We’ve all stood at a self-checkout machine, frustrated as it freezes or flashes errors. Though promoted as “convenient,” these kiosks were really designed to cut labor costs—not help shoppers. Sylvain Charlebois of Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab says retailers like Walmart and Target invested heavily in self-checkout to save up to 66% on wages. But instead of smoother shopping, customers often face glitches that require employees to step in anyway.

The bigger problem? Legal risks. Criminal defense lawyer Carrie Jernigan warns that self-checkouts can put innocent shoppers in danger. On TikTok, she explained that large retailers aggressively pursue anyone they suspect of stealing—even when the “theft” is just a system error or a forgotten scan.

These companies rely on security footage and transaction logs to assign blame. If you were the last person at the kiosk, you might be accused. And even honest mistakes can lead to criminal charges, costly legal battles, or even jail time. Some customers have been pressured to pay fines for items they never actually stole.

The safest option? Skip the self-checkout. Choosing a staffed register not only prevents technical headaches but also reduces your risk of being wrongfully accused. What seems like a quick convenience could cost you much more than time.