topic Re: Shrinkage in Community Chat

Shrinkage

software — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 03:01:21 GMT

Maybe those dreaded self check out lanes will close.

A Florida woman was arrested after a deputy said she bought over $1,800 worth of electronics while paying only $3.70 at a Walmart self-checkout on Monday.

Cheyenne Amber West, a 25-year-old of Fort Pierce was arrested in the Nov. 6 incident. She was charged with felony grand theft and felony shoplifting, NBC affiliate WKYC reported

West’s crime was uncovered after a loss prevention officer at the Walmart told a deputy he saw West and another woman select a computer, video game controllers, and other merchandise from the electronics department.

The women then covered the barcodes of the more expensive items from merchandise in the clearance department and took them to the self-checkout area. They paid a total of $3.70, which was $1,821 less than what should have been paid, according to an affidavit

After West’s crime was discovered, she said she was only trying to get presents for her family.

The study used data from more than 12 million shopping trips from four countries, including the United States. Researchers found that retail stores that used self-services had a higher percentage of loss from thefts—compared to retail stores that don’t use self-service.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that it loses about $3 billion every year from theft, or 1 percent of its $300 billion in revenue, Reuters reported in 2016.

Retailers using self-service checkouts experienced an average of 4 percent loss from theft. That number is double the rate of retailers that don’t use self-service checkouts.

Additionally, the study suggests that self-service lanes encourage people who wouldn’t normally steal items to steal them by removing the human contact of normal transactions.

“(Self-checkout) potentially promotes ease of effort for theft by removing any human contact throughout the shopping process and removing human contact at the final payment stage of the shopping journey when a payment wallet option is provided,” the study states.

Don't worry about the shoplifter, she's out on $3000 bail.

What say you?

Re: Shrinkage

september — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 03:08:02 GMT

I wish they would close, even if I use them from time to time for simple checkouts.

The stores that have them, never have enough regular check stands open. But as mentioned, they're good for those who want to scam the system.

Re: Shrinkage

CAcableGirl2 — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 03:08:02 GMT

What? I never fails to surprise me the length people will go to in order to steal. How did she get a bunch of clearance tags...must be some sort of an inside job.

And wouldn't she be proud to give stolen items as gifts for her children.

I once saw a woman take a big screen TV out of the garden section at my local Walmart and no one even asked or checked for a receipt. I had to track down an employee in the auto section to report it, and he didn't even seem to care.

After that experience, I try to not purchase items or support Walmart. If they don't even care about shoplifters, then how much do they really care about their paying customers business?

Re: Shrinkage

NycVixen — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 03:42:54 GMT

I don't feel sorry for the retailers. They're trying to eliminate jobs any way they can while not really lowering prices accordingly. People need jobs and entry-level jobs help many people gain experience or make ends meet.

Not everything can be online. We need stores.

They are removing all the checks and balances so people don't walk away with their merchandise and they're surprised.

Re: Shrinkage

wishmoon — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 03:52:05 GMT

What a lesson to teach to children...Mommy's a thief. I hope they prosecute her good, ppl like her make us pay more for our items we buy. Doubtful that they'll be much justice when the businesses look the other way.

Re: Shrinkage

OnlyShopsOnline — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:01:35 GMT

Ok....so I saw your title and immediately thought of an old Seinfeld episode!

Re: Shrinkage

KingstonsMom — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:32:35 GMT

@CAcableGirl2 wrote:
What? I never fails to surprise me the length people will go to in order to steal. How did she get a bunch of clearance tags...must be some sort of an inside job.

And wouldn't she be proud to give stolen items as gifts for her children.

I once saw a woman take a big screen TV out of the garden section at my local Walmart and no one even asked or checked for a receipt. I had to track down an employee in the auto section to report it, and he didn't even seem to care.

After that experience, I try to not purchase items or support Walmart. If they don't even care about shoplifters, then how much do they really care about their paying customers business?

@CAcableGirl2

I had the exact same experience at Sam's (owned by Walmart), when I saw a man go out the entrance door (rather then the exit where they check your receipt against your items) with a huge flat screen tv and when I alerted security, they could't care less and said that "he must have had a receipt".....really???

Re: Shrinkage

Suebdoo — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:46:19 GMT

@OnlyShopsOnline wrote:
Ok....so I saw your title and immediately thought of an old Seinfeld episode!

