OutKick Readers Are NOT Pleased With Walmart's New Self-Checkout Policy

The OutKick faithful are saying "hell no" to Walmart's idea of charging people in order to guarantee the ability to use the self-checkout machines.

Earlier this week I wrote about Walmart's newly launched plan that would force people to buy the annual $99 Walmart+ membership in order to use the self-checkout machine. The company says that although self-checkout will still be open to everybody in some cases, it will be up to the manager's discretion when they make it Walmart+ subscribers only.

So Walmart wants us - who are already carrying the products, waiting in line, swiping and then bagging everything ourselves to THEN have to pay for it as well? Talk about crazy. 

Fortunately for all of us, some of our fellow OutKick readers responded in hilariously brutal fashion with where they think Walmart can shove their Walmart+ card. 

WALMART IS ON THE HOT SEAT

When I tell you that I've never received so many emails on a single topic than this Walmart story… I mean the responses are everything from people boycotting the store entirely to those that think Walmart is making a huge mistake. 

OutKick reader Glenda writes:

"Excuse my French but this is the stupidest sh** I have ever heard. Hell would have to freeze over and heaven become an inferno before I pay to check  out my own purchases."

Ellie says she's out!

"I will not pay the extra fee and just won’t shop at Walmart. I’ll go back to Food Lion where I normally do it anyway because it’s so much simpler."

Bob says they need more cashiers then!

"The day my local store institutes pay for self-check will be the last time they get my $100 plus per week.  Oh, last week they had only 2 cashiers working.  REALLY??   Yes 20 registers and only 2 cashiers!"

EMY SAYS THE HELL WITH SELF-CHECKOUT

"I don't like self-checkout anyway. You still need a cashier to oversee and be there for problems and there are always, especially with large orders.  I'd rather do it for a cashier line then 1/2 way down the store for self-checkout  Walmart has become a horrible experience not just in store but also online shopping."

ROSE TALKING STRAIGHT FACTS:

"I have been a loyal patron of Walmart for many decades. I even go as far as steering family and friends to use Walmart for purchasing many household goods, but if this self-check out "fees" policy goes into effect, it will stop me in my tracks when wanting to shop at Walmart, in store or online.

KIM EVEN WENT TO CAPITAL LETTERS BECAUSE SHE WAS SO MAD

No I will not pay for Walmart +.  PERIOD.

CHERYL BLAMES INCOMPETNT OWNERS!

"Walmart is being run by people that have no idea as to what they are doing. They are slowly destroying their business. Using self serve should be rewarded by a discount at the very least. I know that if they don't stop I will go elsewhere and likely pay more but with less headaches."

ELIZABETH MADE THIS POINT

"It is absolutely crazy to think people in their right mind would pay extra to do the work of a Walmart employee"

MILL WITH THE CALL OUT

"Absolutely not!  There other stores where I can shop.   I get emails all the time  to purchase a membership ship to get free shipping.  You can get free shipping on orders of $35 and more. Walmart is GREEDY!"

GAIL WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT MY "OLD PEOPLE" COMMENT

"First of all, it’s not just the "old" people who sometimes don’t know how to use the checkout.  And, Second, if you’re behind someone who’s confused or unsure how to check out, step forward and offer assistance or complain to the store that no one is around to help when help is needed for whatever reason!"

… In the words of Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber, I'd like to respond with: "Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose. I'll be right back. Don't you go dying on me!"

… SPEAKING OF DUMB

As Walmart can hopefully see, the American people are fed up with additional surcharges happening on everything these days. And they sure as heck don't want to literally pay just to stand in line and then do their own manual labor.

It is true that Walmart, Target and other stores are pulling back on the number of self-checkout machines due to what the companies say is trying to cut back on the amount of theft that is going on. We've seen it all across the country and especially in liberal cities like NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia - you can't even buy damn toothpaste without having a clerk unlock the sliding glass doors.

The only thing is - thieves and criminals aren't going to be deterred by not having a Walmart+ account - they're just going to steal anyway! Especially when many of these retail stores' policies is to do nothing, don't approach them, and literally LET THEM WALK OUT THE DOOR.

Bring law and order back to American cities or otherwise this is only going to happen.

WILL YOU PURCHASE WALMART+ FOR SELF-CHECKOUT? Email me: Michael.Gunzelman@OutKick.com or tweet me: @TheGunzShow

Written by
Mike “Gunz” Gunzelman has been involved in the sports and media industry for over a decade. He’s also a risk taker - the first time he ever had sushi was from a Duane Reade in Penn Station in NYC.