A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I had tried this great new self-scanning technology at my local Giant Food store. The SCAN IT system makes it possible to scan and bag your items as you shop, so check-out is a breeze. It's faster, helps you stay within your budget, and takes some of the back-ache out of the grocery shopping experience, too. What's not to love? Here's a walk-through of my last shopping trip. I'm sure there are things I haven't thought of, so if you have questions, feel free to ask me. There's a link to email me on my complete profile. So.... let's start shopping!
The SCAN IT kiosk is at the front of the store and has everything you need for your shopping convenience. There are is right there -- multiple hand-held scanners and and ample supply of plastic and paper bags. I bring my own reusable totes.
Just enter your Giant Bonus Card number on the touch screen or scan it. One of the units will flash to let you know it's ready for you to use. You simply press the yellow button in the center to scan barcodes. You'll see the red laser light and it will "beep" when the scan is done. (You can "unscan" items if you change your mind.)
It will keep a running total of everything you've scanned, which is a major help when you need to stay within a set amount.
It will keep a running total of everything you've scanned, which is a major help when you need to stay within a set amount.
There's no need to worry about missing specials, either. As soon as I entered the produce section, the scanner alerted me to the special on sweet red peppers. As you go from section to section in the store, the specials in each area will be displayed. Some of the specials are specifically for SCAN IT users -- just another good reason to use it!
The first time I used the system, I didn't purchase any produce, and I wondered how it would work. It couldn't be easier. The most commonly purchased items (like bananas) display automatically. So I only needed to touch the picture on the screen. The screen will display the price per pound/unit, the total weight (or number of units you've entered) and the total price. If you're satisfied with the amount, simply press "print" on the touch screen and a bar-coded price sticker will be printed for you.
Just stick the price label on your produce, scan it, and place your goods in your cart. My bananas are now ready to be paid for and taken home.
Code stickers are on most produce, so a quick way to find the right item on the scale is to simple enter that code number directly. Entering my eggplant's sticker number, 4801, got it to pop right up on the screen. A quick scan and it's ready to join my bananas!
Working my way through the rest of the store is even easier -- just pick up the item you want, scan it and bag it -- even in the deli or the meat counter. In the bakery, stickers are located above the bins for individual items like bagels. For convenience, if you select a dozen or half-dozen, there are appropriate stickers to scan to save time. Otherwise, just scan the sticker the number of times equal to the number of items you're bagging.
So, here my cart is loaded and ready to go. Let's head for the self check-out!
This GIANT has several self-serve check-out lanes, plus extra ones adjacent to the Customer Service Desk. The SCAN IT check-out instruction sign makes it simple -- and it really is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 - 4! First, just use the hand-held device to scan the "end of order" barcode on the sign. Then, place the device in the return rack to the left of the check-out console.
You'll be prompted when to scan your GIANT Bonus Card, then your total will appear. You'll be prompted to select your payment type and when to either scan your credit/debit card and sign the signature screen or insert your cash. (For you coupon users, you will have the opportunity to scan your coupons, too.)
In just a few brief moments, the transaction will be complete. No unloading and reloading your cart!
Just take your receipt and push your already-bagged cart of groceries to your car. Of course, getting them unloaded when you get home is between you and whoever you can corral into helping. (I love my husband! Thanks, Hunny!)
A few concluding words about this cool technology.... not all GIANT stores are equipped with it yet. The only Glen Burnie location that has it is the Park 97 store on Crain Highway at I-97, but there are several other stores in Anne Arundel County that do. You can CLICK HERE to go to their web site and see if your local store has it. And, if you don't already have a Giant Bonus Card, you can request one online by CLICKING HERE.
Code stickers are on most produce, so a quick way to find the right item on the scale is to simple enter that code number directly. Entering my eggplant's sticker number, 4801, got it to pop right up on the screen. A quick scan and it's ready to join my bananas!
Working my way through the rest of the store is even easier -- just pick up the item you want, scan it and bag it -- even in the deli or the meat counter. In the bakery, stickers are located above the bins for individual items like bagels. For convenience, if you select a dozen or half-dozen, there are appropriate stickers to scan to save time. Otherwise, just scan the sticker the number of times equal to the number of items you're bagging.
So, here my cart is loaded and ready to go. Let's head for the self check-out!
This GIANT has several self-serve check-out lanes, plus extra ones adjacent to the Customer Service Desk. The SCAN IT check-out instruction sign makes it simple -- and it really is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 - 4! First, just use the hand-held device to scan the "end of order" barcode on the sign. Then, place the device in the return rack to the left of the check-out console.
You'll be prompted when to scan your GIANT Bonus Card, then your total will appear. You'll be prompted to select your payment type and when to either scan your credit/debit card and sign the signature screen or insert your cash. (For you coupon users, you will have the opportunity to scan your coupons, too.)
In just a few brief moments, the transaction will be complete. No unloading and reloading your cart!
Just take your receipt and push your already-bagged cart of groceries to your car. Of course, getting them unloaded when you get home is between you and whoever you can corral into helping. (I love my husband! Thanks, Hunny!)
A few concluding words about this cool technology.... not all GIANT stores are equipped with it yet. The only Glen Burnie location that has it is the Park 97 store on Crain Highway at I-97, but there are several other stores in Anne Arundel County that do. You can CLICK HERE to go to their web site and see if your local store has it. And, if you don't already have a Giant Bonus Card, you can request one online by CLICKING HERE.
