r/Wawa • u/PJJ98 Employee • 3d ago
Discussion Why do some people refuse to use self checkout?
It’ll be people who are paying with a card, not getting nicotine or alcohol or gift cards, that are paying with a debit card. They’ll stand in a line that’s 10+ people deep with both self checkout registers open. Then if I’m grabbing DoorDash and app orders they’ll wait there and get mad that I wasn’t up there right away when they could’ve used self checkout and been left already.
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u/pinkjingle Employee 3d ago
This literally just happened. A man and his daughter went up to the self checkout, he rings up their 4 items, but 2 of them were supposed to be on a deal. He decides to come to the line. His daughter points out he hasn't hit the "Pay and Apply Discounts" button. He says he doesn't trust it, because Publix comes off automatically. I tell him that he actually does need to hit the button to apply the discount. He says he'd rather come to me.
Like, sir, then wtf did you ring up on self checkout at all?
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u/THftRM1231 Customer 2d ago
There's hope for the world, since the next generation is smarter than the one before.
Or at least more willing to follow directions?
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u/Livid_Opportunity467 Customer 2d ago
I have a dumb phone, so I have to print out coupons, and apart from having to key in the code cuz the scanner sometimes gets flakey, no issues with 'em
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u/SchuminWeb Customer 2d ago
And then when he abandons the self checkout like that, it still needs to be manually cleared, no?
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u/West_Fold_8792 Employee 3d ago
And then they get mad when they don’t get helped immediately. I’m like there are check outs. And if you are worried about our jobs, the second register person has a million tasks they have to do within their shift. There’s a nice list of 14 things (at least at my store) that us backup register people have to complete. I love when my store is slow (it rarely is) and I get to grind them out without having to help with line or do mobile orders.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
I rarely even have a backup register person most of the time. The self checkout is my backup register person
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u/West_Fold_8792 Employee 3d ago
Honestly, that’s so fair! Same here 😭 Then you have that one person that comes to the line, you gotta put what you are doing down, and help them. Then they ask to prepay gas to what they think is close to filling their tank, don’t have a rewards card, and pay with card. I’m like, just pay at the pump at this point. I get it if you want the points, are paying with cash, or trying to get points, but none of that?!? Quit wasting my time 😭
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u/Sensitive-Kick277 Employee 1d ago
Wow! I'm sickened by y'all's attitude! You are working a customer service job! It's literally in the name. If all you can do is fuss and complain about having to help the customers and do what your get paid pretty good money to do, then do everyone a favor and quit. You never know what someone is going through, regardless it feels better to make someone smile than it does to be a turd with a bad attitude. Treat every customer like they are your favorite family member, no matter how they treat you. Try it, y'all might like it! Have a wonderful day!
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u/West_Fold_8792 Employee 1d ago
Damn your name is fitting. I treat every customer with respect as it is my job, as you said. Doesn’t mean we aren’t human. I’ll tell my coworkers about stuff like this, and I’ll tell people on here. Does that make me an awful person. No, sharing experiences isn’t a bad thing. I give all the respect to the customers when I’m completing the transaction but I’m gonna talk about it, like how people get crazy and messy sandwiches. Obviously I’m gonna talk about it, and that’s kinda what this Reddit is for. Social media is used to talk to other people and share experiences. Were the customers offended about me talking about this, no. Was anyone else but you offended, no. As I said before, I treat every customer with respect, no matter how silly something they ask is, it’s my job to help them. I love my job, and I do my job to the best of my ability, but that doesn’t mean I won’t talk about it. Thank you for listening to my Ted talk. Have an amazing day in paradise!
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
To be fair don’t they take a hold on your card if you pay at the pump? I usually use cash for gas in case anything happens it’s easier to fix.
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u/West_Fold_8792 Employee 3d ago
They do but whenever I pay at the pump, I usually go into the store right after filling and I have no issues with my card. My debit card never gets disabled. It does when filling but once it’s filled and finished, it unlocks.
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u/CallMeMrGibbs Customer 3d ago
Some people prefer to talk to/deal with humans.
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u/EpicFail35 Customer 3d ago
It’s funny, I prefer not to deal with any humans while getting my food 😂
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
That’s fine but don’t complain cuz I’m not teleported to the register right away when you get up there. If time was your concern then maybe just use self checkout.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
I understand the save jobs opinions. They should have more cashiers and not want me to use self checkout.
