A WALMART customer is furious in store after extreme new security measures, comparing the chain to a den of lions.
The customer posted on Facebook criticizing the company for its self-checkout machines, which the buyer claimed was “a breeding ground for false accusations.”
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“Entering Walmart is like a cow entering a lion’s den,” the customer began. publish.
“I shopped at Walmart for years. When Walmart launched self checkout it was great, but it became fertile ground for false accusations.”
The shopper pointed to the cameras above the self-service kiosks meant to catch thieves, but the store still asks to see your receipt when you leave the store.
“So why are employees asking for your receipt?
“Walmart’s cameras are placed in a position that allows the camera to see each item you are scanning.”
The customer said he never bothered to show the receipt after checking out, but became increasingly irritated by the security protocol.
“I can ask an employee to check me out and still ask for my receipt. On this day, when I was leaving, they asked for my receipt.
“My answer ‘No’, ask your cashier and she checked me!”
The shopper criticized the store for not doing its part when it comes to loss prevention and that employees need to stop acting as substitutes.
“Before Loss Provention can accuse a customer of theft, they must have actually left the Walmart doors. Additionally, Loss Prevention must have reason to observe a customer,” the customer wrote.
“I decided to shop at Aldi. Much more bang for my buck. Walmart their prices are RIDICULOUS! OVERCHARGING CONSUMERS AND NOW HARASSING INNOCENT BUYERS!! SHAME ON YOU!
“Not everyone steals from you, Walmart! Furthermore, the employee can print the receipt right there in the SELF CHEKOUT registration!”
Shoppers across social media criticized the retailer for its heightened security policies.
Walmart, along with competitors like Target, has been locking down products, checking receipts and, in more extreme cases, removing self-checkout machines altogether.
A Lawyer’s Top 5 Receipt Checking Tips
Los Angeles attorney Camron Dowlatshahi spoke with The US Sun about receipt checks and a customer’s rights and options when asked to show their receipt.
- There has been a lot of debate surrounding the legality of a retailer asking to see your receipt, but if it’s in the store, it’s completely legal. “Apparently there is nothing illegal about this. You are still on the company premises and the reason for doing this is to avoid theft”, confirms Dowlatshahi.
- However, if they’re kicking you out of the store, that changes things, Dowlatshahi said. “Location is important,” he explained. “If you’re outside the store, you’re in the parking lot and they come and start accusing you of stealing and that you have to show the receipt, I think it’s a little bit of a different situation because now you’re in your way.”
- Although customers can say no to receipt checks, it can cause problems if you do so and the store suspects you of stealing. “You might say no, maybe it will create an unnecessary hassle for you because now you might have the police coming to your house and following up,” Dowlatshahi said.
- If you’re being blocked from leaving a store because you refused a receipt check, you may have legal action – but the store must have detained you for a long time. “Let’s say it’s for hours, that’s certainly false imprisonment, and they didn’t have any impetus to do it,” Dowlatshahi explained. “If a client has been emotionally traumatized by being detained for false imprisonment, I would definitely encourage [them] process.”
- “I would say, show your receipt,” he concluded. “It’s a very simple thing to do. If you haven’t stolen anything, it’s relatively simple to do,” the lawyer advised.
(According to Camron Dowlatshahifounding partner of Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP)
The restrictions come at a time when retailers are losing unprecedented profits due to theft.
In 2023, retailers reported losing $121.6 billion due to theft, a study by Capital One Shopping reported.
That number is expected to skyrocket to $150 billion by 2026, leading some stores to take extreme measures.
Although many stores now ask customers to show their receipts after using self-checkout, the only stores that can legally enforce checks are membership-based stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Walmart and Target have the legal right to request a receipt, but they can only enforce the check if a customer is suspected of shoplifting.
Los Angeles attorney Camron Dowlatshahi previously told The US Sun that while clients can refuse the checks, he advises them to do so anyway.
“I would say, show your receipt. It’s a very simple thing to do,” he said.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at several locations were made available only to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed at specific times and more cashiers were offered in its place.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting would fuel the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would thwart fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, this test has been discontinued.
At Target, items are being limited in auto-checkout.
Last fall, the brand researched new express self-checkout lanes in 200 stores with 10 items or less for added convenience.
In March 2024, this policy was expanded to 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers also identified their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
