How Costco's New Prescan Policy Aims To Reduce Wait Times

I have been seeing so many people posting on social media about the "new Costco Check-Out Policy". I didn't know that it was new. But apparently it hasn't been used in every store. I didn't even realize that it was a "thing" that they were rolling out. I just thought they were trying to be helpful

THERE IS A NEW SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE ST CLOUD STORE FOR QUITE AWHILE

What I'm talking about is the new (apparently) system where an employee will come by while you are standing in line and ask if they can pre-scan the items in your cart. This way it just speeds up the process as all you need to do is pay when you get to the register. It's quite simple, really.

ARE THEY TRYING TO COMPETE WITH THE COMPETITION'S SYSTEM

I am thinking it's Costco's way of competing with Sam's Club and their scan and go system. That one is where when you pick up an item, you scan it yourself, you pay as you go - then it's electronically scanned as you leave to make sure you have paid for all of the items in your cart. I don't have a Sam's Club membership, but I've heard from several people who do, that's how it works.

COSTCO HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO MAKE THE CHECK-OUT SYSTEM FASTER

A couple of years ago Costco added the self check-out stations, and now they have added the pre-scan system. So they are trying to make wait times at the registers less than it used to be. They have always done a really good job of moving those lines along, now this is just an added benefit.

Have you experienced the new system for check out - did you think it sped things up?