I shop at Costco a lot, and I mostly think its BS.

I do think that probably if you had a big screen tv in your cart, they would probably look a little closer. For everyone else its a waste.

Why not just tell the truth, and state that "membership requires you to submit to a receipt check in order to reduce loss due to theft." It's offending to me that they say in the terms that it's a price check, what a load of crap. At Costco in Houston they count items in the cart, count the items on the receipt and mark it with a highlighter. I'm ok with them protecting themselves against shoplifting, but at least admint that's what they're checking for in the membership terms, rather than lie.

Maybe I should start questioning the receipt checker, asking them to actually verify the item costs as noted in the membership terms???

Well, we know the "why" is bull, but it's not like you REALLY expect them to say "To make sure you aren't ripping us off or running a scam..."

In Alaska Costco stores, they have a sign up that says that receipt check is to ensure that you paid for what you got and got what you paid for (the latter case, as in they didn't box an item after scanning it, HAS happened to me before).

Maybe that's just Alaska stores though.

"Correctly charged" doesn't, to me, necessarily indicate that we're talking about going on an item-by-item basis. That is, I don't see that as meaning they're making sure you're charged $1.99 for an item that's supposed to cost $1.99; it could also mean making sure that, if you have 5 jars of pickles in your cart, you've been charged for 5 jars of pickles according to the receipt.

@harrypsk: They all DO say they're checking for stolen stuff. If you have something in the cart that isn't on the receipt, then you HAVE been "undercharged" or haven't been "correctly charged". It's just a more polite way of stating the obvious.

Warehouse clubs should just be up front with the reason for checking receipts - which is to make sure that shoppers aren't leaving with more items than they paid for. We all know why they're doing it, so why not admit it? There could be a sign posted that reads, "To prevent loss and keep costs down for all of our members, your receipt will be checked at the exit."

big waste of time. Probably just there as a theft deterrent. Of course you have to put a positive spin on it saying it's protecting you from being over charged. If they were honest and say, "We think you'll be less likely to shoplift if we had one guy standing by the door and look at your receipts." it wouldn't go to well since you're implicitly saying the customer is a theif.

So yes, they check receipts. But nothing about detainment or otherwise assigning police powers to the rent-a-cop?

Got it.

I like how another excuse is that they are making sure the number of items in the cart = the number of items on the receipt. I've had a SAMS club checker tell me thats what they are there for. I asked her if there was 100 items in my cart if she would count each one and she said of course I would. You can't tell me if you go buy 100 items, they are going to count each one. There would be more people getting their items counted at the door than lined up at the checkout.

The funny part is that they make it like it is for your own protection, it isn't it is for theirs. I would appreciate if they were upfront about that, rather than bounce around the truth.

It is a near impossibility for them to remember the price of every item they sell, to say it is to keep you from being overcharged is a really bad lie.

I've noticed a flaw in their receipt checking though. They tend to count the number of items in your cart to the number on your receipt. You could be really sneaky to swap an item out if you wanted, they would likely never be able to tell.

What a sack of lies. The people checking your receipts don't know squat about the prices of items. They don't consult a manual, nor do they call a team member who can check the price of an item for them. They just glance in your cart/bags, then see if everything in there matches your receipt.

It's clearly an effort to prevent theft, not to prevent pricing errors. They should just tell it like it is instead of pretending it's for our own good.

@yahonza:
at some of the Costcos in Utah they don't even look at your cart. they just swipe your receipt and send you on your way. maybe if you're buying a big-ticket item they really check, but i'm not sure about that.

I used to work as a cashier at BJ's. At least twice, the guy at the door caught me overcharging the customer.
It was because I had inadvertantly rang an item up twice.

Basically, with the receipt check what they do is quickly scan the receipt and the cart. If they see items appear multiple times, they'll check to make sure you really have those items and that it wasn't a mistake.

When I worked the door, I checked for items that appeared multiple times.

If there were only a few items, I could quickly count them and comapre them with the number of items shown on the receipt.

If I saw a big ticket item like a TV or something else expensive, I'd make sure it was on the reciept.
I never caught anyone stealing anything, but I caught people getting overcharged. The customer seemed surprised and thankful when I sent them to Customer Service to get their money back.

I also think a reason they mark it is so someone doesn't buy a bunch of stuff, walk out and load up the car, then hand the recipet to a buddy, who goes inside, gets the same stuff, and walks out without paying for it.

