‘There is no law,’ reveals Walmart buyer about receipt checks – just a sentence for the worker

CUSTOMERS have criticized the retailer on social media for its strict receipt verification measures and argued that customers do not need to comply with them.

Walmart has angered many of its customers in recent months, and shoppers have flocked to social media demanding change.

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The retailer first introduced receipt checks to try to reduce shoplifting, but customers are increasingly fed up with the anti-theft measure.

“There is no law that requires me to show my receipt. Have a nice day,” a customer he wrote on Facebook.

“If you think I stole something, boo boo, you better take me back!” another user said.

Walmart’s efforts to stop shoplifting have become increasingly unpopular with its customers.

One customer shared the phrase he consistently uses to avoid being pressured by employees to show his receipt.

“I tell them to call the police,” he said.

“I walk past them. I always call over their shoulder… I call the police,” said another user who shares a similar tactic.

Other Walmart customers comply with receipt checks whenever asked, but they do so grudgingly.

“I play for them – here you go,” said one of them.

“I pass and continue,” commented another person.

“I sure do NOT let them check,” added one Walmart shopper.

One customer explained on Facebook that they receive text receipts from their local Walmart, which creates even more problems for them.

“At our Walmart, you have the option to receive a receipt via text message. It comes on my cell phone and I leave it in the car when I’m shopping,” she said.

“Then they will hold my purchases hostage until I get my phone out to show my receipt.”

Walmart isn’t the only store that has angered customers with its receipt verification system.

Kroger introduced a similar policy at six locations in May 2024 in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

A Lawyer’s Top 5 Receipt Checking Tips

Los Angeles attorney Camron Dowlatshahi spoke with The US Sun about receipt checks and a client’s rights and options when it comes to being asked to show their receipt.

1. 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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.
4. 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.”
5. “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)

And Kroger customers seemed equally angry about the introduction of these measures.

“If they want to make sure everything is being done correctly, they should hire more cashiers,” said one customer on social media.

“I don’t understand, these same people who are trying to be intake police can open a lane and check people,” another user said.

Costco is another retailer that enforces anti-theft checks, but unlike Walmart and Kroger, receipt checks are part of your membership agreement.

People can only shop at Costco if they are a member, and therefore it is “standard practice” to check receipts and membership when customers leave the store, according to the Costco website.

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