Coles responds to customer’s filthy rant about self-serve checkouts
The retailer has taken a bold stance after an angry customer slammed the supermarket for making shoppers “work” when buying groceries.


News.com.au
April 16, 2024

Coles has apologised for “letting down” shoppers after an angry customer slammed the supermarket for making shoppers scan their own groceries.

Joe Salanitri, a comedian from Melbourne, shared a video titled “employee of the month” in which he shared a supermarket experience many Aussies can relate to.

During a recent visit to his local Coles, Mr Salanitri – who co-hosts the popular Sooshi Mango Saucy Meatballs Podcast – detailed how he’d been forced to use a self-serve checkout with a whole trolley of groceries.

“I’m working for Coles now, we, we are working for Coles now,” he states in his expletive-filled rant.   :(

“So I’m going to send you [Coles] my tax file number so I can start getting paid.”



Mr Salanitri then went on to ask the supermarket giant: “What do you want me to do next?”

His list of helpful suggestions included, stacking the shelves, reversing the delivery truck and locking up on the way out.

“Do you want me pack the bag? I don’t know how to pack the bag with these condiments, knowing what’s going to squash and what’s going to squash,” he continued.

“I haven’t gone to school for this sh*t, I don’t know how to do that... what am I going to do with the grapes? WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH THE GRAPES?


“What’s next, do you want me to make my own f**king Coco Pops? Facts.”

Joe Salanitri, a comedian from Melbourne, has gone viral for his rant about supermarket self-serve checkouts.

While Mr Salanitri has undoubtedly sprinkled humour throughout the short clip, it clearly resonated with other Australians, amassing over 1 million views and thousands of comments from many who agreed self-service checkouts were “labour”.

Coles responded to the common gripe in the comments section, stating the retailer was “sorry”, and had received the message “loud and clear”.

“Ohh this was a hard watch for us! We’re sorry we let you down,” the response read.

“We should always have a range of checkout options open for the convenience of our customers, but we hear you loud and clear that this didn’t happen when you visited.

“We will share your feedback with our Ops team (feedback as in, your actual video!) because we are always listening and learning, and your vid makes your point clearly.”

The supermarket giant said it was ‘sorry’ for not having staffed checkouts open during his recent visit.

‘What’s next, do you want me to make my own Coco Pops?’

However, the apology appeared to do little to quell those in agreeance with Mr Salanitri, as the video with flooded with others sharing similar experiences.

“WE have had ENOUGH Coles!!! No we don’t want to serve ourselves!!! When I’m tired, cranky, sick, whatever the last thing I feel like doing is working a job I didn’t apply for,” one raged.

“Then you gotta wait for someone to press the magic button to confirm you’re not stealing,” mused another.

As someone else added: “He’s not wrong and we are all paying top dollar.”

Customers are becoming increasingly frustrated by self-serve checkouts.

Others revealed they “refuse” to use the self-service checkouts, arguing it “takes jobs away from humans”.

“Always line up for the human!!! It’s starts with the self checkout then they take everyone’s jobs,” one said.

“I have never and will never use self-serve. I would never allow Coles, Woollies or Aldi’s to take away people’s jobs, and at the end of the day, I do not get staff discount to do their job,” someone else agreed.

As another pointed out: “It’s not just Coles it all the supermarkets.”


Retail chains around the world, including here in Australia, first implemented self-checkout systems nearly a decade ago but in recent months supermarkets have been adding a wealth of additional security measures to them.

Keep them.
It's the only way people can get free food.

They (the supermarkets) argue that customers prefer self serve and show numbers supporting the claim.

The fact that they have only one check out staffed (at best ) with a queue ten people deep might go someway to explain why people choose the self service option more often but that’s not spoken about in there argument.

In any case our senate politicians will threaten to send to jail and once the entire country stops laughing nothing will change.

I still haven't used one in Australia.

Whenever there's no staffed check-outs available, I just leave my basket and go elsewhere.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5k0BqtvxrX/?hl=en

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/markets/western-australia-s-king-river-tavern-dumps-electronic-payments-to-ensure-cash-remains-king/ar-BB1lKqP7?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=58be006028974387e8561d9396eba87e&ei=12&sc=shoreline

Real Australia strikes back.... even in the Deep West there is hope from some...

