[Vivienne]

Is it just me, or do others on here have problems with the "do-it-yourself" machines in supermarkets? I mean, the machines that are supposed to save you time waiting in queues. I know Scott Mills has mentioned some problems.. (that said, he has problems operating a 'phone box).

A couple of weeks ago, I managed to get myself into a mess with one of these machines, and, today, more CHAOS.....At lunchtime, I didn't have any coins, so inserted a note into what I thought was the "note area", only to discover it was the coupons area (!), and I couldn't get it back out! A guy next to me said "Well done!", at which point I was suddenly overcome by a fit of laughter. Two check-out Assistants had to open the entire machine up with keys, and were less than impressed.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[Zoot]

Nope.

[Vivienne]

you're too sensible

[Ballbag]

Nope.

[Vivienne]

Ok... so it clearly is just your's truly.

[MK Chris]

Nope. A monkey could use those things.

[Vivienne]

cheers, fowler. Hope you are ok.

[Ballbag]

I saw some bint c0cking it up the other day holding the whole queue up........ I nearly kicked her out of the way she was being so slow. You should be given a time limit of 1 minute on them, and when that runs out regardless of whether you've finished or not you have to move out of the way and let someone else have a go.

[DemonHorse]

though not old people... not old people in Nottingham anyways.

[Boboff]

nope

[Vivienne]

I saw some bint c0cking it up the other day holding the whole queue up........ I nearly kicked her out of the way she was being so slow. You should be given a time limit of 1 minute on them, and when that runs out regardless of whether you've finished or not you have to move out of the way and let someone else have a go.

some attitude that! Kicking people out the way!

[MK Chris]

I don't like the people that think the '10 items only' signs don't apply to the self service machines, even though the signs are blatantly posted on the machines themselves. It's OK if you've got one or two over the limit, but I saw a guy with a trolley load of stuff once. Needless to say I didn't get in that queue, but it's still frustrating.

[Vivienne]

I'm one of those people, toph!

[Ballbag]

I've said it before Viv, and I'll say it again, I don't suffer fools gladly.

[Vivienne]

well... p'raphs you should LEARN!

[Nicola_Red]

I've gotta admit I'm not a fan of them. I appreciate they must save on staffing costs but I'm sure they don't save any actual time. I've only ever been in one place with them tho, the Somerfield in Manc city centre, and I don't go there often. So I don't worry about it too much.

[Vivienne]

I'm not worried at all, nicola. It had amused me no end, as well as others with humour! I don't think they save time either, because staff always seem to be nearby sorting lots of problems with them out.

[Nicola_Red]

I actually feel dead self-conscious when I use them, as if everyone else is watching waiting for me to c0ck it up. I mainly used the Somerfield I mentioned when I was working at the city centre ice rink over xmas, and I was always preoccupied with making sure I got the receipt so I could claim expenses back.

[Vivienne]

I think people DO watch to see if you're gonna get in to a mess! I've toughened up against these machines now, 'cos they make me laugh!

[DemonHorse]

I've said it before Viv, and I'll say it again, I don't suffer fools gladly.

Snap, I have to deal with enough at work...

[MK Chris]

I'm one of those people, toph!

Why? Why do you use the 10 items only machines when you clearly have lots of things?

[Vivienne]

I like breaking rules sometimes, toph. When I'm in "difficult mode", I break rules and push buttons.

[claradooblue]

Are you one of those people who buys a large variety of scratchcards and lucky dips at the kiosk, holding everything up, when all i want to get are cigarettes and then get out of there? It usually seems to be old people, but younger types seem to sometimes fall prey to it.

[Vivienne]

I don't go in much for gambling! It's the foods and toiletries stuff I like, and have an abundance of sometimes. If I'm feeling calm, I go into the right queue. If I'm in "difficult mode", I do the opposite.

[Ballbag]

You seem almost proud to behave like an idiot sometimes Viv. It's very strange behaviour.