Hi, I have not seen self serve checkout at a Home Depot, but our grocery store has it, and I use it most of the time. Only time I do not use it is if I have an odd item or by chance there is a longer wait at the self-checkers. I have been doing this for about a year and never had any real problems. Not only are the line almost always shorter on the self-checkout but the type of customers that usually stalls a grocery store line, are not the type willing to use the self-checkout.
The technology is interesting. You scan the item and put it onto a bag. The bag holder is a scale and the weight of every item is known, probably from the supplier. There is one person for the four self checkouts so problems usually are resolved quickly, I know they take credit cards, debt cards, change, cash, and I think checks. The employee does check my signature against my credit card. ( I pay off my cards every month.)
If the local Home Depot had one, I would use it. But I am type that as I pick it up, I checks to see each item has a bar code. Or if necessary, I will write down the UPS code. I try to organize big items so that the clerk can get to the bar codes easily. Next time you are standing in line, listen, and you will hear lots of problems caused by stupid, lazy, or arrogant customers. The clerks take a lot of grief, and if I can do a bit to help them ( and my fellow customers, who are behind me, I do. I will admit to not usually needing or wanting much help, but when I do need help I have always gotten it, quickly and graciously.)
Thanks Roger Haar