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Post by Jamie on Sept 8, 2023 13:02:52 GMT
The 2 closest Walmarts to me (well one now, as the other was closed this past spring due to their high theft rates) had all their socks and underwear locked up. The 3rd location that's about 8 miles from me doesn't have anything locked up. Now that could have changed as the last time I was in a Walmart was last Fall.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,884
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Sept 8, 2023 13:03:49 GMT
I have not seen it in my neighborhood grocery stores or Target. My local CVS has razors locked up though. Judging by all of the videos I have seen of groups of people running into a store, filling a cart and attempting to run out of the store, I can totally understand why stores are locking things up. Once this starts happening around here, I will probably do in store pick up. I'm not going to be hunting down employees to get basic household things. It will make my shopping take even longer.
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Post by lbp on Sept 8, 2023 13:17:03 GMT
The Walmart that is in the city here had men's underwear and T-Shirts locked up. Didn't realize underwear were so special.
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Post by MZF on Sept 8, 2023 13:32:57 GMT
I recently purchased a regular flathead screwdriver from WalMart for my new sewing machine--all of $1.64--and it was locked up. Kinda crazy to me.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,466
Location: So Cal
Member is Online
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Sept 8, 2023 13:46:30 GMT
I have not seen it in my neighborhood grocery stores or Target. My local CVS has razors locked up though. Judging by all of the videos I have seen of groups of people running into a store, filling a cart and attempting to run out of the store, I can totally understand why stores are locking things up. Once this starts happening around here, I will probably do in store pick up. I'm not going to be hunting down employees to get basic household things. It will make my shopping take even longer. Razors have been locked up in my area for years, like 10+. That is nothing new. Walmart has increase what they have locked up over the last 5 yrs but they have always had more things locked up than others. Mine just installed the new beauty area check out, but last time I was there no one was stationed there 😵💫. I haven't seen anything "new" locked up in stores in my area and I live in So Cal.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,612
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Sept 8, 2023 13:59:43 GMT
I haven't been to any stores since COVID due to this stupid auto-immune condition so I can't say if things are locked up or not. I know it's a PITA but I don't blame stores for locking things up.
I was watching a news story and I think it was at a Home Depot where there were 2 people with carts loaded to the brim with Tide and they just walked out. The employees didn't stop them, just watched them. One guy in the story said they're stealing it and selling it. Someone else commented I wouldn't buy stolen goods and the first guy responded "People are barely making it out here today and a lot of them aren't making it. If you are barely surviving and have the opportunity to buy $30 Tide at $10 you're going to buy the Tide because otherwise you can't afford laundry detergent". Unfortunately he had a point and I never thought of it from that perspective. He said that a lot of times, people are stealing to get money for drugs but on the other side it's people trying to survive.
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Post by hop2 on Sept 8, 2023 14:05:54 GMT
Not really
Razors Perfume Electronics
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 8, 2023 14:12:08 GMT
the saddest thing about this thread is the fact that people are desperate enough to steal laundry detergent, diapers and formula. They’re not stealing this stuff because they need it. They’re stealing it because it has a high resale value so even if they sell it at a somewhat reduced price compared to the store shelf price, they’re still making bank. The stores around me don’t have a lot locked up, about the only thing I can think of would be baby formula (again, small item that would be easy to steal but sells for $$), video games and electronics. I don’t shop at Walmart, maybe it’s different there. I typically do most of my shopping at Costco where almost nothing is locked up other than electronics and gift cards, Target and occasionally the grocery store. I’ve read news articles with photos of entire aisles of regular stuff like shampoo and toothpaste all under lock and key. I was just in a Walgreens a few days ago and even there most stuff is not locked up. However, I’ve noticed that several months back Costco must have changed their self checkout policy because now they have someone at the front of the self checkout area asking to see your membership before you proceed to the self checkout registers in addition to the person who checks your receipt after you get done checking yourself out. They have also disabled digital pay where you didn’t have to use your physical credit card to pay. The cashier (or self checkout terminal) would ask if you wanted to use digital pay and it would automatically charge your purchase to your Costco Visa. I liked that because it was convenient and I always pay with that card when I shop there anyway to get the extra rebate. They even have a sign up now at the registers that states your membership isn’t transferable because obviously so many people abuse their privileges by giving their card to someone else to get in to shop. It’s just crazy to me all the creative ways people come up with to scam stores.
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Post by Tearisci on Sept 8, 2023 14:27:40 GMT
I don't shop a lot in person anymore but I've only seen formula locked up at the two grocery stores I frequent.
