[T.B. Yoits]

Armed security isn't going to help in California where shoplifting less than $950 of merchandise is a misdemeanor.

These stores will need to go to the Costco model where only members are allowed in. If a member gets caught stealing, their account is billed and their membership is revoked. If they show up again, they're trespassing.

[Cloverfarm]

Costco model ...

When we visited Russia a few years ago, one of the stores still had the old Soviet style ticket system ... you picked out your stuff, the clerk on the other side of the counter weighed it for you and gave you a ticket ... you walked up to the front and paid. You never touched your purchase until it was paid for.

You did this at every store selling different items because the idea of a super market was still very new.

Of course the Communists had outlawed religion years before so 2 or 3 generations never heard “thou shalt not steal.”

[Joe 6-pack]

"Armed security isn't going to help in California where shoplifting less than $950 of merchandise is a misdemeanor."

When I go to the gas station, they have two different fee schedules for their product based on whether I'm paying cash, or using credit. CA shop owners should employee the same tact.

That apple in the produce section? $951 unless you're paying cash or debit, in which case it's 50 cents.

[moehoward]

“These stores will need to go to the Costco model”

Or go with strictly a prepaid curbside delivery set up.

[Grampa Dave]

“These stores will need to go to the Costco model where only members are allowed in. If a member gets caught stealing, their account is billed and their membership is revoked. If they show up again, they’re trespassing.”

We have 2 Costco’s within a 20 minute drive, and we use their 2 hour delivery to our home due to the feral trash in their parking lots. No problem in those stores, the potential problem is in their parking lots.

My wife and her Church lady friends buy sweats, tops and other name brand clothing from Costco with free shipping.

Costco’s prices on their OTC drug products, which often were RX items before going OTC are excellent. Sometimes, when we order a certain amount, we get a really special price and delivered by our smiling UPS guy. Every time I log onto Costco’s site, Amazon Prime appears in the upper right hand corner with their price for the product.