Pros, cons of self-checkouts

Dear Readers: A recent letter about self-checkouts really struck a chord! The reader didn't like them because she felt she was doing all the work and should get a discount. We asked readers what they thought. Here are a few of the many letters we received both for and against:

— Pete, via e-mail, says: "I have a different concern about the self-checkout lanes in supermarkets. How many clerks are put out of work by these devious little techno checkers? Give me a smiling face over a recorded voice anytime, and keep the workers working!"

— Melba Tupin from Comanche, Texas, says: "I do not see that self-check lines move people along faster. I also love my grocery store that carries my groceries out!"

— Happy Shopper in Pennsylvania says: "I find the self-checkout especially convenient if I have only a few items or they are bar-coded. If I have a large amount, I generally opt for the regular checkout."

— Sue Freeman of Lady Lake, Fla., says: "Having self-checkouts also reduces the number of employees, but an employee is needed if something goes wrong with the machine. So, no matter what the situation, an employee is needed; so why not make all checkouts full service?"

— Faye in Dallas says: "I'm glad that many people don't want to use the self-checkout lanes. That leaves them open for me! I can sack the groceries the way I want them sacked and get out quick!"

— Peggy in Texas says: "I read in the newspaper that if you use the self-checkout lane, you can lose up to 4 pounds a year. You are getting a light workout by doing the checking out and bagging yourself."

— Jennifer Ryder of Savannah, Ga., says: "I always use self-checkout when available because I want to bag my own groceries. I get so angry when cashiers put only a few items in each bag and use five or six bags when it all would have fit in two!"

— Tela in Minnesota says: "To those who think you should get a discount for using a store's self-checker — I consider the timesaving my discount. I laugh at those standing in a long line waiting for a human to check them out. I just breeze through the self-service line, and I'm on my way!"

— Ruth Boston of South Berwick, Maine, says: "Shopping today is a far cry from when you used to walk in the stores and tell the clerk what you wanted. Stores should be making money hand over fist, but the customers don't get discounts."

Thanks to everyone who took the time to drop a comment! — Heloise

MESH SCRUBBER

Dear Heloise: Wrap a small mesh bag that onions, potatoes, any fruit or vegetables come in around a sponge and you get an instant scrubber! — Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.

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Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. © King Features Syndicate

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