Warning: Walmart Rant Ensues

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I am sorry that you felt profiled at Walmart. However, there are mostly black and Indian (from India) greeters at our local Walmarts. We are both Caucasian and no matter who walks to the door, black, white, Hispanic, Indian, Asian, or whatever else, they check receipts. The greeters know us because we are frequent customers and even after a steady 3 years of going to this one store, we are checked almost every time we go to exit. We, of course, are not the types to take a 5 finger discount, but it's store policy that the greeters check everyone. Also, if you go into the Subway, Eye Clinic, Hair Salon, or Bank, before you exit, you are definitely more likely to have a thorough review of your purchases.

Give Walmart a break, they lose lots of money every day due to "shrink". All stores do, but at least Walmart makes the effort to keep it to a minimum, which helps to keep the cost of goods to the consumer down. I don't mind a bit.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Setting aside the race issue, I still have no desire to shop somewhere that assumes I'm a criminal.

Sorry, but all stores assume everyone, including their employees, are criminals. The amount of money lost due to theft is staggering. I am sorry that you didn't like the fact that you were isolated, but that is proceedure pretty much anywhere that you go when this sort of thing is suspected. Even our local grocery store now has put a sign up saying "No Backpacks" yet it is a after school "Safe Zone" for kids who are feeling threatened and are too far away from home. It's a crazy world we live in and with the economy headed south, expect this sort of diligence at the door to increase everywhere.

I really think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Not that I don't understand how frustrated and embarrassed that you must have felt, but, if you will keep that receipt out, I think that you will be fine in the future.

 

[Vijoge]

FWIW in our area Wal-mart and Sam's Club both check receipts for EVERY customer as he/she walks out the door. No exceptions-you don't get past the door patrol until you've showed them your receipt. They also mark the receipt with a marker.

 

[Vijoge]

We, of course, are not the types to take a 5 finger discount,

That's the thing-there are no "types". People of both sexes, all ages, races, and socio-economic groups, can and do shoplift.

 

[mykidsintow]

Here in BFE Kentucky.... I grocery shop at Kroger. However, any other household items Walmart is my next closest. I typically pass Walmart to go to Kohls or on up to Sears/Target/Meijer, etc.

However, I will say that Walmart has NEVER said a word about us having Lucas (Julias service dog). They smile and on we go. I HATE going into Target. We have had security RUN AFTER US through the store to ask if he is a service dog (hello can you read a vest?) YELLING, no less, "Hey, Hey stop! No pets are allowed here. Is he a seeing eye dog?" "Well no he isn't". Meijer ALWAYS asks... and usually ask what he is for, which is illegal, but they are usually curious.

I am sorry we are stopped enough going through stores with my mixed family and throw in Lucas. I don't need to be stalked by security..... So that tends to irk me.... and I just dread going in there with Lucas.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We, of course, are not the types to take a 5 finger discount.

That's the thing-there are no "types". People of both sexes, all ages, races, and socio-economic groups, can and do shoplift.

I said that more as a statement of our own level of integrity, not as a way of saying "Hey, I'm a white 40 year old female with a middle class income, of course we wouldn't steal." I am perfectly well aware of the fact that everyone has the potential to do bad/stupid things.

 

[inkkognito]

However, I will say that Walmart has NEVER said a word about us having Lucas (Julias service dog). They smile and on we go. I HATE going into Target. We have had security RUN AFTER US through the store to ask if he is a service dog (hello can you read a vest?) YELLING, no less, "Hey, Hey stop! No pets are allowed here. Is he a seeing eye dog?" "Well no he isn't". Meijer ALWAYS asks... and usually ask what he is for, which is illegal, but they are usually curious.

Not that it makes it right for you to suffer for the bad actions of others, but service dog vests are readily available on Ebay and there have been countless articles on how to buy one for Fifi or Muffy to pass them off as service dogs and take them anywhere, even though they are actually pets.

As for Wal-Mart, I think that some are just over-zealous. My white male husband gets stopped and given the third degree almost every time.

 

[Vijoge]

As for Wal-Mart, I think that some are just over-zealous. My . . . husband gets stopped and given the third degree almost every time.

