Retail Theft prevention (ie Walmart Receipt check) and other activity

[Busguy2010]

This is the best Walmart thread I found, though I'm talking about the super centers.

They're really strict about the receipt checking, kind of to an off-putting degree. At least when I went there tonight, it rubbed me the wrong way. I've been shopping with just a basket to try and kind of limit how much I buy, and inevitably, it doesn't work every time. I ended up getting quite the handful, and as I'm walking to the exit, I have a gallon of milk and a jug of OJ in one hand, and four of five bags in the other. It really didn't even cross my mind that I didn't bag my milk, and the rule is "you don't bag, you get checked". Which for something like a gallon of milk is stupid. First of all, who the heck bags a gallon of milk? And even if it were common practice, come on, nobody trusts their bags to hold a gallon of milk. Yeah, I'd rather not get checked for something silly like a gallon of milk, and it makes no sense to bag it. Anyway, had to set all my |expletive| down and dig around for my receipt, which I almost thought I lost, holding up other people, embarrassing, (even though that rule is downright silly for milk) and it just didn't feel right. I get if somebody goes in and buys an air fryer or something like that that you wouldn't bag, but a $2.50 gallon of milk? Puh-lease.

That just put a sour taste in my mouth. I'll just buy milk at Hy-vee and Family Fare where you don't get flagged at the door like you're stealing some high dollar item. Then again maybe its on the people that would steal a gallon of milk can't have anything nice anymore... Anyway.

[GenX]

This is the best Walmart thread I found, though I'm talking about the super centers.

They're really strict about the receipt checking, kind of to an off-putting degree. At least when I went there tonight, it rubbed me the wrong way. I've been shopping with just a basket to try and kind of limit how much I buy, and inevitably, it doesn't work every time. I ended up getting quite the handful, and as I'm walking to the exit, I have a gallon of milk and a jug of OJ in one hand, and four of five bags in the other. It really didn't even cross my mind that I didn't bag my milk, and the rule is "you don't bag, you get checked". Which for something like a gallon of milk is stupid. First of all, who the heck bags a gallon of milk? And even if it were common practice, come on, nobody trusts their bags to hold a gallon of milk. Yeah, I'd rather not get checked for something silly like a gallon of milk, and it makes no sense to bag it. Anyway, had to set all my |expletive| down and dig around for my receipt, which I almost thought I lost, holding up other people, embarrassing, (even though that rule is downright silly for milk) and it just didn't feel right. I get if somebody goes in and buys an air fryer or something like that that you wouldn't bag, but a $2.50 gallon of milk? Puh-lease.

That just put a sour taste in my mouth. I'll just buy milk at Hy-vee and Family Fare where you don't get flagged at the door like you're stealing some high dollar item. Then again maybe its on the people that would steal a gallon of milk can't have anything nice anymore... Anyway.

Just smile, politely say “no thanks” and keep walking. One only has to show their receipt at membership clubs, where the customer has agreed to it.

Besides, what if you used Click and go or paid with the app, which doesn’t produce a paper receipt?

[nebugeater]

This is the best Walmart thread I found, though I'm talking about the super centers.

They're really strict about the receipt checking, kind of to an off-putting degree. At least when I went there tonight, it rubbed me the wrong way. I've been shopping with just a basket to try and kind of limit how much I buy, and inevitably, it doesn't work every time. I ended up getting quite the handful, and as I'm walking to the exit, I have a gallon of milk and a jug of OJ in one hand, and four of five bags in the other. It really didn't even cross my mind that I didn't bag my milk, and the rule is "you don't bag, you get checked". Which for something like a gallon of milk is stupid. First of all, who the heck bags a gallon of milk? And even if it were common practice, come on, nobody trusts their bags to hold a gallon of milk. Yeah, I'd rather not get checked for something silly like a gallon of milk, and it makes no sense to bag it. Anyway, had to set all my |expletive| down and dig around for my receipt, which I almost thought I lost, holding up other people, embarrassing, (even though that rule is downright silly for milk) and it just didn't feel right. I get if somebody goes in and buys an air fryer or something like that that you wouldn't bag, but a $2.50 gallon of milk? Puh-lease.

