Posted on 10/20/2023 7:25:26 PM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
We’ve all been there! We’re leaving a grocery store and a staff member asks us to stop, they want to see our receipt.
And for most folk, this experience is embarrassing because it straight up makes you feel they believe you’re a shoplifter.
In one TikTok, a guy called David explains how much this experience angers him and a lawyer @Texaschancla told people you don’t actually have to show your receipt if those are your goods!
This guy says: “It really ****** me off that people at Walmart check your **** when you’re leaving. Like excuse me Walmart, last time I checked, I wasn’t trained on how to use your self checkout system. So, if I miss scan an item, or I miss something and I don’t do something properly, that’s not my ******* problem. That’s yours.”
Ouch. This guy REALLY doesn’t like being stopped by a staff member, right…
However, it turns out all shoppers might just have the legal upper hand right here, according to lawyer and fellow TikToker @Texaschancla.
He said: “David has an excellent point here. As soon as you have paid for those items, they are now your items. So everything in that little shopping bag that you’re walking out with belongs to you.
He continued: “And now it’s up to you whether you want to give the Walmart employee permission to look through your bag, or to touch your things. You have no obligation to even stop when they asked you to. They are not law enforcement. There is no law. You are a private citizen going about your business. If they have reason to think that you shoplifted. Then bring it on.”
That’s what I do - receipt in hand, do you need to check? I shop REALLY early to avoid people & the same old guy is usually at the door & he recognizes me. Unless I have something large, that won’t fit in a bag, he says “nah, you’re good” & waves me on.
I mostly shop at Aldi’s, but selection is limited & next cheapest is Walmart.
Bogus argument by David, however, who sounds like he justifies to himself slipping a few items by the scanner.
At Costco, it’s part of the membership agreement. It isn’t with Wal-Mart. Also, actually waiting for the slow Wal-Mart employees to check can be awful. I just walk on by.
They’re looking for just a few things. Total item count, expensive items (will be a supervisor’s signature on the receipt), any under basket items, and a code that changes so they know that it was actually printed that day (and not by yourself).
By they I mean Costco. Who knowss what Wal-Mart checks for, but I agree it seems like they discriminate.
I used the self checkout at Kroger, as I was walking to my car I realized I hadn’t scanned the milk. Wish I could say I immediately went back to the store, but I unloaded the items, thought about it, then took the milk back to the checkout and paid.
I’m constantly amazed at how little the public understands of these policies.
1. Of course the store employees are prohibited from stopping a shoplifter. Shoplifters kill. There is nothing in the store worth a human life. Companies don’t want gunfights at the registers. Cashiers have been killed; one died last year at about this time. I know a few who have been injured (like me). The workers’ comp claim alone is worth more than the stolen goods. The policy is: let them go, let the professionals pick them up later.
2. Stores do not prosecute criminals. Prosecutors do. This is how our legal system works. All the company can do is bring evidence to the prosecutor and he will decide if the case is worth the people’s time and money.
3. Again, if you think these people aren’t being arrested just because you don’t see flashing blue lights at the front of Walmart or Lowe’s, you’re wrong. They have sophisticated security systems. They gather video evidence between several of their stores in the area, use facial recognition software, and work with the cops. When they have enough evidence to qualify for a big fat felony, they go to the cops and prosecutor. Usually the prosecutor will also have cases against the same person from other retailers in the area.
1. Of course the store employees are prohibited from stopping a shoplifter. Shoplifters kill. There is nothing in the store worth a human life. Companies don’t want gunfights at the registers. Cashiers have been killed; one died last year at about this time. I know a few who have been injured (like me). The workers’ comp claim alone is worth more than the stolen goods. The policy is: let them go, let the professionals pick them up later.
I worked for a company that was, at the time, the world's largest retailer. They told us we could fire a warning shot at shoplifters. In the back of the head.
“However, as I said, if you refuse to show your receipt they can issue you trespass ban that can come with charges...”
To the best of your knowledge, Has this EVER HAPPENED?
Right! Walmart would want to trespass their non stealing customers.
“Stores do not prosecute criminals. Prosecutors do.”
Prosecutors cannot prosecute without a victim, the stores must pursue prosecution or there is nothing a prosecutor can do, no victim, no crime. And the stores refuse to press for prosecution,
They do it at Costco too. At our Wal-Mart if you’re white they the receipt checker pretends not to see you.
If you WANT TO show your receipt, fine do so.
Just don’t make me do it or make me wait while you do it.
BJ’s checks EVERY receipt and EVERY cart as you exit the store.
Expensive items? How expensive
Does the store have the right to check?
Have a friend Indiana told me a Walmart there went cashless credit cards only.
All your information please or leave.
I think they’re just making sure you actually went through the checkout and you aren’t just walking out with a bag of stuff. I’m okay with that.
= = =
And they put a mark on the receipt so you can’t use it later for the bag of stuff you did not pay for.
Who told you that “the stores refuse to press for prosecution”? Are you part of Asset Protection for a major retailer? What is your subject matter expertise here?
I have seen it. They serve the violators with a trespassing order and warn them they are subject to arrest if they return. Whether it not they enforce that, I do not know. I also know the companies that do press prosecution very often back out when it comes time to send someone to court to testify.
I would rather take a few seconds following the stores rules when leaving than unknowingly pay extra to cover the store’s lost revenue for all the stuff stolen.
I totally believe you. I’m sure a major retailer is okay with having its employees open fire on customers.
That’s exactly right. If you refuse to let Costco check your receipt, they will refund your purchase and your membership fee.
They don’t care what you think, it’s legal.
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