This is the part I don't understand. While our Wal-mart checks everyone's receipt I have never seen them giving anyone the third degree. That almost sounds like an employee on a power trip. I don't mind at all that they ask to see my receipt but I'd have a hard time with anything more than that.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was not merely asked for a receipt (although in my mind, even that that is pretty iffy as a loss control procedure w/o a clear explanation of probable cause), I was prevented from leaving the store until I found it. I was presumed to be guilty until I "proved" otherwise. I was singled out among many others leaving the store for this very public and embarrassing "special" treatment.

But were you the only one exiting apparently through the entrance (based on being stopped by the Greeter, aka the person greeting people as they enter the store, not as they leave the store to enter the parking lot - and now that I think of it, doesn't WalMart have people at the exit door as well, checking reciepts?), after having sat reading a book in a restaurant inside the store?

Another AWFUL story -- My Gosh! It amazes me that this company gets away with this crap!

The experiences being related here imply that WalMart tends to profile based on age/gender, but not race.

... I must say that I have down right refused to pull out my receipt many times, frankly its insulting and IMHO, it wouldnt kill they to lose out on some of the riches...

Then perhaps you should start shoplifting from WalMart.

I hate Walmart, I NEVER go in there, and when I HAVE to its always the worst experience.

Well, but then that's not "never", is it?

 

[PghLybrt]

We don't do walmart. No exception.


That being said we do have problems other places on occasion. We are both white, young and, well, not very main stream looking. We often get followed, asked if we are in the correct place and (yes this is true) asked to fill out a credit check before we could even look (yes look!) at a car! Not test drive, not even sit in, we were asked before we walked around the showroom!!!

I really think if you don’t fit into what people of the area view as normal (or want their normal to be) you are profiled. Period.

Funny, things always change when I go to pay………..

 

[mykidsintow]

Not that it makes it right for you to suffer for the bad actions of others, but service dog vests are readily available on Ebay and there have been countless articles on how to buy one for Fifi or Muffy to pass them off as service dogs and take them anywhere, even though they are actually pets.

By law all they can do is ask "is this a service dog?" Well if he has on a vest, doesn't that answer their question? Why do I need to be chased down and a scene made for me to say "yes", when they can clearly just read. Its not like Lucas is a 10 lb trophy dog. He is a big 60 lb dog that is typically with a little girl in a wheelchair. Oh yes, please single us out more. Good grief.

 

[ChrizJen]

I think that maybe they are just checking receipts more often. Jen and I were at WalMart last night with 3 of our friends' children, and the kids and I were waiting out in the lobby as Jen checked out with our stuff. As she was walking out with the bag, the greeter stopped her and asked for her receipt. She was caught a little off guard, but we just figured that they're taking more of the Sam's approach. (Sam's checks all receipts as you leave.)

So I'm not sure that it's anythig racial, but more WalMart trying to reduce theft by asking for receipts. But I can definitely see where it might have caught you off guard.
-Christal

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

A night's sleep has helped me put this into perspective a little bit and I am no longer so upset. I continue to reflect on that experience and am still concerned about what occurred...

In my state, detention require "Reasonable Cause" From Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1805 re: Shoplifting; detaining suspect...

"... C. A merchant, or a merchant's agent or employee, with reasonable cause, may detain on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time any person who is suspected of shoplifting as prescribed in subsection A of this section for questioning or summoning a law enforcement officer...

Subsection A defines the act of shoplifting as "A person commits shoplifting if, while in an establishment in which merchandise is displayed for sale, the person knowingly obtains such goods of another with the intent to deprive that person of such goods by:

1. Removing any of the goods from the immediate display or from any other place within the establishment without paying the purchase price; or

2. Charging the purchase price of the goods to a fictitious person or any person without that person's authority; or

3. Paying less than the purchase price of the goods by some trick or artifice such as altering, removing, substituting or otherwise disfiguring any label, price tag or marking; or

4. Transferring the goods from one container to another; or

5. Concealment."
I am quite sure none of my activities in the that store yesterday could possibly be construed as conforming to those criteria.

