Comments on: If you don’t think that there is a recession, you’re either George Bush or hypnotized by him

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:58:42 +0000

The cost of the “warranty” is likely included in the $10k they pay for it at the beginning. Also, even if the warranty wears out in three years, that’s still $20k less they paid an employee.

By: sportygal85

sportygal85 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:30:52 +0000

I’m sure this warranty wears out at somepoint. And to extend it costs money.

By: sportygal85

sportygal85 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:27:58 +0000

And I believe Stop and Shop pays for the warranty? To some degree? I mean if I pay for a computer warranty isn’t always free, it comes with a price.

By: sportygal85

sportygal85 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:25:27 +0000

Haha I don’t plan to work anymore at Stop and Shop once I leave when I graduate. And actually, there is a store (not Stop and Shop) that is all self scan in Masschusetts. There are people who just stand there to keep people from stealing and to help the idiots that can’t listen to a machine or use common sense.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:07:58 +0000

I hate to break it to you, but no store actually pays for repairs on any of those machines. Every single one is under warranty and your Stop and Shop pays absolutely nothing each and every week it breaks down.

Also, I don’t mourn the loss of “customer service.” You may be an excellent cashier that really respects your customers. However, (1) given that you have a blog on which you make fun of customers, I doubt it. (2) You are one of a million cashiers who would. I have lived all over the country and few cashiers take their jobs seriously.

Also, I pay very good attention to everything that goes around me. I have worked in a grocery store before and I know exactly what goes on. That’s why I already know that the picture you paint is not quite so bleak. I respect that you speak out against what you feel is a looming problem, but the fact of the matter is that the situation is not as dire as you think. There is not a single store that has a completely automated checkout system. Stores are probably learning that you just can’t replace real people on a larger scale, because customers need the person-to-person contact.

Don’t worry, your job will still be there when you graduate with your degree in English.

By: sportygal85

sportygal85 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:56:42 +0000

By the way, they invented robovacuums for people at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if some idiot invents a machine that could clean a whole store, leaving again a loss in jobs. If no jobs, no one can afford to go to school and learn job skills in a part time job before a full time job, making it impossible for employers to hire young people because they will be a bunch of inexperienced bimbos.

By: sportygal85

sportygal85 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:53:15 +0000

Ah, but do you know how often those machines need to be repaired? How about at least one every week breaks down to a point that it needs a tech. One of those machines screws up everytime a customer goes through with an item that isn’t set at the right price. If it is a common item, the company is losing thousands by the day, because the more people buy the product that’s price isn’t set right by the machine in the favor of the customer, much money is going out the door. Less money goes to employees. And with technology constantly being updated, stocking shelves and mopping may be out too. They are already coming up with ways to cut out meat cutters, deli people and bakeshop people by having everything prepackaged. When they cut people, no more customer service. So if a customer wanted something in particular, if everything is prepackaged and there’s nothing left, tough shit on the customer. Customer no longer shops there for lack of service because there is no one working, again company loses money. I hardly think you pay any attention to the things around you. It all adds up, and $10,000 a year for a cashier is cheaper than a machine, that if it breaks down all the time, I’m sure it’s at least somewhere between a couple hundred to $1000 each time it needs to be fixed. Therefore, let’s say worst case scenerio $1000 a week in repairs, times that by 52 weeks in a year (if only one breaks down a week) that is $52,000 the company lost. Might as well hired four cashiers instead, it would’ve only costed them $40,000 a year, savings in $12,000.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:12:32 +0000

Even if the machine screws up, it’s still much less expensive than a cashier. Your average salary per year is $10,000. The machine costs a one time fee of $10,000, which is likely to include repairs for several years. So, unless you’re willing to work for that, you’re more expensive.

Don’t worry, even if you’re not a cashier, you can still stock shelves or mop.

By: sportygal85

sportygal85 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:37:06 +0000

thanks, and feel free to introduce yourself. Also, pass this blog around. Thanks!

By: livingoncouches

livingoncouches — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:10:00 +0000

Hey, just wanted to let you know I stumbled on your blog today and I am officially a fan You’ve been favorite’d!

What’s slightly awkward though is that I think I might go to your Stop and Shop. haha.

Great post.