PSA: Walmart Receipt Checking

[handinpocket]

You wouldn't wanna do that they would have called the cops, and got your license plates numbers.

Annnnnd?!!!! The detergent was bought and paid for, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

 

[SandrA9810]

Why is it such a big issue? The greeter should've just checked with the cashier. Although, there are many cashiers that will check "friends" out, just to bag items without scanning.

It is the holiday times, and theft is going to be higher due to the amount of shoppers, but one small item is a little over the top to call a manager on.

I've been randomly asked to show receipts for items in and out of a bag. Not a big deal to me. Plus I usually check out in electronics to save the hassle of the front of the store registers that are a mile long line. So we walk through the whole store with our paid items. There's usually always a garbage can directly outside the door to throw things away in.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

People write to the consumer column in our local newspaper all the time about receipt checking. Apparently, stores can't just ask for receipts without a reason. If it's a Costco or Sam's Club or another place that requires a membership, they can require showing your receipt upon exiting as a condition of membership. A store like WalMart or Best Buy cannot randomly ask for receipts. If they suspect a particular customer of shoplifting, they can detain them while they investigate, and that would include asking to see a receipt. Otherwise, the customer has the right to refuse to stop and show a receipt. Many people have written to the newspaper saying they told the checker that unless they are being accused of shoplifting, they refused to stop and show their receipt. The store has no recourse in this case. If they try to detain the customer without reasonable cause (such as a credible witness), the customer can take action against the store. The laws may vary between states. This is apparently how it works in California. I always comply because I have nothing to hide and want to avoid a hassle. Many people feel differently and stand by their right to leave the store.

It's this way in Louisiana, too. If the greeter tries to stop you, you have every right to ignore them and keep walking.

 

[Imzadi]

I thought I had heard that some Walmarts do check them.

The Super Wal-Mart near us that is across the street from a high-end mall routinely checks receipts. The door greeter will stop you every time if you have an item that is not bagged.

EVERY Walmart I've been into, about 15 different ones in different cities, has always had a greeter who also checks receipts.

If I would have known I was going to waste 20 mins of of my time, I would have.

Once they found the receipt verifying my purchase, I would have returned the item and told them I was taking my money elsewhere.

 

[manning]

Annnnnd?!!!! The detergent was bought and paid for, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

Annnnd I say you didn't pay for it, can you prove it? Then a you know what contest follows.

The smart thing....keep the receipt, show it when asked and be done with it. Right or wrong. Life's too short !!!

The cleanest way the vendor handles it, and costliest to the cosumer, is to build a loss/theft cost into the price.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

They check receipts at our Walmart, which I stopped shopping at, because of the receipt checking. As others have posted, they don't have the right to do this. Costco and Sams do, as you signed something when you joined, allowing them to. I used to say "no thank you" and no one ever challenged me when a checker asked me. It is a step aimed at deterence, and I get it...but it's a pain in the butt that I don't want to be party to...so I'll shop elsewhere.

 

[spacemountainmom]

Funny you should bring this up.....

The Wal-Mart in the next 'burb over from mine just recently completed a remodel. It is now a Super Wal-Mart. I stopped in last week since I had heard they were finally done and the groceries were all in place. I was talking to the cashier as she was checking me out and she mentioned to me that I should hang on to my receipt since they would be checking them at the door.

I was a bit suprised. The 'burb this store is located in is very upscale. The gals at the door area took a very cursory glance at my receipt and sent me on my way. I guess they are afraid of the lowlifes from my 'burb? I never had a receipt checked when it was a regular store.

 

[maslex]

Our super walmart checks receipts all the time (and we're not in a high crime rate type of city either) Actually, I notice it's usually the same couple of door greeters that do it. Some don't even pay attention that you're leaving the store.

I'm there every Sunday morning doing my weekly shopping, so I usually have a cart full of stuff. But I do have a big pack of toilet paper on the bottom of the carriage each week, so maybe that's why they're checking it, to make sure it was paid for? I don't know.

But I've also never seen "paid" stickers at walmart though. Our grocery store has them but never walmart. Maybe it's a regional thing?

But I understand why the OP said to just throw the receipt away. I've done it a million times before. But I guess looking at it from the door greeter's point of view, a customer is leaving with one item NOT in a bag.....so "can I see your receipt" would be an automatic response, IMO. I don't see it as a big deal for them to ask for one, but to be detained for 20mins while the manager looks up the receipt instead of just asking the cashier and taking her word for it, is a bit exessive, I guess.

