No Facilities

Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams.

Trestle

Is this a Good Time? — 1LinerWeds

Dan Antion
3 minutes

Yesterday, I was in our favorite grocery store. When I do the shopping, I tend to use the self-checkout. I’m capable, and this particular store makes it very easy. One thing that I like is they don’t badger you to get every last item on the weight table immediately. So, if you’re scanning a bunch of items, you can hold the bag and put them in. Also, they have a barcode reader gun so you can scan heavy items (like five pound bags of birdseed) without removing them from the cart.

The other reason for using the self-checkout is I don’t have a lot of items and I like to let the people who do use the lines with cashiers and baggers.

This store, like so many today, has an app that works in concert with their loyalty program—you know the one where they let you get sale prices in exchange for giving them all the information about everything you buy.

I had loaded the app before getting to the checkout, but I hadn’t checked it. It takes a long time to load, so I just put it in my pocket to let it finish doing whatever it does. Unfortunately, what it was doing was telling me I needed to upgrade the app.

This has happened before. It takes a few minutes. I apologized to the people behind me and assured them the update was almost complete. Then I was prompted to sign in. When I did:

“We’ve recently updated our password requirements. Passwords must be at least 12 characters and include at least one capital letter, one lowercase letter, one numeral and one special character.”

Big-Y for One-Liner Wednesday

Fortunately, the cashier/monitor pointed out that if I scanned an item without logging in, I would be prompted to either scan my code or enter my phone number—problem solved.

1Day4Cee Badge

If you missed my post on Monday, Marsha Ingrao and I are sponsoring one-day one-photo challenge on November 7th. Marsha and I and Cee Neuner shared the 7th as our birthday. Marsha and I are asking people to post one photo, or add one photo to a post on the 7th in honor of Cee. The photo can be either a flower or a black and white photo (of any subject).

shadow bull
I think it’s a bull, horns down
birds
We had 3 stormy days. The birds were happy to find some fresh food
black squirrel
Smokey stopped me on my way out of the driveway to collect a toll.
Pumpkin plants and black birds
Black birds enjoying the birdseed
ballast maintenance
Held up by ballast maintenance on new track
grey squirrel
Sammy snacking on the birdseed
tomato an veggies
Maybe the last simple salad of 2025
Korean dogwood
The Korean Dogwood in the back has lost (eaten) all its berries. The front one is still full
Bunny
Bunny nibbling on some grass that’s still green
Trestle
The trestle is almost fully in view
Monument flags
Monument flags

46 responses to “Is this a Good Time? — 1LinerWeds”

  1. wrookieschu Avatar
    wrookieschu

    I can definitely see the bull Dan. Great photos and I’m glad you got your app sorted. We have a thing in Northern Ireland where you scan your app at the beginning and then you take the scanner with you, like a gun (actually maybe wouldn’t work in America!). You can then scan your items as you lift them. At the checkout you just have to scan the checkout and all your items will be there. It’s really easy, fun and convenient.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      This store has that feature, Wayne, but I’ve never used it. Their self-checkouts are the best around. The other grocery I use makes you put everything on the weigh table immediately, including your bags before you start. I went in for one item, didn’t have a bag and I had to get the monitor to enter a code. I avoid their self-checkout as much as possible.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. wrookieschu Avatar
        wrookieschu

        I think I would do the same.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  2. bushboy Avatar
    bushboy

    Very good Dan. I actually used the self service checkout today as the other checkouts had people with trolleys overflowing and I didn’t want to stand around with my few items. I kept nagging me to do stuff. My first item was too light to register I had put it in my bag 🙄 Luckily I told the supervisor I was a self serve virgin and she was hovering and came to my rescue 😂
    I’d go for a Triceratops leaf shadow. Have you ever tried to not pay Smokey the toll?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      A good person in that area makes all the difference, Brian. This store has a great staff. I didn’t think the shadow was big enough for a Triceratops, but it’s possible. I’m glad it wasn’t on a test.

      One of the gray squirrels will run as soon as the car moves. This particular Smokey gets closer if I try to leave (which I do, only if I don’t have any peanuts). I have to get out and get one from the porch. He’s funny. I say, “Hang on Smokey” and he waits. When I come back, he gets even closer. I haven’t tried letting him get close enough to hand him the peanut. We had one once that would take them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. bushboy Avatar
        bushboy

        Smokey has you well trained 😂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Indeed he does. He knows how cute he is, and he works that to his advantage.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  3. Dave Astor Avatar
    Dave Astor

    I will use self-checkout if necessary, Dan, but I’m not a fan. One reason is that it eliminates some jobs. Perhaps the business world’s precursor to AI. :-) :-(

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I like working with a cashier, Dave, for that reason and because I like talking to them (there’s a surprise). But when people weren’t using the self checkout, they cut back on cashiers anyway to make longer lines. I never see people with too many items using the self-checkout, and this store eliminated the Express Lane. If I have enough for a large cart, I go to a cashier. I won’t use them if they don’t have the wand for heavy items. I like putting one bag on the belt and saying “I have three of those.”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dave Astor Avatar
        Dave Astor

        That all makes sense, Dan. Yes, many retailers will cut personnel costs as much as possible even without self-checkout.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I’m looking at you, Target.