Several posters here have mentioned that Walmart in their areas, requires inspection/verification of EVERY receipt. Although that makes me CRINGE from a customer satisfaction perspective, I think that policy from a human rights perspective is better than what may or may not be random checks without any explanation. Having slept on it, I am even more committed to spending a few hours there next Saturday to see who gets stopped and who doesn't. If I see and document what I reluctantly think that I might, I plan to ask some questions.

I am surprised by the number of people who have expressed the opinion that it's no big deal to be stopped, checked, and prevented from leaving this way. It's true that the Fourth Amendment only applies to the government and its agents... But GOLLY -- this behavior is still an erosion of what it means to live in a civil society. Why does Walmart do this and Nordstrom's does not? What if you wear a jacket to Walmart that you had previously purchased there, wouldn't the next logical step be requiring the receipt be stapled to the inside of the collar to prove that it had been paid for? And after that...who knows? Naked shopping? Body cavity searches? I am being silly here -- but honestly -- where is it reasonable to draw the line?

GOOD DISCUSSION, EVERYBODY!

 

[ChrizJen]

I'm glad you feel a little better. I think that even though you were ebarassed, they did have cause to detain you. They asked for a receipt, and you weren't able to produce it. Even though YOU knew you had a receipt, they didn't. And as for the size of your purchase, Jen only had one bag and was asked for a receipt. So my guess is that they're just starting to ask more often.

Glad to hear that you've had a chance to cool down, though.

 

[Vijoge]

I have a friend who is a Walmart department manager. This was her comment:

"As an employee I get stopped every single day on my way out to have my bags checked and I mean checked. They also go through my lunch bag. It's their job. When I see the $$ of what is shoplifted its amazing Walmart can still offer Rollbacks. Anyway, that's just my opinion and I will continue to shop there."

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Here in BFE Kentucky....

OT -- but this made me giggle! A couple weeks ago, I overheard my Dentist use the term and BOY! did he ever blush (I'm guessing that he's likely in his early 30s) when I called him on it. Honestly, I haven't heard this particular term for probably40 years... Why the heck is it experiencing a renaissance now, do ya think?!?!

Sincerely --

your friend in BFE, Arizona

 

[Vijoge]

BFE I hear it/say it all the time

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

What occurred to me today was NOT by any definition, a reasonable loss-control measure. BBB, unlike most of the folks who post here regularly, I don't know you -- but even so, I do not think you would have been "good with it" had you found yourself in my situation this morning.

I was not merely asked for a receipt (although in my mind, even that that is pretty iffy as a loss control procedure w/o a clear explanation of probable cause), I was prevented from leaving the store until I found it. I was presumed to be guilty until I "proved" otherwise. I was singled out among many others leaving the store for this very public and embarrassing "special" treatment. Aside from my mom, I was the only brown person in sight. I have thought about going back next Saturday by myself, sit in the front of the MCD's again with a notebook, watch the exit, and just keep track of who gets stopped and who doesn't. Maybe I'll be surprised but I don't think so. Believe me, I normally do NOT immediately assume the worst about other people's views on race -- but this particular situation had a very strange and disconcerting feel to it. Trying to explain it, I am reminded of a 1964 quote from Justice Potter Stewart about pornography: "I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material. . . but I know it when I see it . . . "

Setting aside the race issue, I still have no desire to shop somewhere that assumes I'm a criminal.

they always prevent you from leaving the store until you show a receipt. What would be the point of asking for a receipt if they then let you walk out without showing it?

Again I'm telling you- don't look for it to be a racial issue, I think it's just a WALMART issue.
you will "know it when you see it" if you're "looking for it you shall see it".

I can understand not wanting to shop somewhere that assumes you're a criminal, that is your right and I can understand that. I'm not saying that it doesn't annoy me when I'm stopped and asked for a receipt and not allowed to leave until I show one, it does annoy me. but I don't think it's a racial issue because I'm not looking for it to be a racial issue. Assuming you're a criminal is par for the course with Walmart, it seems... that doesn't mean it's a racial issue.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

A night's sleep has helped me put this into perspective a little bit and I am no longer so upset. I continue to reflect on that experience and am still concerned about what occurred...

