Self Check Out Thievery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At self checkout, I have a rule that if I try in good faith to scan something and can't get it to scan, and then request help, I will wait about two minutes, tops. Then I make a call. If it's less than $5 and it's something I genuinely need immediately, I just stick it in my cart. If it's pricier but I really need it, I'll wait longer. And if I don't really need it and it's more of an impulse buy, I just abandon it and finish my purchase.

I don't feel guilty about the stuff I wind up taking in this situation -- I'm genuinely trying to pay for it but the store is not invested enough in my purchase to facilitate that. Their loss, literally. For the record, the only place I've ever wound up taking things is Target because they have the worst combination of bad scanners and poorly staffed self-checkout stations. I've never had trouble flagging someone down to help me at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.

And I have never taken anything rom Trader Joes' because they don't have self checkout at all and their checkers are always really good and efficient.

I do assume that Target simply doesn't care that much whether I pay $4 for my Colby jack cheese, especially as part of a $80 purchase of other items. They likely profit more if I just take the cheese I can't get to scan than they would if they hired and trained people to actually be helpful at self checkout, or to man more of the other checkouts so I didn't wind up in self checkout to begin with. It's very much a choice on their part.

But if they weren’t efficient you’d feel justified stealing from them too, lol

You just don't get it. No one is stealing from the stores with regular check outs. People are taking things from stores that force their labor onto others without any compensation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never cheat at self checkout and I would think less of a friend or coworker that openly admitted to doing so. It makes me wonder what else they try to get away with when no one is watching.

That said, stores with self checkout have decided they’d rather take a hit from people stealing than pay more workers, so they get what they get.

All of this. I avoid self checkout though. I hate it. If I am forced to do it though, I definitely don’t steal. I’ve also accidentally scanned something twice and did not feel like waiting for someone to come fix it for me so I paid double for one item. I hate self checkout though. Really hate it.

Where are people forced to use self checkout?

Very often its the only open checkout and I need food.

So no one is forcing you. Just wait for regular checkout.

Learn to read, moron. Often self check out is the only option. There is no 'regular' checkout, dumbass.

That is very sad for you. You will need to learn to deal with disappointment, won’t you? Have you always had everything handed to you on a silver platter? Never had to fend for yourself? Boot straps are your friends in these situations. Adulting is hard but you can do it!!

Who are you patronizing? The guy who is gaming the system to his advantage with free food? You're the bootlicker too chicken shit to plant your own stake. I'd make you piss your pants in real life.

Now, now. It seems you some pretty big feelings about this. Throwing a tantrum does feel good but you will need to learn to deal with what the world throws at you without sulking or misbehaving or losing control of yourself. I have confidence you can grow up if you try!

Mommy-speak is so ick.

Seriously, gross.

Not PP, but this is satire right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At self checkout, I have a rule that if I try in good faith to scan something and can't get it to scan, and then request help, I will wait about two minutes, tops. Then I make a call. If it's less than $5 and it's something I genuinely need immediately, I just stick it in my cart. If it's pricier but I really need it, I'll wait longer. And if I don't really need it and it's more of an impulse buy, I just abandon it and finish my purchase.

I don't feel guilty about the stuff I wind up taking in this situation -- I'm genuinely trying to pay for it but the store is not invested enough in my purchase to facilitate that. Their loss, literally. For the record, the only place I've ever wound up taking things is Target because they have the worst combination of bad scanners and poorly staffed self-checkout stations. I've never had trouble flagging someone down to help me at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.

And I have never taken anything rom Trader Joes' because they don't have self checkout at all and their checkers are always really good and efficient.

I do assume that Target simply doesn't care that much whether I pay $4 for my Colby jack cheese, especially as part of a $80 purchase of other items. They likely profit more if I just take the cheese I can't get to scan than they would if they hired and trained people to actually be helpful at self checkout, or to man more of the other checkouts so I didn't wind up in self checkout to begin with. It's very much a choice on their part.

