Receipt Checking- a.k.a.- Racial, gender, and age profiling
I'm not usually one to go on about things like this, but it's really started to annoy me lately, so I thought I'd see what others think about it as well.
What do you think about those receipt checks they do at stores like Wal Mart and Best Buy? Are random receipt checks necessary, or just a waste of everyone's time? Does it make a difference if I leave on my own and rarely get checked, but never fail to get checked when I'm with my mixed race fiance?
Basically, my annoyance is this- if all the security in the store fails to prevent someone from stealing, then what's one person who is checking receipts going to do about the people who walk out with (seemingly) nothing? While I'm standing here having my receipt (and possibly my bags) "checked," someone else could be leaving with stolen merchandise. Isn't the point in all the security cameras and security tags and security alarms to give the store security against theft? When I walk out with $300 worth of purchases, whether they are all in bags or not, I expect it to be obvious that I have purchased those items or I wouldn't be trying to leave the store. I could just not shop there, sure, but I could also go broke elsewhere.
This "trend" started around Christmastime only a few years ago, and slowly turned into a year-round thing. I understand if the security alarm goes off and they want to make sure I'm not stealing anything or that all tags were removed, but when the employee is obviously not checking every purchase against what you have in your bags, it's really just pointless. It truly seems as though Wal Mart (in this instance) is trying to find a place for those people they didn't really want to hire in the first place, but had to hire anyway.
I noticed this happening to me only when I went with my fiance, and I have to say, it seems a bit racist. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Or maybe it's just bullshit.
"We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think."
— Rod Serling
"Chuck calls Noah fortnightly on his bakelite rotary phone and gives him publisher's insider information and stock tips."- Tuffy
I ignore those people.
The only time they do that to me at Walmart is.when I have something too big for a bag. I thought that was how it always worked.
"I'm glad I live in the GPS era. In a different century, I would've set off to visit the other side of the village and wandered off into the mountains and been eaten by a carnivorous plant. Or discovered the Americas."
-LaJessica
I've had my receipt checked before. Maybe three times out of the many instances I've shopped there. "Checked" seems putting it lightly though. It's more like they're making sure my receipt has today's date on it...takes about three seconds, and then I'm waved on.
I have noticed that other people don't get this same treatment.
I think I've been to a WalMart like once. I don't believe I had my receipt checked.
Try this next time you're in... As you approach the exit, lick the back of your receipt and slap it onto your forehead so that it sticks. Then demand loudly and repeatedly that the checker examine your receipt carefully. When they give you the once-over, complain that they didn't look hard enough.
This is why we can't have nice things.
I'm half tempted to sit at one of the benches in that area and just tally what kind of people they really do stop. It seems to me that even though it's supposed to be random, that depending on the person doing the checks, it really isn't.
"We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think."
— Rod Serling
"Chuck calls Noah fortnightly on his bakelite rotary phone and gives him publisher's insider information and stock tips."- Tuffy
So is it to embarrass specific people and waste money on employees that are unnecessary?
"We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think."
— Rod Serling
"Chuck calls Noah fortnightly on his bakelite rotary phone and gives him publisher's insider information and stock tips."- Tuffy
At least partly so.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Wanna get rid of the receipt checkers at WalMart? Convince them to unionize.
This is why we can't have nice things.
At Sam's Club everyone gets it checked and the receipt is marked so it can't be used twice.
At Wal-Mart, I've never seen receipts checked unless its something too big for a bag, or the metal detector goes off. If they're doing that to you, it's kinda like detaining you after a sale if its not store policy.
Any of you seen the Department of Homeland Security videos in Wal-Mart? So fucking Blade Runner, its bullshit. Janet Nepolitano is the new-age Janet Reno.
"They sold you hippies grunge, hip hop, now liberty activism."
And Janet Reno is the abstract Janet Jackson! All these goddamn Janets. Not good, I tell you, not good.
I've never experienced or even notice receipt checking things, but that's because I'm never shopping. Also never been taken aside when flying, but I'm white. And they don't wanna see my balls. Or wave a magnet over them to see if they're made of STEEL!!
I've been detained at the border. But never when actually smuggling anything.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Apparently they are trained to spot union workers at the door and ask them to leave.
"We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think."
— Rod Serling
"Chuck calls Noah fortnightly on his bakelite rotary phone and gives him publisher's insider information and stock tips."- Tuffy
Yes they are!
This is why we can't have nice things.
I'm fine with it if I have something that doesn't fit in a bag or am at Costco because they check everyone. I've only been asked to show my receipt twice otherwise, once at Kmart, once at Toys R US. At KMart I simply said 'I didn't steal anything." and kept moving. At Toys I said 'I already stood in line to pay, I'm not standing in line to leave." No one stopped me either time.
Nice, Mirka. I was reading up on some people being stopped and the employees apparently didn't know that they couldn't physically keep people from leaving. There are actually some managers who backed the employees, so I'd say there are too many people ignorant to laws in this country.
"We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think."
— Rod Serling
"Chuck calls Noah fortnightly on his bakelite rotary phone and gives him publisher's insider information and stock tips."- Tuffy
SNAP!
"A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism." -Carl Sagan
"Am I cruel? Probably. Is she an idiot? Yes." -jane s.
If I push the cart out of Walmart, our receipt and stuff get a thorough once-over. This is due to the fact that I look like a criminal and have a lot of tattoos. If my beautiful wife pushes the cart out, the greeter gives the receipt a quick glance, then we're out the door.
This sort of treatment has plagued me my whole life. I constantly get the, "Can I help you?" at least three or four times in most stores I shop at. It's just a look I have. "Shifty" is what I call it. If I am in a bad mood and they try to "help" me too much I just leave.
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." ~ Albert Einstein
I'm sure there are numerous reasons why they do this. Effectively reducing theft isn't one of them.
This is why we can't have nice things.