# Outrage over receipt checking!?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 6, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093 "2016-05-06T19:37:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/101 "2016-05-19T18:43:00Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> And in less time that it takes someone to be a dick about being asked, they can just hand them the receipt and be done with it.
And, as others have noted, I could submit to a body cavity search if they requested it. Either is an invasion of my privacy. I didn’t agree to have myself or my possessions searched when I entered the store (and, remember, once I have paid for the items, they are my property, not the store’s), nor, to the best of my knowledge, was there any posting at the entry that a receipt check might be required.
Granted, nothing prevents them from asking to see my receipt, but, as far as I can tell, they have no more \*authority \*to do so than any other member of the public. If a stranger stops me in the middle of the parking lot as I’m loading my car, do I have to show him my receipt, too?
---
### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/102 "2016-05-19T18:46:07Z")
> [@NeonMadman](#):
>
> I doubt it. If he had, I’d think he would have pointed that out to me, and then I would have stopped and investigated it with him. I wasn’t looking to steal anything; it was an honest mistake, and, as I noted, I will attempt to rectify it next time I’m there. Same thing if an alarm goes off; then there’s really a reason to take a look, and I wouldn’t object to that. It’s when there is no reason to believe that I’ve done anything wrong or that there is a mistake of any sort that I resent the presumption that I’m a thief. I’ve never shoplifted in my life (at least not intentionally), and I’m certainly not going to start now.
Not to put to fine a point on it, but you did shoplift. And it was intentional. And your motivation for doing so wasn’t to save a buck, but to save face.
A more honest man would have ate crow and went back into the store to pay.
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### Author:  [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/103 "2016-05-19T18:56:23Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> And in less time that it takes someone to be a dick about being asked, they can just hand them the receipt and be done with it.
What do you mean by ‘be a dick about being asked?’ exactly? I just say ‘no thanks’ and continue walking, which doesn’t even slow me down, but some people here think that’s a dick move. If I hand them the receipt, then they have to poke around in my cart or mark through items, which takes time. It’s even worse when there’s a line for receipt checking, so I’ll have to wait even longer to leave the store with my property.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/104 "2016-05-19T19:38:33Z")
> [@Pantastic](#):
>
> What do you mean by ‘be a dick about being asked?’ exactly? I just say ‘no thanks’ and continue walking, which doesn’t even slow me down, but some people here think that’s a dick move. If I hand them the receipt, then they have to poke around in my cart or mark through items, which takes time. It’s even worse when there’s a line for receipt checking, so I’ll have to wait even longer to leave the store with my property.
Not a dick move at all, IMHO.
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/105 "2016-05-19T20:12:41Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> Not to put to fine a point on it, but you did shoplift. And it was intentional. And your motivation for doing so wasn’t to save a buck, but to save face.
>
> A more honest man would have ate crow and went back into the store to pay.
I disagree. Taking the item was accidental. Had I noticed it while at the counter, I’d certainly have paid for it. Since I didn’t see it till I was at the car, and under the circumstances, I chose not to re-enter the store. Had I not had an incident with the checker, but was pressed for time, I’d probably have done the same thing. I fully intend to pay for the item at the next available opportunity, something a true “shoplifter” would not do. If you want to be absolutely technical, I didn’t realize that I had the item at any time when I was in the store subsequent to paying for my other stuff. What if I had gotten home before I realized I had it? Would you also then accuse me of intentional shoplifting?
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/106 "2016-05-19T20:16:33Z")
> [@Pantastic](#):
>
> What do you mean by ‘be a dick about being asked?’ exactly? I just say ‘no thanks’ and continue walking, which doesn’t even slow me down, but some people here think that’s a dick move. If I hand them the receipt, then they have to poke around in my cart or mark through items, which takes time. It’s even worse when there’s a line for receipt checking, so I’ll have to wait even longer to leave the store with my property.
Yes, exactly this. I didn’t give the checker a hard time at all, until he started to get huffy with me. I just said “no” when he asked to see my receipt and kept on walking. Even after he took an attitude, all I really did was to disagree with him and then, in the face of his continued huffiness, invite him to call a cop if he wanted to. I didn’t insult or threaten him; I realize he is just doing his job, but I disagree with the whole policy.