That just put a sour taste in my mouth. I'll just buy milk at Hy-vee and Family Fare where you don't get flagged at the door like you're stealing some high dollar item. Then again maybe its on the people that would steal a gallon of milk can't have anything nice anymore... Anyway.

don't go to Walmart often, and it has been that way for quite a while. When I do it, it is typically the one in Gretna by the interstate. I have not seen anyone else ask or experience a receipt check there in a long time. It used to be every time

[Busguy2010]

don't go to Walmart often, and it has been that way for quite a while. When I do it, it is typically the one in Gretna by the interstate. I have not seen anyone else ask or experience a receipt check there in a long time. It used to be every time

It depends which ones you go to. At least at the one by Aksarben, they actually have "loss prevention" people with different vests on, instead of a typical greeter. Thats where I see the most strict receipt checking. I will actually go well out of my way most of the time. Last time I went to 132nd & L and the greeter didn't look up from her phone. I went there because I needed an item I knew would be locked up at Aksarben, which is another gripe, if you want to split this off into a retail theft and mitigation thread. The Aksarben location has all the freakin fishing lures, kids and pet toys, and every tool locked up. They have $1 doggy doo bags locked up for Christ sake. Its so inconvenient to browse and find a willing associate to unlock, I much prefer to go to other locations out in suburbia where they don't have these problems. I live pretty much smack dab in the middle between the Aksarben, Irvington, and Ames locations, and luck have it, they all three are the most theft conscious. So I pick my poison, unless I go way out of my way.

Last night really bugged me because I clearly had every last bit of each of my hands full to the max, and they stopped me for a measly jug of milk. Like it would have made a difference whether I bagged it or not.

[BuildTaller]

It depends which ones you go to.

I needed an item I knew would be locked up

I've had decent luck at 128th and L.

Neighborhood Markets they never ask because they literally watch you do the checkout. I don't think they even lock anything up at the Markets?

I wish there was more consistency. I do notice that people of color seem to get asked for receipts more often.

[djc311]

This is the best Walmart thread I found, though I'm talking about the super centers.

They're really strict about the receipt checking, kind of to an off-putting degree. At least when I went there tonight, it rubbed me the wrong way. I've been shopping with just a basket to try and kind of limit how much I buy, and inevitably, it doesn't work every time. I ended up getting quite the handful, and as I'm walking to the exit, I have a gallon of milk and a jug of OJ in one hand, and four of five bags in the other. It really didn't even cross my mind that I didn't bag my milk, and the rule is "you don't bag, you get checked". Which for something like a gallon of milk is stupid. First of all, who the heck bags a gallon of milk? And even if it were common practice, come on, nobody trusts their bags to hold a gallon of milk. Yeah, I'd rather not get checked for something silly like a gallon of milk, and it makes no sense to bag it. Anyway, had to set all my |expletive| down and dig around for my receipt, which I almost thought I lost, holding up other people, embarrassing, (even though that rule is downright silly for milk) and it just didn't feel right. I get if somebody goes in and buys an air fryer or something like that that you wouldn't bag, but a $2.50 gallon of milk? Puh-lease.

That just put a sour taste in my mouth. I'll just buy milk at Hy-vee and Family Fare where you don't get flagged at the door like you're stealing some high dollar item. Then again maybe its on the people that would steal a gallon of milk can't have anything nice anymore... Anyway.

Just smile, politely say “no thanks” and keep walking. One only has to show their receipt at membership clubs, where the customer has agreed to it.

Besides, what if you used Click and go or paid with the app, which doesn’t produce a paper receipt?

The Neighborhood Market at 168th & Harrison and the WalMart on 180th & Center both give you the option to "print" your receipt at self checkout or email it (maybe it's text it). What happens if you do that and don't even have a printed receipt? You have to pull out your phone and have them scroll through your business on your device?