But on the other hand, the cashier could have been the OP's friend/relative and could have just let her slide through without paying for it. So I would see why the greeter would ask for the receipt. Not saying that that's what happened but it does happen all the time.

 

[CathrynRose]

Well 20 mins later, a consult with a manager and the cashier, as well as the look up of my receipt, I was allowed to leave.
.......

**** that ! ! ! I would have left.

I would have kept walking and told them to call the cops if they felt so inclined.

Yes.

Annnnnd?!!!! The detergent was bought and paid for, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

Yes.

The smart thing....keep the receipt, show it when asked and be done with it. Right or wrong. Life's too short !!!

Exactly - life is way too short to stop and have someone glance over a receipt.

I say "No, thank you" and keep on walking.

 

[mickeysgal]

If this Walmart checks receipts why in the world would a cashier ask you if you wanted it as if it was optional? She/He should have known better and giving it to you would have been the only option.

And yes, our Walmart has checked receipts upon exiting the store...similar to what is done at Costco.

 

[manning]

I have not verified this, but this is what is written from the lawyors.com site

Can You Be Stopped?
Remember, you can ignore the request for receipt and keep moving. However, if the greeter, guard, or store security has a good reason to think you're shoplifting, you can be held or detained until the matter is cleared up? You're thinking Fourth Amendment or false imprisonment, right?

They probably don't apply:

•The Fourth Amendment only applies to police officers and other state actors. It doesn't apply to private citizens, like store owners and greeters
•If the receipt-checker is a police officer, you can be detained and forced to show a receipt, and even arrested, if the officer has probable cause to believe you committed a crime
•In most states, if store workers or store security personnel have a reasonable belief that a customer is shoplifting, they may detain the shopper, ask questions and search their belongings without fear of facing a lawsuit for false imprisonment
Of course, the facts and circumstances of each case is different, as are the false arrest laws in each state, but those are good general guidelines.

 

[dbarker]

Our Walmarts check ALL receipts Black Friday weekend.

They don't usually check the receipts the rest of the year unless there is a problem (alarm going off). But during Black Friday weekend, ALL receipts get checked.

 

[dbarker]

Our Walmarts check ALL receipts during Black Friday weekend.

They don't usually check the receipts the rest of the year unless there is a problem (alarm going off). But during Black Friday weekend, ALL receipts get checked.

 

[superme80]

I have no problem showing my reciept when I have an unbagged item ie toilet paper or diapers. When a Wal-Mart employee asked to see my receipt for my bagged items I went off. Wal-Mart is on thin ice with me already and they are showing me more and more reason not to shop there.

 

[Kellydelly]

Walmart in my area always checks your receipts when you walk out of the store, just like Sam's Club or Costco .

 

[TnTsParty]

I don't understand why its so hard to hang on to a receipt until you are out of the store. That is your proof of purchase without that you have nothing but your word. There is normally garbage cans outside the store where a receipt can easily be tossed in when you are outside the store.

 

[kacaju]

My Wal Mart always checks unbagged items. not a big deal to me..one I realized they checked the unbagged items..if I have an unbagged item I keep the reciept out.

 

[MIGrandma]

So you're going to stop shopping there simply because they asked for your receipt and you couldn't produce one? Okay then.

I never mind the greeter asking to see my receipt. They don't know what kind of person I am, if I am trying to get away without paying for an item. I keep the receipt in my hand if I have something (case of water for example) on the bottom that isn't bagged, so it's easy to show them. They are just doing their job, I personally don't find any fault with them for that. And it takes just a few seconds to show them the receipt, and for them to locate the item in question on the receipt, and for them to hand it back to me and say "have a nice day." Not a big deal to me at all, and frankly I don't understand why anyone would be so offended by the greeter asking to see your receipt.

 

[Mermaid02]

They don't check them. Did the manager apologize to you?

They often check them at our 2 WalMarts. Especially if your item isnt' in a bag.

 

[Jennasis]

I can't believe all the fuss and whining over showing receipts! Just hold it for the extra 10 seconds it takes to walk to the door and show the little old lady/man if they ask. I think some of you just like to puff up their chests and get angry about stuff.