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Lately on Consumerst there’s been a rash of posts by people who felt they were abused because they didn’t want to show their receipt when leaving Walmart or another store that checks. I cannot understand what the big deal is about.
The people who defend shielding their receipt from prying employee eyes say it’s a matter of privacy, civil rights, and whatever else. Walmart is no government-run store. It’s a private business who wants to appear like they’re doing some loss prevention. The position gives a few people at each store a job. I can’t understand the argument about the “evil receipt checkers”.
Is getting your receipt checked sometimes annoying? Yes. Sometimes there’s a line (perhaps started by someone who didn’t want to show their receipt). They rarely count everything you have; most of the time they look at the list, glance at the cart, mark it and send you on your merry way. It’s a pretty non-invasive process.
Are there problems with receipt checking? Of course. At a Walmart in a town nearby, I’m pretty sure they racially profile who they check the receipts for. I am white and I have never had them ask for a receipt, but I have seen someone double and triple checking receipts for minority customers almost every single time. When that happens, I do feel bad, because that is unfair and they need to check everyone’s receipts if that is happening. However, I’ve been in Walmarts in a dozen states, and it’s just that one store where I’ve seen something like that.
Do you have a problem showing your receipt when you leave a store? Have you ever been accosted by the receipt checker?
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3 Responses
Scott on 09-02-2010 at 12:39 pm
Sure, it happens to me all the time, being asked to see my receipt. It’s no issue at all. If I know the place has a checker, I already have the receipt in my hand anyway, just in case they want to see it. It’s pretty simple. Nobody should have any complaints about this. It’s not like you’re thrown out your receipt already, and it’s not like the checker will care what your total is, or what you’re buying. Even if they are judging you, you’ll never see them outside of the store, anyway. Get over it, people.
Ty Unglebower on 10-02-2010 at 7:22 pm
It’s a bit of an issue for me, because I admit I don’t like feeling as though I am suspected as a possible shoplifter. And at least at our Wal-Mart, some people go through, and some are stopped, and that can just create all kinds of problems.
But as far as privacy, that doesn’t hold water. Everyone saw what was in your cart as you shopped. The cashier ran all of your stuff through the scanner. Any given day the receipt person may be the one that rings you up.
Plus the whole private property argument is hard to get around.
Consumer Rights Advocate on 16-04-2010 at 11:00 pm
No, it’s not a sin to show your receipt. However, it’s also no big deal to politely decline the inspection. The problem occurs when a misinformed store greeter or security guard demands rather than requests to see your receipt and rifle through your purchases. Why? Because they have no legal right to search you or stop you from leaving the store.
As the author correctly points out, Walmart is not run by the government, and receipt checks are not a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights. But private citizens cannot force other citizens to submit to a search against their will, as that would violate state statute and common law. Walmart can have you removed and permanently banned from the store, but they cannot hold you hostage until you agree to participate in a search – that meets the legal definition of false imprisonment.
These receipt checking horror stories would be non-stories if the greeters would respect customers’ absolute right to refuse exit searches. You ask me for my receipt, I say no thanks, and I’m on my way. The conflict arises when I say no and you break the law by restraining or assaulting me. That’s the big deal…and really, it IS a big deal. How would you like to be manhandled by a store employee with no legal authority?