A SHOPPER slammed retailers that have started to receipt check customers claiming it makes customers feel like criminals.
Customers continue to rage against companies that have initiated receipt checks as an anti-theft method to lower crime.
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One shopper posted to social media after seeing more videos about companies like Walmart, Target, and Kroger implementing receipt checks.
“My personal opinion I think it’s wrong because even subconsciously it makes everyone feel like they are being looked at like criminals,” the user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“And how much money they are making off of people, and then you get checked on your way out after giving these companies your hard-earning money.
“The amount of fights and arguments over this seems to be increasing and again, personally, I hope these stores start getting sued for improperly detaining people just because they don’t show their receipts.
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The customer then dictated their assumption as to why receipt checks were reinstated at some stores.
“All of this started again over money because they wanted to pay less employees and open all these self-checkout lanes,”
“I’ve also started seeing videos of @WalmartInc wanting to charge people now for the convenience. Wow.”
Kroger responded to the X user’s post, thanking them for their feedback.
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“Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience. This is not the experience we want for our customers. We will definitely forward your feedback to our Leadership. Thanks for sharing with us!” the grocery chain wrote.
‘I DON’T HAVE AN ISSUE’
Another comment under the post was from a shopper who said they “didn’t have an issue” with receipt checks.
“There is a sign on the door that says please produce receipt if asked,” the user shared.
“If you are not doing anything wrong, then you shouldn’t object to being asked.”
The original user commented back saying that “most seem to disagree” given the amount of coverage about the frustrating topic.
“My main reason for not liking it is they started doing this daily everywhere because of the decision to not hire as many people (local jobs) and open self-checkout,” the poster responded.
Legality of receipt checks and detention
In an effort to curtail retail crime, stores are increasingly turning to receipt checks as shoppers exit.
Legally, stores can ask to see a customer’s receipts, and membership-only stores have the right to demand such checks if shoppers agreed to terms and conditions that authorize it.
Many legal professionals have weighed in and come to similar conclusions, caveating that all states do have specific laws.
Generally speaking, stores have Shopkeeper’s Privilege laws that allow them to detain a person until authorities arrive when they have reasonable suspicion that a crime, like theft, has been committed.
Declining to provide a receipt is not a reason in itself for a store to detain a customer, they must have further reason to suspect a shopper of criminal activity.
Due to the recent nature of the receipt checks, there is little concrete law on the legality of the practice, as it takes time for law to catch up with technology.
Setliff Law, P.C. claims that “there is no definitive case law specifically relating to refusal to produce a receipt for purchases.”
For stores that improperly use their Shopkeeper’s Privilege, they could face claims of false imprisonment.
“The primary law that applies to these types of wrongful detention cases is called ‘False Imprisonment’,” explained Hudson Valley local attorney Alex Mainetti.
“Of course, you’re not literally imprisoned, but you’re detained by a person who has no lawful authority to detain you and/or wrongfully detains a customer.”
It is likely that as altercations in stores over receipt checks continue, more court cases will occur giving clearer definitions and boundaries to the legality of receipt checks.
“They didn’t start checking everyone’s until they opened self-checkout.
“So not only are they not providing jobs in the community, but now I’m expected to scan and bag myself while they making money from me and ensuring I’m not stealing anything.”
‘SIMPLE THING TO DO’
Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles attorney and a founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, told The U.S. Sun what options shoppers have when it comes to receipt checks.
Dowlatshai argues that though it may be aggravating, it could save you some trouble.
“You can say no, but maybe it creates an unnecessary hassle for yourself,” he said.
“But now you may have the police come to your house and follow up.”
The lawyer gave his advice on the “simple” task.
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“I would say, show your receipt. It’s just a really simple thing to do,” he affirmed.
“If you didn’t steal anything, it’s relatively simple to do.”
https://www.the-sun.com/news/11620838/receipt-check-walmart-kroger-target-self-checkout/