Shoplifting at Wal-Mart

[KarenB]

In Wal-Mart, I seemed to set off the warning voice about three times in a row after I bought something from electronics. It got to the point that I would had my bag to someone else in the family because I was so embarrassed. Each time, a woman would yell at me to come back, have me hand over my bags and receipts, and check that each item was on the receipt. Each time it was whatever security was on the electronic department item, was not deactivated after I paid. The woman would write down information about the item and wave this "magic" wand over my item, then allow me to go. It really got to be a pain and embarrassing. My family made a joke out of it, but I got really tired of it.

Karen

 

[CruiserDew37]

Originally posted by mickman1962
Mr. Greeter always then asks if he can check my receipt and packages (like I can stuff something in in those 10 feet). So I always tell them "Why yes you certainly may not".

hahaha... i got a kick outta this

 

[phisigprincess]

They must have missed the Wal-Mart bathroom signs that read "SHOPLIFTING IS STEALING" Way to be right to that point on that one, Wally World!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by mckryan
While yes, it is possible for the shoplifter to get violent, I think they need to be confronted by any person that's employed by that company. I work retail and we are able to confront those that we catch shoplifting. More times than not, they are just embarassed.

Sorry, but I would never confront anyone especially after the security guys had knives pulled on them. Plus what am I going to do with the 200lb. guy who has a bag full of Levi's and is walking out the door?

Btw. the security guys tackled him and went through a window.

 

[superbird]

I t is sad now a days that the shoplifters have more rights than most of us. I have chased my share of shoplifters out of the store down blocks etc. It is really dangerous but your emotion takes over and when the adrenalin kicks in forget about it. You see them take it and they play all sorts of games with you, hiding it on a friend, ditching it in a corner etc. 9 times out of 10 the employee is right, but the games that go on infuriate most people and causes everyone else tpo pay more.

 

[littleclover]

I don't know if this is still in effect but a couple of years ago my brother worked at Best Buy and he says the company deactivated the sensors in the doorways...those things don't even work! According to him, the company said it was too costly??

 

[EltonJohn]

Actually, you should see what some of the employees do! I was working in the infant department and picked up one of the bottom shelves and saw all this infant paraphenalia. I told my supervisor, and he told me he was aware of it. Two of my co-workers were pregnant at the time, so I can only conclude that it was probably one of them who was trying to steal from the store.

BTW, I strongly advise that you do not shop, nor ever get a job at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart treats their employess really bad as evidenced in California where employees were forced to work overtime without pay. I was so glad that the employees won the civil lawsuit! I also speak from personal experience.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by EltonJohn
BTW, I strongly advise that you do not shop, nor ever get a job at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart treats their employess really bad as evidenced in California where employees were forced to work overtime without pay. I was so glad that the employees won the civil lawsuit! I also speak from personal experience.

One bad store does not a bad corporation make. Our Walmarts here especially the one I shop at are very customer oriented and financially, they just better fit my budget than Winn Dixie, Publix, or Albertson's.
I'm not minimizing your ordeal and I hope everything worked out to your advantage, but just because I had an awful experience at Chili's the last two times I went, I'm not going to tell anyone else not to eat or work there.

Blessings,
Denise

 

[my3kids]

Our elderly Wal-Mart greeters so stop each and every one of the people who set off the alarm. They have the person walk through the monitors first and if they don't buzz themselves, they start going through bags to find the item. They check the receipt and always, when I've seen it, the cashier forgot to activate the sensor.

Once I purchased something.....a CD or game I think, and asked the cashier to make sure she deactivaated the alarm. She said she did and I asked her to please make sure. She said sure, no problem, and that it was good to go. Yep, going out the door.....BUZZ....You have activated Wal-Mart's Security Control System." Boy, was I hopping mad at that point!!!!!!!

 

[lecach]

I saw a lady stuffing cigarettes in her purse at a grocery store one time. I told the manager. I left the store and got in my car. I stayed there and five minutes later the lady walked out all by herself and left. I dont know if they questioned her or not but if they did they let her go.

Same thing happened at another grocery store. Saw a young boy (about 12 years old) put a candy bar in his pocket. Told the clerk - pointed out the boy to her. They did nothing. Whats the deal with that??

Years ago when I worked at KMart someone saw a girl steal a CD. The security officer took her to the back office and had me (I was a girl - security officer was male) stay in the office with her until she pulled the CD out of her clothing. Im not sure who saw the girl - could have been security - but at least they dealt with the problem.

 

[Chicago526]

My BF used to work for LP at Wal-Mart. He said it was a lot of fun, all the lame stories suspects would come up with!

He said one time, they confronted a shoplifter. They had him on tape and everything. The shoplifter swore up and down that he didn't take anything, it was all a mistake. The items that the guy stole weren't worth that much, so BF took pity on him and said "If you just give back what you took, we'll let you go, just don't come back." He still wouldn't admit it. BF said "You've got one last chance, give back the stuff and you're free to go." Still denied everything. BF said "We've got you on tape, I'm sorry but I'm calling the cops and handing you over!". BF said the guys jaw hit the floor.

What I can't figure out, is that if you're going to shoplift, why do it at Wal-Mart? I'd go find a nice upscale department store, myself! If I'm going to risk getting caught, it might as well be worth it!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Originally posted by Planogirl
Sometimes perscription drugs will set off the alarm. It's happened to me and they were certainly paid for. Maybe the greeter knew why they were there and why the alarm likely went off?

This happens to my Mom all the time. It upsets my Mom so bad because they always pull her aside and make her look like a thief.

Not sure why the people in the pharmacy can't remember to de-activate those things.

 

[piglet too]

Originally posted by Mom2Ashli
Not sure why the people in the pharmacy can't remember to de-activate those things.

The thing of it is, the pads to de-activate the sensors do not always work. Just last night at work, mine happened to become un-plugged and only way we knew was that everyone who went through my line was setting off the alarms.

We are not supposed to confront anyone, unless we actually see them put it in their bags/coats/pants. One time I had a younger guy in who had a bulge in his lower pants pockets the EXACT shape of a game case. We stopped him and it turned out to be a game he already owned, just did not think when he came into our store. Another time, I had a teenager eating an ice cream he had yet to pay for. I told him that he had to take it up front and pay for it, and he said "well I will when I am all done getting what I want." I had to tell him at least five times to go up and pay for it, escorted him up there and then he had to borrow money from a friend to pay for it!

 

[cbusby]

My DH sets them off, he has 3 stints in his artery for his heart.
I always make sure I am way ahead of him when we walk out.

LOL

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by EltonJohn


BTW, I strongly advise that you do not shop, nor ever get a job at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart treats their employess really bad as evidenced in California where employees were forced to work overtime without pay. I was so glad that the employees won the civil lawsuit! I also speak from personal experience.

I totally disagree. When I was in college, I worked at Wal_mart. I got health insiurance benefits, profit sharing, emplyee stock purchase program, above minimum wage, employee discount, they worked around my class schedule AND my schedule for my other job as a bank teller. I thought it was a great job. It certainly doesn't pay enough for it to be a career, but it was good. Also, I'm not sure how the store could get away with not paying over time. We slid our name badge throught he machine when we checked in and out and we were paid according to state laws. I worked a lot of overtime around the holidays.

 

[mtblujeans]

I have seen Walmart employees chase someone out into the parking lot, surround the guy that shoplifted, and try to talk him into giving back whatever he had stolen. The guy was drunk or high or something and he was EXPLOSIVE! He got in his car, left his girlfriend behind, and the employees were on the phone to police 'cause now he was also driving under the influence of something. I was impressed!