# Bigger waste of time than Costco checking my receipt as I leave? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 25, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835 "2020-10-25T14:36:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/21 "2020-10-25T17:31:56Z")
People tend to buy in bulk at Costco and a mistake won’t be cheap. They’ll verify that, yes indeed, I DID purchase six ten dollar bags of dried fruit and three cartons of canned dog food and four bundles of socks because if the checker hiccuped and scanned a couple extra in that would be a bunch of money I got overcharged needlessly and on a couple hundred dollar order I might not catch the error myself at the checkstand. The time spent looking things over is trivial (especially compared to how long you can be in line at the checkstand on a busy day) and I appreciate it that they’re also looking out for my interests as well as their own. Anyone who really hates the practice is free to try shopping somewhere else for the same products at similar prices. \*_shrug_\* ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/22 "2020-10-25T17:58:53Z")
I don’t mind it at Costco. They are usually fast and it’s part of being a member. I’ve never stopped at any other store. Our business is done at the time of payment. If you want my time after that, my rate is $50 cash for the first 10 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/23 "2020-10-25T18:33:41Z")
I normally buy 10 items or so. Maybe they can count mine but I don’t think they do. No way do they count the people who have 30 or more items . ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/24 "2020-10-25T18:40:10Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Walmart is starting up that crap again. Walmart can go jump in a lake. I accept that people at CostCo or Sam’s Club can check my receipt on the way out because that’s part of the agreement I made when I became a member. I made no such agreement with Walmart. But then I don’t even stop when the alarm goes off when I’m exiting a store. I just keep walking. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/25 "2020-10-25T18:44:04Z")
And I think some of you might be surprised at how easy it is to steal even a big ticket item. Many, many years ago, one of the news magazine shows (20/20 or something) ran a story showing video of people walking out of stores with televisions still in their boxes without paying. In part, it’s because when most of us see someone lugging around something in such an obvious fashion it doesn’t occur to us that they’re stealing something. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/26 "2020-10-25T19:25:46Z")
When people steal a credit card often they first use it to buy gas and if that works they buy a big ticket item like a TV. Which means if you do those 2 steps it might get flagged for a fraud alert. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/27 "2020-10-25T19:32:51Z")
They’re doing it to prevent incidents like this, although it’s less likely to happen at a Costco than a Walmart. Basically, a couple walked into a Walmart, loaded up the cart with almost $800 worth of merchandise, and checked out a a self-scanner. The man left with the loaded cart while the woman tried to pay and got her card declined. Then she left, too, after not paying. They did this in 3 different Walmarts. Had they been checked for a receipt at the door, the shoplifting would have been prevented. [https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-republican-herald/20200203/281835760686923](https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-republican-herald/20200203/281835760686923) ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/28 "2020-10-25T20:00:15Z")
We bought a set of pots this week, about $800. High value items show up in reverse (white digits in a black box) so the checker can quickly glance at the receipt and confirm the item. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/29 "2020-10-25T20:25:57Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > > > Walmart is starting up that crap again. > > Walmart can go jump in a lake. I accept that people at CostCo or Sam’s Club can check my receipt on the way out because that’s part of the agreement I made when I became a member. I made no such agreement with Walmart. But then I don’t even stop when the alarm goes off when I’m exiting a store. I just keep walking. It’s nice that you feel confident that it’s safe for you to do that. Some people fear that if they don’t stop they might face grave consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/30 "2020-10-25T20:44:27Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It’s nice that you feel confident that it’s safe for you to do that. Some people fear that if they don’t stop they might face grave consequences. What was the point of your reply? Am I supposed to feel bad because I feel confident that it’s safe for me to do that? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/31 "2020-10-25T20:46:04Z")
Please, go ahead and blithely exercise your privilege for some insignificant benefit. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/32 "2020-10-25T21:06:04Z")
It’s not a waste of time for [Costco](https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-shoplifting-shrink-rates-beat-rivals-2019-5#:~:text=Costco's%20high%20wages%2C%20store%20layouts,against%20competitors%20Walmart%20and%20Target&text=Costco%20has%20the%20edge%20over,to%20dealing%20with%20inventory%20shrink.): shoplifting and employee theft amounted to .11% to .12% of sales, less than one-tenth the 1.33% average for retailers. Cart-checking is part of the reason. Another is the bottleneck preventing a quick get-away. > [@Odesio](#): > > Walmart can go jump in a lake. I accept that people at CostCo or Sam’s Club can check my receipt on the way out because that’s part of the agreement I made when I became a member. I made no such agreement with Walmart. But then I don’t even stop when the alarm goes off when I’m exiting a store. I just keep walking. Here’s why I have a problem with that. You may not be bypassing the systems because you’re shoplifting, but others are, and the more people who ignore the systems, the more emboldened shoplifters become. That’s a problem because stores don’t eat those losses: [they raise prices](https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-shoplifting-shrink-rates-beat-rivals-2019-5#:~:text=Costco's%20high%20wages%2C%20store%20layouts,against%20competitors%20Walmart%20and%20Target&text=Costco%20has%20the%20edge%20over,to%20dealing%20with%20inventory%20shrink.). **We each paid, on average, $423 more for goods last year due to retail theft.** So yeah, I wish you wouldn’t ignore the receipt checks and alarms. