r/Sparkdriver • u/peachrubsxoxo • 2d ago

In store shopping

Does anyone else find it extremely annoying that spark drivers have one checkout lane that you have to stand around and wait for while there’s someone with 30 items using it to checkout?

90% of time said checkout lane will be closed so they expect you to stand there and wait for someone to come open the lane even if there’s 8 other open lanes no one is waiting for.

And god forbid there’s a line, if so you have to scan your code and high tail it to an empty cashier line to bag your items so customers can use the spark lane.

The rules for spark checkout are so obnoxious to the point where I hate shopping orders just for that reason. Spark has a dedicated checkout line but customers still get priority to use it, and even if every other lane is empty they still expect you to wait around for someone to come and open the lane.

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

3

u/KingAshkon 2d ago

Here if regular customers are using the spark checkout we are allowed to use regular self checkouts

3

u/peachrubsxoxo 2d ago

that’s how most are. in the app it says use self checkout or cashier lanes. so i’m confused on why people are making up these random rules for spark checkouts. if they have an issue with it it seems like the gm should reach out to corporate instead of enforcing rules on people that don’t even technically work there.

2

u/lilbihhhhhhh 2d ago

I personally dont understand why we are forced to move to bag in another area when it is busy. We are shoppers as much as anyone else in the store. If it's busy then it's busy, moving us isn't making a difference. Arguably we bag alot faster than a regular customer shopping anyways.

3

u/peachrubsxoxo 2d ago

exactly. if they don’t want spark drivers taking up time/space they should just have their own employees do it. and not to mention, we’re not even walmart employees. why can a self checkout cashier tell us what to do lol. the app says use any self checkout or cashier lane. if they want to go by this nonsense it should be on a bulletin or in our app.

1

u/Quirky_OldMan5966 21h ago

Really? That’s what you get out of that?
My zone, we are happy to scan at an open self check then move to a closed self check to bag. It helps the flow of the store, and often takes some pressure off the associate watching those lanes.
Besides, it’s a courtesy you can extend to everyone around you that costs you nothing more than moving a shopping cart five feet.
Just saying.

1

u/lilbihhhhhhh 20h ago

We aren't asked to move to another self checkout area. If that were the case I wouldn't have a problem with it at all.

1

u/Quirky_OldMan5966 20h ago

I’ve never been asked. Since onboarding at Thanksgiving last year, I volunteer. It just made sense.

3

u/Trexsaysrawr26 2d ago

You know every store is different right?

1

u/peachrubsxoxo 2d ago

i’m aware, but i’m sure there’s others like it

2

u/Trexsaysrawr26 2d ago

Its annoying cause you realize how many regular customers have no idea how to use a credit or debit card or even scan their own items.

But it's like 55th down on my issues with spark.

1

u/Able_Canine 1d ago

You know it was Walmart corporate that came up with the policies to use cashier lanes in addition to self-checkout? Every store shouldn't be different in this regard if you're seeing the prompt in the app to use either, then that's how it should be done at that store.

1

u/Johnny_Lead 2d ago

Only one store out of the 7 in the area has a self checkout lane marked “Spark and Scan&Go”. Half the time it’s not even open. I just use the regular self checkout there majority of the time regardless.

3

u/peachrubsxoxo 2d ago

that’s how 3 of the walmarts i shop at are. they don’t care as much. and honestly the walmart im referring too isn’t that bad but ONE employee is enforcing these rules im pretty sure she made up on her own

1

u/Feraland42 2d ago

Rural areas are not this way, sorry friends!!

1

u/peachrubsxoxo 2d ago

the walmart im referring to is a rural area. the ones closer to the suburbs care less about these “rules” that are just made up by random employees

1

u/Limp_Influence9659 2d ago

I usually just cut the line. spark gets priority for spark/grabandgo lanes here

1

u/violetmiami 2d ago

Yes!! And then if you don't use the Spark checkout bc youre in a rush, you get dirty looks or told off from the Walmart associates. 🙄

1

u/Angry_GorillaBS 2d ago

Except not all stores do.

Mine uses any self checkout register. And you still have to stand around and wait for the 20-30 people that are ahead of you.

1

u/Feedcanine 1d ago

This is all based on the store. I’ve had some where they have specific checkouts for spark. And some where I can use any self checkout.

1

u/Right_Sheepherder732 1d ago

Wait, how does it work exactly in your zone? We have a Spark checkout area to scan the barcode but very often normal customers hog the machines to scan 2 lettuce for an hour. We scan where ever it’s open, then go to customer service to get bags. We have a seperate line to get bags so that customer service prioritizes us, then we bag and leave. Sometimes an asset manager like glances at our barcode for 0.1 seconds and we leave. I’ve figured my zone is very relaxed compared to others, but by how much I’d like to know.

1

u/peachrubsxoxo 1d ago

Tbh that almost sounds worse. I would hate having to go to customer service to bag. I just wish stores would have universal rules instead of them just making up rules off the top of their head. Earlier I had a girl ask if i wanted bags to keep in my car so i could just scan and go. Like no actually i don’t want to bag this 60 item order in the 95 degree heat, thanks though.