CONSUMERS are increasingly frustrated as major retailers implement anti-theft measures such as receipt checks.
Consumers across the country are being required to show their receipts before leaving major retailers like Walmart — but some are finding unique loopholes to avoid this time-consuming measure.
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ALLERGIC REACTION
Walmart customer Wendy Veach shared her story on Facebook, explaining how her allergies helped her leave the store without having to speak to an associate after completing her shopping trip.
“I had to go to Walmart today, Target was out of stock,” Wendy shared in her social media post on Saturday, July 20.
Wendy then revealed her unique trick to skip checking your receipt by “waiting in line” for an employee to “see your receipt” before leaving the store.
“All you need to do to avoid this nuisance is cover your mouth while coughing with the receipt in your hand, when it was my turn, they waved me off,” he revealed.
Read more about receipt checks
It’s unclear whether the Walmart associate was a germophobe or, more likely, just cautious to avoid getting sick, as Wendy’s cough — phlegm and all — was now the only item proving her purchases were accurate.
“Lol I didn’t do this on purpose, my allergies are killing me,” she added, receiving several “likes” and “haha” reactions to her post.
Wendy’s followers and other Facebook users applauded her unique method of avoiding Walmart’s receipt verification policy.
Retailers across the country have begun checking receipts as they leave stores as an additional security measure, hoping to deter or reduce the amount of merchandise stolen.
The receipt checks come after many retailers reported an increase in theft over the past year and are just one of many new and improved security improvements being implemented.
Walmart is no exception to this policy and has started checking receipts to ensure customers leave with the items they paid for.
Some Walmart stores, for example, are removing or limiting the use of their self-checkout machines.
According to a 2021 study from the Journal of Applied Psychology, theft occurs four times more often at self-checkout kiosks compared to regular checkout lanes occupied by cashiers.
Some users even questioned whether Wendy was able to leave the store with “something free”, to which she promptly replied: “no”.
CART CHECK
In addition to receipt checks and fewer self-checkout machines, retailers — including Walmart — have also begun adding additional employees to self-checkout and checkout lanes, or even bolstering their stores with additional security personnel.
Legally, stores can ask customers to provide receipts to employees after completing a transaction.
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)
Customers also have the right to refuse to comply with such requests.
“You never have to show your receipt, and I never do, I found this out from a friend whose father was a police officer (now retired),” one user commented on Wendy’s original post.
“They can ask but you do NOT have to show and there is nothing they can do about it, trust me I have been asked and I refuse,” the user added.
However, legal experts advise shoppers that failure to provide their receipts could lead to additional setbacks, such as problems with store staff or even law enforcement.
Retailers are increasingly frustrated with the policy, especially those purchasing a cart full of items or shoppers completing tasks on a tight deadline.
Some shoppers have resorted to shopping online and picking up items in store, while others are simply boycotting retailers that institute such policies.
Customers have also taken to social media to express their frustrations with receipt checks, which include long wait times and, in some cases, increased resentment at being considered “untrustworthy” or “incompetent.”
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“When I leave Walmart, I walk right past the person trying to to check my receipt,” wrote one user on X.
“I had to scan everything so I know I paid for it why are you trying to check my work,” they added, alongside a crying-laughing emoji.
Some customers felt they were being “treated like criminals” despite paying for their purchases.
“So the other day I asked a Walmart door to check my receipt and I understood why people hate it… you end up standing there for 5 minutes while he tries to figure out what the receipt says,” one user commented.
“I had a total of 4 items, by the way. 4 items. And it took 5 minutes for the guy to check.
“While other people were leaving the store and had also just completed their purchase at the ATM,” they added, becoming increasingly irritated when other customers simply walked past the employee.
RECEIPT DECEPTION
Some customers have begun to wonder why the receipt verification policy appears to only apply to select buyers and why receipt verifications are not common at all retailers in the US.
“It can also be perceived as class…” one user posted.
“I always prepare my receipt at Walmart, but they just wish me a good day… and no one checks it at Trader Joe’s or Publix,” they added.
Some shoppers have vowed to continue shopping at Walmart, but won’t complete receipt checks anytime soon.
“If @Walmart wants to check my receipt, they can do it at the register,” one user wrote.
“I don’t need another adult to check my receipt after I’ve been scrutinized on camera,” another user commented.
“I just spent money at your store, I had to check it out and now you want me to stop so someone can check my receipt because a Walmart employee thinks I’m stupid or a thief?” one user questioned.
“Never. I don’t donate at the cash register either. I’m the customer, so I’m always right,” they added.
Meanwhile, some customers have revealed even more ways to avoid security checks at Walmart and other retailers that ask to see their receipts.
“I hate when they do this but the last few times Walmart has asked for my receipt and I just give it to them but keep walking,” another user commented.
“If they ask me to stop, I say, ‘No. You can walk with me while you check the receipt, but I can keep walking.’ It’s worked every time so far.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
