Self service checkouts in B&Q

However you phrase the question, if you want confirmation of the number purchased then you have to allow for the common case of none bought. It seems to me inescapable.

Trying to get someone to admit to a negative is fraught with danger. No sane person would admit to a negative after it provided the excuse for the US and Britains war crimes in Iraq.

My main objection was of being the target of subliminal advertising.

There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

~Steven Wright

Never had the problem before the Mazda.

The feature wasn't a mechanical or electrical fault, it was programmed in by a totally clueless idiot who had given no thought whatsoever as to the implcations.

There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

~Steven Wright

Do they think teen checkout ops will sell booze to their mates?

ASDA ask whether I'm using bags for life without asking me whether I brought them with me and so shouldn't be charged.

None of the supermarket self checkouts understand about contactless cards; even if you say that's what you have the lady in the machine asks you to insert your card. I always reply, "Shan't!"

I wouldn't do that with old fashioned all mechanical locks: there's always the chance that slamming the doors lock them, the same as with house door locks. Always take your keys with you.

I've seen it happen.

Strange. On the card-only machines in my nearest ASDA in west London when checking out, it offers two options - contactless ( specifying this is for less than £10 or whatever it is) and conventional card payments.

As an example of Lidl stupidity.

In my local Lidl there are six self-checkouts. Three on the left, and three on the right

There are prominent notices over each of the three machines on the right - CARDS ONLY.

There are prominent notices over each the machines on the left - CASH.

This is despite the fact that these machines accept both cash and cards as is explained in the small print at the bottom of the notices.

So that basically the macjines on the left don't require any notices at all. Nevertheless some bozo half-wit at Head Office thought it would look nicer if they did despite this being at first glance, totally misleading.

michael adams

...

It all depends on what you are buying and how far you have to travel. I use B&Q for things like the odd bag of sand which may be more expensive per bag but as my nearest alternative (cheaper) source is 15 minutes each way further in the car so not worth spending more in petrol and time to save a few pence.

Walk in off the street and a "proper builders merchant" will just make up a higher price or at least not offer the discounts given to account holders. It's much like buying tyres, there is the internet price, the phone up first price (remembering to ask if the quote includes valve balancing and VAT) and the just drive in price.

if you can get trade discount, perhaps

tim

why does there need to be an "internet" price for tyres

what possible saving is there over serving a walk in

tim

The saving is not having to spend time telling the potential customer the options and prices, answer questions, etc.

There's then - probably more important - the market pressure that those willing to book online are also very likely to be looking at the prices offered by competitors online. In other words, the internet makes the market more efficient.

I assume to be competitive. Some of the big chains offer cheaper prices if you buy and purchase on line and have them fitted 24/48 hours after purchase at an appointment time more suited to their off-peak periods. Maybe it offers better stock control where the tyre you have ordered is only delivered the morning of the appointment rather than the individual retail outlet having to stock more of them them for a walk in. The internet pages often try the hard up-sell with free safety checks etc. which will ALWAYS find something wrong with the car.

A walk in is often the distress purchase and tyre retailers know they can charge a premium on the price of a tyre. At times you may be able to haggle to get a price reduction.

In my experience when phoning around you must ask for the full inclusive price (new valve, balancing and VAT) or else when you turn up and have a tyre fitted you may find all of these are extras.

The Tesco one does. Once you've got to the pay page with final total, just use it. No need to press anything.

You can use them contactless; just no-one has told the lady in the machine.

Are you referring to Tesco machines? I was. And those have a man in the machine. ;-

In article snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp Esq snipped-for-privacy@mail.com writes

You are not. You are asked if you have taken one specific item for use which was previously provided free but is now chargeable and which the store is legally obliged to charge you for - the only item in the whole shop. Perhaps instead of being so argumentative you could suggest a better way of the store meeting it's legal obligations.

There is no legal requirement for Tesco to charge you for water, bottled or otherwise.

When the charge was introduced the stores had to put considerable effort into educating customers that they were then legally obliged to charge for carriers. I think it a reasonable assumption that everyone knows that taking a bottle of water without paying is theft.

But they are not.

In article snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp Esq snipped-for-privacy@mail.com writes

The hole gets deeper every post. Stop digging.