If your cart is full of stuff piled on top of stuff, there's no way they can count all that stuff (by visual inspection only), especially since they don't even touch or move anything in the cart. In order to accurately count it all, they need to take everything out of the cart.

As far as Costco, for the $100 executive membership this past year I have been standing in long lines to check out, gotten no bags, then I have stood in long lines to have my receipt given a cursory check. To top it off, I now had to burn ten cell phone minutes just to tell Costco Customer Nonservice that I wasn't going to renew my membership! I know the unionists hate me, but I love Wal-Mart's self checkout. There are hardly any lines, I get all the bags I want, and at most I get a beep at the door and a friendly check by a senior citizen if I have forgotten to demagnetize a product sensor.

I can't believe the massive amount of harping on this. They check your receipt, they mark it, and you're done. What do you want from these stores? Should they start putting security gates at the door and tagging everything? Then y'all will be bitching when you get stopped because the cashier forgot to deactivate the 48 pack of toilet paper.

I'll stick with just letting them see my receipt, at the end of the day, the worker at the front isn't going to remember you or what you bought, unless you're one of those assholes who refuses and calls the police on them.

@theblackdog: I just love how you're an "asshole" if you want to exercise your CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

People died for those.

@Caveat: I've never heard of Costco or Sams Club offering bags, you either get leftover boxes or you bring your own.

I would also disagree with the self-checkout, I often end up in line and usually it's behind people who take a minute to scan each item because they can't figure out how to put something in the bag or on the belt. I have actually timed it and unless I'm the very first one in line at self-checkout, I could get through a cashier express line faster.

@Buran: Hee. I'm just imagining telling someone "Your [father/brother/whatever] died for my right to not show my receipt at Best Buy!"

You know, I used to work at Guitar Center as an official "receipt checker." We actually did check to make sure people had the right quantity and items on their receipt.
It was so annoying because for every person we had bitch at us about the inconvenience, we'd find someone else who paid for 10 things when it was only supposed to be 1 thing or who had the cheaper version of an item they paid for in their stuff. We seriously saved a lot of people bank...of course, maybe that just means we needed less crappy people as salesmen.

If they are going to do a theft check at the door the least places like Sams can do is offer self checkout. Since they are checking your items for unpaid ones when you leave the checker really is not doing anything a kiosk couldn't. At least for those with the technical ability to use a self checkout.

Receipt checking is guilty until proven innocent. Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why this is done.

The checkers are there to prevent theft, call it like it is. That could be in the form of shoplifting, or the clerk that didn't blink when someone overlaid a bar code for something cheaper over a more expensive product. Or, the checkout clerk didn't scan a thing or two and gave them away free.

While in principle I agree with not having to show I am no deadbeat thief, unfortunately, the stores have a lot of them come in and out of their premises every day. But next to the real problems this world faces, this issue is just silly.

On a side note, I hate that they swipe the highlighter or marker directly through the itemized listing of my purchase. The solvent in the markers over time makes the printing illegible over time. So when I need to keep track of a purchase or submit something for reimbursement somewhere, the name of the item, or sometimes the actual item price, isn't there anymore. Grrr!

@liquisoft: They're looking for big ticket items like televisions or computers microwaves and such. Most of the time since people don't buy that stuff you just get a once over and a highlighter mark, but you'll notice at those places that on large purchases they will look at the model numbers and compair it to what is on your receipt. That's what BB and CC try to do, no LP is advised to stop someone who's got a DVD or a CD or even a few larger items, but they will ask when you buy a computer or TV which at those stores you can refuse (BB and CC that is). But, and while not being an advocate for receipt checking at BB especially after working there, I did see a person who bought a computer but got a lesser model placed on their cart and since the person at the register didn't scan the machine but rather punched in a SKU from a peice of paper the LP caught it and they got her the right computer before she left the store to avoid fiasco.

But I still think BB and CC shouldn't ask for a receipt.

that's why you put the stolen goods in the middle of the cart. (just kidding)

Nowhere does it say they have the right to touch the items in your cart, once you've paid for it. I wouldn't want them touching my stuff, especially food products. So here's my receipt, Run your highlighter all over it, but when you go to touch the goods in the cart, I slap your hand away, laughing.

I don't care about receipt checking at Costco or Sam's Club. I do say "No thanks" at Best Buy. Never been stopped yet.