But if they weren’t efficient you’d feel justified stealing from them too, lol

You just don't get it. No one is stealing from the stores with regular check outs. People are taking things from stores that force their labor onto others without any compensation.

Right, because then your trashy ass would get caught

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I steal every chance I get it I have to use self-checkout.

If the store is forcing me to be an unpaid employee by being my own cashier, then I’m taking advantage of an employee discount.


Not even a little, teeny, tiny bit sorry.

Where are you forced to use self checkout?

DP

You clearly live a very sheltered and isolated existence if you think people always have the option of using a checkout aisle with a cashier.

Often the self-checkout lanes are the ONLY checkouts available at my local Safeway. All the other aisles are closed, and they’ll have ONE employee trying to monitor/assist/re-set 6-8 self checkout lanes.

Your privilege clearly allows you not to deal with shopping very often.

And so that makes stealing ok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't take anything from Target. They have one of the most sophisticated facial recognition systems in retail. I used to date a head of AP for a local Target who showed me their AP office and systems.

They compile all instances of theft until you reach felony level ($1,000 in VA) and then they pounce.

You are banned (trespassed) from all Target stores after getting caught, and like I said, their facial recognition software will be able to nab you if you try to enter in the future, then they press a trespassing charge.

Total BS. You can't aggregate singular instances into a single felony. I don't doubt they want people to believe that but that isn't how the legal system works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't take anything from Target. They have one of the most sophisticated facial recognition systems in retail. I used to date a head of AP for a local Target who showed me their AP office and systems.

They compile all instances of theft until you reach felony level ($1,000 in VA) and then they pounce.

You are banned (trespassed) from all Target stores after getting caught, and like I said, their facial recognition software will be able to nab you if you try to enter in the future, then they press a trespassing charge.

Total BS. You can't aggregate singular instances into a single felony. I don't doubt they want people to believe that but that isn't how the legal system works.

PP didn’t say you get charged with a felony, they said you’re banned from all Targets at that point.

[Anonymous]

Is this why prices are so high all of you are stealing?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At self checkout, I have a rule that if I try in good faith to scan something and can't get it to scan, and then request help, I will wait about two minutes, tops. Then I make a call. If it's less than $5 and it's something I genuinely need immediately, I just stick it in my cart. If it's pricier but I really need it, I'll wait longer. And if I don't really need it and it's more of an impulse buy, I just abandon it and finish my purchase.

I don't feel guilty about the stuff I wind up taking in this situation -- I'm genuinely trying to pay for it but the store is not invested enough in my purchase to facilitate that. Their loss, literally. For the record, the only place I've ever wound up taking things is Target because they have the worst combination of bad scanners and poorly staffed self-checkout stations. I've never had trouble flagging someone down to help me at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.

And I have never taken anything rom Trader Joes' because they don't have self checkout at all and their checkers are always really good and efficient.

I do assume that Target simply doesn't care that much whether I pay $4 for my Colby jack cheese, especially as part of a $80 purchase of other items. They likely profit more if I just take the cheese I can't get to scan than they would if they hired and trained people to actually be helpful at self checkout, or to man more of the other checkouts so I didn't wind up in self checkout to begin with. It's very much a choice on their part.

But if they weren’t efficient you’d feel justified stealing from them too, lol

Nope, like I said I only take something if I try to scan it, it won't scan, I request assistance to help scan it, and then no one comes to help after two minutes. And even then I only take it if it's something I really need right away, like an ingredient in a dish I'm making that evening.

So it's not about efficiency. It's about the store meeting me halfway. If I'm standing in the checkout with my card ready to pay for whatever it is and I'm trying to pay for it and it won't work and I ask for help and you don't send anyone, I'm sorry, I guess it's free. Because I'm not going to stand around in the checkout any longer and I'm not going to make a trip to another score just to get some $2-5 ingredient I need for quesadillas or whatever.