          18 checkout stations in our local Target store and usually one cashier. Plus, now they don’t let you use self-checkout if you have more than one item. And, if you have three bags of licorice (just for example), that counts as three items.

          Liked by 1 person

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          1. Dave Astor Avatar
            Dave Astor

            Yikes and ugh! (All news to me because I haven’t shopped at Target for a while.)

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  4. Murphy’s Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    Due to illness and not driving any longer, I do my grocery shopping online. I don’t have to be concerned with self-checkout or stand in line where there is a cashier. But I do miss the camaraderie with the staff and customers.

    That leaf is definitely a bull! Smokey and the birds (Hey! A new name for an old group!) seem very happy with their dinners.

    The Korean Dogwood is still a beauty.

    There’s something magical seeing Old Glory flying high above the other memorial flags.

    Happy Hump Day Dan.

    ginger🦋

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Ginger. The smaller store that we shop at for meat and dairy doesn’t have self-checkout. The cashier bags your groceries and everyone in the store is nice and fun to talk to. I like that. If there are cashiers available, I will use them, but I don’t want to make someone else wait behind me when I can do this.

      It’s funny what you said about a band. When Smokey stops me, or pops up on the porch, if I don’t have a peanut I say “Hang on Smokey.” He does wait for me to get a peanut, but I’m left with “Hang on Sloopy” stuck in my head.

      I think the squirrels have finally discovered the dogwood in the front.

      I do like the memorial. I hope you have a great rest of the week.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    I don’t mind self checkout, but if they want me to do their job for them they’d better make it easy! And honestly, shouldn’t we get a discount since they’re saving money by putting someone out of work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The big reason I like it is because it lets me not have to lift the bags of birdseed, and I get to bag the groceries the way I like. I take plastic bags (illegal for stores to provide) for produce, meat and frozen items. I take one bag for soft stuff like bread and one heavy bag for cans and things in sturdy packages.

      We have one store that requires everything on the weigh table, and doesn’t provide a wand. I won’t use self-checkout there.

      The bunny showed up late yesterday, so the picture is from inside through a screen.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    I am forbidden to enter the grocery store so I was fascinated with the idea of of an app to let the store know what you are buying. The Producer also has an app. If she chooses, she can scan each item as she buys them and then all that needs to be done at checkout is the bagging. Great photos this morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I only started shopping during Covid, but it seems to be mostly my job now. I’m getting the hang of it after five years, but I don’t want to scan the stuff as I go I like to scan and bag.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. John W. Howell Avatar
        John W. Howell

        She has the same feelings about scanning.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  7. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    Self-checkout? Not a fan. Shopping is already painful for hands and wrists, and the last thing I need is one more part of the process to grab and lift. I am very grateful for the real people. What a beautiful salad that is, and, yes, such wonders are fading out of the year. But the trestle shows better! That’s a great shot of the flags, always reminding us of a bigger picture.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I use the self-checkout at the store where I buy peanuts and birdseed so I don’t have to lift them again for checkout. I do miss talking to the cashier, but the people that have monitoring the 4 units are all very nice and I do talk to them. I think stores do themselves a disservice by minimizing the social aspect, but maybe that only applies to older customers. I am grateful to be able to get out and walk, even if it’s the same walk every day. At least I get to walk through a park.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Oddment Avatar
        Oddment

        Interestingly, there was once a young man behind me at the human checkout, and an employee suggested he use the automation. He responded, “I’m here for the social aspect!” He wanted to talk to the cashier about dogs. I cheered inside! Maybe it isn’t just the seniors and their gnarled hands!

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          That’s nice to hear. Maybe there is hope.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
      2. Oddment Avatar
        Oddment

        That got sent without my permission. Not proofread. Sorry for any messes.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Ha! Not to worry.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  8. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Your patience is admirable. Those money saving apps at my store seem complicated and unwieldy especially at the self-check line. I’ve given up and either forego the purchase or wait in line. To save a nickel for all the hoops I had to go through while giving up a lot of info didn’t seem worth it. Maybe I should try it again. As always, a great gallery of photos, Dan. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      This store makes it almost impossible to avoid. Everything that is on-sale is only on-sale if you’re logged in. Sometimes, the savings is a double-digit percentage. Since I pay with a credit card, someone know what I’m buying, anyway. Although, I don’t know how knowing that I like sourdough bread is going to help.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Frank Hubeny Avatar
    Frank Hubeny

    I like those leaf shadows.