They just count items from what I've seen.

@Buran: To paraphrase 200 previous comments on all the other posts on this subject: The Constitution protects you from the Government. The Constitution doesn't protect you from Wal-mart or Costco or whatever big box you choose to shop at.

While the membership agreement that you sign may state that they have the right to inspect your receipt before exiting, I don't think that they have the right to use force to compel you to do so, nor do I think they could have you arrested for refusing. IANAL, but this is a contract, so it would be covered by civil law. I suppose that Sam's could revoke your membership for refusing the submit to the receipt check, but not detain you under force or threat of criminal prosecution for it.

@mtaylor924: So photocopy the receipt. The print on thermal paper likely won't last more than a few months (at most) before it fades, leaving you in the same predicament.

if it really is to check to see if we were improperly charged then that would mean that the people doing the checking would have the price for everything memorized.

The only reason receipt check is acceptable at Costco, Sam's Club, or B.J's is because the rule is stated in the membership by-laws and they are member's only stores.

It is not acceptable at non membership stores such as Best Buy. The second you hand over money to a store and in return they give you the product you purchased, that product is rightfully yours, even if you're still on the retailers premises. It is 100% illegal for anyone to search your personal property without your permission. The only exception is if the police have a search warrant.

And K-BO protection from the goverment is only part of the Constitution. It protects you from private citizens and enterprises impeding on your basic human rights as well.

I think of receipt checking as an accusation of theft and that is why it upsets me. I hate the guilty until proven innocent mentality this country has.

@fearuncertaintydoubt:
While the membership agreement that you sign may state that they have the right to inspect your receipt before exiting, I don't think that they have the right to use force to compel you to do so, nor do I think they could have you arrested for refusing. IANAL, but this is a contract, so it would be covered by civil law. I suppose that Sam's could revoke your membership for refusing the submit to the receipt check, but not detain you under force or threat of criminal prosecution for it.

DING DING DING!
We have a winner!

YES, you've agreed by becoming a member of these store to a reciept (and bag/backpack) check, but...
NO, they can not forcibly detain you if you decline, but...
YES, they can and probably will revoke your membership if you do decide to be an ass about the reciept/bag check that you agreed to.

@bufftbone: Wrong. They pay particular notice to multiple items on a receipt showing up in a row, and check to ensure you're getting what you paid for. I think, believe it or not, this more often benefits the consumer.

I'm all for them spending $8 an hour to have someone check receipts - since the alternative is a lot more on either watching shoppers as they move around the store, or in lost merchandise.

.... which of course all that cost goes right back into the cost of the goods I just bought. I know some people complain that they have to show their receipts - but if it keeps the prices down on the stuff I buy - It takes me 0% extra effort to show them my receipt as I walk out.

Even if the Clubs state that you must submit to a receipt check, what happens if you just keep walking and don't submit? They still can't delay or hold you up under a possible accusation. And if you don't provide your receipt, they don't know your membership number. I think their policy states that they can check your items, but that can't prevent you from leaving.

It's like speed limits, the signs say a specific speed to obey, but if you wish to exceed them, you proceed at your own ticketing risk (i.e. termination of Club membership).

@Twill815: That's why you carry a camcorder.
1. Record the incident, without causing too big of a disturbance.
2. When you too are arrested, you have video evidence. Make sure to yell out "I am NOT resisting this unlawful arrest."
3. Sue the hell out of the store and the police department.

@InsaneNewman: Yes, they can not detain you, but they can make you return everything you bought. They can say that you are not leaving with those items, you can either let us check the receipt, (WHICH YOU AGREED TO WHEN YOU BECAME A MEMBER) or return the items.

@theblackdog: They check your receipt, they mark it, and you're done. What do you want from these stores?

I want to give them money for goods, period. If they have loss control problems, well, then they have loss control problems. Unless they're going to put me on the payroll, it's not my responsibility to assist them in doing their jobs. The fact that most people are too stupid or meek to stand up to being searched only exacerbates the issue.

Didn't you know thats what the little yellow pen is for. You highlight over it and if it tells you if you've been overcharged...its AMAZING!

I can buy $2.00 in junk food at Wal-Mart and get stopped for a receipt, but I've walked out with a bike twice and didn't get a second glance.

Receipt checks are pointless because they're relying on a human being to be accurate and honest, plus (at least at stores where there's no membership required), the ratio of greeters to customers going in and out of the store is never going to allow for an accurate count of items.

