Posted on 08/03/2021 1:15:01 PM PDT by dynachrome
The home-improvement chain is unveiling power tools that won't work unless they're properly scanned and activated at the register via Bluetooth technology. If a thief managed to smuggle a power drill out of the store without paying, the drill simply wouldn't turn on.
Scott Glenn, Home Depot's vice president of asset protection, told Insider about the company's fight against organized retail crime. He made a point to distinguish between "professional shoplifters" and disorganized solo thieves. The pros, he said, frequently are connected to a larger network that can, in some cases, function as a sophisticated "shadow business."
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Sounds racist.
Great. Something else to break at an inopportune time.
It would be straightforward for that Bluetooth activation to have a time limit. Looks like a prelude to a lease-only business model. More and more businesses seem to be drawn to it. Ownership by the masses of any sort of property is becoming passe.
Getting ready for the expanding San Francisco fad of store grab and go.
I understand why they are doing this, but nope. I’m not gonna play that game. 3 years from now, long after you’ve lost the receipt, you’re totally screwed when your edger decides to reset itself, so that it needs to be re-registered
Should be a fairly easy work around to replace the switch
>>He made a point to distinguish between “professional shoplifters” and disorganized solo thieves.
Why would he do that? Its OK to steal if you are solo but not if you are a pro?
Actually, it sounds like a pretty good idea, to me. However, it all depends on how they implement it...and on top of that, the thieves will have figured a way around it probably within two weeks of its launch.
Within a day of this going live, you’ll be able to buy blutooth tool enablers from China on eBay for $6.99.
Just remember back to when some software required the infamous “donegals” to work. They always malfunctioned at a critical time and the producers could never be successfully contacted to resolve the situation in less than a couple weeks .... after blaming you the entire time for their failure.
probably difficult to identify the thieves when their customers are required to wear masks...
“to have a time limit.”
or a deactivation if you choose to repair.
Not when the tool has a brushless motor that is run by a microprocessor, and the activation is part of the microprocessor's operating code.
Decreased reliability.
Do you know what would cut down on retail theft? If security was allowed to actually apprehend shoplifters instead of just watching them amble down out the door. (Being able to beat the s**t outta them would be an added bonus.)
...Sorry. When I buy tools, particularly bigger ticket items, I look for those designed by people who spent more time focusing on the reliability and dependability of the product rather than spending time building in a feature designed with the explicit intent of disabling the item, regardless of their promise to deactivate it on purchase.
Sorry, won't buy one. Hire tougher security.
What will the extra cost be?
Probably nothing to the retail customer. If this anti theft program works the savings from shrinkage reduction should offset the cost of this program and if it doesn’t completely then the retailer will probably absorb it.
This could spread to all electrical gadgets like phones, Stereos, TV’s, cars, you name it and it could put a real crimp in the theiving industry.
I agree. I’ve actually taken to scanning jpegs of all my receipts — especially now that you have these heat transfer receipts (that fade over time) it’s the best way to do it.
Is this going to increase the wait time at the register as people demand to have the thing tested after “activation”? I don’t want to pay for something or walk out the door unless I know that what I’m buying works.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.