To all the supermarkets and big retail chains that have switched to mostly self-checkout…

Let’s be honest: this isn’t about “efficiency” or “convenience.” This is about profit—about cutting paid staff, shrinking payrolls, and quietly shifting the work onto your customers.

Today, I went to one of these stores. I scanned every item myself. I bagged it all. I loaded and unloaded the cart. No help. No cashier. No human interaction.

And just when I thought I was done, there was someone standing at the exit, checking receipts—like I needed to prove I did the job you used to pay someone else to do.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t explain. I lifted the receipt above my head and walked out.

Because here’s the thing:
You can’t have it both ways.

If I’m doing your job, I shouldn’t be treated like a suspect on the way out.
I shouldn’t be asked to validate the work I already did—for free.

You don’t train me.
You don’t pay me.
You don’t offer me a staff discount.

You just assume I’ll do it—because there’s no other option left.

Where are the young workers who used to run the checkout lanes? Where are the part-time jobs for students, single parents, seniors, or anyone looking to earn a living?

Gone. Replaced by cold machines and forced responsibility.

So no, I won’t wait in another line to be checked after I just checked myself out. If you don’t trust customers, bring back the people who used to do this job. Real people. With real needs. Who deserve real employment.

To every shopper out there—if this hits home for you, share it.

This isn’t just about receipts and scanners.
It’s about dignity.
It’s about jobs.
It’s about calling out a system that profits while pretending it’s doing us a favor.

We’re not cashiers. We’re customers.
Let’s not forget the difference.

—Signed,
All of us

To all the supermarkets and big retail chains that have switched to mostly self-checkout…

Let’s be honest: this isn’t about “efficiency” or “convenience.” This is about profit—about cutting paid staff, shrinking payrolls, and quietly shifting the work onto your customers.

Today, I went to one of these stores. I scanned every item myself. I bagged it all. I loaded and unloaded the cart. No help. No cashier. No human interaction.

And just when I thought I was done, there was someone standing at the exit, checking receipts—like I needed to prove I did the job you used to pay someone else to do.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t explain. I lifted the receipt above my head and walked out.

Because here’s the thing:
You can’t have it both ways.

If I’m doing your job, I shouldn’t be treated like a suspect on the way out.
I shouldn’t be asked to validate the work I already did—for free.

You don’t train me.
You don’t pay me.
You don’t offer me a staff discount.

You just assume I’ll do it—because there’s no other option left.

Where are the young workers who used to run the checkout lanes? Where are the part-time jobs for students, single parents, seniors, or anyone looking to earn a living?

Gone. Replaced by cold machines and forced responsibility.

So no, I won’t wait in another line to be checked after I just checked myself out. If you don’t trust customers, bring back the people who used to do this job. Real people. With real needs. Who deserve real employment.

To every shopper out there—if this hits home for you, share it.

This isn’t just about receipts and scanners.
It’s about dignity.
It’s about jobs.
It’s about calling out a system that profits while pretending it’s doing us a favor.

We’re not cashiers. We’re customers.
Let’s not forget the difference.

—Signed,
All of us