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/33 "2020-10-25T21:08:09Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Please, go ahead and blithely exercise your privilege for some insignificant benefit. A few years ago, when I first started seeing the term SJW thrown around, it was usually reserved for individuals who would somehow find a way to work their pet social topics into a thread no matter how tenuous a connection their might be to the main topic. That was before the term came to refer to anyone with legitimate concerns regarding racism, sexism, etc., etc. Were I to offer you a glass of water, you seem the type of person who would go off an an indignant rant about water being racist or some other such nonsense. Even now, years later, ZPG’s infamous post regarding men who shake women’s hands pops into my head once in a while when I meet a woman in a business setting. I suspect for many years to come I will occasionally think about your ridiculous post whenever I hear the door alarm go off when someone exits a store. While your post wasn’t the most ridiculous I’ve seen, I congratulate you for your original reply as well as your continued histrionics. I do have one bit of advice though. In the words of Sgt. Hulka, “Lighten up, Francis.” I think you’d be a little happier if you just took Sgt. Hulka’s words to heart. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/34 "2020-10-25T21:13:51Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Here’s why I have a problem with that. You may not be bypassing the systems because you’re shoplifting, but others are, and the more people who ignore the systems, the more emboldened shoplifters become. That’s a problem because stores don’t eat those losses: [they raise prices](https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-shoplifting-shrink-rates-beat-rivals-2019-5#:~:text=Costco's%20high%20wages%2C%20store%20layouts,against%20competitors%20Walmart%20and%20Target&text=Costco%20has%20the%20edge%20over,to%20dealing%20with%20inventory%20shrink.). **We each paid, on average, $423 more for goods last year due to retail theft.** The reason I don’t stop for the alarm is because I’ve seen too many false ones over the years. If Walmart or any other store wants to make shopping there conditional upon my agreement that I allow them to check my receipt or bags in case their alarm goes off fine, they can tell me up front and I can make an informed decision about whether or not to shop there. They don’t get to suddenly impose those rules on me after the transaction is complete. Like I said, I accept it at Sam’s Club because it’s a condition of being a member. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/35 "2020-10-25T21:20:48Z")
So you’re saying you don’t know going into Walmart that they’re going to check your receipt, and you don’t know going into other stores that there’s a security system that will beep? You think you go in the store and they “suddenly impose” the rules on you before you exit? I get the frustration with false alarms. They’ve happened to me, too. The difference is I stop and wait. Maybe that’s because I don’t view retailers as out to get me, just my money. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/36 "2020-10-25T21:45:42Z")
I like Costco but part of me resents that I have to stand in line to exit the joint. I bought a laptop there yesterday. My bill was $960. The checker barely glanced at both my cart and my receipt. Much like every other time I’ve shopped there. mmm ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/37 "2020-10-25T21:56:37Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > **Why do I have to show my receipt at the door?** > > It is standard practice at all our warehouse locations to verify purchase _receipts_ when customers exit our buildings. > > We do this to double-check that the items purchased have been correctly processed by our cashiers. It’s our most effective method of maintaining accuracy in inventory control, and it’s also a good way to ensure that our members have been charged properly for their purchases. I mean, they can say this, but it’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen the receipt-checking person do anything more than glance at the cart. They aren’t counting or checking in detail. It’s purely to make people _feel_ they can’t shoplift. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/38 "2020-10-25T21:58:48Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > > [@Acsenray](#): > > > > Please, go ahead and blithely exercise your privilege for some insignificant benefit. > > A few years ago, when I first started seeing the term SJW thrown around, it was usually reserved for individuals who would somehow find a way to work their pet social topics into a thread no matter how tenuous a connection their might be to the main topic. That was before the term came to refer to anyone with legitimate concerns regarding racism, sexism, etc., etc. Were I to offer you a glass of water, you seem the type of person who would go off an an indignant rant about water being racist or some other such nonsense. > > Even now, years later, ZPG’s infamous post regarding men who shake women’s hands pops into my head once in a while when I meet a woman in a business setting. I suspect for many years to come I will occasionally think about your ridiculous post whenever I hear the door alarm go off when someone exits a store. While your post wasn’t the most ridiculous I’ve seen, I congratulate you for your original reply as well as your continued histrionics. > > I do have one bit of advice though. In the words of Sgt. Hulka, “Lighten up, Francis.” I think you’d be a little happier if you just took Sgt. Hulka’s words to heart. Well, gosh, it’s so heartening to know that my actual fears about my life register as ridiculous histrionics to you. I’ll tell myself and all my friends, acquaintances, and lived ones who have to live their lives seriously considering every step to lighten up. Thanks. Such valuable advice. Occasionally someone tells me that I should feel the right to live my life with the confidence of a mediocre white man. I consider it. Then I consider the chances that me or someone like me might get shot while doing it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/39 "2020-10-25T22:05:19Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > **Why do I have to show my receipt at the door?** > > > > It is standard practice at all our warehouse locations to verify purchase _receipts_ when customers exit our buildings. > > > > We do this to double-check that the items purchased have been correctly processed by our cashiers. It’s our most effective method of maintaining accuracy in inventory control, and it’s also a good way to ensure that our members have been charged properly for their purchases. > > I mean, they can say this, but it’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen the receipt-checking person do anything more than glance at the cart. They aren’t counting or checking in detail. > > It’s purely to make people _feel_ they can’t shoplift. The Costco I shop at, they’re clearly taking time to count and a couple of times, they’ve moved a larger item to confirm the presence of a smaller one. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835/40 "2020-10-25T22:13:09Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > So you’re saying you don’t know going into Walmart that they’re going to check your receipt, and you don’t know going into other stores that there’s a security system that will beep? You think you go in the store and they “suddenly impose” the rules on you before you exit? I live in Arkansas, Walmart country, and I have never had one of their employees stop to check my receipt on the way out. It happens at Sam’s Club, yes, but not Walmart. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigger-waste-of-time-than-costco-checking-my-receipt-as-i-leave/923835.md?page=3)