What does everyone think about receipt checkers?

[MIGrandma]

I don't mind showing them my receipt if the door alarm goes off as I'm going through. Usually it's a CD or DVD that didn't get the security thingy scanned or something like that.

What does bug me is when someone goes through the door, the door alarm goes off, the people don't have any bags, and the receipt checker just stands there and watches them go out the door. You KNOW they must have something stolen under their coat since they have no bags, right?

 

[rgf207]

So how do they stop people that are thieves. Just let everyone walk out of the store with big screen tvs? Or Just guess who might be stealing?

Well here's the thing. I used to work at a retail store (before they did all this receipt checking). There is really nothing at all they can do. A store employee cannot detain anyone regardless of whether they are shoplifting or not. The only person that can detain another citizen is a law enforcement officer

Even when one of those alarms goes off, it still does not give them the right to search or detain you. Once you pay for the item, that item now belongs to you and is your personal property. You or your personal property cannot be searched without probable cause and a store employee thinging you may be a shoplifter is not probable cause.

 

[LindaR]

Well, we only have a Walmart here that "checks" receipts. I do NOT stop. In the past I have gotten yelled at and keep on walking out the door. I refuse to prove that I am honest.........if they think I have stolen something, then they better have proof!

I've had them attempt to actually stop me and I just keep walking and tell the person quietly that they better know the law before they touch me. And I keep walking.

When Walmart started this, I made a vow that if I was stopped and refused exit, then I would turn around and make them refund every item in my cart!

Nope. Not gonna happen.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I'm not really bothered by receipt checkers, if they think they need to be doing it, I don't mind them checking my stuff, it doesn't usually take long.

I really only see it in Best Buy and Costco, but I was in a Wal-Mart recently, and there was a large hispanic family walking out right in front of me. I did happen to be in a hurry that day, and with all the people and all the stuff they had, I knew it would take a while till it was my turn, so I think I did a little sigh and eye-roll. The receipt-checker looked right at me, told me "you're OK, go ahead" and let me past without looking, while she checked the receipts of the other family.

Can you say "profiling"?

 

[jen0610]

I've never had to show my receipt anywhere but Sams Club...

Walmart and Best Buy are seriously doing this?? Seems like a waste of time. It's a waste of time at Sams Club, too! They don't even check.

Every time we go to Wal Mart and have a cart load of stuff, if there is anything on the bottom shelf, they will stop us and verify that whatever is on that shelf is on your receipt.

I know of people who would put their cases of pop or water down there, then "forget" to tell the cashier about them.

 

[rie'smom]

It used to drive me crazy especially because the Wal Mart police used to expect me to walk the 15 ft to them. I mean if you're going to insult me, please have the decency to come up to me. Anyway, after a bit, when they motioned they wanted to check my receipt, I would stand there until they walked over to me. I guess it says something about how often I shop there because now when I leave, I just wave the receipt and walk away and they never stop me.

 

[Pigeon]

I wouldn't do it, period. I immediately stopped shopping at one place that implemented it, and you couldn't pay me to go to Walmart in any event. Other than these two stores, it's not common around my area.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I guess I'm a pretty easy going person, because I don't feel like I'm being accused or anything. I hand them my receipt, smile, and I'm on my way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think it is a waste of time. Seriously, shoplifters are not going to put extra items in their bag or shopping cart - they're going to hide it.

You think? What about the shoplifter who makes a multi-item purchase, brings it home or to the car, then brings the reciept and an empty store bag back to the store and fills the bag with the same or like-priced items?

It's not like he pats people down or does a body cavity search.

Right. They have cameras and undercover security for that. This is an added layer of protection. Simply marking the sales slip prevents - or at least inhibits - the not-uncommon scenario I described above.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it is a waste of time. Seriously, shoplifters are not going to put extra items in their bag or shopping cart - they're going to hide it.

I have worked retail for years. You would be suprised at how many big ticket items we lose because someone just walks over to the shelf, picks it up, and walks out the door. Dyson vacs are a huge target for this!

 

[punkin]

I don't mind showing them my receipt if the door alarm goes off as I'm going through. Usually it's a CD or DVD that didn't get the security thingy scanned or something like that.

What does bug me is when someone goes through the door, the door alarm goes off, the people don't have any bags, and the receipt checker just stands there and watches them go out the door. You KNOW they must have something stolen under their coat since they have no bags, right?

My DD11 sets off that alarm every time. No clue why. Usually she gets waived through, but once at B&N the cashier picked up that square thing they lay the books on and went over every inch of D's body to get the dang thing to stop ringing. We were all laughing so hard (including the cashier).

 

[Jennasis]

Our Walmart has a receipt checker. I had a hunch about what they are actually checking and did a test over a few visits. I was right.

They are usually checking to see if you paid for the items stashed under the cart, by the wheels.

