Wal Mart Receipt Checks

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OK, my turn. I have been working at Wal*Mart part time for 4 years. The first year I was a greeter. Currently I work in the Sporting Goods Dept. It is understandable for a customer to be upset and angry at even the thought of receipt/bag checking by an "Exit" greeter. This subject and about every other one I've seen in the news about Wal*Mart generates less than a positive shopping experience for those involved. Loss prevention is the term used by Wal*Mart regarding the subject of product shrinkage, i.e., lost, cashier error, missing or stolen items. Most retailers employ some level of security, some being more subtle than others such as WM.

As mentioned in an earlier post, activities such as checking receipts, door alarms, etc., are as much a deterent to those who would shoplift as those in the store contemplating theft.

Unfortunately the WM process can leave a bad taste in those who experience being asked for their receipt.

My experience has been few customers intentionally leave a store without paying for their items. Most errors caught are due to cashier error (not charging for an item) and not deactivating more costly item theft tags, causing a door alarm.

But on the other hand, you would be surprised how inventive people can be in their quest to steal anything not bolted down. I could go into detail on such activities but suffice to say, it's amazing! And some days, it can be a large amount.

Anyhow, with low prices these stores attract many kinds, including those who like to shop free!

Here's hoping you'll have a better shopping experience the next time. Thanks for shopping with us and have a nice day!:)
 
Don't Have To

But I do. I even hold it out as I depart, 'cause in the Metro Baltimore area stores have been put out of business by shoplifting. You also should--I think--consider the feelings of the poor peon doing the checks. But technically--you don't owe them squat. If I buy something either Walmart, Lowes--wherever--and the alarm goes off as I pass through, I've been known to keep on going. But I like Lowes--and just think if there were no Walmart! I think--however--that one should always consider the feelings of the person with whom one is dealing at any given moment. But--that doesn't comprise being a doormat or letting them abuse, terrorize or just bully you. I'm a bully baiter. Even if the guy's a lot bigger than me (unless he's a mental case), I let them know that whatever they're planning to do to me--it's gonna' cost them plenty. And I'll get right in their face and let that be known unto them. But I have no problem whatsoever with people just doin' their job.
 
If memory serves, they always "ask" to see your receipt, so I guess you can refuse all you want. Most won't so the store's policy still does what they want.

Personally, I just don't get offended easily and this issue just seems real trivial. I don't see the slippery slope argument some seem to be making.
 
Target has security systems that other companies and even law enforcement model their own on. Target stores are said to have the best retail surveillance system in all America.
Thus they don't need to hassle me going in or going out.

They have better candy too.
 
I try not to shop wal-mart

But when I do I have only been stopped when that damn ding a ling went off. Now I don't shop there unless I can't find what I want elsewhere. I like to give my buisness to the mom and pop stores that were there before them. It costs me a little more but I DON"T LIKE WAL_MART!:fire:
 
YET, so far, no one will acknowledge my right as a consumer, nor my 4th amendment rights.
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Oh jeez, stop yelling "unconstitutional" every time something happens.... it's a one-note excuse. It's kinda like standing on someone's lawn, yelling obscenities at them, and then expecting the First Amendment to cover you. It doesn't let you do it on private property, it doesn't let you do it at someone else's expense, and it doesn't protect you from civil action therein.

So you're in Walmart, and you're leaving, and they ask you to see a receipt. You don't show it to them. They call the police and state they believe you stole something, because a million other people were in that store, a million other people let them check the receipts, and you were acting suspicious. You have to deal with the law, and eventually the cops tell you that your rights as a consumer and an individual are null and void because you're on private property. They check your receipt, you didn't steal anything, all good and well, and you're allowed to leave, but this time with a ban from Walmart. Good job.

Or let's say the 80-year-old retired teacher that has to ask for your receipt gets sprayed in the face with OC because you don't want to show her your receipt. Guess what, you just assaulted someone. Good luck defending your reasoning on that one.... "Your Honor, I felt like i was in danger by Mrs. Robinson, the former English teacher from a Catholic high school...." :scrutiny:

And all this because you didn't like showing your receipt to someone. See, because it's their store, they get to do whatever they want to stop you from stealing, as long as they can prove you actually stole it. Ever seen Loss Prevention tackling someone to recover a $5 pack of Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards? I have. Is it legal? Absolutely.

