DEAR ABBY: I have a question regarding grocery store self-scan checkouts. Many grocery stores and supermarkets usually have four machines in one lane, two on each side. If they are all being used, are customers supposed to form one line -- and the customer in front goes whenever a machine opens up? Or does each machine have its own individual line?
I, along with most other people, wait in the middle in one lane. But many times someone will walk right past and stand behind someone checking out!
I never see signs posted and no employees ever say anything. Hopefully, you could clear this up for us. -- FRUSTRATED SHOPPER IN TENNESSEE
DEAR FRUSTRATED: This is a question that should be addressed to the manager of the grocery store where you are shopping. If most of the customers are forming a single line and someone cuts in, the folks in line usually have no hesitation telling the offender, "The line starts here!" But because there is some confusion, and the self-checkout technology is still new, it makes sense that the management of the store would post a sign telling customers what is preferred.