What do you all think of this one?

[Uncle Cracker]

One other factor that plays into the scenario is that the same device that deactivates the item also scans it for checkout. So, an alarm may serve to indicate that the item was not scanned, and therefore not charged to the customer. This all works as a backup for the merchant to make sure his equipment and his cashiers are all working properly. I think we need to cut the stores some slack here...

[Copper]

I agree that he should have handled the situation better (without being a jerk). What's he going to do if he shops at Sam's or Costco? They check the receipts of EVERYONE there.

[herb fellows]

[QUOTE=Pappy;453668]Exiting from the register directly to the door, I see no need to for my receipt to be checked.


Regarding the 'going from the register directly to the door:
The reason they do it is two fold: first, to prove the non discriminatory aspect of the policy. Second, and more important to them, when the 'greeter' marks the receipt, this prevents you from unloading the merch to your car, then going back in the store and getting duplicate items, putting them in the same bags, and using your receipt to prove payment for the duplicate items. With any large store, there is usually more than one way out, so you can avoid going by the same security person again. Even if you can't, when they are busy, chances are you could walk by the same guy again without raising an eyebrow.

I also subscribe to the 'he was being a jerk' theory. If you want to be a smart *ss, fine, but expect the consequences that will inevitably bring.

[Richard in Smithville]

A few years ago, I was in a WM wiating for loml to pay when the alarm went off. The greeter, a lady in her golden years, ran up from behind and grabbed the bag out of the shoppers hand. The shopper stood there a little shocked at what happened. Another shopper could have easily turned and hit the greeter, thinking she was trying to steal the bag. That could have been a bad situation!

[RAFlorida]

Wal Mart as well as all other stores are in business

to make money. That being said; that money is spread out to the employees and utilites, insurance, etc. What with the amount of shoplifting happening these days, some body has to pay the final cost; that's you, me and the next customers. My neighbor, a retired police chief said most shop lifting doesn't get caught, some not prosecuted. When ever I purchase anything at Wal Mart, I just keep the receipt in my hand, not the bag, and that way when leaving, the person at the door or carts can see the receipt. The guy was a royal AH-jerk. It had nothing to do with his principles, only his thoughts of showing them he's boss. I'm sure my post may p o some, but I stand by my beliefs. If the store can cut down on shop lifters, all the more power to the store, the cops, the employees.

[woodturner]

They have forced suppliers to send AMERICAN jobs to China just so they can reap massive profits.

Just a couple of problems with those statements:

1. Walmart has products made in America whenever possible. They make a point of it - so they are encouraging suppliers to keep jobs in the US.

2. They hire US workers, so they are creating jobs in the US.

3. They don't make "massive" profits, at least by the standards of most US companies.


Sorry to interrupt your venting by introducing facts ;-)

[woodturner]

Exiting from the register directly to the door, I see no need to for my receipt to be checked.

A common scam cashiers pull is they "sell" merchandise to an accomplice but "forget" to scan all the items. So, the accomplice leaves the register with a receipt and merchandise, some of which they did not pay for.

When they check receipts, they are usually counting items. If you have a receipt showing 3 items but have 4 items in your bag, that's the tip off to the theft.

It's also how they manage to quickly check your receipt without apparently checking anything - they are just doing a quick count of the number of items.

[phi1l]

That guy better not even apply for a Costco membership or Sam's Club for that mater. They check everybody's receipts at the door on leaving.

The guy is obviously a duffus, he should know that people working a wally world are there for a reason, & it's not because they're the sharpest tool in the drawer. FOr those kinda prices you are sometimes gonna have to make allowances.

[billwmeyer]

I don't know if this guy is a jerk or a dufus or what really happened here. I do know that when the alarm goes off, I just keep walking. No one has followed me to my car, and I have informed them that I won't stop. Why? I have been stopped so many times I can hardly count. The last time I had been Christmas shopping and We had 2 carts rounded up with merchandise. It took a long time to figure out which item it was and I was. It turned out to be a small $5.00 or so item in a sack in the bottom of the basket, that I had paid for. I insisted on seeing a manager and he was rude right off the bat. I was caused to wait because an employee did not do their job. The desensitizer was not the scanner, it is just behind the scanner. I told the manager that I would not stop again and I have set off the alarm several times since and kept walking. I have never been detained for it, and I do not steal. If they want to ban me for life, that is ok. Actually if they give me a hassle again, I will ban them for life.

If it had happened once or twice, I wouldn't have had a problem. I have even told the cashier to double check each item, and still the alarm has gone off. Happening about every third of fourth trip in, which is what happened to me is wrong and I will not tolerate it.

Bill

[Kristofor]

I've never stolen anything and thus have never had stolen goods set off the scanner. At the same time I would guess I have had those gateways go off due to employee error 4-6 times per year. Though, to be fair this is usually at Target not Walmart.

I would love to see the following sign by the door:
"We use these scanners to keep prices lower for everyone. If the scanner goes off because we've failed to deactivate the tag on any item you have purchased we apologize for wasting your time and we'll give you a $5 credit on your next trip to prove it."

That's a great way of making sure the mistakes are traced back to the checker and ensuring there is a profit motive to reduce the false positives as much as possible.

I would/do also stop and show a receipt when asked due to these employee failures but I no longer go back in to the service desk or just hang around waiting. If they want have someone stationed there or want to stroll out to my car and check contents vs. receipt that's annoying but not unreasonable, but I decided maybe 5 years ago that I'm done standing in line a second time on my time, as a perceived shoplifter, for their piece of mind...

[LCHIEN]

yeah, i've set off the scanner alarm before but always thought I'd paid for everything.
I'll slow down and see if anyone's coming. If not I'll keep going. Either way I'm sure I'll pass any inspection they want to do.

sometimes those electronic ID badges we used at work would set them off, esp. at the old target stores. They come running up and I'd show the card they give me a shielded card to put next to it in my wallet or pocket; usually that would fix it.

I carry three electronic ID cards with me now but none seems to set off any machines.