Easy Walmart trick turns a phone into a mobile self-checkout saving shoppers time & money but be aware of the pitfalls

AN easy Walmart trick turns a phone into a mobile self-checkout, saving shippers time and money but you'll need to be aware of the pitfalls.

It isn't hard to see why so many people love shopping at Walmart, it's convenient and the prices are hard to beat.

However, that convenience often comes with a caveat, such as a checkout process which is always an ordeal.

But several Walmart stores have now moved to a system using mainly self-checkout kiosks, meaning even longer wait times.

For many, juggling a full cart at the self-checkout lane, which has a smaller bagging system, can be a bit of a hassle.

Now shoppers who have a Walmart+ membership can use the Scan & Go feature, a members-only perk that makes checking out easier than it's ever been.

HOW TO USE SCAN & GO

The Scan & Go feature turns your phone into its own mobile self-checkout station.

You can scan your items as you go, instead of scanning all of them at once at the end of your shopping trip.

If you bring your reusable shopping bags, you can have all your items scanned and bagged before you hit checkout.

To get started with the feature, there are a few things you'll need.

First, you'll need a Walmart+ membership - remember, the feature is exclusive only to members.

You'll also need a mobile device that has a camera. This is what you'll use to scan the barcodes on the products you want to purchase.

The device will need the Walmart app with location access enabled and a stable internet connection.

Your credit or debit card will need to be connected to your account so you can pay through the app.

After this, you'll be able to use it.

Simply begin scanning items and once that is done, click "View Cart" to make sure everything is correct.

Then, you can hit the blue "Check Out" button and head over to a self-checkout kiosk.

Scan the QR code on the screen and confirm your payment method.

PITFALLS

However, there are some items that can make the experience much more complicated.

Items such as alcohol and produce can cause a hassle.

Pre-packaged items are okay, but if you purchase an item that needs to be weighted, you might cause a glitch in the system.

Alcohol can't be scanned due to age restrictions, so you'll have to make a separate transaction if you want to buy that.

Also, be sure to keep an eye on your total as you shop. When scanning items, you might not be focused on how much you're spending, so make sure you're staying within your budget.