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Meijer’s Shop & Scan | How Does It Work | Pros + Cons Of Using It
Meijer has been making all sorts of changes the last few months. Two of the most noticeable changes is the Meijer coupon policy and their Uscan lanes.
First, the Meijer coupon policy changed to only allowing 2 LIKE coupons per transactions. This also includes, if you have a $1/1 off coupon for Kleenex in your mPerk account, and a $1/1 off Kleenex coupon in your hand, that’s your 2. You wouldn’t be able to use 2 of those paper coupons, plus a digital manufacturer coupon. This change to the policy has upset many couponers. This doesn’t just hurt the hard-core couponers, but the average couponer, that only uses coupons here and there.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to run to Meijer or back in the store several times just to use all of my coupons. So, I’ve adjusted my coupon strategy and will be sharing that down the road.
Second, the U-Scans. Many of you all have reported your store taking out the unlimited USCAN lanes and swapping them with only 6 NEW USCAN lanes with a limit of 20. This change is taking place at EVERY Meijer store. If it hasn’t happened at your store yet, it WILL. It’s been slowly trickling out since the beginning of the year.
There are a few speculated reasons why this change was made: (these are not confirmed by Meijer- just speculation):
- To stop couponers from abusing the system or using a ton of coupons
- to get a better handle on theft
- to get a better handle on fraud coupons and other fraud-related issues
And the final reason is the new Shop & Scan app!
What is Meijer’s Shop & Scan?
Shop & Scan (formerly known as Mejier Express Checkout) allows customers to scan the barcodes of items using an app (like Sam’s Club scan & go). You will be able to have a running total of all the items in your cart (before tax).
How does Shop & Scan work?
3. Scan your items and review on the mobile cart.
4. Once you’re done shopping, scan the QR code on the self-checkout terminal to continue. A service check may occur.
5. Finish payment at the self-checkout terminal.
When is the Meijer Shop & Scan coming to my store?
Can I scan paper coupons?
Do you have to have a mPerk account to use Shop & Scan?
Yes! The app is available exclusively for mPerks customers.
Is there a minimum or maximum limit for the numbers of items that can be scanned using Shop & Scan?
Where can I find the QR code to start the shopping trip?
On a sign near the front entrance of the store. This is where the Customer must scan the QR code, to initiate a shopping trip. Once all items have been scanned, visit Self-Checkout terminal to scan the second QR code. This will be available on the display screen of the Self-Checkout terminal.
Will mPerks rewards and promotions be applied?
All eligible rewards and promotions will be applied during payment at a Self-Checkout terminal.
Can payments be made on the app?
At this time, payment is accepted at a Self-Checkout terminal.
What about Alcohol with the Shop & Scan?
For any alcohol you try to purchase, you can scan the item, but you will get carded at checkout.
What is a service check?
A few shopping trips get randomly selected for a system check. This helps improve the efficiency of the mobile app’s scanning engine.
When do I need to scan QR codes?
The QR code needs to be scanned:
– Before you start shopping to initiate your trip. These QR codes are located in the front of the store.
– To finalize payment at a Self-Checkout terminal. The QR code is located on the terminal’s screen.
What is a QR code?
This is what a QR code looks like:
Where can I find the QR code to start the shopping trip?
On a sign near the front entrance of the store. This is where the Customer must scan the QR code, to initiate a shopping trip. Once all items have been scanned, visit Self-Checkout terminal to scan the second QR code. This will be available on the display screen of Self-Checkout terminal.
When will taxes, discounts, bottle returns and sale prices be applied?
Should I bag my items while I shop and scan them?
How do I add produce to my order?
How do I enter live fish into the customer app?
Why did my Shop & Scan app close itself?
What if I can’t get the barcode of a product to scan?
Who should I contact with any other issues with the Scan and Go App?
Is Wi-Fi service available in Meijer stores?
To access free Wi-Fi in our stores:
-Open ‘settings’ on your device (phone or tablet) and turn on Wi-Fi
-Select “meijerwifi” and close settings
-Launch your internet browser
-Accept Meijer Terms & Conditions
-Your device will automatically connect to “meijerwifi”
If after following these steps you still experience Wi-Fi connection problems, please call the Guest Wi-Fi Help Desk at 855-281-5731.
A few tips on using the Meijer Shop & Scan App:
- When purchasing a variety of flavors of the same item (i.e. yogurt), scan each item’s barcode. This will ensure we have the product during your next shopping visit.
- For bulk items, simply scan the barcode located on the shelf edge.
- To add multiple quantities of the same item, scan once and simply touch the + to add additional quantities to your order.
- To delete an item, touch the trash button.
- Once you scan an item, you can hit the button to tell it to search for available mPerk coupons (great feature!)
Pros & Cons of using the Meijer Shop & Scan App:
Meijer is stating this will save you time. Yes, I agree. It will save you time from unloading and reloading everything back in your cart.
Pro: It will also save you time from scanning each item or having a cashier scan each item.
The other way it SHOULD save you time, is standing in line.
Con: However, you STILL have to stand in line to check-out. So, if the Uscans are backed up on a Sunday morning, your wait could be in anywhere from 5-45 minutes (this happened to a Meijer customer the other week). But, if everyone standing in the Uscan lane are using the Shop & Scan app, it SHOULD go by faster, right? We’ll have to test that out to see!
