Selfycart is a new self-checkout startup that wants to change the way we shop for everything. Here’s our Selfycart review.
What Is Selfycart?
Selfycart is a Silicon Valley-based startup that first made headlines last August after it revealed its technology to the world. The Selfycart platform lets shoppers avoid checkout lines and pay for groceries as they shop.
Using Selfycart, you’ll never have to wait in line at a grocery store again. This past summer, Selfycart launched its first service at Rainbow Grocery, a San Francisco-based cooperative grocery store. The company is also preparing to partner with similar grocers across the Bay Area.
With Selfycart, you pick up the item, scan it, then pay for it and place it in your cart. You walk out of the store without needing to wait in line at the checkout.
What about security? What prevents someone from just loading up a bunch of items in their cart and walking out? Stores that use the Selfycart system have a sales associate at the front of the store who will check your QR code to confirm that you paid.
Of course, Selfycart isn’t the only app in the self-checkout space. AisleBuyer is one similar app that lets people bypass checkout lines and pay for items on their phones. In 2012, Intuit purchased AisleBuyer and integrated it with GoPayment, which is essentially Intuit’s answer to Square. Prior to the acquisition, AisleBuyer had raised $11.5 million.
This past summer, Selfycart sought $2 million to $3 million in seed funding to expand the system to regional store locations, provide more features to grocers, support larger customer bases, and hire full-time employees. In the summer, the company had just two employees – the two founders,
How Does Selfycart Work?
Selfycart requires the grocer to pay an annual subscription of $19,800, paid in monthly instalments. That payment allows the grocer to use the platform and access the analytics dashboard.
Shoppers then pay 2% per transaction. However, the makers of Selfycart are prepared to change this fee if it deters adoption of the app.
Here’s the step by step process broken down for you:
Step 1) Download the app for iOS or Android (it’s available for free).
Step 2) Find a participating store, then open the app. Add an item to your checkout using your camera to scan the product’s barcode. You can also search for the item you need to purchase at home, then find the nearest store that sells that item.
Step 3) Pay for your cart of items using a credit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay.
Step 4) Walk towards the exit of the store and let the designated Selfycart store associate validate your digital receipt.
That’s it! you’ve just walked into a grocery store, purchased the items you needed, and walked out without waiting in line.
You don’t need to pay for each item individually. You can add the items to your (physical) cart throughout the store, scanning each one’s barcode as you go. Then, once you’re done shopping, you can pay on your phone for your entire (virtual) cart. Either way, you’re charged a 2% transaction fee per cart.
In terms of security, Selfycart is understandably careful about the way it protects your financial information. Your payment information is never sent to Selfycart servers. Instead, its stored on your local device, where it’s protected with keys that Selfycart keeps protected on your device.
If your device is stolen, then Selfycart works with your phone’s security system to ensure no data gets leaked (on the iPhone, it uses Keychain or LocalAuthentication, for example). This system is similar to payment platforms like Apple Pay.
Where Can You Use Selfycart?
Selfycart is a startup company available at a small number of locations. If the company continues to grow, you may find the platform at a store near you in the future.
To browse an updated list of Selfycart store locations in your area, visit the official website here: https://www.selfycart.com/locations.html
How To Subscribe To Selfycart
Merchants and grocers can subscribe to Selfycart using the information found at this page.
The company has an online form you can use to sign up. Or, you can call/email the company directly.
Once you’ve contacted the company, you’ll be asked to add your inventory to the company’s platform. Typically, this involves importing your inventory from whatever inventory system you use. Selfycart’s team can work with you to automate the process whether you have a single store or multiple locations.
From there, you set a launch date. That’s it.
Selfycart Pricing
Selfycart is priced at $19,800 per year for retailers (paid in monthly instalments).
Selfycart shoppers pay a transaction fee of 2% per cart.
About Selfycart
Selfycart was founded in Silicon Valley in 2015. The company promises to provide the fastest, easiest, and most secure way to checkout.
You can contact the company using [email protected]. Their corporate headquarters are located at:
2555 Flores St. #395
San Mateo, California 94403
The company was co-founded by Erick Lee (CTO) and Sahle Hashelit. Crunchbase reports that the company has received $120,000 in funding in two rounds from three investors.
Stay tuned to see if Selfycart is arriving at grocery stores or retail outlets near you in the future!
