A WALMART shopper has hit out at the chain after finding anti-theft measures in the store.
The customer complained that the in-store experience had become an unfortunate situation.
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Chains like Walmart and Target have implemented anti-theft measures to combat retail crime.
Walmart shopper Jeff Hickman shared a photo from inside a store in Cinnaminson, New Jersey that showed the measures in place.
Photos shared on Facebook showed dozens of locked Tide detergents.
The items are behind what appears to be plastic or glass and buyers are warned that security cameras are operating.
Shoppers must press a button to get the employee’s attention, who then unlocks the register.
“What a sad world we live in,” Hickman said.
Other customers said they spent a lot of time looking for a worker to unlock the cabinets.
The move was ridiculed by others who doubted thieves wanted to steal laundry detergent.
“Like Toy Story for household products!” one joked.
But Hickman’s problems didn’t stop there, as he criticized workers for performing receipt checks.
He revealed that he refused to show his piece of paper to the worker.
And Hickman admitted he enjoyed saying no to the employee.
“I just keep [the line] on the move,” he said.
“If you don’t trust me, get rid of self-checkout.”
Legality of receipt and detention checks
In an effort to reduce retail crime, stores are increasingly turning to checking receipts as customers leave.
Legally, stores can ask to see a customer’s receipts, and members-only stores have the right to demand such checks if customers agree to the terms and conditions authorizing them.
Many legal professionals have evaluated and reached similar conclusions, warning that all states have specific laws.
Generally speaking, stores have Retailer Privilege laws that allow them to detain a person until authorities arrive when there is reasonable suspicion that a crime, such as robbery, has been committed.
Refusal to provide a receipt is not in itself a reason for a store to detain a customer; she must have additional reasons to suspect a client of criminal activity.
Due to the recent nature of receipt checks, there is little concrete legislation regarding the legality of the practice, as it takes time for the law to catch up with technology.
Setliff Law, PC states that “there is no definitive case law specifically relating to the refusal to present a receipt for purchases.”
For stores that misuse the Retailer Privilege, they may face charges of false imprisonment.
“The primary law that applies to these types of wrongful arrest cases is called ‘False Imprisonment,’” the local Hudson Valley attorney explained. Alex Mainetti.
“Of course, you are not literally arrested, but you are detained by a person who does not have the legal authority to detain you and/or wrongfully detains a client.”
It is likely that as store altercations over receipt checks continue, more lawsuits will occur giving clearer definitions and limits to the legality of receipt checks.
Hickman isn’t the only shopper who has criticized Walmart over pickup checks.
Receipt checks are common at sister stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club, but have started to appear in supermarkets.
This is despite Walmart not having a specific policy regarding inspections.
The idea of checking the receipt left some customers feeling like they did something wrong.
Others said they feel they are being treated like criminals.
Lawyers have even questioned whether receipt checks are, in fact, legal.
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Under store owners’ privilege, employees have the right to detain criminal suspects if they have probable cause to try to steal items.
“There must be some factual basis to believe that the person stole or is trying to steal,” say experts at Legal Correspondence warned.
“This requires probable cause, not just a hunch or suspicion.”
The US Sun reported that some Kroger stores have implemented receipt checks.
The policy is being tested in some Columbus, Ohio, stores due to an increase in theft.
A shopper was surprised to have to show a receipt after purchasing a chocolate bar.
Anti-theft measures implemented by retailers
Retailers in the US and Canada have implemented strategies designed to combat theft. The US Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented in stores.
- Lock items in cabinets.
- Safety stakes.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
Harris Teeter customers in Washington D.C. have been warned they must present receipts.
It’s just one of several anti-theft policies in place.
Shoppers are also prohibited from bringing suitcases and backpacks into stores.
Meanwhile, receipt checks are entered into the wholesalers’ terms of membership.
Buyers risk having their subscriptions canceled if they refuse to comply.
But The US Sun has reported extensively on efforts by Sam’s Club bosses to make checks more transparent.
Hundreds of Sam’s Club stores are using technology that verifies purchased items.
This means that workers don’t have to look at customers’ receipts, which means they can dedicate their time to helping customers.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