So, are these bag checks legal? Yes, but only if they're voluntary. What will happen if you refuse? Well, like I said, it could warrant a visit by the police, even though you technically didn't do anything wrong. This doesn't give the store the right to detain you, unless they can prove you stole something... But that still doesn't giv you an excuse to assault someone.

If you don't mind causing a fuss, then refuse to show them the receipt. See what happens, and let us know when you get banned by Walmart.... which is their right, because it's private property. Or, just show then the darn receipt and get over it.

Read this link, too:
http://www.crimedoctor.com/loss_prevention_3.htm
 
How will you know if your detention by Wal-Mart or the minions they summon is illegal until after your trial?
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Use LexisNexis or similar web site to check on your state and municipal laws, and/or consult with legal counsel BEFORE HAND.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. If you take the following as legal advice, you're a darn fool.

We have delt with this issue before here about two years ago, I'm sure its in the archives somewhere. When I checked the statutes then, here in Colorado a shop keeper (Wally World or the like) may detain an individual if they have reasonable suspicion that theft has occured. Said shop keeper is also immune from civil and criminal liability should such detention occur, even if groundless.

Personally, I don't put up with such nonsense. The few times I've been asked to show my receipt apon leaving, I've just said "No thanks" and kept going. It has been years since such has occured though. 'Cept for that bit of unpleasantness at a local King Sooper's grocery that cost them (and their parent Kroger) my patronage for life. I'll eat spiders and weeds before I spend anymore money there.
 
YET, so far, no one will acknowledge my right as a consumer, nor my 4th amendment rights.
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Consumer rights? What about my right as a consumer not to have to pay the freight, via higher prices. for all the douchebags that waltz out of stores with stuff they haven't paid for? You may say, "Well, it's the retailers job to fight shoplifting." No kidding. Like with surveillance cameras, loss prevention agents roaming the store, and receipt checks? And, how does the Fourth Amendment apply?

K
 
Albuquerque just came to an agreement with WalMart to change their security procedures without going into detail. Seems APD patrols were spending all their time at Walmart, instead of patrolling the streets. Change in procedures is aledged to allow more patrolling on the streets.
I shop Walmart maybe three or four times a year. I always have my receipt in hand and am waved right through, or ignored. Must be my honest look. LOL
News report about the change in procedures, mentioned that Walmart was the biggest call for APD assistance , tying up APD too much.
 
they stopped me once on the way out. about 3 years ago. i have not darkened their door way since. not only that,it was the best move financially i have made since i cut my credit card up and glued it to my ak to prevent safety clack.
 
Chinese

I've been a cab-driver for 15 years, so I guess that makes me a cab-driver. Anyway--every time I pick up Chinese sailors at the docks--where do they want to go? Walmart! I say--"but everything at Walmart is Made in China!" They inevitably say--"But we can buy it cheaper here." Go figure. Anyway, I tell them that "the only thing that they sell at Walmart that's not Hecho in China is guns. We make the best guns." They get a kick outta' that.
 
These links were linked from the article Keaner linked to here. I have no way of knowing how accurate this info may be. I do know that laws related to shoplifter and the merchan'ts ability to detain suspected shoplifters vary from state-to-state and it is best to be familiar with the laws of your own state.

This one says the "receipt checks" are voluntary. They can ask, but you are supposed to able to decline.

http://crimedoctor.com/loss_prevention_3.htm

This link outlines the procecures for what constitutes suspicion of shoplifting and what actions the merchant can take.

http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting2.htm
 
Didn't WalMart "security guards" recently (within the last year) end up killing someone in the parking lot by "detaining" him by smashing him into the pavement and holding him there?

I'll look for a link.



Legal or not, they do a lot of interesting things in the name of "security".:barf:
 
There have been a few (at least two, maybe three) incidents in the Detroit area in the last year or so where a suspected shoplifter was killed by security guards. In one incident they sat on him and couldn't breath. I can't remember the details of the other incident. If anyone is curious enough to really want the details, a web search should turn them up as they were in the news. Try the Detroit Free Press website at www.freep.com
 
What bugs me is that over at Fry's they have an employee who tells you which cashier to use and they still want to check your bag & receipt at the door. You would think that either approch should be sufficient. Come to think the "exit greeters" at Fry must think so to since they hardly look at the receipt and never even look in the bag.