    I rarely do the shopping, so I usually need professional assistance when paying for items.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      This is relatively new to me, Frank. I got the job during Covid. I’m not sure I’m very good at it, but…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
    Liz Gauffreau

    Beautiful remembrance photo! That salad does look good. I use the self-checkout from time to time, but my husband hates it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      My wife won’t use it. I won’t use it at one store because of all the restrictions they place on you when you do.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
        Liz Gauffreau

        Restrictions?

        Like

        Reply
  11. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    That sounds like a terrific system! My main grocery store is pretty decent — I didn’t notice the scanning gun until I was checking out last time so I think that will make it even faster. I’ll hit the self checkout if the lines are backed up or if I only have a handful of things and can’t deal with social interactions that day. The very helpful employee in the area can be a big help when things go awry.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I still like the human contact, even if the person is there to keep me from stealing my groceries. I feel like it’s talking to the prison guard ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Laura Avatar
        Laura

        talking to the prison guard 😂🤣

        Like

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  12. lois Avatar
    lois

    I do like using the self-checkout. But a lot of them want card only–no cash. And then I get the look like, “Cash? What’s that?!” Oh, get over yourself, store! More and more stores around here are pushing either self-checkout (card only, please!) or the store app. The single line for a human cashier is a great way to kill time by have conversations with strangers. 😀🙄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The strange thing is they make more money with cash. It’s really stupid to not want it. I just bought a new snowblower. I asked the guy if he wanted a card or a check. He said he’d be thrilled to take a check.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. lois Avatar
        lois

        Wow! He took a check. I think for the first time this year, I was behind a woman who pulled out her checkbook at the grocery store. I’ve not seen that in….a very long time. Good for him. I pay all our bills online so rarely do I write a check anymore.

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  13. marianallen Avatar
    marianallen

    Ooo, that salad looks good! This is the last month for the farmers markets, and I am SO going to miss the fresh, local produce. One lady drives to Grayson County, Kentucky to get some of hers from the Amish down there, which isn’t strictly local, but it’s the area my husband grew up in, so it’s kind of personally local, if that makes any sense. :D

    Like

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  14. Suzette Benjamin Avatar
    Suzette Benjamin

    You describe the scene at the grocery store so well, Dan; I can relate to the app upgrade demands which are sometimes I feel, rather inconvenient. I am glad there was a workaround.

    I am excited for the challenge in honor of Cee. A wonderful idea! Thank you to you and Marsha for your thoughtfullness! I love the badge you created the bridge and its mirror image are perfect.

    Loved seeing the train tracks in maintenance and the trestle photos; it is always a plus to see train-related photos… But, I digress. Smokey is adorable, a patron of the peanut gathering arts and skilled at the right spot to request them.

    I love the Dogwood tree photo. The berries add just the right amount of red to give that festive sense of autumn.

    So kind of you to give the birds an extra helping during the inclement weather. And Sammy with the birdseed. Perhaps Sammy likes a bit of variety too, eh?

    Great gallery Dan. I enjoyed it very much.

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  15. GP Avatar
    GP

    I always use the self checkout too. I like organizing and packing by weight.
    Thanks for the great view of the train trestle, Dan. We sure don’t see them around here.

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  16. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Ugh… software updates never come at a good time. That had to be frustrating. The gallery however, is splendid. Hugs.

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    Reply
  17. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    Smokey has you well trained.
    I always have problems with self check out and end up waiting for someone to help me. Technology is not my forte. (K)

    Like

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  18. Author Jan Sikes Avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    I had a similar experience with a store app recently and ended up leaving without making a purchase. But it wasn’t groceries. This technology driven world is crazy when things don’t work. Love the photos!

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    Reply
  19. bruce@ssa Avatar
    bruce@ssa

    Dan, we are big self-checkout people and would like to think we’ve mastered the technology. Rare is the day we have any issue checking out. That being said, a few weeks ago I mistakenly didn’t scan one package of a product when we had actually bought two. and the weight in the bagging area was subsequently “off.” We didn’t know at the time one of the two items got into the bag without being scanned, but we found out for sure when the store employee played back the video of us scanning and bagging our groceries. I always knew there were cameras everywhere in the store, but I never really thought about a camera being in the machine itself.

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  20. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    I would have been a wreck with the app, knowing people were waiting in line. You challenge in honor of Cee is really nice, Dan. Love your photos!

    Like

    Reply

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