Consumerist
These receipt checking stories keep coming in and they just keep getting weirder. Reader Patrick was shopping at a Memphis, TN Walmart to buy a firearm, some ammunition and some groceries. First, Walmart refused to sell the groceries and the ammunition because Patrick was buying a firearm.
Then, as the Assistant Manager was carrying his firearm ( it is store policy that a manager escorts the firearm out of the store) another employee demanded to see a receipt. Patrick refused, as he had not even touched the firearm. The employee refused to let him leave, and Patrick decided to return his purchase instead of showing his receipt.
Here's a basic run down of my WalMart experience from this past Saturday in Memphis, TN. I went there to buy 1)firearm, 2)ammunition for firearm, and 3)groceries. I knew the firearm would take the longest so I went to the sporting goods counter first with the intent of buying the firearm and ammunition back there and groceries up front ( I had produce). I was going to have my initial purchase in its own basket and flow through the self check out with my groceries. While waiting for the government approval to buy the firearm, I gathered my groceries and the ammunition. The cashier, who really was nice and pleasant, kept telling me it would be just another five minutes and to wait instead of going up front and buying my groceries. After an hour the approval came through so a manager was called to complete the sale. We waited 15 minutes for Assistant Manager Ladarrel to show up. He checks the paperwork then tells me he can't ring the ammunition up with the firearm. I would have to take them to the car and come back. Since I had already spent an hour waiting so far and no one in sporting goods bothered to point out that store policy, I decided I would just buy the ammunition at another time. I already had to wait in 2 separate lines. I didn't want to make it 3. Ladarrel sells me the firearm. I give him cash. He gives me a receipt. He then says it is store policy that he escorts the firearm out of the store. So he, holding the box with the firearm, follows me and my shopping cart to the front of the store. When I walk to a check out line he tells me he has to escort the firearm out of the store immediately and I would have to take the firearm to my car and come back to buy the groceries. I explained I could not secure or even hide the firearm in my car so once I put the box in my car I was leaving. He insisted I could not buy my groceries at that time. So, we abandoned the cart and went to the door. When he reaches the door checker, he, still holding my purchased firearm, stops and tells me to show them my receipt. I say that I don't do that. He says it's store policy. I explain that it's my policy not to show my receipts unless absolutely necessary. Soon another man who apparently is in charge of the front joins in and insists that unless I show my receipt I can't have my firearm. I try to explain that not only did I give cash to Assistant Manager Ladarrel AND he gave me a receipt of sale AND he has been in complete possession of the firearm since the sale; he escorted me from the back of the store to where we were standing. At no time had I been in possession of my merchandise. He knew he had sold me the merchandise and he knew I was the owner at that time. It was useless. We argued for about 10 minutes. It all came down to their saying that unless I showed proof of ownership the merchandise was not mine. I insisted that not only did Ladarrel know I owned the merchandise so he was illegally in retaining possession of it; the proof was located in the records they are required to keep for a firearm sale; records that Ladarrel had personally verified for accuracy. Finally, I said I wanted to return the item. They insisted that without a receipt I could only get store credit. I told them that I paid cash and I would get cash. We walked to the sporting goods counter and they easily printed a copy of the receipt from the register. I received my cash back and they kept the firearm. I left and went to a grocery store and a sporting goods store. All in all, I would have spent over $450 at WalMart but other companies received my business. PatrickThat policy makes no sense.
(Photo:Brave New Films)
Comments
Maybe we just shouldn't be selling guns at Wal-Mart.
Here we go again.
I don't show my receipt unless it is absolutely necessary
What exactly does that mean? If the person at the door wanted to see it, sounds like it was necessary. I guess in a couple of days, somebody is going to post a story about not wanting to show their receipt and some poor bastard is going to get shot over it.
This whole receipt-showing business is making me seriously reconsider reading The Consumerist. Essentially what's being promoted as standing up for your constitutional right to shop without showing a piece of paper is practically just anarchy. It's a stupid argument, it's not a slippery slope, and we need to just get over it already. I don't feel like I'm being treated like a thief when someone asks for a receipt, I feel like the store's doing what it can to KEEP MY PURCHASE INEXPENSIVE.
The whole argument is really fucking nutty. Constitutional or not, this is an utter waste of everyone's time. Move on, Consumerist, move on.
I worked at a Wal-Mart about 15 years ago in college. Policy on firearm and ammo sales was the same; the register systems would not allow you to ring up the gun and the ammo in the same transaction.
When a gun sale occurred, a store manager had to walk the person to the front door, but they then could come right back in and buy whatever ammo they wanted.
They told us the policy was to prevent people from buying a shotgun and box of slugs, loading up in the store, and going on a rampage. I remember pointing out that if they could come back in and buy ammo 5 minutes later, they could still do the same thing. They were none to please by someone pointing out such an obvious fact.
Wal-Mart should not be in the gun business.