I've never tried it because I don't want the hassle. The one time I try it is when I get stopped and the third degree.

[OverlookedFarm]

I think I heard something recently that Walmart estimates they lost 6-10 BILLION in self checkout theft last year. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard the B number.

I'm sure they are changing their approach. But hey, it's walmart, what do you expect.

We don't live in a high trust society anymore. We should be driving space planes and hovercars, but instead hampered by *cough* "unmodern" civil obedience.

[Brad]

Walmart has 4600 US location 10,700 locations world wide.

I would guess that the self checkout eliminates 20 jobs per store?

4600 US Stores x 40 Hours x 52 Weeks x 20 Employees x $25 per hour = $4.8 Billion

And before you say "Brad, Walmart workers don't pay $25 an hour. No they don't, but the cost of an employee is more than what they actually get paid. And $25 per hour is just a random number I made up and might be way lower than the real number.

All that to say, in the sad world we live in, it might be cheaper for them to put up with Billions in theft than to pay real employees...

[Louie]

Walmart has 4600 US location 10,700 locations world wide.

I would guess that the self checkout eliminates 20 jobs per store?

4600 US Stores x 40 Hours x 52 Weeks x 20 Employees x $25 per hour = $4.8 Billion

And before you say "Brad, Walmart workers don't pay $25 an hour. No they don't, but the cost of an employee is more than what they actually get paid. And $25 per hour is just a random number I made up and might be way lower than the real number.

All that to say, in the sad world we live in, it might be cheaper for them to put up with Billions in theft than to pay real employees...

They've been avoiding paying employees for years. This is in line with their normal strategy.

[Greg S]

Yeah I don't go to Wal Mart except a few times a year. The one I go to at 168th and Maple hasn't checked my receipts in a while.

Costco also checks receipts when you leave.

[nebugeater]

Yeah I don't go to Wal Mart except a few times a year. The one I go to at 168th and Maple hasn't checked my receipts in a while.

Costco also checks receipts when you leave.

Big diff with Costco though. When you purchase their membership, you agree to this. Same for Sam's, but they have transitioned to some automated checks now

[Greg S]

Yeah I don't go to Wal Mart except a few times a year. The one I go to at 168th and Maple hasn't checked my receipts in a while.

Costco also checks receipts when you leave.

Big diff with Costco though. When you purchase their membership, you agree to this. Same for Sam's, but they have transitioned to some automated checks now

Yeah but once you've been to Wal Mart once, you know the deal. If you go back a second time, it shouldn't be a surprise that they might check your receipt. To me on the second visit either you are ok getting your receipt checked or just don't go.

[Busguy2010]

I figured I was going to get checked as I was walking to the door, after I threw my receipt in a random bag and arranged everything in my hands just so. I was holding my breath hoping a jug of milk wouldn't count. There ought to be an exception for some things like that. Makes about as much sense as peeled and packaged bananas. But as I was saying, turns you off to a degree, as the only reason I didn't bag my milk, nor have my receipt ready was because it seemed like common sense to me. I dont bag milk, nor get checked at the door anywhere else I shop, so it literally didn't enter my mind until I realized "oh, this is that Walmart". I shop at 168th and Maple as well, and often buy multiple jugs of distilled water, and they don't press nearly the issue out there.

I shop at Hy-vee and Family Fare just as often. Usually go to Walmart when they have something the other two don't, and you can't beat saving a trip to the hardware store/auto store/clothing store/pet store, etc. if you're already at Walmart grocery shopping.

[jessep28]

Back when my local stores had door monitors, I would get in the habit of walking out with the receipt in my hand. I was never stopped once.

I signed up for Walmart+ a couple years ago after getting fed up with Jeff Bezos, and have receipts pushed to my phone. I don't get chased down by loss prevention or anybody else either. Maybe it's because I'm in a smaller market.

