A LONGTIME Target shopper has expressed frustration over the store’s self-checkout system, insisting recent changes have made things worse.
The disgruntled customer claimed they were forced to abandon four items during a recent trip simply to comply with the latest restrictions.
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X user Natty Bumpercar (@nattybumpercar) said in a thread of several posts that they understand the last few years have been “challenging” for the retailer.
They praised Target’s self-checkout upgrades, which they say added about 20 new registers in their store.
However, they claimed that one of their local self-checkout areas is always closed, leaving only one or two lanes operational.
They believe the situation only got worse when Target implemented a 10-item limit at self-checkouts.
“With a limit of 10 items, and only one or two lanes open, if I had more than 10 items, I would end up being in line for a mighty long time,” the shopper said.
This new policy drastically changed the convenience and enjoyment of Target shopping trips for Natty.
During a recent visit, the shopper encountered a common issue.
Unknowingly exceeding the 10-item limit, they were stopped by an employee while attempting to use the self-checkout.
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After waiting for 15 minutes in one of the two stagnant checkout lines, the shopper decided to remove four items from their cart to meet the self-checkout criteria.
“I get enforcing the rules. Rules are great and totally make society kind of work,” the shopper said.
“But after about 15 minutes of standing in one of the two unmoving checkout lines, I gave up.
“I still like your store, but these decisions all seem reactionary and not well thought out,” the shopper continued.
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.
The shopper went on to emphasize how the self-checkout restrictions have diminished their shopping experience.
“It all pushes me to come in less often, to stay a shorter amount of time, and to buy less stuff,” they said.
Target apologized to the customer on X, and asked them to send more details.
“We apologize for any inconvenience,” the retailer wrote in response.
“That is not the experience we want our guests to have.
“We’d like to hear more about this. Using the link below, can you DM us with your full name, email address, and order/receipt number? We hope to talk to you soon.”
The thread highlights a growing dissatisfaction with the current state of Target’s self-checkout system.
One shopper pledged to shop at Amazon if self-checkout issues don’t get resolved at Target.
Limiting how many items you can purchase at Target’s self-checkout caused this customer to question its business plan.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Target for further comment.