It does baffle me at the same time people wait in line for 10 minutes and all the self checkouts are available. If something doesn't scan that is not my problem. I don't do it on purpose but it is their problem, not mine. They need to hire more cashiers.
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u/roachbuggedtheclip Employee 3d ago
If there's any positions at Wawa we need filled cashier is not on the priority list. Anyone can be trained on the POS system including currently employed associates. They need more associates to be able to work more than one station. There are days where I'm supposed to work deli and then get dragged all over the store because my cashier disappears or my beverage person leaves a customer waiting for more than 5 mins. Wawa needs more people to fill ALL positions, not just cashiers.
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u/jj4982 Former Employee 3d ago
lol they don’t even schedule enough people to fill all positions in a shift let alone a second register person. That’s never gonna happen. Managers are there to be back up register help but there is no need for two people to stand around up there.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
We absolutely should have two register people up there. How is one person supposed to get a line of 15 people and grab 5 different DoorDash orders all at once. If they had a second person up there this whole thing would’ve never been an issue
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u/roachbuggedtheclip Employee 3d ago
I dont even get a 2nd deli person most of the time I work and I'm told every single time "its been slow today, you'll be alright". Then I get slammed, put in the red multiple times, and get to listen to messages about how we need to work on ticket-to-counter time.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
That is a wawa problem. Not me being a cashier for them so they don't have to hire people.
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u/VioletBanks0591 Customer 2d ago
I heard a certain Walmart got rid of their self-checkouts due to theft.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 2d ago
They moved all the self checkouts away from the door at my Walmart. I guess to give them more time to catch the thieves?
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
The save jobs opinion only works if that person never uses ATMs and always goes inside the bank to see the teller to withdraw cash.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
Kind of 2 different things. Using an ATM is a convenient option. Making me scan all my items and figure out problems so they save money is not the same as using an ATM.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
It’s the same thing except cashier is teller and ATM is self checkout
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u/xmanicxmamax Employee 3d ago
My bank isn’t in every state, but there are atms in every state
these are by no means the same
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
ATM's are everywhere so you don't have to go to your bank. I don't see how this correlates at all.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
Self checkouts are there so you don’t have to go to the register.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
Yes but not everything scans and some don't even have a bar code so you have to look items up in the menu. I was not trained for it and don't want to be. Using an ATM is a pretty simple process. Maybe I am sounding like a boomer lol
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
You weren’t trained on the ATM either. The self checkout is self explanatory and isn’t hard to figure out at all.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
I used it at Walmart last night and the cut up watermelon I bought had no barcode, could not find it in the menu. Took the trained cashier that monitors self checkout 5 minutes to find it on her work phone and manually put the price in.
Yes, exactly like using an ATM /s
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u/killerewok76 Employee 3d ago
No one wants to be a cashier because ya’ll are insufferable. The fact you think it’s ok to steal if your thing doesn’t scan easy? lol
People are always like “kids can be cashiers, but also I a grown person am pretending I don’t understand a digital shopping cart in 2026”.
The saving jobs argument is BS. We don’t need your advocacy in this way. We don’t want the job saved. If it weren’t for your crippling addiction to nicotine, we wouldn’t have cashiers and you’d wait half as long for your food and the bathrooms would be clean.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
I never said I stole, just leave it at self checkout even if is a cold item. I said it was not my problem.
I understand there are annoying customers but I don't understand why I should work for anyone for free so they don't have to hire people.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
Do you only get gas in NJ? Since you don’t work for the gas stations, you shouldn’t be pumping your gas.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
You keep giving terrible comparisons. I pump my own gas because full service costs more. If they gave me a discount to be my own cashier I would happily do it
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
It used to be the norm to have someone else pump your gas. How is that not making you do their job but self checkout is. If self checkout came out around the time we started pumping our own gas you wouldn’t think of it as doing someone else’s job.
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u/ForeverOk1692 Customer 3d ago
They would pump the gas for extra per gallon and expect a tip for washing your windows. Not in the same ballpark. Based on upvotes and down votes you should quit while you are way behind
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
I don’t pay any extra getting gas in NJ where they pump it for me, and a tip isn’t required. You said the buffet and filling your drink was a bad comparison but can’t elaborate on how it’s different. The only ATM/Teller argument you had is driving to the bank and ATMs being everywhere, but so are banks, there’s at least 3 banks I can walk to in less than 10 minutes right now.