[Big E]

The Aksarben location has all the freakin fishing lures, kids and pet toys, and every tool locked up. They have $1 doggy doo bags locked up for Christ sake. Its so inconvenient to browse and find a willing associate to unlock, I much prefer to go to other locations out in suburbia where they don't have these problems.

Aksarben IS suburbia.

[Big E]

I signed up for Walmart+ a couple years ago after getting fed up with Jeff Bezos...

I get your point here but the idea that Walmart is an ethical solution to Jeff Bezos is mindboggling to me.

[Busguy2010]

Couple things that seemed a little goofy to me.

Went to Family Fare on Saddle Creek, and of all things to have a security tag on it, the cheapest possible deodorant. Is that really a hot theft item?

And I've recently noticed security tags on some peculiar items at Walmart. Theyre starting to put security tags in nearly every item it seems. The ones that hide under the barcode. I bought a dollar-50 spray bottle, and come to find a security tag when I took the barcode off. Also got some really cheap plastic cups, and the barcodes they put on the bottom are nearly impossible to remove, as they're designed to tear away to prevent barcode switching.

Crazy to think they have to be that on their toes. Somebody probably has taken a barcode off a 50 cent cup and slapped it on a $500 TV. Making my life at home annoying. The barcode on the cup is so annoying to try to take off, I just leave them on, and they survive the dishwasher, so I guess they can stay there lol.

[Greg S]

The Aksarben location has all the freakin fishing lures, kids and pet toys, and every tool locked up. They have $1 doggy doo bags locked up for Christ sake. Its so inconvenient to browse and find a willing associate to unlock, I much prefer to go to other locations out in suburbia where they don't have these problems.

Aksarben IS suburbia.

There’s a definite difference between the Wal Mart on 72nd and those out in W Maple, and W Center. Not sure how you’d define it, but different.

I grew up in Ak Sar Ben and have lived out west. If Ak Sar Ben is suburbia then what do you call those areas?

I have never thought of central Omaha as Suburbia.

[thenewguy]

It depends which ones you go to.

I needed an item I knew would be locked up

I've had decent luck at 128th and L.

Neighborhood Markets they never ask because they literally watch you do the checkout. I don't think they even lock anything up at the Markets?

I wish there was more consistency. I do notice that people of color seem to get asked for receipts more often.

I shop at the N. 16th Walmart in CB, and to be fair, I get stopped to check my receipt every single time something isn't bagged. Not saying it doesn't happen, but they are very much in the 'if it ain't in a sack, be ready to show your receipt' camp, regardless of appearance.

Side note, I believe the rule is that if merchandise isn't in a sack, they are asked to check to make sure it had been scanned. It's not uncommon to forget to ring things up, especially larger things that won't go in a sack (furnace filters, bottled water, etc), so I understand the logic behind it. But they post up right next to the self-checks, each of which are monitored by cameras for cryin out loud... I've gotten to the point that I will put everything in a sack or halfway in a sack, just so they see it was accounted for.

[Garrett]

Central Omaha would be considered inner ring suburbia, which I'd say broadly starts in the 50s and runs out to the 680 loop. Houses from the 40s, 50s, and 60s before culs-du-sac and other stereotypically suburban road layouts really broke the grid.

[Busguy2010]

I don't consider Aksarben suburbia. As in so obviously suburban that it makes some people wanna puke. Though most of it was built after WWII, theres still grid, still bus service, and obviously, theft, that apparently isn't much of a problem out at 168th.

Now, I didn't intend to bring race to the conversation, but as a matter of fact, I am a plain old, straight, white male (Hank Hill) and I was well dressed considering It was just Walmart. The receipt checking lady was a female of color and it seemed she put the screws to me perhaps because I am who I am. I won't know. Thats not to say all receipt checking people are like that. I actually went back there a few days later and bought a gallon of milk in the same manner just as a test. The lady this time was also a female with pigmentation, but she was much older and much nicer, and I think she just knew I wasn't stealing a gallon of milk. She had common sense. I just waved at her and said have a nice night. Much more pleasant experience.

[Big E]

Aww, you found one of the good ones.