In my state, detention require "Reasonable Cause" From Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1805 re: Shoplifting; detaining suspect...

"... C. A merchant, or a merchant's agent or employee, with reasonable cause, may detain on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time any person who is suspected of shoplifting as prescribed in subsection A of this section for questioning or summoning a law enforcement officer...

Subsection A defines the act of shoplifting as "A person commits shoplifting if, while in an establishment in which merchandise is displayed for sale, the person knowingly obtains such goods of another with the intent to deprive that person of such goods by:

1. Removing any of the goods from the immediate display or from any other place within the establishment without paying the purchase price; or

2. Charging the purchase price of the goods to a fictitious person or any person without that person's authority; or

3. Paying less than the purchase price of the goods by some trick or artifice such as altering, removing, substituting or otherwise disfiguring any label, price tag or marking; or

4. Transferring the goods from one container to another; or

5. Concealment."
I am quite sure none of my activities in the that store yesterday could possibly be construed as conforming to those criteria.

Several posters here have mentioned that Walmart in their areas, requires inspection/verification of EVERY receipt. Although that makes me CRINGE from a customer satisfaction perspective, I think that policy from a human rights perspective is better than what may or may not be random checks without any explanation. Having slept on it, I am even more committed to spending a few hours there next Saturday to see who gets stopped and who doesn't. If I see and document what I reluctantly think that I might, I plan to ask some questions.

I am surprised by the number of people who have expressed the opinion that it's no big deal to be stopped, checked, and prevented from leaving this way. It's true that the Fourth Amendment only applies to the government and its agents... But GOLLY -- this behavior is still an erosion of what it means to live in a civil society. Why does Walmart do this and Nordstrom's does not? What if you wear a jacket to Walmart that you had previously purchased there, wouldn't the next logical step be requiring the receipt be stapled to the inside of the collar to prove that it had been paid for? And after that...who knows? Naked shopping? Body cavity searches? I am being silly here -- but honestly -- where is it reasonable to draw the line?

GOOD DISCUSSION, EVERYBODY!

Whoops- responded to your post to me on page one and THEN read this.

Glad you're calmed down a bit. I do agree with you on the last paragraph though. I do find it annoying at times, especially when I'm in a hurry or something, to be asked for a receipt and have to produce it. Sometimes I've already put it up in my purse and it's just ANNOYING- especially if I'm in a hurry, have the kids with me, etc.

Our walmart doesn't ask for a receipt everytime I've left the store but I *think* I've figured out why- they are watching the cashiers and if I've walked directly from the cashier after checking out and have everything in bags- they don't ask to see receipt. When I've gone to customer service area or bathroom area (cause kids went to bathroom) or any other area of the store, after having purchased my items previously, OR if I have anything not in a bag (either too big to be in a bag and/or kids holding something they wanted to hold instead of put in the bag/etc.) -then I'm asked for a receipt.

I've also noticed some other walmarts (not in our town) seem to ask for receipt from everyone. Our store also does this (every person asked for receipt) around the christmas holiday....

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I'm also a white male, got harrassed by a Walmart greeter very recently because the cashier forgot to deactivate my Xantrex-3 diet pills. It took 5 minutes to find which item it was. The guy questioned every item on my receipt while rifling through my bags in front of everyone. Working for a large retailer myself I know that I am not legally required to show proof of purchase at the door (with the exception of club stores like Sam's where showing a receipt is in you membership contract). I could have kept walking, it's not like that 90 year old at the door was going to stop me. Especially since I was hopped up on diet pills

Oh I forgot the annoying beep going off and asking me for a receipt because the cashier forgot to deactivate something I'd purchased. That's even more embarrassing than just being asked to show a receipt because everyone around at the time hears that beep and thinks I tried to lift something!
I think the cashiers need to be more careful about that.
I don't shop terribly often at Walmart these days- but when I do buy something that MIGHT have the "thingy" in it (whatever that thing is called) I've got to where I ask the cashier if she deactivated it because I'm tired of being embarrassed by the beep going off when I'm leaving!