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 11:37am:

I still haven't used one in Australia. Whenever there's no staffed check-outs available, I just leave my basket and go elsewhere. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5k0BqtvxrX/?hl=en

Same here... but there are always 1-2 open.  Had a staff member at Woolies go at me for wanting her to work instead of using those things - she doesn't work there any more... cameras above and the management knew before I got to them who it was..... Goneski .... had trouble before.... I think it was a 'her' with tits cut off....  "That's SIR!!"

Captain Caveman wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 10:11am:

Keep them. It's the only way people can get free food.

not anymore

stealing using them has gotten really hard since they installed the creep cams in them

I use them.
It's either that or wait in along queue.

I find they often fault for no apparent reason but
someone is there to help within seconds.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 4:27pm:

I use them. It's either that or wait in along queue. I find they often fault for no apparent reason but someone is there to help within seconds.

That 'someone' could be operating a checkout.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 4:29pm:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 17th, 2024 at 4:27pm: I use them. It's either that or wait in along queue. I find they often fault for no apparent reason but someone is there to help within seconds. That 'someone' could be operating a checkout.

That's progress for you.   :)

I refuse to destroy jobs.  Local Woolies now sends 1 staff and 1 manager to my home and wait the required 5 minutes until I give an interview. ('Customer will see you now'). They read out the list of stocked items of grocery victuals for my selection. If I'm unsure, they start again, to cover everything. When required they phone Coles for price match. Upon delivery, we count and jointly sign. Payment depends on complete satisfaction and their driving over with replacement. It's just how I am, helping with employment.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 11:37am:

I still haven't used one in Australia. Whenever there's no staffed check-outs available, I just leave my basket and go elsewhere. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5k0BqtvxrX/?hl=en

The guy sounds like Cauchi's deranged swarthy bro. What a mommy's boy wog. Fat Pizza material.(take THAT, social cohesion!)


In Swarthyland you queue up and ask the server for what you want, she then gives you a ticket with which you queue up at the cashier, pay and get your ticket stamped, then you go back to queue at the server again and when it's your turn for the third time in a queue, sheo will give you what you bought on presentation of your stamped docket.

Australian supermarket axes self-serve checkouts

A Brisbane supermarket has decided to axe its self-serve checkouts forever due to one very sad reason.

IGA Greenslopes will shut down the modern mechanism for good in favour of good old fashioned manned checkouts.

The controversial change has reportedly been implemented in response to a massive spike in shoplifting, according to a sign in the store.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 4:27pm:

I use them. It's either that or wait in along queue. I find they often fault for no apparent reason but someone is there to help within seconds.

I do what I can to avoid them. A coles I was in today had all self scanners except for one… that’s where I went.
Then her computer register “froze” … now that’s something I’ve never had happen but only then… to teach me a lesson not going to self check out I bet!

But the few times I did go through self check out…. Errors or faults appear without fail.
One error was a product I scanned, it registered the price, I put it down on weight platform… then it showed a vid of me scanning the product and needing to scan it again… I’m like …what the….
So I did scan it again and that one item was charged twice!
Hand up for help… ::)
Then I got to whinge… this machine required me to scan one item twice and I’m double charged.

I felt at that moment absolute dislike.
Not a pleasant experience at all.

Harris Farm Markets don't have self service.

There is one line of customers for 6-8 checkouts

it wont be long til you walk in, fill your trolley and walk out and the value of items in the trolley is deducted from your account via an app

amazon already has this in its humanless stores


What are Amazon Go stores?
Amazon Go is a revolutionary shopping experience that eliminates the need for traditional checkouts and cashiers.

Just Walk Out technology
Customers can enter the store, pick out items they want, and simply walk out. Their Amazon account is automatically charged for the items they take. Meanwhile, 'Just Walk Out' is the technology employed by Amazon Go stores that allows customers to shop without the need for traditional checkouts or cashiers. This technology combines computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning, similar to the technologies used in self-driving cars.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 6:25pm:

Australian supermarket axes self-serve checkouts A Brisbane supermarket has decided to axe its self-serve checkouts forever due to one very sad reason. IGA Greenslopes will shut down the modern mechanism for good in favour of good old fashioned manned checkouts. The controversial change has reportedly been implemented in response to a massive spike in shoplifting, according to a sign in the store.

Exactly.
People are just walking out with the goods.
If the staff member even lays a finger on them, that staff member will lose their job and potentially face assault charges.