It's about incompetence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At self checkout, I have a rule that if I try in good faith to scan something and can't get it to scan, and then request help, I will wait about two minutes, tops. Then I make a call. If it's less than $5 and it's something I genuinely need immediately, I just stick it in my cart. If it's pricier but I really need it, I'll wait longer. And if I don't really need it and it's more of an impulse buy, I just abandon it and finish my purchase.

I don't feel guilty about the stuff I wind up taking in this situation -- I'm genuinely trying to pay for it but the store is not invested enough in my purchase to facilitate that. Their loss, literally. For the record, the only place I've ever wound up taking things is Target because they have the worst combination of bad scanners and poorly staffed self-checkout stations. I've never had trouble flagging someone down to help me at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.

And I have never taken anything rom Trader Joes' because they don't have self checkout at all and their checkers are always really good and efficient.

I do assume that Target simply doesn't care that much whether I pay $4 for my Colby jack cheese, especially as part of a $80 purchase of other items. They likely profit more if I just take the cheese I can't get to scan than they would if they hired and trained people to actually be helpful at self checkout, or to man more of the other checkouts so I didn't wind up in self checkout to begin with. It's very much a choice on their part.

But if they weren’t efficient you’d feel justified stealing from them too, lol

Nope, like I said I only take something if I try to scan it, it won't scan, I request assistance to help scan it, and then no one comes to help after two minutes. And even then I only take it if it's something I really need right away, like an ingredient in a dish I'm making that evening.

So it's not about efficiency. It's about the store meeting me halfway. If I'm standing in the checkout with my card ready to pay for whatever it is and I'm trying to pay for it and it won't work and I ask for help and you don't send anyone, I'm sorry, I guess it's free. Because I'm not going to stand around in the checkout any longer and I'm not going to make a trip to another score just to get some $2-5 ingredient I need for quesadillas or whatever.

It's about incompetence.

You don’t get to steal things if you have to wait a couple of extra minutes for a salesperson, no matter how hard you try to justify it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At self checkout, I have a rule that if I try in good faith to scan something and can't get it to scan, and then request help, I will wait about two minutes, tops. Then I make a call. If it's less than $5 and it's something I genuinely need immediately, I just stick it in my cart. If it's pricier but I really need it, I'll wait longer. And if I don't really need it and it's more of an impulse buy, I just abandon it and finish my purchase.

I don't feel guilty about the stuff I wind up taking in this situation -- I'm genuinely trying to pay for it but the store is not invested enough in my purchase to facilitate that. Their loss, literally. For the record, the only place I've ever wound up taking things is Target because they have the worst combination of bad scanners and poorly staffed self-checkout stations. I've never had trouble flagging someone down to help me at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.

And I have never taken anything rom Trader Joes' because they don't have self checkout at all and their checkers are always really good and efficient.

I do assume that Target simply doesn't care that much whether I pay $4 for my Colby jack cheese, especially as part of a $80 purchase of other items. They likely profit more if I just take the cheese I can't get to scan than they would if they hired and trained people to actually be helpful at self checkout, or to man more of the other checkouts so I didn't wind up in self checkout to begin with. It's very much a choice on their part.

But if they weren’t efficient you’d feel justified stealing from them too, lol

Nope, like I said I only take something if I try to scan it, it won't scan, I request assistance to help scan it, and then no one comes to help after two minutes. And even then I only take it if it's something I really need right away, like an ingredient in a dish I'm making that evening.

So it's not about efficiency. It's about the store meeting me halfway. If I'm standing in the checkout with my card ready to pay for whatever it is and I'm trying to pay for it and it won't work and I ask for help and you don't send anyone, I'm sorry, I guess it's free. Because I'm not going to stand around in the checkout any longer and I'm not going to make a trip to another score just to get some $2-5 ingredient I need for quesadillas or whatever.

It's about incompetence.

It’s about taking something that doesn't belong to you. That’s called stealing regardless of how you rationalize it.

If this is all it takes for you to compromise your integrity, let’s hope you aren’t in charge anything really important.

[Anonymous]

But when the self checkout stalls out, you can't just keep scanning your other stuff and pay. You are trapped there until the worker comes over and resets the machine. So how are you not paying for your ingredients?