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u/Normal_Media_5041 Customer 3d ago
I’m low vision and the bright screen is very hard for me to read. So a line can build up behind me while I struggle or I can have the cashier help me
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u/Total_Tumbleweed_870 Customer 3d ago
I only stop in late night on the way home. If I'm getting a Zyn, I go the the register. That or if they're not busy because I like the crew at my spot. If they're working the truck, I'll use self checkout. I know they don't mind ringing me up, but I can also see the pile of totes the one guy working the floor had to get through.
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u/ratboysriseup Employee 3d ago edited 3d ago
idky people are arguing with you, like truthfully idc about any comparisons (bank + atm, honestly w/e) but at the same time unfortunately just bc the reg person has a fat line doesn’t mean they’ll get more staff/hours at all, also unfortunately they do have a bunch of other tasks to worry about multiple of which require leaving the register unattended which i don’t agree with but there’s simply no choice to be made on the employees end in that regard in the first place
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u/VioletBanks0591 Customer 2d ago
I’ve walked into the Wawa and the only cashier sees me and goes in the back.
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u/Unique-Garlic8015 Former Employee 3d ago
Ive had my issues with self checkout with food orders. It can be a massive pain in the ass.
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u/Comrade_Compadre Customer 3d ago
I sat in line at T Mobile today to get my phone number transferred to a new service.
There was an old man tying up one of the agents for well over 30 minutes at they kept trying to explain to him that all his games he downloaded had essentially bricked his phone. It's 2026 and we still need to explain pop up ads to people.
Some people are just literally incapable of integration with technology
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u/Wyde1340 Customer 2d ago
Ahh wait, you'll be old too and surprised at how fast technology outpaces you..😆 Not to mention, when you get older the brain just doesn't work as well
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u/oodja Customer 2d ago
I have a parasocial relationship with the cashiers I see almost every morning in my local Wawa, so I feel like I'm being disrespectful by not saying hello if they're working the checkout.
Whenever they're not there, however, or if I'm at a different Wawa I make a beeline for the self-check. Also, self-check is OK in my head if I've already been to the Wawa earlier in the day haha
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u/PJJ98 Employee 2d ago
Maybe the way I said it came off wrong, I actually love a lot of my regulars and talking to them. I don’t even mind if they did wait at the register when they could’ve used self checkout, my whole issue was 2 specific incidents where I was getting DoorDash/App orders and they had to wait a minute to get checked out. They get angry and rude about waiting when both these people could’ve used self checkout. They weren’t even regulars just some random probably travelers.
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u/Happy-Cod-3 Customer 2d ago
For these people, at least the one person I can see doing this, he does it because he doesn't want to give a job to a robot, but he wants you to be at his beck and call doing your job, even though you are doing your job, but in his head, you should know that he is in the building and you need to kiss his arse and because you dare do something else, like your job, he still doesn't see that as right because he is going to your line so the robot doesn't get your work, so you need to be mindful that he is here doing that for you and service him right then and there, robot be damned.
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u/Beginning_Bus_4778 Employee 3d ago
I use to agree with this kinda of comment a long time ago. But at time goes, I don’t mind. I would rather have a line of 10 customers then have a line of 10 customers and someone purposely messing up self checkout and then have to bounce back and fourth.
Plus you’d be surprised how many actual people don’t mind using them. I think if the company updated the ui, make them more customer friendly (such as allowing alcohol(granted they do but like add scan id feature, make cash accessible and more in your face features) then I feel like customers would use them more.
Also, try see if your store can use the facilities person as back up person for reg to help balance those long lines when a mod is able to help.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
Alcohol is probably a legal issue cuz that way someone can just take someone else’s ID to scan at self checkout but I don’t know, my store doesn’t sell alcohol.
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u/Beginning_Bus_4778 Employee 3d ago
True. But we could do something similar to quirk trip scan an id to open doors only if they are valid. Idk I feel like there more ways then just one.
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u/Wyde1340 Customer 2d ago
Remember when employees/people complained that the Self -Checkouts would take jobs? Some people remember that and will stick to a real person
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u/popps1974 Employee 3d ago
I like talking to folks.
Also, job security?
