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The stupid machines are so paranoid.

"Unexpected item in bagging area!" That's my bag to put the groceries in.

"Place item in bagging area!" I just did, your scale just sucks. Let me pick it up and put it down again...

"Unexpected item in bagging area!"

Really, f*ck these user-hostile abominations.



I hate the stupid voice more than the actual errors which at least have plausible deniability as theft deterrence. The idle screen should have a big "fuck off and don't scream at me" button you can press before starting to immediately disable that at the start of the session (most have a tiny volume button but it just cycles through the levels so you have to press several times and go through louder levels before muting it).

Also, I wish it would display the actual (total) weight vs expected. If it's off by 1g I know it's just a measuring error and bumping the scale will fix it - if it's off by 100g I know I need to look further and there might actually be an unexpected item.


(scans alcohol-free wine)

(has to wait five minutes for a member of staff to appear to “Age verify”)


My favourite is

> I've got an item of produce without a barcode (places on scales)

>> Ok, I've clearly taken a picture and decided it's a banana because that's the only option I'm showing you

> Yes, it's a banana

>> That's x amount by weight, please bag it

> Ok

...

And then 2 minutes later when I try to pay, it summons the cashier and shows them the picture it took of the banana, because it no longer thinks it looks like a banana.


Depends on the machine. Waitrose in the UK have some that don't weigh stuff. You just scan some items, touch your card and go.




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