A WALMART shopper has blasted the retailer after waiting a line for 45 minutes to buy 30 items due to a major change at self-checkout.
Other customers have also noticed the new policy in their Walmart stores.
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Among a slew of other changes, the retailer has implemented a 15-item or less policy at self-checkout.
Walmart’s decision follows Target’s 10-item or less policy.
The new rule comes as shoplifting continues to rage out of control at stores across the country.
However, the policy has frustrated customers who want to use self-checkout for a quick in-and-out trip.
One customer warned others about Walmart’s long line and fumed about the new self-checkout mandate.
“So be ready to wait in long lines at Walmart!” the shopper started in a post on Facebook.
“Went to get a few things… grabbing a few more as we saw them… typical shopping. But when we went to go through the self-checkout we were told ‘No!’
The shopper went on to explain the new 15-item or less rule.
“We stood for 45 mins to buy 30 items! Trust me … I will be finding other ways to shop!!!” they explained.
“They not only need to train and retrain employees…. They have now limited how people shop!
“I am done! Walmart you can kiss me goodbye!! It would have taken me five minutes or less to ring up my own items which you have someone standing there watching us do….. what a stupid stupid move on your part!!
“I can see others like me leaving and shopping elsewhere!!”
They also paired their complaint with an image of the “15-items or less” sign in the self-checkout area.
ANGRY CUSTOMERS
Many shoppers have found this new rule restricting.
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.
One shopper begged the retailer to add more cashiers to stores.
“Dear Walmart, if you’re going to go back to 15 items or more being rung with a physical cashier, please add more cashiers!” they wrote on X.
“It’s like a madhouse just to buy groceries.”
Another vowed they wouldn’t be coming back to Walmart.
“Is @Walmart trying to lose customers?” a customer asked on X.
“They removed cashiers for self-checkout. Now have a strict 15-item limit on those, with an employee actually counting.
“If you have >15, you have to wait in a very long line for one of the few cashiers. No more Walmart trips for me.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.