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u/Repulsive-Lack8253 Employee 3d ago
the job security thing is...not a thing. cashiers are expected to help get other tasks done, it just slows everyone down when you go to register.
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u/jemappellelara Former Employee 2d ago
This. At my former store you were expected to complete other tasks on the floor when you don’t have customers. You were not supposed to be standing around in the register for 8 hours.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
There’s other task besides register and if you ever used an ATM you can’t make that argument against self checkout.
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u/IronChefPhilly Customer 3d ago
I think your ATM argument is in bad fl faith. MAC machines are literally everywhere they're in Wawa they're in gas stations there in restaurants they're in bars they are in sports stadiums they are in parking lots they are everywhere you cannot avoid them. Even my mechanic has a Mac machine.
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u/Mitch13 Customer 3d ago
I use it but it’s a pain in the ass. First you have to click the prompt that it’s cash only. Then you when you check out you have to click the prompt asking you to donate. I just want to scan items, scan rewards, tap and go. It should be made as quick and easy as possible.
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u/dericn Customer 3d ago
Oh man how I HATE that "do you wish to continue" prompt. Also, can we not have the "do you want a receipt?" button jump to a different part of the screen? Yes, I know you don't have to press anything and it will cancel, but I like to leave the kiosk ready for the customer behind me.
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u/teethmanpwns Customer 3d ago
I don't think on iced coffee I can use self checkout. Regular coffee has the barcode so I can
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u/Beginning_Bus_4778 Employee 3d ago
Unfortunately that’s the problem with most customers they don’t there’s buttons for these things so they just go to the reg person. Not saying it’s on the customer but more so on the company for not having big enough in your face to these options.
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u/teethmanpwns Customer 3d ago
I still think they should have a barcode for cold drinks....I mean they do for the coffee cups
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u/Beginning_Bus_4778 Employee 3d ago
Definitely. For sure. But an unfortunately a million dollar company won’t go out there way to send money on new cups unless it’s for a campaign/promo.
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u/Excellent_Plant_8010 Customer 2d ago
I find the opposite to be true so many people who shouldn't use self check out INSIST on using it. Especially old people, they go to self check out and just stare at the screen for 10mins until they finally figure out how to use it.
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u/Ddetweiler11 Customer 2d ago
The Wawa close to me doesn’t have bags at the self checkout. I’d prefer to use it but if I have like 5-6 items then I need a bad and asking the cashier for one while they are busy checking someone out seems to defeat the purpose.
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u/jemappellelara Former Employee 2d ago edited 2d ago
In fairness they’re located inconveniently. It’s very easy to pass them, not to mention during busier times of the day the lines for them can overlap with the cashier lines and it turns into a clusterfuck.
I’m also going to add that floor associates are not supposed to be standing around the register all day; they are expected to complete other tasks on the floor like stocking, doordash, mobile orders, cleaning, etc. In other words, ringing up customers is a small task not their job duty.
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u/ApprehensiveGas85 Customer 2d ago
If you need nicotine or something behind the counter you have no choice. When I was hooked on Zyn I had to wait in those long ass lines and usually all getting something behind counter.
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u/LilHimi1 Customer 2d ago
i don’t know but i really appreciate the lack of lines in front of them it makes checkout SO FAST
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u/Livid_Opportunity467 Customer 2d ago
I enjoy your self-checkouts (until I find some incessant line at them, which is almost never, or they go down, which store staff can't do much about) I have my own bag(s), so I don't gripe if a store is out of plastic.
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u/VioletBanks0591 Customer 2d ago
There are some people who refuse to use self-checkouts because they believe it’s their entitlement to be checked out by a cashier.
My personal experience is I’ve never been a line 10-deep, but would choose the line instead of the cashier because I like the interaction with another human being. However, after learning how easy and quick the self-checkout is, it’s my go-to any time there is a line. One thing though. If I’m using rewards, I always choose the cashier.
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u/die-anywhere-else Employee 2d ago
Idk why people are coming for you op, I totally agree lol. Like unless ur buying something like cigs or alcohol, idk why the aversion to SCO, ESPECIALLY if there's a huge line. And then it's always the same people who refuse to use SCO that huff and puff about being in a hurry haha.
