History Main / ExpressLaneLimit

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This was TruthInTelevision for a long time as stores are reluctant to enforce this rule due to customer service reasons. However, the replacement of express lanes by self-checkout machines have turned this into a mostly DiscreditedTrope. Some proprietors have chosen to designate lanes as "basket only", placing a limit on the volume of purchases rather than quantity. Additionally, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some stores have designated lanes limited to non-cash payments. That being said, there are still large regional supermarket chains in the United States (such as New England's Market Basket chain) that continue to use express lanes and staunchly refuse to add self-service lanes [[GrandfatherClause out of tradition]] and/or wanting their customers (mostly consisting of older clientele) to be served by real people. And some companies such as UsefulNotes/{{Walmart}} have started ''removing'' self-checkout lanes from some stores [[https://fortune.com/2023/12/18/self-checkout-walmart-target/ due to rising issues]] such as customers getting frustrated with issues with the technology and increases in shoplifting.

This was TruthInTelevision for a long time as stores are reluctant to enforce this rule due to customer service reasons. However, the replacement of express lanes by self-checkout machines have turned this into a DiscreditedTrope. Some proprietors have chosen to designate lanes as "basket only", placing a limit on the volume of purchases rather than quantity. Additionally, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some stores have designated lanes limited to non-cash payments. That being said, there are still large regional supermarket chains in the United States (such as New England's Market Basket chain) that continue to use express lanes and staunchly refuse to add self-service lanes [[GrandfatherClause out of tradition]] and/or wanting their customers (mostly consisting of older clientele) to be served by real people.

* ''WesternAnimation/TUFFPuppy'': In "Super Duper Crime Busters", T.U.F.F. is looking for a crime to thwart so as not to look bad on the titular ShoWWithinAShow. At one point, Dudley and Kitty try to arrest [[VillainsOutShopping The Chameleon, who's doing his grocery shopping]] of eggs, milk, cricket jerky, and swim goggles (which don't fit his eyes). When Dudley tries to arrest The Chameleon on the grounds that he was in the 10-items-or-less or less lane with 15 items, The Chameleon points out that a carton of eggs counts as a single item.

In fiction, HilarityEnsues when someone blatantly exceeds the limit, or tries to stay under by [[RulesLawyer making up rules]] about what can be considered as a single item. Often times, exceeding the limit by one item is common fodder for a FelonyMisdemeanor.

This was TruthInTelevision for a long time as stores are reluctant to enforce this rule due to customer service reasons. However, the replacement of express lanes by self checkout machines have turned this into a DiscreditedTrope. Some proprietors have chosen to designate lanes as "basket only", placing a limit on the volume of purchases rather than quantity. Additionally, in the wake of the COVID pandemic some stores have designated lanes limited to non-cash payments.

* There was a Glade detergent commercial where the customer argued that three bottles of Glade count as one item, because 12 eggs count as one item. The cashier explains that the three Glades are separate items because each one smells different. She then gets distracted by enjoying/describing the new scents.

This was TruthInTelevision for a long time as stores are reluctant to enforce this rule due to customer service reasons. However, the replacement of express lanes by self checkout machines have turned this into a DiscreditedTrope. Some proprietors have chosen to designate lanes as "basket only", placing a limit on the volume of purchases rather than quantity.

In large supermarkets, certain checkout lanes will be designated "''N'' Items or Less". These "Express Lanes" allow customers who aren't buying very much to avoid a long wait in line behind those who have many more items.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** In "The Principal and the Pauper", Edna throws away some items from her cart to join Marge and Agnes in a line to talk about Skinner.
** In the episode where Apu was living with the Simpsons, he advised Marge against using the Monstromart express lane ("1000 Items or less") because, while the person in front of her only had one item, it was a lonely elderly person (Grandpa Abe, no less) who would milk the checkout process for as much time as possible just to have ''some'' social contact. ("There's an interesting story about this nickel...") Instead, Apu directed Marge to a lane with a long line, but the line was composed entirely of single men with one or two items each who just wanted to pay for their stuff and get out.

* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/StressedEric'' had three such lanes: "Less than ten items but more than four", "less than four items but more than one", and "one item or less" (which the titular character promptly use to checkout ''one'' potato.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo'' episode "Johnny's Inferno", one of the evil deeds that a demon makes Johnny do is [[PokeThePoodle going (slightly) over the checkout lane limit.]] The cashier doesn't have a problem with this, though, much to his disappointment.

* [[DeadpanSnarker Sarcastically]] invoked after Dr. Drakken [[MacGuffinDeliveryService tricks]] WesternAnimation/KimPossible into stealing a TelephoneTeleport device for him:

In fiction, HilarityEnsues when someone blatantly exceeds the limit, or tries to stay under by making up rules about what can be considered as a single item. Often times, exceeding the limit by one item is common fodder for a FelonyMisdemeanor.

In a large supermarket, there will be more than one checkout lane clearly designated "''N'' Items or Fewer" (or "''N'' Items or Less," which makes {{Grammar Nazi}}s complain). This allows customers who aren't buying very much to avoid a long wait in line behind those who have many more items.

In fiction, [[HilarityEnsues mounting violence ensues]] when someone blatantly exceeds the limit, or tries to stay under by making up rules about what can be considered as a single item.

These days, the advent of self-checkout lanes in supermarkets has made this less common than it used to be. Customers can now judge, based on how many items they are purchasing, whether it's less effort to wait in line for an employee to ring them up, or to simply do it themselves. Alternatively, the lanes are designated as "basket only", placing a limit on volume of purchases rather than quantity. All of that makes this a DiscreditedTrope.

Going one item over the limit is common fodder for a FelonyMisdemeanor. Compare MattressTagGag.

These days, the advent of self-checkout lanes in supermarkets has made this less common than it used to be. Customers can now judge, based on how many items they are purchasing, whether it's less effort to wait in line for an employee to ring them up, or to simply do it themselves. Alternatively, the lanes are designated as "basket only", placing a limit on volume of purchases rather than quantity.

** The Monstromart has a “1000 items or less” express lane.
** In yet another episode where Apu was living with the Simpsons, he advised Marge against using the express lane in a different supermarket because, while the person in front of her only had one item, it was a lonely elderly person (Grandpa Abe, no less) who would milk the checkout process for as much time as possible just to have ''some'' social contact. Instead, Apu directed Marge to a lane with a long line, but the line was composed entirely of single men with one or two items each who just wanted to pay for their stuff and get out.