Like the post above says, "that's progress", or is it?

aquascoot wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 5:08am:

it wont be long til you walk in, fill your trolley and walk out and the value of items in the trolley is deducted from your account via an app amazon already has this in its humanless stores What are Amazon Go stores? Amazon Go is a revolutionary shopping experience that eliminates the need for traditional checkouts and cashiers. Just Walk Out technology Customers can enter the store, pick out items they want, and simply walk out. Their Amazon account is automatically charged for the items they take. Meanwhile, 'Just Walk Out' is the technology employed by Amazon Go stores that allows customers to shop without the need for traditional checkouts or cashiers. This technology combines computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning, similar to the technologies used in self-driving cars.

Oh, it is widely used already.

https://twitter.com/ClownWorld_/status/1771220056384352661

https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1769391043320160486

https://twitter.com/ClownWorld_/status/1775717829926633484

amazon go was fake. it 'worked' by having indians watching the store remotely via cameras, there was nothing automated about it.

I prefer Checkout Chicks & Chimps serving me.
I can use the Jedi Mind Trick and before you know it, using cash - they've given me more change than they should have.
:)

Walk in, run out, at Gucci.

https://twitter.com/RadioGenoa/status/1780818346461553028

Give a $20 note.
Use the Jedi Mind Trick in friendly conversation with them and hey presto! I get $30 plus dollars back because they thought I gave them a $50 note.  :D :)

Frank wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 5:45pm:

Walk in, run out, at Gucci. https://twitter.com/RadioGenoa/status/1780818346461553028

The security guard  ::) no running after them so I ask… what role security guards supposed to do?

Jasin wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 5:46pm:

Give a $20 note. Use the Jedi Mind Trick in friendly conversation with them and hey presto! I get $30 plus dollars back because they thought I gave them a $50 note.  :D :)

You must talk saying 50 in your sentence or something mesmerising ?

Sophia wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 8:33pm:

Jasin wrote on Apr 18th, 2024 at 5:46pm: Give a $20 note. Use the Jedi Mind Trick in friendly conversation with them and hey presto! I get $30 plus dollars back because they thought I gave them a $50 note.  :D :) You must talk saying 50 in your sentence or something mesmerising ?

The Force is strong in you.  :)

Jasin wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 5:46pm:

Give a $20 note. Use the Jedi Mind Trick in friendly conversation with them and hey presto! I get $30 plus dollars back because they thought I gave them a $50 note.  :D :)

https://i.imgflip.com/8n6zno.jpg

;D ;D ;D
Good one Grapps!

https://i.imgflip.com/8n70o0.jpg

I never use self service checkouts as I don’t work for the company concerned.
To use one is contributing to unemployment.
Once at Woolworth’s the lady on the checkout said that I could have used the self checkout[there’d been a bit of a line] I said that I didn’t work for Woollies, she grinned and said “ Good on you.”

Woolworths: Charging you more, giving you shrinkflation and then making you work for them in processing your being ripped off.

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 17^th, 2024 at 10:50am:

They (the supermarkets) argue that customers prefer self serve and show numbers supporting the claim. The fact that they have only one check out staffed (at best ) with a queue ten people deep might go someway to explain why people choose the self service option more often but that’s not spoken about in there argument.

I go grocery shopping once a fortnight. That is the only time I use check out lanes because it is too difficult to self-serve with $200 worth of grocery items. Any other times at the supermarkets, I am there to pick up a few things. That is when I use the self-serve.

Any supermarket that is having one manned checkout lane with a 10 customers deep line would be doing themselves a disservice if the supermarkets don't have another two checkout lines open. I heard "priority 1" over the PA system the other week. The managers called for the opening of two extra checkout lanes for the lines that were getting 3 customers deep.

I am happy for the way things are progressing with both staffed checkouts and self serve checkouts. But, I wish they did have more staffed checkouts open during the busy period.

I know locals who shop at the same Woolworths.

You can ask for the manager and ask him to open another staffed checkout. Apparently if you ask Woolworths policy is the store must open another checkout, with much eye rolling.

The store is staffed too it’s bare bones so buy opening another checkout seems too involve pulling a staff member from unloading a truck.

Coles is literally no better.

