Unexplained item in the bagging area!

I always end up talking to the machine at self service checkouts. Usually to tell it to shut up! Here, in NZ they somehow seem to be programmed to sound a bit patronising. In one supermarket the parting, machine generated remark is, "Thank you for shopping New World." Where's the 'at'? Grrrrrrrr!!

Hate them and never use them. I want a real person with a real job! I've been in a few different WH Smiths where there has been a member of staff at the "self-service" till all the time, just using it for people. What IS the point?

Quite right MARYEJB. When they say 'Unexpected item in bagging area' why is it unexpected? They stock them so why should it be such a surprise when someone buys one? Or do they mean that they weren't expecting me to buy one? You can't even explain yourself “It's not for me, I never touch them but my friend likes them etc.”
If you get 'unexplained item' that's even worse. Does it mean explain what it's for (getting stains out of the carpet for example) or explain yourself buying it because you only bought a packet last week.
Better to stay well clear of them.

Our local supermarkets (including a Tesco) don't have them and I have heard some supermarkets are giving up on them. Personally I don't use them as I think they take jobs - how else are students going to learn to communicate with the rest of humanity (!). Plus, on the rare occasions I have tried I inevitably ended up needing assistance and it took a lot longer. And why should I have to do it all myself? I still remember when you stood (or sat) at the counter, gave your list to the assistant and they got everything for you and packed your bags. Them was the days.

Our local B&Q tried to force everyone to use self service by closing all the manned tills. It didn't really work as the four self service had three assistants. They seem to have given up now and brought back a choice.

I used the self scan facility at Waitrose until the dratted thing had my card cancelled. Never again!

I quite often use the automatic scanners but am conscious of their many faults. Yesterday I thought I'd be clever and push the 'own bags' button before I started to avoid keying in 'zero bags' later on in the process. Of course I had to do it twice! Doh!

However, on the whole they are quick and efficient and I use them even for a large shop. The supermarkets seem to put their savvier staff on the automatic tills as they need to be able to sort problems and it's useful to interact with 'those who can'.

I dislike them because I prefer not to have to do the work as well as paying the supermarket for my goods. As others have said, they take jobs that are needed. It also reduces people contact, which I genuinely feel is one of the ills of our society. No park keepers, bus conductors, librarians no longer checking your books in and out - the list is endless.