***new update 2019/July- stores are getting USCANS that will be for Shop & Scan customers ONLY. They are starting to show up in stores around Michigan, so this process will help you save time once all stores have them. {thanks Tammy for sharing your photo + news}
Another Pro: For those that like to keep track of how much you are spending while you’re shopping, you will be able to do that. As you’re scanning each item into your cart, your total will continue to update. It won’t finalize with the taxes (and deposits for bottles, if you’re buying pop/alcohol, etc.) until you check-out. This will help you stay on budget.
Another Pro: Coupons and mPerks will still work without too much hassle. Once you get to the checkout lane and scanned the QR code and it brings up your order, you will be able to apply any mPerk coupons and paper/printable coupons you have in your hand.
Another Con: You still have to stand in a line to check-out. It would be GREAT if they did this like Sam’s Club Scan & Go App. Their app is FANTASTIC. You can pay right in the app, and any coupons you have, are automatically applied since you are logged in with your Sam’s Club information. Also, with the Sam’s Club app, there is NO waiting in line. The only line you are in is the line to leave the store. This may take some strategy for Meijer to get to this point, but hopefully, they will move in this direction in the near future.
Overall, shoppers are looking for ways to save time. I see more people using the Meijer curbside or Shipt Home Delivery to avoid spending any time in the store. There need to be some tweaks to this Meijer Shop & Scan app to save shoppers more time.
Possible Con: I don’t know how bringing in a new USCAN, and Shop & Scan system will work with cashiers. Will there be more cashiers to help with this or does this mean Meijer will have fewer cashiers available (and possible job loss?).
What are your thoughts on the NEW Meijer Shop & Scan (formerly known as Meijer Express-Check-out)? Drop me a line below and let me know your thoughts.
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Hi Tatanisha,
I tried meijer shop and scan with my android phone, I weighed some bananas, it scanned the bar code on the scale just fine. But it wouldn’t scan most other items. I got an iphone recently and tried again. Better, but I still spent too much time trying to scan. And there was a bottle of alcohol it never was able to scan. So I find the shop and scan too frustrating to use. The self scan checkout screens seem to scan a barcode much easier than my iphone. Trying to scan an item 3 or 4 times before it reads, and separating scanned items from scan failures in the cart is too much.
Hi Brian! I actually don’t use the Shop & Scan either. I’ve used it a few times, but honestly, I don’t find that it has saved me time since I still have to go through the register- scan it, wait for someone to verify my stuff, then check-out. So, I totally understand your point!
My Shop and Scan recently stopped loading. I’ve tried deleting and reinstalling the Meijer app, tried getting instore help from a manager, and absolutely nothing has worked. I don’t understand what happened. I love this app and would like to get it working again.
Other shoppers were using the app in the store without a problem. The manager in the store couldn’t get her app to work at the same time as me.
Can you help?
I would give their customer service a call. My suggestion would have been the same- delete the app and reinstall.
I just tried this. I did NOT have to scan a QR code to start shopping – the app recognized I was in the store and I could scan immediately. Everything went well. I checked out at a dedicated Shop and Scan station (no waiting), which required I pay by credit or debit. I wonder if it’s possible to check out at any self-scan station so I can pay cash if I wish?
We love shop and scan. We have virtually no wait in line to check-out-our groceries are already bagged (as we go). I especially like how it gives me the rewards of Mperks automatically-no signing in. It also saves me money by advising me of coupons and allowing me to get the full benefit of all coupons without any prep-it’s an automatic as I shop process. The staff is very helpful in those situation where items need to be scanned at the register-which we do if there’s any doubt-it’s very seamless.
It’s said that I am putting people out of jobs-I see lots of staff supporting my general shopping and specifically my checking out. Be fore shop and scan we were big self baggers because my wife is fussy about how this is done. Now we bag as we go and our checkout averages less than a minute maybe 30 seconds tops. I don’t feel morally inferior because I shop and scan. I don’t think someone standing in line waiting to be waited on is in any way morally superior-different strokes for different folk.
I’ve used shop and scan more now, with the lockdown. My main annoyance with the scanning is some items “put aside and scan at checkout”. I went to two different Meijer and bought bananas, both times it was “put aside”. Too many put aside items defeats the purpose.
My other annoyance is my phone. It keeps going to sleep, and the fingerprint recognition doesn’t work with gloves on (virus protection). So I’m putting in my 6 digit code over and over again. The shop and scan uses my old iphone battery a lot, it can go 100 % to 75% in 45 minutes of shop and scan.
Oh no, that sounds frustrating. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brian. I am personally not a huge fan of Meijer’s Shop & Scan, especially since our store has not upgraded to make it easier to checkout. And while it is convenient to use it more now with the lockdown, it still is slow at times. I would definitely voice these concerns to Meijer’s Shop & Scan as well!
What will stop customers from adding things to their bags that they didn’t scan? I see more stealing with this system, a few extra items here and there, you got to know it’s going to happen.
I have used shop and scan a few times. Between scanning/weighing issues and having to have a service check every single time I’ve tried to use it (no alcohol and varying amounts of products), makes shopping a much longer and frustrating experience. The ONLY thing I like is that it notifies you if there’s an mperks coupon available.
My Meijer doesn’t have the desiccated Us and for So and Scan customers. If it is a busy day, I’ll do and then scan while I wait in the line. That way, I can shop faster and make that long wait time useful.