‘Avoid it like the plague,’ blasts BJ’s shoppers as ‘stupid’ robot roams aisle like a ‘horror movie’

BJ’S shoppers are blasting a move the company says will help with inventory.

The wholesaler rolled out a new in-store robot that has some shoppers spooked.

Named Tally, the robot roams the aisles of some BJ’s stores checking shelves for missing items.

The bot helps the store keep stock on the shelves where needed.

“By deploying Tally in all of our club locations, we will gain unprecedented insights which will leverage real-time data, enabling us to continuously improve our operation and ensure that we’re offering the best possible experience to both our team members and members,” BJ’s COO Jeff Desroches said in a 2023 press release.

But not all customers are happy with the new aisle obstacle.

TALLY NO

A disgruntled customer recently shared their thoughts on Tally via Facebook post.

“Has anyone been in BJs lately and had to listen to that stupid inventory robot?” they said. “It just rolls around whistling like a psychopath in a horror movie.”

Despite calling the bot creepy, it was the shopper who nearly chose violence.

“I had a tough time not ramming that thing with our cart,” they quipped.

Commenters on their post agreed with his alarm at the robot.

“I hate it!” one said.

“It’s SO annoying!!!” another added.

“I swear it follows me from aisle to aisle!! Creep,” another said.

One pointed out that Tally looks very similar to Stop and Shop’s inventory robot, Marty, which rolled out in 2019.

“They have a robot in Stop and Shop and I don’t know what it does but if it comes near me I’m scared of it,” they said. “I avoid it like the plague.”

SHOP BOTS

While not everyone is a fan of robots in stores, they’ve become more common in the past five years.

Walmart has put automated forklifts in some of its warehouses, sparking concern from some customers.

The company said they are three times as efficient as human drivers.

Walmart is expanding drone delivery in a key Texas city.

Marty couldn’t save Stop and Shop from shutting down 32 stores.

NYPD recently tested out a robot cop in a subway station.

Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers

Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits

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Costco:

• Gold Star Membership: $60 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
• Executive Membership: $120 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
• Sign up for a Costco Membership here

Sam's Club:

• Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam's Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
• Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam's Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
• Sign up for Sam's Club Membership here

Target: