Additionally, Walmart matches prices of any store. They match prices I mention without a receipt either. Much more convenient and they have a much broader selection. I hate that it’s pretty much a China Outlet, but I don’t have enough money to complain and shop at SafeWay :o

I’m not sure what I thought they were checking for – they just do a quick glance at the cart, quick glance at the receipt and really the drawing for my kids takes longer then both combined!

In regards to having a good security process, I actually do think that they (Costco anyways) has a pretty good set up so that customers coming in are not going through the same opening as customers exiting. This minimizes confusion and the ease with which a shoplifter could exit. The ones that I’ve been to also have a large display that separates the entrance and exit such that you are almost forced to go through the checkout area in order to leave. And I think that definitive path makes it much easier already to spot shoplifters.

On one hand your point is completely valid. I signed the membership agreement. I’ve given Costco tens of thousands of dollars, and I DO actually love shopping there.

But this does not negate the fact that I’ve become increasingly aware that this inspection policy is embarrassing. Having to submit to inspection on the way out the door as if you were in China or something begins to wear on you after a while. Especially when they don’t even take the policy seriously!

They literally do not even check the receipts! So, if they are not going to take it seriously, why do I have to suffer the indignity of the situation?

With regards to the locations I frequent, here are the stores I go to most often:

• West Plano, TX – 90% of the time.
• Lewisville, TX – 8% of the time.
• East Plano, TX – 1% of the time.
• All others – 1% of the time

I have used very strong language in this article and my comments, but I should point out that all of my anger and frustration is targeted at this one infuriating policy. I’ve found that the employees at Costco and Sam’s are actually very good – clearly a notch above the competition. I also enjoy shopping there, spend LOTS of money with them, and continue to support the stores despite the walk of shame every time I leave.

John P.

I’d add that another thing they are able to do is to mark the receipts so they cannot be presented for duplicate use. In other words, you can’t leave, come back in, pick up another identical item and leave again with the same receipt.

But that is nothing that good security processes could not prevent anyway.

John

1. Find duplicate charges

I was going to try to make a longer list, but I couldn’t think of anything else that they’ve ever done. This is not to say that I’m as adamantly against it like you are. I myself have thought it not unheard of since it’s a place where membership is required. Shoplifters have never made me happy because they do increase prices for the rest of us.

However, I think that stores should get rid of the checkers just because they’re inefficient. I didn’t know about the bag or extended search because I, like most people, didn’t read the contract as closely as I should. That is not something that I want!

I’m a fan of your idea to have secret shoppers and video cameras instead. I could definitely get behind that idea.

Also they can see if you got charged for two of an item and only have one. So yes what they say about trying to help you from getting over charged is partly true. It’s not the only reason they’re there but it is one of the benefits. I’m wondering what Costco you go to because the one I go to the people at the door are always very nice and fast with their check. I don’t think I have had to wait in line.

Another thing you said was that they don’t bag your stuff. At my local Costco every check stand has two people, one processing your transaction and the other loading every thing in to boxes and then your cart. Now none of what I said can apply to Sam’s club as I have never been there, but I personally believe that Costco is one of the only big mega stores that actually care about it’s custumers and not just the dollar.

With the membership clubs I think you have to comply with their requests or:

• They can definitely cancel your membership and prevent your return.
• They might have sufficient legal grounds to detain and search you without your consent.

Of course, keep in mind that any retail store can prevent you from ever coming back by slapping a restraining order on you. But this is highly, highly unlikely to happen for simply refusing to submit to a search. Especially without a police officer standing right there.

John

So the question becomes: How do they distinguish between the two?

Well very, very simple. Witness the actual theft, then stop the thieves.

They could put in cameras like Wal-mart and the rest of the retail world, and employ a couple of undercover store security personnel. These folks are very good at their jobs. They catch people all the time – and you don’t have to subject your good customers to intrusive procedures.

I mean come on… the receipt-jockeys don’t even actually check the items on the receipt! They just draw a line on it and move on to the next! So they aren’t preventing jack right now to start with.

understand that Costco (et al.) needs to control shrinkage – and I expect them to do so to keep profits for shareholders high, and costs for customers low. But no theft prevention system should ever be intrusive on a paying customer. Only on criminals.

So the question becomes: How do they distinguish between the two?

