CONSUMERS are growing frustrated as big-box retailers implement anti-theft measures like receipt checks.
Shoppers nationwide are being forced to show their receipts before they exit major retailers like Walmart– but some are finding unique loopholes to avoid the time-consuming measure.
ALLERGIC REACTION
Walmart customer Wendy Veach shared her story on Facebook, explaining how her allergies helped her leave the store without having to check in with an associate after completing her shopping trip.
“Had to go to Walmart today, Target was out of stock,” Wendy shared in her social media post on Saturday, July 20.
Wendy then disclosed her unique trick to skipping a receipt check when “waiting in line” for an associate “to look at your receipt” before leaving the store.
“All you have to do to avoid this inconvenience is, cover your mouth while you’re coughing with your receipt in that hand, when it was my turn, they waved me through,” she revealed.
It’s unclear whether the Walmart associate was being a germaphobe or, more likely, just staying cautious to avoid getting sick, as Wendy’s cough – phlegm and all – was now on the one item proving her purchases were accurate.
“Lol I didn’t do it on purpose, my allergies are killing me,” she added, receiving several “like” and “haha” reactions on her post.
Wendy’s followers and other Facebook users applauded her unique method of avoiding Walmart’s receipt-check policy.
Retailers nationwide have begun to check receipts at store exits as an added security measure, hoping to deter or reduce the amount of stolen merchandise.
The receipt checks come after many retailers reported an increase in theft over the last year, and are just one of many new and improved security enhancements taking place.
Walmart is no exception to this policy and has started checking receipts to ensure customers walk out with the items they paid for.
Some Walmart locations, for instance, 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 as often at self-checkout kiosks compared to regular cashier-manned checkout aisles.
Some users even questioned whether Wendy was able to walk out of the store with “any free stuff,” to which she promptly responded, “no.”
CART CHECK
In addition to receipt checks and fewer self-serve machines, retailers – including Walmart – have also started to add additional staff members to both self-checkout and cashier checkout lanes, or even bolstering their stores with additional security staff.
Legally, stores are allowed to ask customers to provide staff with receipts after completing a transaction.
Top 5 receipt checking tips from a lawyer
Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles attorney, spoke to The U.S. Sun about receipt checks and customer's rights and options when it came to being asked to show your receipt.
- There has been a lot of debate around the legality of a retailer asking to see your receipt, but if it is within the store, it is completely legal. “There’s seemingly nothing illegal about that. You’re still on the company’s premises and their reason to do it is to prevent thefts,” Dowlatshahi confirms.
- However, if they are chasing you out of the store, that changes things, Dowlatshahi said. “Location matters,” he explained. “If you’re outside of the store you’re in the parking lot and they come and start accusing you of theft and that you have to show your receipt, I think that’s a bit of a different situation because now you’re on your way.”
- While customers are allowed to say no to receipt checks, it may cause issues if you do and the store suspects you of stealing. “You can say no, maybe it creates an unnecessary hassle for yourself because now you may have the police come to your house and follow up,” said Dowlatshahi.
- If you are being barred from leaving a store because you refused a receipt check, you could have a legal case — but the store must have held you for a long time. “Let’s say it’s for hours, that’s certainly false imprisonment, and they didn’t have any impetus for doing so,” Dowlatshahi explained. “If a customer has been emotionally traumatized by being held for false imprisonment, I would definitely encourage [them] to sue.”
- “I would say, show your receipt,” he concluded. “It’s just a really simple thing to do. If you didn’t steal anything, it’s relatively simple to do,” the lawyer advised.
(According to Camron Dowlatshahi, a founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP)
Customers also have the right to refuse to comply with such requests.
“You don’t have to show your receipt ever, & I never do, found this out from a friend who’s father was a cop(his retired now),” one user commented on Wendy’s original post.
“They can ask but you DO NOT have to show it & there is nothing they can do about it, trust me I’ve been asked & I refuse,” the user added.
However, legal experts do advise shoppers that failing to provide their receipts may come with additional setbacks, like trouble with store personnel or even law enforcement.
Retailers are growing frustrated with the policy, especially those who purchase a cartful of items, or shoppers running errands on a tight schedule.
Some shoppers have resorted to shopping online and picking up their items in-store, while others are simply boycotting retailers that institute such policies.
Customers have also turned to social media to voice their frustrations with receipt checks, which include long wait times and in some cases, increased resentment at being billed as “untrustworthy” or otherwise “incompetent.”
“When I leave Walmart I walk right past the person trying to check my receipt,” one user wrote on X.
“I had to scan everything so I know I paid for it why you trying to double check my work,” they added, alongside a crying laughing emoji.
Some customers felt as though they were being “treated as a criminal” despite paying for their purchases.
“So, the other day, I had a Walmart door greater check my receipt, and I get 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, btw. 4 items. And it took 5 minutes for the guy to verify it.
“While other people were walking out of the store who also just checked out at the self checkout,” they added, growing aggravated as other customers simply walked right past the associate.
RECEIPT DECEIT
Some customers have begun to wonder why the receipt check policy only seems to apply to select shoppers, and why receipt checks aren’t commonplace at every retailer in the US.
“It might be perceived class too…” one user posted.
“I always get my receipt ready in Walmart but they just wish me a good day….and no one checks at Trader Joe’s or Publix,” they added.
Some shoppers have vowed to continue shopping at Walmart, but won’t be complying with receipt checks anytime soon.
“If @Walmart wants to check my receipt they can do it at the cash register,” one user wrote.
“I don’t need another adult to check my receipt after I was on camera being checked out,” another user commented.
“I just spent money in your store, had to check myself out and now you want me to stop so someone can check my receipt because a Walmart associate thinks I’m stupid or a thief?” one user questioned.
“Never. I don’t donate at the register either. I am the customer therefore I am always right,” they added.
Meanwhile, some customers have revealed even more ways they’ve avoided the security check at Walmart and other retailers who ask to see their receipts.
“I hate when they do this but for the past several times Walmart has asked for my receipt, I just hand it to them but I keep walking,” another user commented.
“If they ask me to stop, I say, ‘No. You are welcome to walk with me while you check the receipt but I am free to keep walking.’ It’s worked every time so far.”
