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A WALMART shopper was shocked to allegedly find all of the self-checkouts closed, forcing her to wait 45 minutes in line for a cashier.
The shopper apparently went to use self-checkout at her Walmart, just to discover that all self-checkout machines were reserved for Walmart+ members.
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The customer posted a one-minute and 45-second TikTok chronicling her frustrating experience checking out at the retail chain.
The TikToker said she saw all the self-checkouts were closed and approached an employee and asked him about the changes.
“They’re trying to do that to promote you guys to download the app and get the membership,” he allegedly replied.
“If you have the app, you can checkout on the app; you don’t have to wait in line.”
The TikToker (@1breyonce) said she was shocked by the situation.
“Now that [Walmart isn’t] making any money off [self-checkout machines], they said f**k that, download this app and become a member for $5 a month,” she asked.
The video, which has over 800,000 views and 85,000 likes, got shoppers riled up in the comments.
“I go all the way out of my way to avoid Walmart,” one woman wrote.
“I gladly pay more to buy things at the grocery store or Amazon.”
“Ridiculous! They also started locking everything behind glass like $10 necklaces or hair dye, but never can find an employee that can open the glass cases so you can purchase it,” another angry shopper wrote.
Even Walmarts that have self-checkouts available to all customers are struggling with self-checkouts.
“No, because my Walmart just took out most of their registers and put in new self-checkouts,” another Walmart shopper commented.
“They are all closed….all the time.”
Multiple Walmarts across the country have been offering special privileges for those who are members of Walmart+.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
The membership service gives shoppers free delivery from stores with no minimum, special prices on fuel at select stores, and the use of mobile scan & go, which enables you to scan items as you shop in-store, according to the Walmart website.
Shoppers can choose between the $12.95 monthly or $98 annual plan.
Despite the woman’s claims that self-checkout machines are meant to promote Walmart’s membership for shoppers, spokespeople for the retail giant say it is meant to help customers and employees.
“From time to time, our stores adjust the use of staffed checkouts and self-checkouts,” a statement read.
“During these times of limited access, some stores are designating select self-checkout stations for Walmart+ customers using our Scan and Go service and Spark drivers for quicker access and delivery services.”
“This decision is intended to better manage checkout availability.”