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sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,060
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on Sept 8, 2023 15:09:38 GMT
I was out shopping this morning at somewhere other than a grocery store for the first time in ages. Nothing locked up anywhere, except for high value spirits in the liquor section of my supermarket. DM (similar to a CVS, without the pharmacy bit) didn't have anything locked up - formula, makeup, detergents all out free on the shelves. Even the electronics store I went to didn't have things locked up, though some had tracker devices fixed to them that would set off alarms if you left the store without paying.
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Post by katlady on Sept 8, 2023 15:13:52 GMT
the saddest thing about this thread is the fact that people are desperate enough to steal laundry detergent, diapers and formula. They’re not stealing this stuff because they need it. They’re stealing it because it has a high resale value so even if they sell it at a somewhat reduced price compared to the store shelf price, they’re still making bank. Yes, people are stealing baby formula to resell it. There is a black market for it. I also read that it can be used by drug dealers to dilute their stuff and stretch their supply. “However, I’ve noticed that several months back Costco must have changed their self checkout policy because now they have someone at the front of the self checkout area asking to see your membership before you proceed to the self checkout registers in addition to the person who checks your receipt after you get done checking yourself out.” Costco recently made a big announcement that they were cracking down on unauthorized people using membership cards to shop at their stores. If your membership card doesn’t have your photo on it, they will ask for ID to match the name on the card. That is why they are checking cards at the self checkout registers. Apparently 80% of their profits come from the membership fees! Wow! But, will the “freeloaders” buy their own membership now? Or will Costco just lose a little revenue from the “free loaders” no longer shopping there?
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Post by katlady on Sept 8, 2023 15:17:45 GMT
They’re not stealing this stuff because they need it. They’re stealing it because it has a high resale value so even if they sell it at a somewhat reduced price compared to the store shelf price, they’re still making bank. However, I’ve noticed that several months back Costco must have changed their self checkout policy because now they have someone at the front of the self checkout area asking to see your membership before you proceed to the self checkout registers in addition to the person who checks your receipt after you get done checking yourself out. Yes, people are stealing baby formula to resell it. There is a black market for it. I also read that it can be used by drug dealers to dilute their stuff and stretch their supply. Costco recently made a big announcement that they were cracking down on unauthorized people using membership cards to shop at their stores. If your membership card doesn’t have your photo on it, they will ask for ID to match the name on the card. That is why they are checking cards at the self checkout registers. Apparently 80% of their profits come from the membership fees! Wow! But, will the “freeloaders” buy their own membership now? Or will Costco just lose a little revenue from the “free loaders” no longer shopping there?
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Post by Zee on Sept 8, 2023 15:18:36 GMT
Some places do but not the ones by me. Everything is unlocked, even condoms (which should definitely be free lol). In some areas the razors, condoms, and formula have been locked up for like 20-30 years or more. I remember how annoying it was to get a pack of Venus blades!
I don't understand how you shoplift detergent, it's so big and bulky? Unless you just fill up the cart and walk out without trying to hide it.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,745
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Sept 8, 2023 15:39:29 GMT
In the UK, it's the high-price or easy-to-steal items that tend to have empty boxes on the shelves - scent, some face creams, electronics, high-end alcohol, CBD oil, gift cards. Tobacco is always behind the counter rather than locked up.
I've not come across laundry liquid being locked up.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 8, 2023 15:43:48 GMT
Some places do but not the ones by me. Everything is unlocked, even condoms (which should definitely be free lol). In some areas the razors, condoms, and formula have been locked up for like 20-30 years or more. I remember how annoying it was to get a pack of Venus blades! I don't understand how you shoplift detergent, it's so big and bulky? Unless you just fill up the cart and walk out without trying to hide it. Probably by sticking it under the basket of the cart and going through the self checkouts with other stuff at a busy time when the attendant isn’t paying attention. ETA: They also likely tag team, with one person having the detergent or other contraband in/under the cart and another person making a separate purchase but needing “help” from the attendant at another self checkout register. The one person occupies the attendant while the other one goes out the door with the stolen stuff. Or just load up a cart with it and roll on out the door like someone said they heard happened at a Home Depot. Out Home Depot doesn’t have any real cashiers anymore, it’s all self checkout.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,032
Jun 26, 2014 19:29:07 GMT
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Post by scrappyesq on Sept 8, 2023 15:55:56 GMT
I went in to a Walgreens the other day and literally everything I needed (toothpaste, deodorant, Alka seltzer) was locked up. So infuriating to go to multiple aisles to wait for a cashier to open things.