@OnlyShopsOnline Me too! 😁

Re: Shrinkage

Sueliz — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:33:23 GMT

@OnlyShopsOnline wrote:
Ok....so I saw your title and immediately thought of an old Seinfeld episode!

Me too @OnlyShopsOnline!

Re: Shrinkage

software — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:29:21 GMT

I use so many Seinfield references almost daily, I don't even think about them anymore!!

Someone asked me once why I say Yadda Yadda Yadda and I was stunned for a moment!

The part of the story that killed me is she said her husband just purchased a Coach bag for her. Well, he must have a good job or did he steal the bag!

Re: Shrinkage

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:06:24 GMT

All I can say is .... wow.

I don't remember where I was, but the other day I was heading to a checkout and an employee tried to corral me over to the self-checkout and show me how to use it. I said no thanks.

Frankly. I have no interest in self checkouts. I like to watch things rung up to be sure the prices are correct. If something rings up wrong there is no cashier to alert and check the pricing.

I also feel like the self-checkouts are a way to reduce employee payroll .... not a fan.

Re: Shrinkage

Trinity11 — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:12:10 GMT

I used one yesterday in a supermarket. If I ever have a problem, there is always someone there to help out. It saves a lot of time and I get to bag my own groceries which I prefer.

Walmart needs self check outs for merchandise that is not big ticket. There needs to be a limit. Personally, I like self checkouts and use them in the Post Office as well...

Re: Shrinkage

Perkup — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:24:00 GMT

I learned something I hadn't considered from a store in another state while shopping with a daughter. We saw two teenage girls stuff things into a shopping bag and walk through the door while the alarm sounded. No one seemed to care, so I had to ask the sales person who was helping us why there was no reaction.

Her answer surprised me, but made sense. In order to accuse someone of shoplifting, they would have to take that person to court (according to their state law). To do so, they would have expenses that would no doubt be higher than the value of the stolen merchndise. Financially it makes sense to the store owners and the sales people are told not to react.

Re: Shrinkage

Cumbercookie13 — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:31:29 GMT

@Perkup wrote:
I learned something I hadn't considered from a store in another state while shopping with a daughter. We saw two teenage girls stuff things into a shopping bag and walk through the door while the alarm sounded. No one seemed to care, so I had to ask the sales person who was helping us why there was no reaction.

Her answer surprised me, but made sense. In order to accuse someone of shoplifting, they would have to take that person to court (according to their state law). To do so, they would have expenses that would no doubt be higher than the value of the stolen merchndise. Financially it makes sense to the store owners and the sales people are told not to react.

It does make sense, and it might be a reason why many stores won't allow their employees to go after shoplifters and chase after them when they leave the store. It's better financially to recoup the loss (and charge higher prices as well) then deal with shoplifters. And they don't run the risk of potential work comp issues and lawsuits if employees or other shoppers get hurt going after them---they'll just fire them if they do, avoiding legal nightmares.

Re: Shrinkage

akaburtonfan — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 16:11:09 GMT

I was reluctant to use the self-checkout when they first installed them but now that's all I use. I just wish that the customer was given some kind of discount for using them since the customer is now doing all the work.

The main reason I use the self-checkout is because I usually don't feel like interacting with the people at the register and so that I get my bags packed the way I want them. I know when I get home that all the cold stuff is together so if for some reason I need to stop putting the groceries away I won't later find something cold in the bags with can goods.

I rarely have to wait to use the self-checkout so I get out of the store quicker which is a plus for me since I hate grocery shopping.

I would never try to steal something at these registers because I'm aware of the camera above each one -- not that I would anyway since that's not who I am.

Re: Shrinkage

feline groovy — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 21:51:30 GMT

Re: Shrinkage

sidsmom — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 22:16:25 GMT

@feline groovy

Everytime I see this thread....I always think of Seinfeld.

You beat me to the punch. Har

Re: Shrinkage

Vivian — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 22:26:45 GMT

That shrinkage episode is one of the funniest Seinfeld shows ever. There were so many lines that I recall. «How do you guys walk around with those things?» is one of the best. It followed soon after the clips already posted here.

I do detest those self service check outs. They never work right. I refuse to use them anymore.