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SHOPPERS have expressed their frustration with new exit scanners coming to Sam’s Club, labelling them as “a waste of money”.
The new gadget forces shoppers to go through an “exit arch” to leave the store.
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This will eliminate receipt checks, but shoppers will still have to queue up to get their shopping cleared after being scanned by the exit arch.
Carts will supposedly be checked for any discrepancies the AI technology didn’t pick up.
Sam’s Club say it is a faster way to get out of the store, but angry shoppers believe it will just add more time to their grocery trips.
Shoppers were quick to express their irritation towards the announcement on social media.
On the Facebook group “Sam’s Club Fans”, that has over 260,000 members, the new scanners are being called a waste of time.
Keisha Dominique, wrote: “My store has no idea what to do with these lol sometimes I go in and am allowed to walk right through after scan and go.
“Other times I’m yelled at by employees for trying to walk though… wish they would figure it out and stick to one”.
“Another comment took aim at Sam’s Club directly: “Well the one here has been up but must already be broken.
“Make everyone go through one side only. Seems like a huge waste of money to me.
“Had the time ours still has to scan items like always has.
“The employees look miserable and the service is so bad.
“I just wish they paid their employees more and didn’t have this thing.
“Not only pay them a bit more but actually have some registers open.”
Kaytlin Jacoby said: “They still end up checking my receipt and scanning all my items”.
The Facebook post has over 100 comments.
The exit arches use “computer vision technology” to capture the items in your cart.
According to the Sam’s Club website: ” This helps speed up the exit process and doesn’t require most receipts to be checked by an associate.”
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
BELOW are some tips on how to reduce the amount you spend on groceries.
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – You are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – Follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
Despite this, there is growing worry that the staff will place too much confidence in the AI.
Karl Phillips commented on the Facebook post: “If you aren’t holding anything you normally get waved through. Assumes AI didn’t spot anything.”
This suggests that there is a discrepancy between what the AI’s role is and what the staff’s is.
Sam’s Club states that: “If an item was missed, you will have the option to purchase the item or place it aside.”
It has been assured that there are no health risks by going through these scanners, and no Radio Frequency Identification is currently used.
The information is temporarily stored in their system and is then deleted.
The exit scanners are already in several stores across the country, with more expected to be added soon.
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