quote Originally posted by Tstang429: actually nurb I as an associate can place the blame on you as a consumer if I would like. You as a customer more then likely watch each item you purchase be rung up correct? You as a consumer scrutianize the pricing of each item correct? Well why the heck cant you relize the item normally marked that it has an rfid does not deactivate? You can hear the item be deactivated it makes a buzzing or beeping noise when its deactivated.The beep is clearly different then any other sound at the register. So if you can stand there and ***** up a storm over a .05 cent price issue listen for the damn beep. Serioiusly start growing up and accepting your choices effect others as well your not perfect so why do you think others should be for you.

It's the customer's responsibility to make sure that the RFID tags are deactivated?

No, I don't think so. I shouldn't be inconvenienced because a cashier can't do their job properly.

quote Originally posted by Tstang429: Two fat guys and nurb. You guys actually would keep walking if someone politely asked you to hold up for a quick second so they can deactivate your items?

First off I have never been politely asked. I have been yelled at, and once when a teen I was thrown into a wall as something set off the alarm. If I had known then what I know now all of that would have been handled by lawyers instead of me just doing the kid thing and saying it was an honest mistake.

I keep walking because I refuse to be treated as a suspect.

I don't know how many times I have heard the buzzer go off at the register, the cashier doesn't set it on the magnetic plate, or can't get it to deactivate properly, and just gave up. I've even had them tell me that they can just check my receipt at the door if it goes off. That is not a pleasant shopping experience for me in any way. I've told the cashier, and even a manager or two that I was not stopping because an alarm went off. One manager said he would just call the police, fine by me.

I have enough issues dealing with things in public without someone pulling me to the side, and making me into a sideshow in front of everyone. There is no reason for me to have to take medication to keep from stressing out because a store does not want to pay someone to watch camera's. None.

I don't run, I don't do anything suspicious, heck, for all they know I don't even have my hearing aids on and can't hear them.

I may sound like an ass, but I have my limits, I don't handle stress very well at all, and I have issues being put in any spotlights that I didn't personally step into. Stress causes me to have seizures, and people having me stand in front of a group of people that suddenly think I'm shoplifting stresses me out. I'm less stressed to just keep walking. I'll take my licks for the choices I make, I'm not embarrassed because I didn't do anything wrong in the first place.

If a cop pulls me over later and has a gun in my face, that sounds like a Saturday night to me. They almost do that if they check you out at a checkpoint these days. But I'm betting any store that calls the police on me for shoplifting, when I didn't do it had better be checking cameras. Lawyers can be more of a pain than me, and false reports are illegal, regardless of what they "think" happened.

Like I said, I understand people that are willing to stand around and be treated like crap at a place they support with their hard earned dollars, I'm sure they apologize for the inconvenience, and give you something for taking up your time.

Neither Nurb, or I are criminals. We are not breaking any laws by walking on despite "suggestions" of others. Were not even doing anything morally wrong as far as I see. Why do I feel like I am being viewed like I am doing things wrong?

Brad

quote Originally posted by Tstang429: actually nurb I as an associate can place the blame on you as a consumer if I would like. You as a customer more then likely watch each item you purchase be rung up correct? You as a consumer scrutianize the pricing of each item correct? Well why the heck cant you relize the item normally marked that it has an rfid does not deactivate? You can hear the item be deactivated it makes a buzzing or beeping noise when its deactivated.The beep is clearly different then any other sound at the register. So if you can stand there and ***** up a storm over a .05 cent price issue listen for the damn beep. Serioiusly start growing up and accepting your choices effect others as well your not perfect so why do you think others should be for you.

Incorrect assumption.i don't scrutinize the receipt. If it 'sounds' right then i pay and go i will not worry about a few pennies in either direction. And you should never forget that I am the customer during this transaction and YOU are there to serve me, I'm not there to serve you. I'm not talking about being a pain in the butt during the sale or while the stock dude goes in the back to get another box, I'm talking about refusing to be treated like a criminal when i beep on the way out the door. Try not to mix the 2 together. Don't bother me, and i don't bother back.