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Post by MorellisCupcake on Sept 8, 2023 15:56:13 GMT
Not the same thing, but Joann had Cricut vinyl locked up but spray paint was wide open. It just seemed non-sensical to me.
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Post by katlady on Sept 8, 2023 16:00:24 GMT
Not the same thing, but Joann had Cricut vinyl locked up but spray paint was wide open. It just seemed non-sensical to me. That is odd! I can't recall the last time I've seen spray paint unlocked, not at a hardware store or at an art/craft store!
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,920
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 8, 2023 16:06:37 GMT
Not the same thing, but Joann had Cricut vinyl locked up but spray paint was wide open. It just seemed non-sensical to me. I don't go to the bigger Joann's very much as there is a tiny one closer to my house, but the last time I was there, half the scrapbook section was locked to the display case. I was not interested enough to wait for the one employee in the store to come and unlock anything just so I could look at it...
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Post by littlemama on Sept 8, 2023 16:26:35 GMT
Does anyone remember shopping at Service Merchandise? They had hardly any “grab and go” items. Instead, you got to shop by looking at “floor models” and filled out a form to buy what you wanted, and the stick clerks fulfilled your item and sent it out to you via conveyor belt. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that kind of store model come back. It wouldn’t work that great for groceries, but it might be a way to protect high dollar items. Of course, stores could just go to a “No customers in the store—online and pick up only” model. Yep! We had our wedding registry there. Honestly, though, it wasnt inconvenient. You could play with the floor models and didnt have to traipse thru the store carrying a bunch of stuff. I didnt really mind it
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Post by karenk on Sept 8, 2023 16:41:41 GMT
You can’t make this stuff up. My brother worked security in an inner city super market. In the fresh meat department some kid came by with a ball point pen and poked a hole in every pack of fresh meat. No parent around. So, probably 1000 dollars worth of meat.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,931
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Sept 8, 2023 17:13:02 GMT
Does anyone remember shopping at Service Merchandise? They had hardly any “grab and go” items. Instead, you got to shop by looking at “floor models” and filled out a form to buy what you wanted, and the stick clerks fulfilled your item and sent it out to you via conveyor belt. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that kind of store model come back. It wouldn’t work that great for groceries, but it might be a way to protect high dollar items. Of course, stores could just go to a “No customers in the store—online and pick up only” model. I remember that store. With all the blatent shoplifting, people buying so much online instead of in stores, malls dying, etc... I wonder what shopping will look like in 25-50 years.🤔 It just might all go to the Service Merchandise model. Probably something like this and probably earlier: Amazon Go StoresFor good and/or bad, this is likely the future.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,666
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Sept 8, 2023 17:22:37 GMT
We are in one of the highest crime cities in the country and we've had armed security forever bit we don't have any of that. I can't think of anything that's been locked up other than the same meds that always have been. That sounds crazy!
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Post by Zee on Sept 8, 2023 17:30:00 GMT
Some places do but not the ones by me. Everything is unlocked, even condoms (which should definitely be free lol). In some areas the razors, condoms, and formula have been locked up for like 20-30 years or more. I remember how annoying it was to get a pack of Venus blades! I don't understand how you shoplift detergent, it's so big and bulky? Unless you just fill up the cart and walk out without trying to hide it. Probably by sticking it under the basket of the cart and going through the self checkouts with other stuff at a busy time when the attendant isn’t paying attention. ETA: They also likely tag team, with one person having the detergent or other contraband in/under the cart and another person making a separate purchase but needing “help” from the attendant at another self checkout register. The one person occupies the attendant while the other one goes out the door with the stolen stuff. Or just load up a cart with it and roll on out the door like someone said they heard happened at a Home Depot. Out Home Depot doesn’t have any real cashiers anymore, it’s all self checkout. Let's go into business together, you've got it all worked out 🤣👍🏼
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Post by Zee on Sept 8, 2023 17:32:25 GMT
Not the same thing, but Joann had Cricut vinyl locked up but spray paint was wide open. It just seemed non-sensical to me. That is odd! I can't recall the last time I've seen spray paint unlocked, not at a hardware store or at an art/craft store! I remember it being locked up in other areas I've lived in or shopped at, but now that you mention it, none of that is locked up here. Not even the spray paint, anywhere.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,620
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Sept 8, 2023 21:00:15 GMT