Maybe people should just stop shopping at Walmart. It's a retail idiocracy.
that's quite the shopping list
20 gauge shotgun...check
assorted slugs and shells...check
pepperoni pizza hot pockets...check
It still surprises me that we can shop for groceries *and* guns all at the same, convenient location.
Wal-mart actually has great deals on ammo, I buy mine there all the time! The gun prices are pretty good too!
@ekthesy: Who the heck is 'We'? Here's a better idea: maybe Walmart shouldn't hire retards.
All in all, I would have spent over $450 at WalMart but other companies received my business.
I would've just skipped the wasted Wal-Mart trip from the beginning and shopped elsewhere. It's amazing that even their assistant managers are useless.
@aphex242: You're an idiot, no store deserves the ability to infringe upon my constitutional rights for any reason whatsoever. The government does enough of that, letting a private corporation / store policy take away your rights makes you a damned fool.
@aphex242:
The receipt checking article yesterday elicited 480 comments; that's why you see another one posted today.
I can understand not selling guns and ammo together, but groceries? Sounds like Ladarrel is an idiot. This receipt checking has gotten way out of hand. Great policy: Piss your paying customers off at the front door, while the employees rob you blind through the back door.
@Diet-Orange-Soda: But only if you go out and in 3 times...
@General: This policy is insane. That assistant mangler (purposely misspelled) should have known better and he will likely be hoist on his petard for losing such a profitable sale for Walmart...god I hope he does. This receipt checking BS is getting out of hand.
@aphex242: For real. I'm just as prideful as the next guy, but it's just a damn receipt! If I owned a store I'd be checking them too!
I wish there was as much outrage for random police checkpoints and roadblocks (which are unconstitional) as there is when a privately owned business asks you to show a receipt.
@aphex242:
This whole receipt-showing business is making me seriously reconsider reading The Consumerist. Essentially what's being promoted as standing up for your constitutional right to shop without showing a piece of paper is practically just anarchy. It's a stupid argument, it's not a slippery slope, and we need to just get over it already. I don't feel like I'm being treated like a thief when someone asks for a receipt, I feel like the store's doing what it can to KEEP MY PURCHASE INEXPENSIVE.
The whole argument is really fucking nutty. Constitutional or not, this is an utter waste of everyone's time. Move on, Consumerist, move on.
QFT.
Please consumerist, can we stop with the crybaby receipt stories? you do wonderful work on this site and i've learned alot on how to get things settled when a company has really wronged you but these stories really aren't worth the effort anymore. Some of these people are just never going to be happy and will find every slight thing to complain about so let's just let it die
99% of the time I have the receipt in my pocket, and the greeters are polite in asking to see the receipt.
The few times I've been unable to (or would be greatly inconvienienced by it) haven't been too bad. The most recent case was purchasing a large houseplant, which wouldn't fit in a cart--so I just grabbed the base with both hands and took off. The greeter asked, I said I had the receipt but couldn't show it, and went right on by. An employee (who I presume was with store security) was at my car while I was struggling to get the plant in, and they helped load it. Then I showed them my receipt, and they thanked me.
I asked what their policy was for people refusing to show receipts. She said typically the greeter calls security and they get your license plate number on tape; then review their in-store videos to see if the items you left with were paid for at a register; only if they had proof on tape that you stole would the situation be elevated.
$450 is change to Walmart. Why do people think that spending a few hundred (or few thousand for electronics) gives them a sense of worth? When you spend tens of thousands, then you might be able to say that, but until then, it's irrelevant.
Having purchased two firearms recently, and having to go through pretty much the same process at two stores other than Wal-Mart, I can understand the frustration that is involved with purchasing a firearm. However, while inconvenient, it is important for verification of serial numbers, model numbers, etc because the fines associated with mistakes are huge. I know for a fact that even a small mistake on paperwork (such as abbreviating the state, or putting SW for southwest) can cost the store $3,000 in fines.
Basically the stores are doing their best to limit mistakes by checking, double-checking, and triple-checking everything involved with the purchase of a firearm. So that they can keep costs down, as well as keep the products in inventory.
Just don't shop there. I know many people who don't anymore.
@Spyrojoe:
You're kidding right? You would walk someone out with one item after YOU did the sale, personally taking the money from the customer, and still insist he show his receipt? Is your real name Ladarrel?
Just a few things to consider. The guy with you knows that you bought the firearm but he is the only one. How easy would it be for you to steal a weapon if you knew the manager?
Wal-Mart escorts you out with the firearm because customers get scared when they see a gun. It is a danger to other customers and employees.
Ohh also one little tiny thing.. Wal-Mart is a PRIVATE company. They have the RIGHT to ask for receipts, check bags coming and going if they want. They have the RIGHT to escort you with a firearm to the front door and then make you take it to your car.
Everyone whines about constitutional rights being infringed. It is B.S. Wal-Mart has constitutional rights too. The ME ME ME attitude is pathetic.