And yes, when I'm on the other side of the 'counter' it works the same way, I'm there to do what the customer is asking for, and if something goes wrong its MY fault, regardless if its my personal fault, or was further down the line like a network guy or someone in billing. As the person interacting with the customer i expect to get the blame.

I went into Autozone once looking for a specific light bulb. They didnt have it, so I left and went next door. Their door alarm apparently malfunctioned or picked up a signal from my phone or something when I left. One employee followed me there and asked me to show him my pockets. I gladly did showing i had nothing. I buy hundreds of dollars in stuff there and practically live next door. Did they really think Id jack a $2 light bulb as a regular customer, and with $500 in cash in my pocket?
Really just pizzed me off. Im all for security stuff, but make sure it works before you accuse someone.

Ok, we have a faction here that is arguing that if someone shop lifted from their own store, they think laws should be in place, to prevent them from stopping the shoplifters.
Did I get that right ?

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Ok, we have a faction here that is arguing that if someone shop lifted from their own store, they think laws should be in place, to prevent them from stopping the shoplifters. Did I get that right ?

Not at all, if I was running a store I would have cameras that were actually watched by someone. If anyone was asked to stop it would be because the camera showed them stealing something, not based on an electronic device that doesn't always work. The Police would be called, and they would handle the situation. The person who watches the camera would be liable for whatever happens, if the item was actually shoplifted they would get a bonus of an appropriate amount, if it was a false shoplifting they will be in the unemployment line. Make the employees make darn sure that what they claim happened happened.

I have had people shoplift from me. I called the police. Yes I wanted to do more, but I will actually stand for what I believe is right. I'm not just saying I would do one thing, and then when the time comes I do something else.

All this aside, I cannot stand shoplifters, at all. They drive up the price of items I buy, and cost me some of my freedom. They deserve jail time, stealing is stealing.


Am I reading this right that some people on here would shoot someone they spotted shoplifting? A life for 20 bucks?

Brad

There's little doubt, and it's been proven time and time again, that many a theif will kill and has killed for that same $20 or less.
Does that put them up on our level or if we protect that $20, it takes us down to their level? How many have given up their wallets then gotten killed anyway? Lots.

quote Originally posted by twofatguys: First off I have never been politely asked. I have been yelled at, and once when a teen I was thrown into a wall as something set off the alarm. If I had known then what I know now all of that would have been handled by lawyers instead of me just doing the kid thing and saying it was an honest mistake. I keep walking because I refuse to be treated as a suspect. Brad

I will agree with you on one point, someone would have F'ed up if they manhandled me, I do not take well to being handled without permission. When I was about 19/20 some B---- of a shoplifting plain clothes grabbed my arm, I came around chopped her arm at the fold of her arm, and was about to chop at her neck, stopping right before I made contact. With her reeling in pain, I demanded to know why she grabbed my arm. She came back with some BS about me stealing something and I told her to ask me next time or next time I might break her neck. She threatened about how she was going to call the police for me attacking her and I told her to F herself, I had an unknown attacker and was defending myself. The other customers and staff must have seen me and this woman go at it, when I left there was no one to be seen.

My way of handling these things is to usually use my cheery demeanor to "disarm" the situation and make it clear that their equipment is clearly at fault. I yuck it up the whole time, nobody seems pissed at any time during the encounter. YMMV, I am 45 years old, there may be a difference in expectations.

I have never gone threw a check point, I turn around when I see them( many, many times). Never been given a hard time for it.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: There's little doubt, and it's been proven time and time again, that many a thief will kill and has killed for that same $20 or less. Does that put them up on our level or if we protect that $20, it takes us down to their level? How many have given up their wallets then gotten killed anyway? Lots.

Very fair argument.