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/107 "2016-05-19T20:22:21Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> Not to put to fine a point on it, but you did shoplift. And it was intentional. And your motivation for doing so wasn’t to save a buck, but to save face.
>
> A more honest man would have ate crow and went back into the store to pay.
I’m replying to this again because my 5-minute limit on editing the other post ran out. I just wanted to add that the value of the item was a factor in my decision, too. Had I accidentally walked out of the store with a big-screen TV (not that that would be a likely scenario) or some other expensive item, I’d have gone back to rectify the matter immediately. For a $2.72 can of grill spray, I felt that coming back a couple of days later would not likely be an undue inconvenience on the store.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/108 "2016-05-19T20:29:50Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> Not to put to fine a point on it, but you did shoplift. And it was intentional. And your motivation for doing so wasn’t to save a buck, but to save face.
>
> .
No, and no.
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### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/109 "2016-05-19T20:32:17Z")
> [@NeonMadman](#):
>
> And, as others have noted, I could submit to a body cavity search if they requested it. Either is an invasion of my privacy. I didn’t agree to have myself or my possessions searched when I entered the store (and, remember, once I have paid for the items, they are my property, not the store’s), nor, to the best of my knowledge, was there any posting at the entry that a receipt check might be required.
>
> Granted, nothing prevents them from asking to see my receipt, but, as far as I can tell, they have no more \*authority \*to do so than any other member of the public. If a stranger stops me in the middle of the parking lot as I’m loading my car, do I have to show him my receipt, too?
“Can I see your receipt” is hardly on par with “Bend over and spread 'em!” But I’m sure you’d be entertaining to watch as you overreacted to a simple request.
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### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/110 "2016-05-19T20:35:26Z")
> [@Pantastic](#):
>
> What do you mean by ‘be a dick about being asked?’ exactly? I just say ‘no thanks’ and continue walking…
Agreed, that’s not a dick move, but
> [@](#):
>
> He asked “Can I see your receipt, please?”
>
> I just responded, “nope,” and kept walking.
>
> I heard huffing behind me, so I looked back and he said “You have to let me check your receipt!”
>
> I said, “No, I don’t.”
>
> When he protested again, I said, “Call a cop if you have a problem with it,” and kept walking.
Looking back and then suggesting police backup is a bit dickish, IMHO.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/111 "2016-05-19T20:41:56Z")
> [@NeonMadman](#):
>
> I’m replying to this again because my 5-minute limit on editing the other post ran out. I just wanted to add that the value of the item was a factor in my decision, too. Had I accidentally walked out of the store with a big-screen TV (not that that would be a likely scenario) or some other expensive item, I’d have gone back to rectify the matter immediately. For a $2.72 can of grill spray, I felt that coming back a couple of days later would not likely be an undue inconvenience on the store.
First off, let me be clear, I’m not looking to nail you to the cross. I’m sure you’re a fine person. But facts are facts. You took something that wasn’t yours. You were made aware of it while you were still in the parking lot. And you still chose to take it. That is shoplifting. And you intentionally did so.
No amount of rationalization is going to change that.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/112 "2016-05-19T20:44:49Z")
> [@davidm](#):
>
> I call that sticking to your principles beyond all reason and sanity. Either that or he had something he hadn’t paid for.
I walk into Sam’s to buy a large case of Diet Coke. I make my purchase, then, carrying the thing on my shoulder, have to wait in line for 10 minutes for somebody to verify my purchase… _unlike every other store in the country_?
Hell no, I don’t wait in that circumstance. I’m not paying a $50 yearly “guest fee” to be inconvenienced.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/113 "2016-05-19T20:48:02Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> First off, let me be clear, I’m not looking to nail you to the cross. I’m sure you’re a fine person. But facts are facts. You took something that wasn’t yours. You were made aware of it while you were still in the parking lot. And you still chose to take it. That is shoplifting. And you intentionally did so.
>
> No amount of rationalization is going to change that.
Nope. Not voluntary, no intent. No crime occurred.
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/114 "2016-05-19T20:48:26Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> Agreed, that’s not a dick move, but
> Looking back and then suggesting police backup is a bit dickish, IMHO.
If I had opened with that line, I’d agree. By the time I said it, I was simply responding in kind. He was getting pretty huffy and seemed unusually peeved that I had questioned his obvious authority. My initial response was to simply say “no” when he asked for my receipt. Had he left it at that, I would have, too.
