OT: Receipt Checkers

**DaddyMac** · 10-05-2007, 09:57 AM

Hmmm, I don't know. I wonder how that applies to other situations like going to a ballgame or concert and having bags, purses, etc checked? I don't know that I've ever seen anything that says "we have the right..." when purchasing the ticket. But they seem to be able to do it. Would that be a case of "we suspect everybody of being a terrorist?". Why can't they say "we suspect everyone of shoplifting". I don't know that anything like probable cause applies to store owners. Do rules of "unreasonable search" apply outside of law-enforcement of gov't?

Could an operation like Wal-Mart search a person's purse on the way in? I'd guess so. How would that be different than a ballpark? (I don't know, I'm asking)

I also wonder if a place like Wal-Mart would have the right to refund your puchase of their own accord, should you not comply with a "receipt check"?

It's private property, a private enterprise. You choose to go there, you're playing by their rules. (again, an non-legally educated guess).

**CyinCo** · 10-05-2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cybone

I had to go to Wal-Mart for EVERYTHING when I was living in Aspen. My first trip to that store was uneventful for me until I got home and saw on the news that a clerk had been murdered within an hour after I left that store. (he must have asked to see a customers receipt

)

At any rate, I no longer go into a Wal Mart unless I absolutely have to. I go to Target now.

As frustrating as it seems, the store does have the right to verify your purchases and check your receipt.

My wife and I have avoided Wal-Mart for a little over a year now. We made a resolution not to go there anymore for anything and our life has been much more stress free. My blood pressure used to rise just walking into that place. Saving 10 cents by going there isn't worth the detriment to my health.

**Cyclone62** · 10-05-2007, 10:09 AM

Hmmm, I don't know. I wonder how that applies to other situations like going to a ballgame or concert and having bags, purses, etc checked? I don't know that I've ever seen anything that says "we have the right..." when purchasing the ticket. But they seem to be able to do it. Would that be a case of "we suspect everybody of being a terrorist?". Why can't they say "we suspect everyone of shoplifting". I don't know that anything like probable cause applies to store owners. Do rules of "unreasonable search" apply outside of law-enforcement of gov't?

It's been on the back of tickets that I've bought. Or else it says that you can't bring bags in.

**CyinCo** · 10-05-2007, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by ISUAlum2002

The guy in the post you quoted just wants to be able to show other people up. Just show them the receipt real quick and be on your way. If you haven't stolen anything you have nothing to worry about.

And before anyone starts in with the whole "gee, that's the first step to having a gestapo" and "you like giving away your rights?" nonsense, to me, the receipt checkers are annoying, but they do serve a purpose. Its far different than having your rights stripped by police doing a search of your vehicle without probable cause.

I believe you have to pick your battles in life. If this is worth the time and grief you will get when leaving a store, then fine, be my guest to Rise Up against the "man". However, I'm like the poster above. It isn't a big deal. Flash the reciept and keep moving. It consumes about 2 seconds of your life. There are much more important issues for me to Rise Up against where my energy is better spent.

**DaddyMac** · 10-05-2007, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclone62

It's been on the back of tickets that I've bought. Or else it says that you can't bring bags in.

Well, I just looked at my season ticket for the I-Cubs and it is on the back of the card. But I've never seen it on any of the print at home tickets I've got (not to say it isn't buried in the website somewhere - probably is)

Truth be told - I don't pay attention. One of those things that's kinda common sense that you can't bring in your own booze or thermo-nuclear device to a college football game and they have a right to prevent you from doing so.

**Cyclone62** · 10-05-2007, 10:26 AM

Well, I just looked at my season ticket for the I-Cubs and it is on the back of the card. But I've never seen it on any of the print at home tickets I've got (not to say it isn't buried in the website somewhere - probably is)

It might not be on the tickets, but it would be posted at the gates as well.

**cycloneworld** · 10-05-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

I also wonder if a place like Wal-Mart would have the right to refund your puchase of their own accord, should you not comply with a "receipt check"?

It's private property, a private enterprise. You choose to go there, you're playing by their rules. (again, an non-legally educated guess).

From what I've read, once you have purchased the items (given money and received a receipt for your purchse, YOU have the legal right to the stuff you just purchased and it is now YOUR private property, not Wal-Mart's.

And I realize this probably shouldn't be a battle I pick to fight but the greeter really ****** me off by being a giant jerk about the whole situation. But after reading about this situation, it makes me want to see what happens if I refuse.

**DaddyMac** · 10-05-2007, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

And I realize this probably shouldn't be a battle I pick to fight but the greeter really ****** me off by being a giant jerk about the whole situation. But after reading about this situation, it makes me want to see what happens if I refuse.

Yeah, I have a little "evil curiosity" as well..

**jdoggivjc** · 10-05-2007, 02:17 PM

Not a fan of Wallyworld either. What especially pisses me off about them is they don't do their demographics/market research before they open up those super centers in towns of 5000 people or less. They then undercut all of the mom and pop stores in the town previously, driving them out of business. Several years then go by with Wallyworld super center in small town taking huge losses to the point where they decide they can't be profitable and shut the store down. Now the town has no local businesses because Wallyworld drove them all out of business and then shut their own doors. I tend to buy as little there as possible, usually it's either the Rain-X windshield washing fluid (Wal-Mart is the only place that I know of that sells it and it's quite simply the best washing fluid out there, plus it applies a coat of Rain-X every time I use it - good cleaner and allows me to be lazy

), or on occasion when it's late and Target's closed I'll buy a FEW NEEDED groceries there (but it's not like they make money on groceries anyway - they're there just for the convenience).

**herbiedoobie** · 10-06-2007, 08:27 AM

Provided that something like 2/3ds of Wal-Mart's losses are from employees, the "stop and search" doesn't accomplish much.

When I managed retail, years ago, we were taught and trained our employees that you have to SEE someone steal something, and then you had to have a very good description of what it was, and where they put it, in order to call the cops and have them detain someone.

We just practiced good customer service, instead. The best way to keep thieves away from your store is to walk the aisles and to be friendly with customers. Shocking, I know, but Wal-Mart must rule the earth for a reason, right?

Like the dinosaur, Wally World's time on this earth is limited, and stupid things like receipt checking is just an indicator that they are spending time doing the wrong things.

**nboltz** · 10-06-2007, 09:01 AM

What happens if you thought the clerk charged you for all items that you put on the register. When you try to leave the greeter asks to check your reciept, you comply and then they find that you have something in your bag that you didn't pay for? You did everything that you were supposed to and were unaware that you weren't charged for said item.

**brianhos** · 10-06-2007, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclone62

It might not be on the tickets, but it would be posted at the gates as well.

It is also on the rules and regulations sheets that came with your season tickets.

**dmclone** · 10-07-2007, 11:12 AM

I also stay away from Wal-Mart but I do shop at Costco and they do the same thing. It's very annoying but I go back. Maybe next time I'll just say no.

**CyGal** · 10-07-2007, 11:38 AM

When I have to go to WalMart I always use the self checkout. I can't stand waiting for the slooooooow cashiers (I used to be one there once, so I know it can be done faster than that!) No one has ever asked me for my receipt, even if I don't have certain items in bags.