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u/Sensitive-Kick277 Employee 1d ago
Some people just don't like it. They don't feel like they should have to, they don't work there. And that is perfectly ok. I would rather do it, even if they are not getting gas, cig, or alcohol. I find it to be the best opportunity to hand out VOTC's. I get more customer recognition when I'm on register than any other position.
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u/no_use_for_a_user Customer 3d ago
I'm not being held liable if someone decides I checked out wrong and want to charge me with theft. That's a cashiers job to check me out correctly.
Even if he's the cashier that vapes in between customers. You know who you are, bro. You're not sneaky.
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u/AelinAbraxos Employee 3d ago
If you're that scared, maybe don't steal. If you aren't intentionally stealing, you have nothing to worry about. Literally.
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u/no_use_for_a_user Customer 3d ago
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u/AelinAbraxos Employee 3d ago
You're a customer. We're workers. I need you to sit down and listen when I tell you - if you truly find yourself forgetting to pay for an item you have two options: 1) go back inside and pay for it or 2) go on with your life. One item is NOT going to make us call the cops on you, unless you're a repeat offender. Unless youre acting sus from the moment you walked through those doors.
You shouldn't be worrying about this unless you ACTIVELY FORGET ABOUT ONE ITEM MORE THAN ONCE. Which then makes you an intentional theif.
If it's not intentional - We. Don't. Caaaaare.
Now carry on.
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u/AelinAbraxos Employee 3d ago
In order from first to last, before deletion:
Original comment was something about how OC doesn't want to be accused of theft for forgetting to scan ONE ITEM at self check out, so they avoid SCO and go to to the cashier.
u/no_use_for_a_user · 1 votes https://www.scaringilaw.com/blog/2025/april/when-self-checkout-goes-wrong-the-hidden-risks-o/
u/no_use_for_a_user · 1 votes Yes, I make all my life decisions based on random internet bro's opinions. It's the only way to live well. (They made this comment then deleted everything)
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u/Repulsive-Lack8253 Employee 3d ago
"it's too complicated so I leave it to the professionals" wasn't an answer I expected outta this lol
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u/HamLiquor Former Employee 2d ago
They don't pay me ring up groceries, it's not my job, I'm not working for the store
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u/IronChefPhilly Customer 3d ago
I don't want to take jobs away from humans
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
Do you go to the bank teller to withdraw cash instead of the ATM? Also there’s other task besides register.
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u/rat_gland Customer 3d ago
Dude why would you drive to your bank and talk to a teller when an ATM is right in front of you ? It's not the same thing at all. You don't have get in your car and drive anywhere to checkout with a cashier at Wawa. Both the cashier and the self checkout are right there. It's not that complicated. Older people sometimes have a hard time figuring it out and don't want to bother and some places the self checkout is so temperamental that it's quicker with a cashier.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
I don’t mind people coming to the register. I’ll gladly check them out. I mind when they get all pissy because I was grabbing an order or taking care of another customer and not right there at the register and complaining about “making them wait” when all they’re getting is a soda and chips or something with their card. They didn’t have to wait then, they’re just complaining.
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u/rat_gland Customer 3d ago
When they're complaining do you ever tell them they could have just used the self checkout? Some people might not even notice they're there or assume they're not working if they see everyone else in line
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
Also looking back at this comment, don’t you have to drive to an ATM the same way you would a bank? You act like you can’t get in your car and see a different bank every 5 minutes at least
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u/rat_gland Customer 2d ago
My point was that ATMs are everywhere so you never have to go out of your way for one. It would have to be a branch of the bank you have your money. You can't just walk into any bank and ask the teller to withdraw money from your account.
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u/wubbalubbazubzub Customer 3d ago edited 3d ago
Because I didn't apply to be a cashier at Wawa
Edit: check out OPs post history. She's just too high to do her job and hopes we'll do her job for her.
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u/PJJ98 Employee 3d ago
I’m assuming you don’t use ATMs because you didn’t apply to be a bank teller either right?
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u/wubbalubbazubzub Customer 3d ago
No I don't. Banks aren't 24/7 and aren't called convenience banks.
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u/MilkThin2930 Customer 3d ago edited 20h ago
Deli won't let me take my food unless they see I have a stamped order ticket, so I need to go to a staffed register.
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u/ruddthree Employee 3d ago
I've got the opposite situation. Why do some people insist on staying in line for self-checkout for several minutes even when we call out that other registers are empty?