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 11:47pm:

I know locals who shop at the same Woolworths. You can ask for the manager and ask him to open another staffed checkout. Apparently if you ask Woolworths policy is the store must open another checkout, with much eye rolling. The store is staffed too it’s bare bones so by opening another checkout seems too involve pulling a staff member from unloading a truck. Coles is literally no better. It’s business, they are tight on every overhead to turn profit and really what is your choice? Coles is a little better but costs a little more

My local will open a serviced lane if you have a big shop, none are open and you ask. It still feels a bit awkward when I do though. I admit I am one that doesn't like the whole self service thing but acknowledge we will all no doubt have to get used to it at some point.                                                                                                                                                                                                     I did a an evening run myself recently at a Coles a bit further away than my usual and it was pretty quiet. Ended up being in the self service area on my own with roughly $100 worth of groceries in my trolley and no serviced lane open. The one attendant came over and literally stood over me watching every individual item go out of my trolley, through the scanner and into my bag. It was bloody annoying and felt like I was being treated as some potential thief etc. Normally there's too many bodies for that kind of "attention", so it was really an odd experience. I ended up stopping and said if you're going to treat me like some potential criminal and make me feel awkward whilst I do Coles work for them then I'd rather you do it all thanks. He apologised and said he'd step away but by now I was pissed off so I insisted he do it all. Thankfully he did because I was about to create a bit of a scene if he hadn't.

Goose wrote on Apr 19^th, 2024 at 12:07am:

My local will open a serviced lane if you have a big shop, none are open and you ask. It still feels a bit awkward when I do though. I admit I am one that doesn't like the whole self service thing but acknowledge we will all no doubt have to get used to it at some point.                                                                                                                                                                                                     I did a an evening run myself recently at a Coles a bit further away than my usual and it was pretty quiet. Ended up being in the self service area on my own with roughly $100 worth of groceries in my trolley and no serviced lane open. The one attendant came over and literally stood over me watching every individual item go out of my trolley, through the scanner and into my bag. It was bloody annoying and felt like I was being treated as some potential thief etc. Normally there's too many bodies for that kind of "attention", so it was really an odd experience. I ended up stopping and said; "if you're going to treat me like some potential criminal and make me feel awkward whilst I do Coles work for them then I'd rather you do it all thanks". He apologised and said he'd step away but by now I was pissed off so I insisted he do it all. Thankfully he did because I was about to create a bit of a scene if he hadn't.

Sophia wrote on Apr 18^th, 2024 at 8:32pm:

Frank wrote on Apr 18th, 2024 at 5:45pm: Walk in, run out, at Gucci. https://twitter.com/RadioGenoa/status/1780818346461553028 The security guard  ::) no running after them so I ask… what role security guards supposed to do?

Fill out the form after and....er.... that's it.

I love self service.

I prefer not to interact with checkout operators and engaging in small talk. I prefer to go in, do my shopping and leave.

MattE wrote on Apr 21^st, 2024 at 5:43pm:

I love self service. I prefer not to interact with checkout operators and engaging in small talk. I prefer to go in, do my shopping and leave.

You might not catch Covid off those filthy infected Covid Check-out-Staff then. Think of everything else you might be missing out on.  :)

MattE wrote on Apr 21^st, 2024 at 5:43pm:

I love self service. I prefer not to interact with checkout operators and engaging in small talk. I prefer to go in, do my shopping and leave.

thats actually 100 % wrong

engaging the operator in conversation and really listening is an excellent workout for your social and emotional intelligence which are VITAL skills  for success in business

you have to pay to go to the gym to improve physical strength

yet here is an opportunity to improve mental strength that comes for free


as a part of assertiveness training, try this

ask for a discount on your bill.
try and maintain the frame
remain polite but just a little assertive

that carry over skill will make you thousands of dollars when you are dealing with contracts or even asking your boss for a raise

you can practice this skill for free every time you shop

My skills have been sharpened like razor blades when bargaining with the 42 year old rental mother of three.
'Now we come to the baked beans $1.10 you say. Too much, I'll offer 92c.'
'No Sir, computer says $1.10'
'Sit down and shut up! 95c final, take it or leave it'
'But Sir'
'The laxettes. I need laxettes to be $3.10 not your $3.75'
You shouldn't do..'
'Stop crying! You make 26 billion profit, capitalist dog.Laxettes. What can you offer?'
'(click click) Nothing to pay. Just go away.'
'Thank you maa'm'.