Self check out: Experienced couponer has a newbie question!

[ladycat00]

I don't use shelf check outs because of my coupons and also because I get fruits and veggies that have to be weighed.

But I see people posting about using coupons at self checkouts.

How do you do this? A broad question, I'm sure, because different check out machines probably work differently, but if a few people can explain how it's done with their machine, maybe I can figure it out.

Can you scan your own coupons at self checkouts at Walmart?

How do you weigh the produce?

[Lurkergirl]

Well at my Kroger store you can do self check out .How you do it there is that you place your fruit /veggie on the scanner then you hit a picture which says no label .Then you can either type in the number that is on them (there is usually a sticker on them ) or you can simply hit the correct picture .
As to coupons there I hit the have coupon square and then a cashier comes with a hand scanner and scans them .
I believe you can scan your own q's at Walmart but our Walmart no longer allows self check outs .

[MoneySavinDiva]

I've tried the self checkouts at WalMart with my coupons, and it's usually more hassle than it's worth. It seems the self checkout registers are more finicky than the regular ones ( I know right?) and EVERY LAST coupon beeps, so then you have to wait for the person watching over all the lanes to come help you (which at my stores always takes foorreevveerrrr) and to put them through. It's just easier to stick with the normal checkout lanes IMO....

[Arolisa]

I tend to use the Self Checkouts what I do is go to the same one that scans well. Then I will do all the coupons that do no require editing. The I call for the Cashier for those. For example the one where you have free produce and have to type in an amount. Then I am done. Pretty easy where I shop.

Lisa

[ADS]

I agree that the self-checkout registers are more finicky than the normal registers when it comes to using coupons. Plus, if you have any free item coupons then you have to have a cashier come over for sure and it really does take a long time.

The cashiers, however, don't mind at all. They have always been super nice and apologetic when they have to enter my coupons.

Scanning items, including produce, is really easy. You have to remember that the bags or belt are weight sensitive and they know when you have placed your scanned item on the belt/bag or not. So the ringing takes longer in that respect as well. The register is just slower at recognizing if you've placed your item in the bag or not... because it has to know if you've placed something in the bag that you haven't paid for.

[c-treen]

I used the self checkout a week or two ago at Albertsons and loved it. The Powerade was on sale but was limit 4. I had coupons that made them free. There was no one waiting behind me so I was able to do multiple transaction with no hassle. I scanned the coupon bar code the same way I scanned the item bar code. There is a slot in the machine in which to insert the coupons after you scan them. My son also loved doing his own transactions.

[couponmom2008]

I do self-checkout all the time, it is the best. I try to go during a time where I know it won't be too busy, especially if I have multiple transactions. I don't shop at walmart so I am not sure about their self-checkouts. I do shop at Acme, Superfresh, Shoprite and Pathmark. For fruit, vegetables, bagels, etc... (on Shoprite's self-checkout) there's a button that says look up item and then pictures of different items appear with the name underneath or you also have the option of typing in the code (this works for produce which normally always have a code sticker on them).

The best advice I can give is for you to go during a time it isn't busy and try it out so you can get familiar with it. Please don't feel pressured by the cashier or anybody else that may be behind you, take your time. Once you get the hang of it, you will be in and out in no time.

[KariAnn0613]

I always use self checkout when available. I can watch to make sure each and every item rings up correctly. It takes me a little longer, but I haven't had to go to customer service about anything since I've started using self checkouts. At Meijer you just hit a button that says something like no barcode and you can either enter the number from the sticker or lookup the items by picture/name. The part that scans also weighs so you simply just set the item down. To scan coupons I just scan them like another product I'm buying. No need to hit any buttons or anything, just scan them. I always do my shopping around 1030pm or 11pm so I have no problems with peopel waiting behind me and the cashier usually only has me and maybe one other person to worry about helping. Try it out sometime and see if you like it!

[JOURDYSMOM]

we cannot do Q's at our self-checkouts...

it makes you get a cashier, and they paw thru all your bags, take everything out and then do them....

Too much hassle for me!

[SashaBear]

I always use the self checkout at Walmart. It lets me organize my groceries how I choose to do them. I try to get one closest to the cashier in charge as possible. I also try to pick my favorite cashier(there is only two but I know them usually). The register is pickier about coupons it seems. They don't like food coupons and sometimes they just don't want to go through. If they didn't want me scanning coupons there they should not have that option on the computer.