Self-checkout lanes are becoming more common in stores, offering a quicker and more convenient way to shop. However, these machines can be a bit tricky sometimes. If you’re looking to maximize your self-checkout experience, here are a few clever hacks you should know about:
Organize Items by Type
Before you start scanning, organize your items into categories: heavy items, fragile items, produce, etc. This will make scanning faster and avoid errors.
For example, produce codes can be easily missed if your items are mixed together, and large or heavy items can trigger a “place item in bagging area” error.
Use the Conveyor Belt to Your Advantage
If there’s a conveyor belt, use it to your benefit! Place items one by one in a way that ensures the sensor picks up each item in the correct order. This avoids scanning issues and helps speed things up.
Double-Check Weighing Produce
When scanning fruits and veggies, make sure you’re choosing the right item from the touchscreen (e.g., apples vs. oranges) and that the scale properly registers the weight.
Sometimes the machine won’t catch the weight or charge you wrong, so confirm everything is accurate before moving on.
Avoid the Bagging Area Hack
Some self-checkout systems are a bit more sensitive when it comes to detecting items in the bagging area. If you’re not bagging as you go, don’t just leave an item there — instead, wait for the system to prompt you to place the item in the bagging area. This way, you won’t get flagged for “unexpected items.”
Keep Your Items Close to the Scanner
If you’re using a scanner gun, hold items just a little above the scanner so the sensor can pick them up more efficiently. It may sound simple, but getting too close or too far can confuse the machine and slow things down.
Use the Item Search Function
Use the search function to deal with items that don’t have barcodes, like bulk produce or loose items. Most machines have a touchscreen where you can manually enter the product name or look it up by category, which can save you time and frustration.
Skip Unnecessary Bagging
Some self-checkouts have an option to skip the bagging area altogether if you’re not planning on using bags. Just select “skip” when prompted to place an item in the bagging area, and it’ll let you proceed without issues.
Scan Items in the Correct Order
Scanning heavy or larger items first will help prevent them from triggering the “place item in the bagging area” alert when you’re scanning smaller, lighter items.
If you scan a light item first and don’t place it in the bagging area, the machine may start acting up.
Check for Price Mistakes
Sometimes, the price of an item doesn’t register correctly. If you notice an item ringing up higher than expected, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance or double-check the price with the store’s pricing information. Self-checkouts can occasionally make mistakes, and it’s always better to catch them early.
Stay Alert for the “Unexpected Item” Alerts
Many self-checkouts will flag an “unexpected item” alert if there’s any issue with the item you’ve scanned or the bagging process.
Avoid these interruptions by staying attentive and ensuring everything is scanned properly. If you do get an alert, it’s often just a matter of following the on-screen instructions to continue.
Know When to Ask for Help
If you’re having too much trouble, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Sometimes a quick tip or fixing a scanner glitch can save a lot of time. It’s better to ask than to risk running into issues when you’re nearly done.
