home.

I think I read that some places are going to an Argos style. You take up an empty jar of coffee and the cashier gives you a real one at checkout.

It's not going to be long before we get to the US style mass daylight raids. 20+ people all running in, grabbing handfuls and legging it.

Already happening. Article on it today.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ts-UK-day.html

[JustKeepSwimming]

They've been putting steaks in those plastic boxes that have to be opened at the till for as long as I can remember but doesn't seem to disuade anyone.

Why would it? It's not like they aren't hard to smash open when you get home.

I think I read that some places are going to an Argos style. You take up an empty jar of coffee and the cashier gives you a real one at checkout.

It's not going to be long before we get to the US style mass daylight raids. 20+ people all running in, grabbing handfuls and legging it.

[northernladuk]

Happens at least once a month to ours and it's a nice rural area. The same guy went on a spree over a number of months just walking out with a basket full. The path out of the store to the main road runs past our house so forever having to hand CCTV over. He nips in to the drive next door, puts all the stuff in plastic bags and either leaves the basket in their drive or lobs it over our wall. Recently its been groups of kids hiding it in their jackets and then getting the loot out as they walk up past us.

They've been putting steaks in those plastic boxes that have to be opened at the till for as long as I can remember but doesn't seem to disuade anyone.

Scruffy twats.

[northernladuk]

I get so fed up with the in-store loud 'music' I'd rather walk out without paying too, if only to minimise the time I've got to suffer the din !

You should collar the guy that worked on the instore radio project and give him a good kicking

[Protagoras]

I get so fed up with the in-store loud 'music' I'd rather walk out without paying too, if only to minimise the time I've got to suffer the din !

[JustKeepSwimming]

My local coop is on the border between nice area and less nice area. Numerous times I've seen people just pick up a dozen steaks and beeline for the door. Single PCSO turned up one time hours after and told them 'Best thing to do is just let them do it, it's not worth getting stabbed over'.

Baskets are now behind the till and you have to ask for one. The expensive items are pretty much 1 or 2 on the shelf at any given time.

Cashiers know who they are, they just can't do anything about it. The same people can just come in every time, they get shouted at but can't be stopped and no chance Police turn up.

You get a lot of idiots thinking all shoplifting is 'If you see someone stealing bread or milk, no you didn't' tulipe. It's not Hollywood, shoplifters are not shoplifting because they are starving.

[vetran]

The Police won't come out if less than £200 is stolen. Reportedly won't despite the robbers being armed.
Security staff can't actually chase them or tackle or detain them.
Theft is for resale (cigarettes , multiple steaks etc) not hunger.
This is exactly what was predicted when the Police decided to set a £200 minimum to attend.

Supposedly its a hard core of thieves who the courts have failed to lock up.

The Police and courts need to be told to do their job.

Otherwise the shops will lose their patience & deal with it like in Spain where you have to swipe a card to enter the shop.