I don't really mind as long as their are enough people checking. If there is a line and I don't have too much stuff I'll just squeeze through and no one seems to mind/notice.
 
I have never been stopped at a Walmart, I have been stopped at Costco. When she asked, I asked if I could she her drivers license, she asked why? I stated so I make sure I sue the correct person. She has never stopped me since, I do get a personal shopping advisor now on my trip through out the store. AKA security guard. When my membership is over in a year, I will stop using the store, I do like the bulk meat they sell. Just bought 2 whole pork loins and forty some pounds of sirloin tip roast all for under $2. a pound. (thats cheaper than wholesale now.)
 
I used to get annoyed by getting stopped for a receipt check,and even thought about just keep on walking.I'd alway's put my receipt away,and then forget I'll need it at the door.Then I thought well,I've never had to wait on line to get checked,they are pretty quick about it,so does it really hurt me for a few seconds delay? Sometimes I feel bad for the person at the door probably taking abuse from people all day about having the receipt checked.Hey it may help keep the prices down,and what if I accidently forget something under the cart and it doesn't get rung up? The receipt check gets me before exiting and detained for shoplifting,so they may be doing me a favor.They don't force us to shop there,so if it really pisses you off,don't go to Walmart,bothsides live happily ever after.
 
Yes, they can ask you to stop.

No, you dont have to stop.

Its really not that complicated. The only possible exception for this is for retailors like Costco and Sam's Club who require a membership. It is possible that stopping for the receipt checker is something you agree to when you sign your agreement (i dont know this for a fact though).

You dont have to stop for the door buzzers either, btw. I always do just so that I can glare at the checker who failed to deactivate my tag.

The manager was probably just ruffling your feathers because you seemed like the loud sort of customer that is fun to mess with. I woulda done the same thing. For the record, the law doesnt require him to tell you the truth either.
 
Here's some info from a quick google search. Looks like the Free Press free archive doesn't go back that far. It also looks like the incidents were longer ago then I remembered. I caught a reference in one summary to this death being the second in a short time, but the article was too old to come up.

This one looks like it's from Geoffrey Fieglers website. This death by security guards happened in 2001. The articles talk about the incident and subsequent lawsuits.

http://www.fansoffieger.com/kroger.htm
 
Wal-Mart LP's Kill Suspected Shoplifter

Found the most recent one that comes to mind: http://www.retailworker.com/node/16895

The Wal-Mart LP at the Atascocita,Texas store crossed the line of common decency when they killed that man in the hot Texas sun,in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart store in Atascocita,Texas. The LP's showed no mercey,they were hell bent to teach this SOB a lesson,you dont shoplift in this store. What were they thinking? All Wal-Mart security who were at the killing field scene should be fired on the spot and brought up on charges in court. There is no justification for killing that man. Where is the evidence that the man actually took something without paying for it? Anyone out there whose is close to this incident,please come on site and let us know what is going on. Shame on Wal-Mart security in Atascocita,Texas.
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Interestingly, all the hits are coming back from places like Indymedia.org, but I do remember the story on Fox, CNN and the like when it occured. I don't recall the Kroger incident though. Fuel to the fire; I've read of and tracked down a case where an innocent shopper at one of the home improvement stores was chased down, beaten severely by the store's LP staff, grevously injured and then won a large judgement from the store. Hearsay until I can dig up corroborating link of course. ;)
 
Trebor

It ain't the merchandise--it's the theft. You hungry, you steal a steak--that's one thing. He didn't steal a steak. I suspect he was trying to feed that monkey that used to be on his back. And to my way of thinking, had I been on that jury, his family wouldn't have gotten 1 cent.
 
It's not like Wal Mart is the only company that checks receipts.

I've bought a couple of expensive items at Best Buy in the past month. When they bring up the television, they park it right there at the security guy's spot by the door. Did I feel insulted? Not really, as they were going to unpack the thing and pack it into my car anyway.

Wal Mart doesn't check my receipts. I'm too tall and I walk too fast past the aging greeters.

If Wal Mart's policy offends you, just say "no" when asked. If they refuse to let you leave, march back to customer service and return what you just bought. I'm surprised you didn't return your purchases after your talk with the store manager.
 
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