Brad

Ill shoot at anyone stealing on my property. I dont care if its a car or a candy bar. Theyre the ones who decided to take the risk. Whats mine IS mine. Like just posted, a thief or robber will kill you for $10. Lifes a ***** ...hopefully moreso for the criminal.

quote Originally posted by Tstang429: Two fat guys and nurb. You guys actually would keep walking if someone politely asked you to hold up for a quick second so they can deactivate your items? Hell if it goes off on me i walk back in and say deactivate this thing. I don't want to walk into another store with a pair of shoes that sets off there rfid and creates more annoying days. I mean come on its not all ways the cashiers fault the rfid does not deactivate. Your dealing with electrical equipment. If more people would stop then it would make it easier to acknowledge the thieves. Do you guys relize that when you walk threw that big door the guy next to you may have stolen an item and used you as his diversion? Dont sit here saying well they should look at their cameras first. with over 10 cameras in a small retail environment by the time you are hitting the door they would have not had the time to review the footage. It takes less then a minute to look at a receipt and deactivate an item. Its the stupid attitude that its not my fault let them deal with it that gets us to the point we are at now a days. This artical the guard is completely in the wrong for chasing. I don't chase at my store I follow to property line walking behind and let the officers do there job from there. I never call unless I see them conceal an item. and I don't rely on them damn rfid system we have. My dumb ass store manager chases and has been in trouble with the law multiple times over. Even charged with trespassing while chasing a guy who ran into a yard. His only accepted chase was the damn kid who punched my boss cause we followed him out after seeing him steal a freaking candy bar. Also our local laws state we can not call the police on any one who has concealed an item untill they left the store. Thats right you can see it on tape you can see it with your eyes there guilty as hell but you can not charge them until they left the store. Its the differnce between thinking about it and actually committing a crime.

In the state of Oklahoma it is theft as soon as it is concealed. I don't mess with people who steal candy bars and crap. I tell them to give it back and get the hell out. I once caught a guy "stealing" a Monster energy drink. He opened it in the store drank it and threw it away. He was an acquaintance of my cashier (I guess). After he paid for all his other items, I followed him outside. When we got clear of the cashier I just said "Hey bud, you drank that Monster, but didn't pay for it. I didn't want to embarrass you in front of your friend." He legit didn't realize his actions. Apologized and gave me a couple bucks and asked if I would take care of it, so he didn't look like a total prick. I obliged him as I think it was an honest mistake. I have also, as well as my boss, gotten into many physical altercations with thieves. We have both dealt with the law. A 16 year old bit my boss and he broke his nose on the ground. A 16 year old fought me, broke my office glass and got the hell beat out of him. When the police arrived they told him "Shut the "f" up, you're a thief." He was required to pay for all damages and no-one EVER pressed charges on any of us. We don't assault anyone. We citizens arrest them and if they fight we defend ourselves and detain them. The occasional get away, but it is rare. Maybe my state is different than Ohio.

I typically do not stop for the RFID scanners. I've done nothing wrong. If someone says something to me, I will absolutely pause and wait. As you said, the scanners are prone to possible failure.

Mach I never said physical contact was acceptable. My issue is that he states even if politly asked to hold up for a second he would give the f u attitude. From the beginning of this post he has come across with the attittude of F the buisness workers. I would never under any circumstance give someone the hassle just for that stupid check point. His views set me off because its like the attitude that he is above them and we should have no right to "politely" ask someone to stop. When I say polite I mean honestly saying Im sorry about that why don't you come back for a minute and we can deactivate that for you. I never go on the assumption of guilt. I am just deactivating it for them. The thing is if everyone just walks threw and never pauses and never steps back the systems are completely useless. I understand what you say about feeling like a spectacle two guys. That is another reason If i ask you to step back I would not do it in front of everyone. Step back near a closed if its close or minimal off to the side. I don't dig threw your bags to do it. It is take the bag swipe across a deactivation device and your on your way. The thing is if that bag you purchased sets it off its our fault your on your way. As the one other posted about empty your pockets. NO WAY is that acceptable. Being asked to empty your pockets is only if it is seen you concealing. I came off a little mad in that post but i just got the strong feeling where he feels that us at retail our beneath him. IF that's not how he meant it them I am truly sorry. I truly look at all equal across the board and just wish others would stop giving us an f you attitude for us doing our jobs. The job of deactivaing yes is the cashier the one stopping you is not the cashier that just rang you out. The person asking you is there to ask about the alarm going off.