Using Self Checkout when using coupons
It is no secret that I like to do multiple transactions when the opportunity arises. This allows me to “roll” my catalinas as well as get more savings when there is a limit on how many coupons you can use in one transaction. I have learned over my years as a couponer, that I despise going to a cashier when I have multiple transactions. Not only does it make it harder to make sure you have your “groups” together for each transaction, but you also feel rushed and scrutinized by the people behind you and even sometimes the cashier. This is where using Self Checkout when using coupons comes in handy!
I have four kids, and occasionally (when I have a death wish) I will take them with me coupon shopping since my husband has to work and I need to go to the store. I have learned a few tips and tricks that help these rare occasions go smoother (that I will post at a later date). Once of those tips is to use
self checkout. It allows me to take my time, organize my transactions, and to assess each one after I checkout to make sure things rang up properly and that I got the catalinas I was supposed to, if any.
There are a few disadvantages of using self checkout, but they far outweigh the benefits in my opinion. Another great thing I have noticed about self checkout is that the cashier is usually more mellow and doesn’t look at me like I am steeling because I am using coupons. (lol…if you have used coupons much, you know what I mean).
Advantages:
- Take your time
- No one rushing you
- Allows you to organize your transactions and coupons
- Can check to make sure items rang up correctly and that all coupons were taken off before paying
- You kids can help you scan and bag items so they are “busy” helping instead of running off or breaking things! 🙂
- Lets you bag the items you want together
Disadvantages:
- Takes a little longer
- Might have to wait for the cashier to help you
- The bagging can be tricky (since it is based on weight) if you have too much for the area, or if someone bumps it (like your kids)
I use self checkout whenever I can. It is just easier for me to group the items and bag them the way that I want. My only issue is that at Winn-Dixie the new barcodes don’t scan on the scanners and I always have to have the cashier enter them in manually.
I was told by a manager that the self check out doesn’t give you the catalinas and I always have to have the cashier do the coupons, I really hate dealing with some cashiers, they don’t know much about coupons and examine them like they are fake or something, even if the first few of the same go thru they look at the same exact coupon like it is fake and hold up the line, I see people getting annoyed, sometimes I tell them to just let me go to the service desk and deal with whatever she doesn’t know so we don’t hold up the long line, I usually have a handful of coupons so it always takes awhile but I am saving a lot so I deal with it.
I know exactly what you are talking about! The good does outweigh the bad, but that doesn’t mean it still stinks when it happens. It’s too bad we have to deal with that. They don’t care when someone comes in and spends $500 – but try and save a few bucks and you are automatically on their radar! hahaha. At least you know how to deal with it! 🙂
I never use the self-checkout if I have free coupons, nor when I have those $1 or $2 off meat that’s reduced (cashier’s must take those off, so no self-check option there). I asked on that last one once and was told that I’d need a cashier anyway.
Self-check works best when you go off hours and not during the busiest time of the day as cashiers’ lines get long and then people in line start eying the self-check and you have the same eye rollin’ drama as you would have had you gone through a line.
Very true! I agree with you about going at off-peak times. I have used free coupons and store coupons in self checkout, but that will totally depend on the cashier and the store. Thanks 🙂