Comments on: Door checking receipts (WalMart, Costco, Best Buy, Target)

By: Will

Will — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:18:16 +0000

Kevin,
Lets take your argument a step further. Here in America we have laws. Our laws trump whatever policy the store may have. By doing business in America you automatically agree to adhere to its laws. If the stores do not like it, nobody is forcing them to do business in the United States. Laws protecting people from unreasonable searches exist to because this is America, where we value the freedom of the individual over pennies gained or lost at a corporation. Freaking out because your American customer does not want to show a receipt is a huge indicator that you do not value the American way.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:08:37 +0000

My ma always gets pissed when she’s stopped for a receipt check, but only because she thinks she’s being singled-out. She’s extremely pacifist though, and wouldn’t say anything, even when I told her that she didn’t have to do it. She just puts up…
But I turned out to be her evil spawn, apparently. When I ignore them and speak my mind I “embarrass” her.
I can understand why they would do it, though. It’s not a “slavery” thing, it’s a scare tactic. It’s the same thing with the door alarms and the like. While I don’t mind them using these tactics to avoid monetary loss, I cannot approve of the people who work there… They should know it’s against the law to force someone to show a receipt; it’s common sense. I live in a big city, and this Wal-Mart still somehow manages to find the dumbest, close-minded, single-thought-processing, low lifes I’ve ever seen…
ACTUALLY, now that I think about it, the smaller Wal-Mart around here has some pretty smart and nice people. I guess it’s just the superstore that I have problems with.

Also, I wonder if it’s true women still get paid less than men at this store.
Maybe WalMart thinks it makes the laws around here lol.

peace out,
Chris

By: No Thanks

No Thanks — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:58:54 +0000

I think we need to organize a day in which we all go to our local Wal-Marts and refuse to show our receipts. I have some non-violent, perfectly legal plans regarding the methods to do this, but I want to leave it open for discussion in this forum before I type everything out. Otherwise I would have just wasted everyone’s time.

The plan is very thourough, and involves getting more people involved than just those in this forum. The only thing that would be required of anyone wishing to participate is that they do something they have all proven they can do:

1. Shop at Wal-Mart on a set day
2. Carry a slip of paper
3. Use a computer

The beauty is that everyone involved may remain anonymous if they wish.

Like I said though, I want to leave all of this up for a public discussion. We will need to organize into a loose, nationwide, online group that people in this forum that wish to participate in will name. I for one propose the name “No Thanks”. I propose this name because in most forums and online content the words “No Thanks” are used when a customer describes the way they dealt with receipt checkers.

I hope to see your posts on this matter, because I am sure many of you will agree with me when I say the time for Wal-Mart’s intimidation of it’s honest customers and the customer’s subsequent complaining in half-buried online forums is over. It is time to act.

This is our chance people, this is our chance to reach beyond our local boundaries and right into Wal-Mart’s corporate headquarters. We all know that our complaints are silenced beyond the local manager…that is IF they even get that far. Wal-Mart cannot ignore all of us acting in unison.

By: Ms Anne Thorpe

Ms Anne Thorpe — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:33:11 +0000

@ Ken Milligan FAIL!

I implore people to refuse this corporate slavery tactic. You still have the right to privacy, people, use it or lose it. Do not stop when receipts are requested at the door. Do not stop when door alarms activate. If these people block your way to exit, they are kidnapping you(in my state), so press charges. All entrance ways should have CCTV cameras. There is your evidence of the unlawful detention. Use it! BE FREE!

By: Will

Will — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:53:00 +0000

Ken Milligan,
From your writing, its obvious to me at least that you are not a retired leo, but someone who is simply trying to use the color of authority to convince some teenager or other easily duped person reading this blog that the forced unwarranted search of someones property is somehow lawful. This is America pal.

By: Tom O'Neill

Tom O'Neill — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:46:43 +0000

Think about this from another direction. When the checkers mark the receipt aren’t they making themself someone who could attest that no theft has occured or been attempted?
Assuming this is reasonable, I wonder if the checkers realize what they’re doing when they sign off on the receipt.
Perhaps we should be putting the checkers name on the receipt and thanking them for being a witness.

By: Dayton Enns

Dayton Enns — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:35:35 +0000

I work for costco and somewhat agree with what you are saying here, the door checkers look for the things on the bottom of the cart which may have been missed, also they check for any coupons the cashier may have also missed, I discover missed coupons all the time and the response from the customer is always the same…”wow you guys actually do serve a purpose” and we do…serve a purpose.

By: Dyan Wooton

Dyan Wooton — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:46:46 +0000

If you don’t like the policy….quit complaining and don’t spend your money there.
That was easy.

By: doug

doug — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:13:37 +0000

Ken Milligan,
Penal code 490.5 section F1 does not state that at all. IT says something about probable cause, but nowhere doe “state” “you CAN BE detained by the store to prove rightful purchase”.

(f) (1) A merchant may detain a person for a reasonable time for
the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner
whenever the merchant has probable cause to believe the person to be
detained is attempting to unlawfully take or has unlawfully taken
merchandise from the merchant’s premises.
A theater owner may detain a person for a reasonable time for the
purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner
whenever the theater owner has probable cause to believe the person
to be detained is attempting to operate a video recording device
within the premises of a motion picture theater without the authority
of the owner of the theater.
A person employed by a library facility may detain a person for a
reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a
reasonable manner whenever the person employed by a library facility
has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting
to unlawfully remove or has unlawfully removed books or library
materials from the premises of the library facility.

By: Ken Milligan

Ken Milligan — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:44:57 +0000

30 years police retired. Everyone go to “California Codes” on the Web. Read 490.5 of the Penal Code. Section F 1 states that you CAN BE detained by the store to prove rightful purchase. Court cases have held that means between the last point of sale and the exit. The People Greeter and the store is within their legal right to check that receipt and is not unlawful. The only items that they are checking is what is not bagged and may have been missed by the checkers. Everyone must feel that it is against them. Not so as long as you have a receipt. The only items that I have found missing from the receipts were on the bottom and was missed by everyone. But the ones that I have found that would not show a receipt has turned into stealing. Some upwards of $1000. Also turned over to the Police. When I ask for a receipt for an unbagged item or two, the line out is held up for several seconds. Those that do not show the receipt may be held for 10 or 15 minutes or until they show the receipt. You may leave by the other door but the items will remain in the store until a receipt shows purchase. This is California State law in the Penal Code.

Also do not show me a Badge. Unless you are working or making an arrest you can not use the color of your badge to try an put someone down. This is unlawful and against the federal laws.