Post by Mr. G on Sept 21, 2006 20:11:41 GMT -5
Shopping buddy is quite possibly the best technoloical creation next to the computer. Here at the Mill Plain (Rt. 6/202) Stop and Shop, there was a marketing test (which later spread to different parts of the country). This test was to see how the public would react to Shopping Buddy. And, at least for me, worked like a charm.
What shopping buddy does is that it's a small computer that sits on your cart. First, you swipe your Stop & Shop Customer Card, in some sort of login procedure. You then scan items in (and bag them as you go, something that's drastically helpful). This definately helps with the larger orders. You can also order Deli items directly from it, and, once the order is complete, they put it in a fridge becide it, so you can pick it up at your leisure. The slight problem (reread: slight) problem is that for vegtables and such that use a PLU instead of a bar code, you need to bag, and weigh it. The problem is that it's sometimes hard to find either the PLU number or what the actual food item is. The scale prints out a sticker that you can put on the bag, and then scan it in to your list.
Also (which may increase paranoia within the store), there are RFID tags within each isle or area. If you buy certain items, and they're on sale, it will show you (for instance, in the snack isle, that lay's chips are 2 for $3).
And ultimately, it all boils down to the checkout. Simply swipe your card at one of the automatic checkout stations (or if you're lazy, a regular checkout station will do). If you use it somewhat often, every second or third time you use it, you might be forced into a rescan, to ensure that you're not trying to steal anything.
Does it work? Well, for the larger orders, when you need to get a hundred and two things, ths is definately a life saver. For the one or two loose items that you need to pick up, it's too much of a hassle though.
Will it cause the company to cut some jobs? Most likely, but most customers enjoy just having human employees, or are so heavily technophobic that customers won't even touch it.
What shopping buddy does is that it's a small computer that sits on your cart. First, you swipe your Stop & Shop Customer Card, in some sort of login procedure. You then scan items in (and bag them as you go, something that's drastically helpful). This definately helps with the larger orders. You can also order Deli items directly from it, and, once the order is complete, they put it in a fridge becide it, so you can pick it up at your leisure. The slight problem (reread: slight) problem is that for vegtables and such that use a PLU instead of a bar code, you need to bag, and weigh it. The problem is that it's sometimes hard to find either the PLU number or what the actual food item is. The scale prints out a sticker that you can put on the bag, and then scan it in to your list.
Also (which may increase paranoia within the store), there are RFID tags within each isle or area. If you buy certain items, and they're on sale, it will show you (for instance, in the snack isle, that lay's chips are 2 for $3).
And ultimately, it all boils down to the checkout. Simply swipe your card at one of the automatic checkout stations (or if you're lazy, a regular checkout station will do). If you use it somewhat often, every second or third time you use it, you might be forced into a rescan, to ensure that you're not trying to steal anything.
Does it work? Well, for the larger orders, when you need to get a hundred and two things, ths is definately a life saver. For the one or two loose items that you need to pick up, it's too much of a hassle though.
Will it cause the company to cut some jobs? Most likely, but most customers enjoy just having human employees, or are so heavily technophobic that customers won't even touch it.