Over five shopping trips, we were checked TWICE. Both times we were checked, we had rolls of paper towels stuffed under the bottom part of the cart since they wouldn't fit in the cart. They checked to make sure we paid for them (sometimes people forget they put things under there and walk out without paying."

The other times when we had nothing under there...no check.

 

[Jolly Ole Bert]

The actual receipt-checking process doesn't bother me so much, as I'm sure there's a good reason why they do it. But what does seem wrong is how the employees talk to you sometimes. Like some of the pp's mentioned: Treated as guilty until proven innocent. Take for instance the first time our local Wal-Mart began this process upon exit.

There was a gentleman (50-ish) in front of me as we were making our way from checkout to store exit. Mind you, everyone walking to the door had already paid for their items. The gentleman was on his cell phone and not really paying much attention to the fact that those leaving the store had to step aside and let an employee put a check-mark on their receipt. Up 'til this started, there would only be a greeter near the exit to say "Have a nice day" as you left...so until now, why would he note to stop? I probably wouldn't have known to stop either if I hadn't heard her calling people out. Anyhow, back to the story. He just casually walks on by her to the exit door...engulfed in his phone conversation. The next thing you know: "Sir...sir...SIR....SIR!!!" He turns when he realizes he's being told to stop. The employee then makes a violent/fast "come here" gesture, motioning him to come back to her. You could tell he was confused. "I need to see you're receipt". (In a very stern manner). He cooperates, still confused. She doesn't even give the receipt a second glance, just puts a check-mark on it, no "thank you" involved, and the heartless criminal was allowed to go on his way. I really felt bad for him and regret not saying something to her. But I think we all were a little confused at the time as to what was going on.

 

[kaytieeldr]

When Walmart started this, I made a vow that if I was stopped and refused exit, then I would turn around and make them refund every item in my cart!

Why the exclamation point indicating excitement or anger? If you want to return every item in your cart, for ANY reason, all you have to do is return every item in your cart. Every cent you paid WILL be refunded. I don't get the exclamation point - it's as if you feel in advance that they will refuse to give you all your money back in exchange for all their merchandise.

Signed,
x

 

[rgf207]

Why the exclamation point indicating excitement or anger? If you want to return every item in your cart, for ANY reason, all you have to do is return every item in your cart. Every cent you paid WILL be refunded. I don't get the exclamation point - it's as if you feel in advance that they will refuse to give you all your money back in exchange for all their merchandise.

Signed,
x

is this an episode of Seinfeld?



Elaine: Well, I was just curious why you didn't use an exclamation point?

Jake: What are you talking about?

Elaine: See, right here you wrote "Myra had the baby", but you didn't use an exclamation point.

Jake: So?

Elaine: So, it's nothing. Forget it, forget it, I just find it curious.

Jake: What's so curious about it?

Elaine: Well, I mean if one of your close friends had a baby and I left you a message about it, I would use an exclamation point.

Jake: Well, maybe I don't use my exclamation points as haphazardly as you do.

Elaine: You don't think that someone having a baby warrants an exclamation point.

Jake: Hey, I just chalked down the message. I didn't know I was required to capture the mood of each caller.

Elaine: I just thought you would be a little more excited about a friend of mine having a baby.

Jake: Ok, I'm excited. I just don't happen to like exclamation points.

Elaine: Well, you know Jake, you should learn to use them. Like the way I'm talking right now, I would put an exclamation points at the end of all these sentences! On this one! And on that one!

Jake: Well, you can put one on this one: I'm leaving!

 

[LindaR]

i used it because i felt like it!!!!!!!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Doesn't bother me. I have nothing to hide. Best buy checked my receipt last night no biggie.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Doesn't bother me. I have nothing to hide. Best buy checked my receipt last night no biggie.

That's the way I look at it. My friend went on this big tirade a few years back about how the Bush Administration could now look at what I borrowed from the Library. I was like, "So, what?" Good for them, they can discuss whether or not I read boring books, or not? I'm not ashamed of anything I purchase, say, or do, so I don't get the big deal about someone looking at my receipt.

Okay, so maybe I don't want the guy at Best Buy to know that I just bought a copy of From Justin, To Kelly

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

My DD11 sets off that alarm every time. No clue why. Usually she gets waived through, but once at B&N the cashier picked up that square thing they lay the books on and went over every inch of D's body to get the dang thing to stop ringing. We were all laughing so hard (including the cashier).

It could be her shoes. Some sneakers set off the alarms. It's something in the sole of the shoe.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

That's the way I look at it. My friend went on this big tirade a few years back about how the Bush Administration could now look at what I borrowed from the Library. I was like, "So, what?" Good for them, they can discuss whether or not I read boring books, or not? I'm not ashamed of anything I purchase, say, or do, so I don't get the big deal about someone looking at my receipt.

Okay, so maybe I don't want the guy at Best Buy to know that I just bought a copy of From Justin, To Kelly

They can listen to my phone calls too. They'd be pretty bored.