[Anonymous]

Giant is the WORST. Their self checkouts fill me with rage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At self checkout, I have a rule that if I try in good faith to scan something and can't get it to scan, and then request help, I will wait about two minutes, tops. Then I make a call. If it's less than $5 and it's something I genuinely need immediately, I just stick it in my cart. If it's pricier but I really need it, I'll wait longer. And if I don't really need it and it's more of an impulse buy, I just abandon it and finish my purchase.

I don't feel guilty about the stuff I wind up taking in this situation -- I'm genuinely trying to pay for it but the store is not invested enough in my purchase to facilitate that. Their loss, literally. For the record, the only place I've ever wound up taking things is Target because they have the worst combination of bad scanners and poorly staffed self-checkout stations. I've never had trouble flagging someone down to help me at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.

And I have never taken anything rom Trader Joes' because they don't have self checkout at all and their checkers are always really good and efficient.

I do assume that Target simply doesn't care that much whether I pay $4 for my Colby jack cheese, especially as part of a $80 purchase of other items. They likely profit more if I just take the cheese I can't get to scan than they would if they hired and trained people to actually be helpful at self checkout, or to man more of the other checkouts so I didn't wind up in self checkout to begin with. It's very much a choice on their part.

But if they weren’t efficient you’d feel justified stealing from them too, lol

You just don't get it. No one is stealing from the stores with regular check outs. People are taking things from stors that force their labor onto others without any compensation.

The alternative is standing in a line eight deep waiting for the Boomer to finish writing their check and asking about the weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this why prices are so high all of you are stealing?!

Shrinkage probably does contribute to higher prices on some items. But for the most part no, because if you raise prices too much, customers will stop buying. So you can't just keep raising prices on frequently stolen items because eventually paying customers will balk and then you won't make a profit anyway. Also, raising prices on certain items can induce theft. Shoplifting has increased thanks to inflation because when the cost of food and other necessities go up, more people on the bubble financially will decide the risk of getting caught shoplifting is worth it, because the thing they are taking is more valuable. If laundry detergent costs $8, it might not be worth it to try and sneak that out. But if it costs $20, that starts to look more worth it. So you can't just use pricing to absorb the costs of shrinkage.

Consider also that some amount of shrinkage from self checkout is accidental. Customers are not trained as checkers. People often miss small items in their carts when they checkout, or may be scanning a series of similar items and not realize that one or two didn't scan. This is still theft, but it's driven by customer negligence, not greed. And if everyone had a human checker employed by the store, you could eliminate this type of theft altogether. But many stores calculate that it's cheaper to allow this sort of theft to occur than pay more employees to prevent it from happening. So it has no real relationship to prices at all because these customers are not making conscious choices to steal -- the small item they miss might cost $1 or $30. And in the case of something getting left in a cart, the person who checked out is often likely not even the thief -- I assume often this person neglects to see the item in their cart altogether and it is ultimately stolen by someone in the parking lot who "finds" the item (and doesn't bother to return it to the store, which would be the ethical thing).

So no, on the vast majority of items, this sort of shrinkage is not the cause of price hikes. There are discrete items where frequent theft of those items can lead to price increases, but in these cases, retailers are more likely to take deterrent steps, like locking those items up and requiring customers to purchase directly from a person before they are unlocked. And then the cost increase will actually be due to the cost of deterrent measures, not the theft itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kinds surprised by these responses. I’ve never seen anyone steal. I’ve also never stolen a single thing in my life. If something extra made it out and I hadn’t paid for it (like a case under my cart) I go back and pay. I’m a fed though and we have polygraphs and I want to have a clear conscience. Ethics seems to be lacking in all other branches of government though, even eop.

You are so FOS it's coming out of your ears. The number of 'feds' with a polygraph in this town is miniscule. And the odds of those that have one posting on DCUM about it are 0.

There are loads of them. Think about it. Everyone that works at CIA and NSA is a polygraphed fed. That's 50k right there.And there are more than that.