the saddest thing about this thread is the fact that people are desperate enough to steal laundry detergent, diapers and formula. They’re not stealing this stuff because they need it. They’re stealing it because it has a high resale value so even if they sell it at a somewhat reduced price compared to the store shelf price, they’re still making bank.The stores around me don’t have a lot locked up, about the only thing I can think of would be baby formula (again, small item that would be easy to steal but sells for $$), video games and electronics. I don’t shop at Walmart, maybe it’s different there. I typically do most of my shopping at Costco where almost nothing is locked up other than electronics and gift cards, Target and occasionally the grocery store. I’ve read news articles with photos of entire aisles of regular stuff like shampoo and toothpaste all under lock and key. I was just in a Walgreens a few days ago and even there most stuff is not locked up. However, I’ve noticed that several months back Costco must have changed their self checkout policy because now they have someone at the front of the self checkout area asking to see your membership before you proceed to the self checkout registers in addition to the person who checks your receipt after you get done checking yourself out. They have also disabled digital pay where you didn’t have to use your physical credit card to pay. The cashier (or self checkout terminal) would ask if you wanted to use digital pay and it would automatically charge your purchase to your Costco Visa. I liked that because it was convenient and I always pay with that card when I shop there anyway to get the extra rebate. They even have a sign up now at the registers that states your membership isn’t transferable because obviously so many people abuse their privileges by giving their card to someone else to get in to shop. It’s just crazy to me all the creative ways people come up with to scam stores. Per the New Yorker: "The black market for diapers and other baby products thrives because so many people can’t afford over-the-counter prices for them. Diapers and wipes cannot be purchased with food stamps or other welfare benefits, and the expense is a grinding source of stress for families in poverty" - so yes, they are stolen to make money, but to be resold, cheaper, to people who cannot afford them from conventional sources. Still really sad.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Sept 8, 2023 21:16:50 GMT
They’re not stealing this stuff because they need it. They’re stealing it because it has a high resale value so even if they sell it at a somewhat reduced price compared to the store shelf price, they’re still making bank.The stores around me don’t have a lot locked up, about the only thing I can think of would be baby formula (again, small item that would be easy to steal but sells for $$), video games and electronics. I don’t shop at Walmart, maybe it’s different there. I typically do most of my shopping at Costco where almost nothing is locked up other than electronics and gift cards, Target and occasionally the grocery store. I’ve read news articles with photos of entire aisles of regular stuff like shampoo and toothpaste all under lock and key. I was just in a Walgreens a few days ago and even there most stuff is not locked up. However, I’ve noticed that several months back Costco must have changed their self checkout policy because now they have someone at the front of the self checkout area asking to see your membership before you proceed to the self checkout registers in addition to the person who checks your receipt after you get done checking yourself out. They have also disabled digital pay where you didn’t have to use your physical credit card to pay. The cashier (or self checkout terminal) would ask if you wanted to use digital pay and it would automatically charge your purchase to your Costco Visa. I liked that because it was convenient and I always pay with that card when I shop there anyway to get the extra rebate. They even have a sign up now at the registers that states your membership isn’t transferable because obviously so many people abuse their privileges by giving their card to someone else to get in to shop. It’s just crazy to me all the creative ways people come up with to scam stores. Per the New Yorker: "The black market for diapers and other baby products thrives because so many people can’t afford over-the-counter prices for them. Diapers and wipes cannot be purchased with food stamps or other welfare benefits, and the expense is a grinding source of stress for families in poverty" - so yes, they are stolen to make money, but to be resold, cheaper, to people who cannot afford them from conventional sources. Still really sad. Which ironically leads to the price being raised.
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Post by AussieMeg on Sept 8, 2023 23:03:35 GMT
The Walmart that is in the city here had men's underwear and T-Shirts locked up. Didn't realize underwear were so special. Have you bought men's underwear lately? You're looking at about $17+ here, for a halfway decent quality pair of boxer briefs. Double that for brands like Step One.
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Post by morecowbell on Sept 8, 2023 23:12:50 GMT
I remember that store. With all the blatent shoplifting, people buying so much online instead of in stores, malls dying, etc... I wonder what shopping will look like in 25-50 years.🤔 It just might all go to the Service Merchandise model. Probably something like this and probably earlier: Amazon Go StoresFor good and/or bad, this is likely the future. Interesting. Could be really convenient. 🤔
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Post by peasapie on Sept 8, 2023 23:53:13 GMT
I haven't seen any of this where I live.
Buying within different departments reminds me of years ago when I worked in a department store. You had to pay before leaving that specific area.
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