A WALMART customer is angry about the new extreme security measures in the store and compared the chain to a lion’s den.
The customer posted sharp criticism of the company on Facebook for its self-checkout machines, claiming that they were “a breeding ground for false accusations.”
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“Entering Walmart is like a cow walking into a lion’s den,” the customer began his post.
“I’ve been shopping at Walmart for years. When Walmart introduced self-checkout, it was great, but it’s become a breeding ground for false accusations.”
The customer pointed out that the cameras above the self-checkout kiosks are actually intended to catch thieves, but the store still asks for the receipt when you leave the store.
“Then why do the employees ask for your receipt?
“Walmart’s cameras are positioned so they can see every item you scan,” they said.
The customer said that he never minded showing his receipt when paying before, but that the security protocol was becoming increasingly annoying.
“I can have an employee check me out and they will still ask me for my receipt. That day, I was asked for my receipt as I was leaving.
“My answer: ‘No.’ Ask your cashier, she billed me!” they shouted.
The customer accused the store of failing to do its part to prevent losses and demanded that the employees stop acting as representatives.
“Before theft protection can accuse a customer of theft, that customer must have actually left Walmart’s doors. Additionally, theft protection must have a reason to observe a customer,” the customer wrote.
“I decided to shop at Aldi. I get much more for my money there. Walmart, your prices are RIDICULOUS! You charge too much from customers and now you harass innocent shoppers!! Shame on you!!
“Not everyone steals from you, Walmart! Plus, the employee can print a receipt right at the self-checkout!”
Shoppers have criticized the retailer across social media for its tightened safety policies.
Walmart and competitors like Target have locked away products, checked receipts and, in more extreme cases, eliminated self-checkouts altogether.
A lawyer’s 5 best tips for checking receipts
Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles-based attorney, spoke to The US Sun about checking receipts and the rights and options customers have when asked to show their receipt.
- There has been a lot of debate about whether it is legal for a retailer to ask for the receipt, but if they are in the store, it is perfectly legal. “There seems to be nothing illegal about it. They are still on the premises and their reason for doing it is to prevent theft,” confirms Dowlatshahi.
- But if they chase you out of the store, that changes things, Dowlatshahi said. “Location is important,” he explained. “If you’re standing outside the store, in the parking lot, and they come and start accusing you of theft and say you have to show your receipt, I think that’s a little bit of a different situation because now you can leave.”
- Customers are allowed to refuse to check receipts, but if you do and the store suspects you of theft, it can cause problems. “You can say no, but you might be creating unnecessary trouble for yourself because the police can come to your home and investigate,” Dowlatshahi said.
- If you are prevented from leaving a store because you refused to accept a receipt, you could take legal action against it – but the store must have detained you for a long time. “If let’s say it lasts for hours, then that is certainly false imprisonment and they had no incentive to do it,” Dowlatshahi explained. “If a customer has been emotionally traumatized by the false imprisonment, I would definitely advise them to sue.”
- “I would say show your receipt,” he concluded. “It’s very simple. If you didn’t steal anything, it’s relatively easy,” the lawyer advised.
(According to Camron Dowlatshahi, founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP)
This restriction comes because theft is causing unprecedented profit losses for retailers.
In 2023, retailers reported $121.6 billion in losses due to theft, according to a study by Capital One Shopping.
That number is expected to skyrocket to $150 billion by 2026, forcing some businesses to take extreme measures.
Although many stores now require customers to show their receipts after using self-checkout lanes, the only stores that can legally enforce such controls are membership stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Walmart and Target are legally entitled to require a receipt, but can only enforce it if shoplifting is suspected.
Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles lawyer, had previously told the US Sun that while customers could refuse the checks, he still advised them to do so.
“I would say show your receipt. It’s very simple,” he said.
Latest changes to self-checkout
Retailers are developing their self-checkout strategies to shorten checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart customers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at several locations were made available only to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that the self-checkout lanes were closed at certain times and more cashiers were offered instead.
While customers feared that shoplifting was the reason for the changes, a Walmart spokesperson said store managers were simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment involved an RFID-supported self-checkout kiosk that was intended to eliminate the hotly contested receipt check.
However, this test run was discontinued.
At Target, the number of items at self-checkout lanes is limited.
Last fall, the brand tested new express self-checkout lanes with a maximum of 10 items in 200 stores to increase convenience.
Starting in March 2024, this policy will be expanded to 2,000 stores in the United States.
Customers have also noticed that their local Walmart stores are limiting the number of customers at self-checkout lanes to 15 items or less.
