Walmart+ shoppers felt like they were on a roller coaster of emotions as they waited endlessly to pay for their items at self-checkout stations.
Customers likened the time-consuming experience to waiting for a ride at a crowded theme park with no fun at the end.
The man said he was especially upset because he is a Walmart Plus member.
The retail giant offers a membership service designed to give frequent shoppers access to exclusive perks and promotions.
Benefits include scan-and-go shopping, which should allow subscribers to spend less time waiting in line to pay.
However, it wasn't an easy experience for Brian, who took to Twitter to slam the retailer after his unpleasant experience.
“Walmart, the self-checkouts are so busy! It feels like a roller coaster line!” Brian said.
“The problem is, I have Walmart+ and still have to stand in this damn line. Scan and go is no good. I should cancel my membership!”
Meanwhile, other Walmart shoppers have also taken to social media to complain about the self-checkout glitches.
“I have no problem with people wanting to work at Walmart or Target for free, despite the risk of broken scanners and all sorts of potential issues with the self-checkout machines,” Charles ridiculed on Facebook.
“I know there are more important issues in the world than Walmart receipt inspectors,” Lindsay said, describing herself as “sick of Walmart.”
She complained to store staff after she noticed them “sitting and talking” at the self-checkout aisle while customers waited to pay.
However, the employee told Lindsay that everyone had to leave the store on their own.
“Maybe we should put her on the registry so we don't have to do their work and she can actually work and get paid,” Lindsay complained on Aug. 7.
Walmart+ is the retail giant's membership program that offers members a variety of benefits that save them time and money.
Subscription costs $98 per year or $12.95 per month.
How to Sign Up for Walmart+
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Here's how to sign up for Walmart+:
- Go to the Walmart website.
- Select “Account,” then select “Walmart+.”
- Click Start your free 30-day trial.
- Please enter your information.
- Enjoy the trials and perks.
Be sure to cancel before the 30 days are up, and if you want to continue, pay $12.95 per month (cancel anytime) or $98 for an annual plan.
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Despite various complaints, the service has proven popular.
According to Walmart+ statistics compiled by ContiMod, there will be 31.8 million Walmart+ subscribers as of 2024.
“Walmart+ is growing rapidly and attracting a wide range of subscribers,” the report said.
“18% of male respondents and 14% of female respondents pay for a Walmart+ membership.”
By age group, 23% of Walmart Plus members are between the ages of 18 and 34, 16% are between the ages of 35 and 54, and 10% are between the ages of 55 and 65.
Latest changes to self-checkout
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategies to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked to find that self-checkout lanes at various locations were now only available to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkouts were closed during certain hours and extra cashiers were deployed instead.
Shoppers expressed concern that shoplifting was the cause of the update, but a Walmart spokesman said store managers were simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One odd experiment was an RFID-equipped self-checkout kiosk that would eliminate the hotly contested receipt verification.
But that test run has been phased out.
Target is limiting products at self-checkouts.
Last fall, the brand investigated new express self-checkout lanes in 200 stores carrying 10 or fewer items to improve convenience.
As of March 2024, the policy has been expanded to 2,000 stores across the United States.
Shoppers also noticed that their local Walmart stores were limiting customers to 15 items or less at self-checkout machines.
On August 22, Walmart announced a partnership with Burger King.
Reuters reported that this is to offer members discounts on meals and make the service “more attractive and better compete with Amazon's Prime.”
“Plus, starting in September, members will receive a free Whopper burger every three months with any purchase at Burger King.”