Early this morning, we decided to go to Bilka to 'pick up a few things.' Since A-Z underwent it's multi-million kroner expansion and renaming, the parking lot has been jam-packed. So, at 8:05, we (and 4 other cars) were ready to enter.
I've only been to one Bilka, so perhaps the others are like this. It's kind of like a Super Wal-mart in the states...with fewer choices, higher prices, no pharmacy, and not open 24 hours. And, our Bilka also has the food items separate from the non-food items; complete with two separate checkouts...almost like having the alcohol section separate from the grocery store in some US states. It's a bit of a pain in the butt and a total waste of time to stand in line twice (once with food items and once with non-food items)!
One check out was open in the food section at 8:30 when we were ready to check out and she was almost finished with her customer. However, this nice young lady asked us to use the self-check out machines. No problem. I actually like the self-check out systems in the states, so why not? Ah, spoke too soon.
Each time you scan something and place it in the bag on the right you hear the clunk of the scale 'registering' the item. If it's too light, like tortillas or bread, the computer thinks you just stole something, and freezes...which means a friendly Bilka staffer has to come over, swipe their card, enter a password and then let you finish. With our 15 items, our friendly Bilka staffer came over 3 times.
First, she blamed the fact that I brought my own bag. Come on, in this lovely green country, how can you blame me for adapting and being green too with my own recyclable canvas shopping bags. Then, she blamed Chuck for taking an item out of the bag after it had 'registered' the weight (it was a loaf of bread...which, I already established is too light to be registered). I just smiled and kept on scanning.
The Super Wal-mart version allows you the choice to 'Skip Bagging' which alleviates a lot of problems. If Bilka ever asks my opinion about why their self-check out systems aren't popular...I'll pass along a tip....a little trust goes a long way...disable the clunk of the scale and allow for 'Skip bagging.' Of course, I'd also question the decision to have two sets of registers.
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that is odd...our Bilka in Holstebro lets you check out once with all your stuff....wonder why that one is different???
ReplyDeleteThe Viborg Bilka also has the two registers issue - it's only because it too expanded from an A-Z instead of being built as a Bilka in the first place. Yes, it's a royal pain - I much prefer the Holsteboro shop with one register!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the self-scanners, I've experienced that same self-scanning issue in the states. I believe those are the first generation machines and most likely, Bilka got them on the cheap.
wow what an inefficient system at the Bilka!
ReplyDeletesorry to hear of your expereinces of inconvenience... :(
hope they will improve things...
I am a master at self check out in the states and here it takes me 14 times as long. I'm never doing it again. That damn beeping noise and that annoying voice when it can not register the item? grrr! I have ranted about the uselessness of the self-check out here to my hubby and he tends to disagree. Whatevs.
ReplyDeleteTry doing self check out with each child demanding their turn. H O U R S....
ReplyDeleteTwo lines is definitely silly. But what is A-Z? Have I been missing out on a good store? Shouldn't it be called A - AA (my keyboard doesn't have the A with the circle on it.)
I had my own super-weird expat-experience at the gym in small-town Sweden:
ReplyDeletehttp://swedish-notions.blogspot.com/2009/09/there-is-some-weird-skit-going-on-in.html