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/115 "2016-05-19T20:52:17Z")
> [@JohnT](#):
>
> I walk into Sam’s to buy a large case of Diet Coke. I make my purchase, then, carrying the thing on my shoulder, have to wait in line for 10 minutes for somebody to verify my purchase… _unlike every other store in the country_?
>
> Hell no, I don’t wait in that circumstance. I’m not paying a $50 yearly “guest fee” to be inconvenienced.
See, now, I’d see that as different. I’m a member of BJ’s, not Sam’s, but, same idea, I guess. As it happened, right after I left Wal-Mart the other day, I went to BJ’s to pick up some more stuff. And I have no problem allowing them to check my receipt there, because that’s the deal that you agree to when you join the club. I’m not a member of any “club” with Wal-Mart, nor was I given any reason to believe when I walked in that I’d be expected to show anyone my receipt when I left with what was now my property.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/116 "2016-05-19T20:58:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Nope. Not voluntary, no intent. No crime occurred.
If he didn’t realize what he had done, I would agree. But he did. So it was intentional. Sure he didn’t mean to leave the store with it. But just because he made it out of the store with the merchandise, doesn’t mean all bets are off and he can act with impunity.
Do you really think his defense of: “Well, I was going to pay for it a few days later” would hold up in court?
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/117 "2016-05-19T20:58:27Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> First off, let me be clear, I’m not looking to nail you to the cross. I’m sure you’re a fine person. But facts are facts. You took something that wasn’t yours. You were made aware of it while you were still in the parking lot. And you still chose to take it. That is shoplifting. And you intentionally did so.
>
> No amount of rationalization is going to change that.
I don’t see it as being any more or less irregular for me to have walked back into the store right then (yesterday) and pay for the item, or if I do the same thing tomorrow. Shoplifting, if you want to be technical, would have been when I left the store with the item, not when I drove out of the parking lot. I had no intent of stealing the item when I walked out of the store; I still don’t. Now, I’ll agree that it might have looked bad, had the guy actually called a cop as I invited him to. But that would have been the case the minute I walked through the door. Since I got to the car with my item before realizing it, how is that different than if I had only noticed the item after getting home?
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/118 "2016-05-19T21:04:38Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> Do you really think his defense of: “Well, I was going to pay for it a few days later” would hold up in court?
Obviously not, but that would have been the case if the checker had had a cop standing by to grab me the minute I walked out the door, even before I realized I had the item. My intent to pay would have been irrelevant even at that point. In fact, even if I had allowed the checker to see my receipt and if he had failed to notice the item, it wouldn’t have changed the legality of the situation. Once I was out the door, whether by 20 feet or 20 miles, the deed was done. The best I could do was , at some point in the reasonable future, to admit the mistake and offer to pay for the item. It doesn’t strike me as a moral issue whether that point was a few minutes later before leaving the parking lot, or a few days later on my next trip to the area, particularly where the item concerned was of minimal value.
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/119 "2016-05-19T21:09:26Z")
And, hey, I did feel a bit guilty about what happened with the grill spray, but [not nearly as bad as this guy](http://www.wfsb.com/story/32006698/pd-shoplifting-suspect-slashes-throat-after-theft-at-manchester-walmart).
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outrage-over-receipt-checking/754093/120 "2016-05-19T21:10:17Z")
> [@NeonMadman](#):
>
> I don’t see it as being any more or less irregular for me to have walked back into the store right then (yesterday) and pay for the item, or if I do the same thing tomorrow. Shoplifting, if you want to be technical, would have been when I left the store with the item, not when I drove out of the parking lot. I had no intent of stealing the item when I walked out of the store; I still don’t. Now, I’ll agree that it might have looked bad, had the guy actually called a cop as I invited him to. But that would have been the case the minute I walked through the door. Since I got to the car with my item before realizing it, how is that different than if I had only noticed the item after getting home?
It isn’t. Even if you hopped on a plane, flew half way across the country, and THEN noticed you didn’t pay for the item, it’s still shoplifting.
Bottom line is, it is your responsibility to NOT leave the store with items you didn’t pay for. And if you do, you’re liable. Regardless of intent.
That being said, if I myself, made it all the way home with a can of spray paint, I would just shrug it off. And I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it either.
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