>But, I have seen places where you just take a piece of paper to the checkout rather than the tool itself.

How is this not the solution, and more technology is? The local hardware store has cardboard slips you take to customer service for high-end/expensive tools, they then ring you up and you walk out with your newly purchased tool.

They've done that since the 90's. It's not that hard to figure out. Why does every problem need a *TECHNOLOGY* solution? I'm genuinely confused by all of this.

> Why does every problem need a *TECHNOLOGY* solution?

Cynical view: because a third party vendor bullshitted a company into thinking they need this overcomplicated contraption that they're selling, and the manager being bullshitted is too far away from the shop floor to realize it's a dumb idea (or they just don't care).

>> But, I have seen places where you just take a piece of paper to the checkout rather than the tool itself.

That's how we bought video games in the 80's from Toys R Us.

I think most stores with construction materials will allow the "pencil and paper" purchase flow, because it's needed for purchasing big/heavy stuff or buying in bulk. You give the note to the clerk, pay for the stuff, and arrange delivery.