A PUBLIX shopper lashed out at the chain after realizing the self-checkouts didn’t accept cash – but the company seemed to double down on its approach.
In the tirade, the customer couldn’t hide his confusion.
AlamyPublix came under fire after self-checkout registers didn’t accept cash[/caption] AFPThe company reassured the shopper that he could still use cash at registers[/caption]The shopper, known only as Billy, was apoplectic with rage when he worked out that he couldn’t pay for his groceries, according to an X post.
He was so furious that he walked out of the store.
This was because he learned that the self-service kiosks didn’t accept cash.
“What’s with the cashless self-checkout?” Billy asked.
He explained that he doesn’t pay with dollar bills often but said sometimes he does.
“I walked right out,” he added.
Despite the customer’s fury, a Publix representative explained why certain machines are cashless.
“Cash has declined as a payment method of choice, and maintenance on checkouts that use cash are costly,” they said.
However, the representative explained that shoppers can still pay by cash at manned registers.
The shopper seemed to mock the chain when he responded shopping at Publix was “costly.”
He claimed the chain is “slipping.”
Since the pandemic, more and more businesses have banned shoppers from paying for items using cash.
Wegman’s is another retailer that enforced a cashless policy at self-checkouts.
A representative for the grocery chain in 2022 told the NBC affiliate WHEC-TV that cash payments at self-service machines had declined.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
The company revealed shoppers want to ensure self-checkouts remain efficient.
“As we transition all our self-checkout lanes to cashless, we’ve found it to be more efficient for our employees and our customers,” they said.
Wegman’s move left shoppers divided.
Shoppers have claimed they would boycott companies that do not accept cash.
“They should have a choice – cash or card,” one shopper said.
“As a person who has no credit or bank card and uses cash, this is frustrating,” a second customer chimed.
“We’re headed toward a cashless society,” a third customer feared.
Policies that ban shoppers from paying for items via cash have also been rolled out at arenas and sports venues.
Retailers across the nation have embraced contactless forms of payment.
At Sam’s Club, for instance, shoppers can pay for goods via scan-and-go.
Shoppers can scan items individually and pay for their shopping without having to stand in checkout lines.
A form of scan-and-go has been rolled out at Walmart, but shoppers must go to a self-service machine to pay for goods.
Most retailers, apart from Walmart and Hobby Lobby, have also embraced contactless services such as Apple Pay.
Why doesn't Walmart offer Apple Pay?
CEO of Walmart Doug McMillon has revealed why stores don't offer Apple Pay on Stratechery with Ben Thompson.
Though using Apple Pay at the retailer has been an ongoing conversation, McMillon emphasized that “We would like to have the customers open our app in the store all the time.”
The app can be used to help find items in the store, but it can also be used to pay for your purchases.
“That’s one of the things that we would like people to use our app for,” he said.
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