I'm sorry, but the minor inconvenience of having to show your receipt to someone falls somewhere below what brand of toothpast i use in terms of importance in my life.
I'll comply, without complain, every time.
I don't feel put upon and just fail to see how this affects my civil rights.
It is a part of my life I just don't care about. It takes 5 seconds. 20 max. I am not about to devote hours to fighting this as it is a total waste of my valuable time.

It would be great if the people who are commenting on this would actually read the other comments. I love how this "issue" has been going on for weeks now and there are still people out there who think the Constitution applies in this situation. It does NOT. You have no 4th amendment protection against the store, or any private entity for that matter. And another thing, I'm not entirely certain you could make a case for false imprisonment if they simply prevent you from exiting out the front door. There are plenty of other "escape" routes, such as back doors, fire exits, and unless those are being blocked, you would be obligated to utilize them before you could meet the elements of false imprisonment. Just because the "escape" route is inconvenient doesn't make you imprisoned. False imprisonment requires complete confinement, and if there is an escape route available, you're not imprisoned.
Additionally, if you don't want to show your receipt at Sams/Costco, DON'T SHOP THERE. You KNOW they require it, you agreed to submit to it, and they by all rights should immediately revoke your membership for not doing so.
I don't understand why the hell this issue is still being argued. Perhaps it's time for the consumerist to move on to something else.

@ NekoinCardine and Shaggy Brown:

Yup, just at Costco on Tuesday and bought two bins of kitty litter. I could only fit one on the under-rack, and set the other in the cart. The guy scanned my receipt and didn't see the bin down below, and thought I'd been overcharged. Kind of sweet, them trying to give me money back for something I'd actually bought. I don't think showing my receipt rises to the level of an involuntary retinal scan on the spectrum of privacy concerns.

That said, it is rather a PITA.

@bradg33: It's a civil matter, they can take civil action and ban you from the store. They can't physically restrain you, or prevent you from leaving the store, or prevent you from [safely] driving away once you're in the parking lot.

You complain about people not getting the point, I think you're missing it. Blah blah civil rights. I honestly care more about my time and if they're going to prevent me from leaving the store, the police had better be on their way, and I don't want to deal with their ridiculous harassment. They can also ban me from coming back, I'll be glad to get my goods elsewhere.

@liquisoft: You clearly underestimate the receipt checkers at these stores, who are well known for their photographic memory. After all, how else could they memorize the price of every. single. item in the store? Clearly, we should be worshipping these people!

@enm4r: I didn't say they could physically restrain you. I said that I don't know that blocking you from walking out the front door necessarily constitutes false imprisonment.
Believe me, I get the point. I would be one of the people that walks right past the receipt check people, save for those at Sams/Costco. I just despise it when people start throwing around legal terms like "false imprisonment" and violating the constitution/my civil rights and don't really know what it means. I whole-heartedly believe the store is entirely wrong, but just because they block you from leaving doesn't mean you can expect them to get prosecuted for false imprisonment, or expect to win a civil suit for the same.

SONICHGHOG: "Yes, they can not detain you, but they can make you return everything you bought. They can say that you are not leaving with those items, you can either let us check the receipt, (WHICH YOU AGREED TO WHEN YOU BECAME A MEMBER) or return the items."

Nope wrong, as someone that has done this at Costco there is nothing they can do but accuse you of stealing and hold you, that is if they have probable cause. Which the courts have clearly stated that bar is high, like if someone actually saw you take something. My experience with just walking out, after standing for half an hour in a long line just to check out, I was fed up wanted to leave and not have to get into another long line, because they had one checker. So I just walked around the checker and walked out, she freaked out, called some goons, and a floor manager. They followed me out to my car, and insisted I show them my receipt. I loaded my car, got in, and told them if they didn't move I would call the police. At which point the floor manager backed off and just said I'd have to show one the next time I shopped there. I contacted Costco cooperate, which in turn had the manager of that Costco store call me, she apologized and said they wouldn't do that again. I still have a membership.

I get enraged when this is done at places like Circuit City or Best Buy. Especially when it they claim it is to "keep prices low." Yeah. As though if tomorrow, theft magically went away, they'd happily announce a 10% price cut on everything.

At Costco, I don't mind it as much, since I truly believe that the savings that the store gets by reducing theft is passed on to the consumer.