Fresh Wimbledon AI shambles as its confusing high-tech shop charges for things fans haven't bought
FAULT…WORST SERVICE Fresh Wimbledon AI shambles as its confusing high-tech shop charges for things fans haven't bought
WIMBLEDON'S technology problems are continuing — with infuriated shop customers being charged for items they have not bought.
The Walled Garden Food Market, which has no checkouts, asks users to tap their cards for a £7 deposit when they enter.
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The Walled Garden Food Market asks users to tap their cards for a £7 deposit when they enter
Credit: Paul Edwards
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More than 50 cameras track everything a customer picks up and charges them for whatever they take
Credit: Paul Edwards
More than 50 cameras track everything a customer picks up and charges them for whatever they take.
But it lacks signs explaining how it works.
The latest tech woes come after automated calls replaced line judges at this year's tournament — with players casting doubt on the technology's accuracy.
Officials will be hoping everything runs smoothly when Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner meet in Sunday's men's singles final.
One staff member said of the food market: 'A lot of people don't understand it, especially more elderly people and then they get quite angry.
'There was someone coming back saying, 'We've been charged £30 for water, what's that about?'.
"Because it's all done on where it's placed on the shelves, so if we're really busy, if there's Champagne near the water, if that gets thrown in the wrong aisle, it'll be charged as water.'
Workers also feared the shop could be hit by so-called tailgaters who, either accidentally or deliberately, sneak into the store behind a paying customer — who end up picking up the tab.
Customers who think they have been wrongly charged have seven days to appeal — and humans will review the footage.
However, the QR code to access the refund form is tucked away on the right-hand wall to the shop's exit — while customers are sent left by a system of barriers.
Emma Raducanu stays cool with fan as she watches men's semi-final at Wimbledon
It means that unless they ask for a receipt, they may have no way of challenging a purchase that they have not made.
The store is new for this year and bosses are said to be pleased with its performance.
Head of food and drink Charlie Cook said: 'It's a very new technology to the public, so there does need to be a degree of explanation.
"It's about improving the service and the experience the customer has.'
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