BTW-I wish I would have had a stake in the rock concert scam! Those guys made thousands…cash…very little risk. And just to edify, it was Pink Floyd, Nassau County Coliseum, Long Island NY in early 1980. Following release of “The Wall”, PF scheduled US performances in NY and LA only due to the huge amount of stage gear required for the show. As a huge PF fan, I was there on opening night. Just a bit of rock trivia for ya.

These are AWESOME articles! Thanks for sharing them, and I’m going to add them to the post as well in case someone misses them in the comments.

A couple of interesting items from that first article:

But, there are some other ways that a security guard’s search could give rise to a lawsuit. The first is the tort of invasion of privacy. In most states, you can sue a store if an employee intentionally intrudes into your privacy, and that intrusion would be highly offensive to a reasonable person.

You also might have a claim under the tort of false imprisonment. In most states, you can sue a store if you can show that they deprived you of your liberty without your consent and without legal justification. This normally arises when you are suspected of shoplifting, and a store manager or security guard prevents you from leaving the store without first searching your bags.

And from the second article:

The short answer is that merchants do, in fact, have the right to search and detain you if they have sufficient reasons to believe that you have shoplifted. However, with regard to Matt’s question: Yes, if you are just leaving the store after a routine shopping trip, you generally have the right to exit a store without inspection. If a security guard at Best Buy asks to see your receipt, you have two options. You may voluntarily agree to be searched. Alternatively, you may say no and simply walk by. The guard must have some reason to believe you stole something before he can search you and refusing to allow the guard to check your bag is not a good enough reason on its own. There must be something more.

Last, Robert correctly pointed out that private clubs such as Costco require you to submit to searches as part of your membership agreement. In a private club setting, you are generally bound by any conditions you agree to, from paying annual dues to submitting to searches.

So, I highly recommend that everyone read these two articles to hear what an actual lawyer says.

There is just one thing he didn’t address which I would really, really like to know. If I were illegally detained, and store personnel physically grabbed me, do I have the right to physically fight them to get away?

So, I’m leaving the store. I’ve paid for my goods, I am asked to present my receipt for inspection and refuse. A security guard physically grabs my arm. Legally speaking, Can I hit him? Oh, and when do I have to stop hitting him? :-)

John

John

I’m certain that you are also correct. Employee shrinkage is a major loss prevention issue. I can’t tell you how many times Holly came home from work over the years and told me stories about having employees arrested for shoplifting. But we aren’t talking about a Coscto (et al.) specific problem, rather one that affects all retailers. And the others don’t make you submit to a body cavity search.

In fact, for what they pay to have greeters and receipt-jockeys at every door I’m sure they could put in better security systems and catch even more shoplifters.

As far as the property issue is concerned, yes you have a point. The building is “their domain” and they can (and obviously) do what they want. But again, this is a commonality with ALL retailers. It is a pre-requisite to doing business that they will have an actual facility within which to conduct said trade. Other retailers don’t send me advertisments every few days in my e-mail, plus every couple of weeks in the snail mail, inviting me to come shop in their fabulous showroom – and then submit me to a strip search when I ingress and egress from their property.

I understand that Costco (et al.) needs to control shrinkage – and I expect them to do so to keep profits for shareholders high, and costs for customers low. But no theft prevention system should ever be intrusive on a paying customer. Only on criminals.

John

PS – why can’t you just come right out and admit that YOU were the one running that rock concert turnstile scam! :-)

I think you are correct and that is what they really mean, but if that is true, why not explicitly state it? Something like:

The Costco corporate policy is to check all merchandise at the door against a valid receipt to protect against theft.

But we all know why they don’t do that, right? Because people would immediately object to being blatantly treated like a criminal. So it’s interesting that we all know what they mean, but because they don’t actually call you a “suspect” to your face we silently submit.

John

1. Make sure the cashier saw the case of Caffiene Free Diet Coke in the bottom of the cart.
2. Make sure I wasn’t in kahootz with the cashier to steal stuff for the double wide.
3. Embed my children with a favorable impression with the smiley face that the old guy draws on my receipt.

I never really felt like it was a me thing since they don’t pat me down.

I may try the “No thank you” thing with TSA next time I am at the airport. I’ll have to bring a video blogger with me. “Don’t taze me, bro!” :D

Kim:)

Your “rant” reminded me of a podcast (two parts) I heard on this subject. (Transcripts are linked above.) Legal Lad (Quick and Dirty Tips) outlines the legalities of these inspections/consumer rights with a fairly balanced perspective between “legal” and “practical”.