Guns, ammo, and groceries. The holy trinity. I would have showed him the receipt with one in the chamber.
I bought an hydraulic auto jack about a month ago, amongst other things, and tried exiting the store. They didn't place the jack in a Wal-mart bag, and when I was trying to leave an employee grabbed onto my cart and asked me to show a receipt. I asked why, and was told that they needed to check that the auto jack was on my receipt. At that point I just pushed the shopping cart as hard as I could so the middle-aged lady grabbing onto the cart would let go.
Definitely seems like it is store policy now to inspect receipts for any items not in a shopping bag. Can't they use those little orange stickers that supermarkets use to place on milk jugs?
@aphex242: "we need to get over it" because you said so? How about "you get over" the fact that people get upset about different things.
*emphasis mine
Please, tell me how it makes sense that even when an Assistant Manager is with you from the time you make your purchase to the moment you reach the door you are still required to show a receipt? He's obviously not stealing the gun so why does he have to show it?
What exactly does that mean? If the person at the door wanted to see it, sounds like it was necessary.
@Dead Wrestlers Society: Really? That's all it takes for something to be necessary is for somebody to ask for it?
In that case, gimmie your car. I want it therefore it is necessary.
@aphex242: Nobody's stealing guns from Wal-Mart. If your prices go up because of theft, it's because of employee theft, not shoplifting.
@darkened: Actually, I'm not an idiot. I know, if I shop in a brick and mortar store, there's a reasonable expectation someone will ask to see a receipt. And you know what? I don't give a flying shit about it. Instead of pitching a fit, taking cellphone pictures, getting into physical confrontations, involving the police, returning purchases, etc.
Who's the idiot? The guy who won't show a slip of paper and who does all that or the person who does? I'm not saying, necessarily, that this is right, but I'm also saying it's reality. We're not in some vacuum where this doesn't get people hurt or cost taxpayer money, and it's sure a hell of a lot of trouble to go through over a piece of paper. If YOU really care enough next time it happens to you, sue. Take it all the way to the Supreme Court, if need be. I'd even applaud that. But this vigilante receipt-hiding is just stupid, and promoting it is stupid as well.
@ClayS: Excellent point, I guess I should have considered that. lol
@mopar_man: Well all arguments about Wal-Mart being evil aside, I can't fault the man for attempting to save time by getting his gun, ammo, and groceries all in one shot (no pun intended), when he knew it would take a long time.
This one is just ridiculous: the assitant manager, who had sold the item to the customer, needed to see the receipt. Would you want a low grade moron who can't remember that you bought the item 2 minutes earlier selling guns?
Him: Show your receipt.
You: I just bought this. From you. I gave you the money, and you took it, and gave me my item.
Him: Who are you, again?
The other instance that comes to mind of people blindly following the boss's orders is Nazi Germany.
This "its the rules, and I have to follow it" crap has to stop!
I really don't understand the whole receipt argument.
Serious question: can someone explain to me WHY exactly it's such a big deal to show your receipt?
Side note: this type of situation explains why they won't sell you the gun and the ammo at the same time!
What "rights" are supposedly being violated here? None of the people who have bravely "stood up" to the oppressive receipt checkers has ever provided a sensible argument for their action that goes any further than "I don't want to." The policies may be pointless and time consuming, but so is arguing about it. It's not a privacy issue at all.
Ya know, I'm another that agrees that most of the "I'm not showing my receipt" protesters are inane. Yes you have the right, but it almost always comes across as someone itching for a confrontation. The slipperly slope argument is laughable, you're rights have already been taken away by the Federal Government, not Wallmart or any other retail merchant. What injury are your suffering when the receipt is provided? You've already been videotaped in the store, your transaction is data-archived by the store, the only loss or injury you suffer is a few moments of time, far less than you'll spend when you righeoutsly protest and demand your rights not be violated.
Worried about showing your receipt means your giving in to the man? How about the goverment monitoring all your emails, phone calls, the books you check out at the library, your source of income, spending habits, the ability to break into your home without a warrant, the right to kidnap, imprison and torture you without any charges, right to trial or counsel?
Now - all that being said, the idiocy of the receipt demand, when the merchandise if being held by the store manager is truly laughable in its stupidity and worthy of being posted and ridiculed.
Whew, that's my rant for the day. I need a nap now.
@suburbancowboy: Can't figure out how to spin that into a consumer issue.
@Amelie: No, we need to get over it because there are FAR MORE egregious things that companies do to consumers that we should instead be focusing on. Dangerous products with lead, driving forklifts into downer cows, hidden fees and charges, not honoring warranties, etc. All of those things greatly outstrip the sliver of merit to this receipt showing garbage.
Let's keep the focus on what's a real problem. Yeah, ok, of course that's subjective, but I think about 95% of the population is going to agree with me, here.
@freshyill: Excellent point, noted. Next time I'm buying guns at Walmart and they ask to see a receipt I'll pitch a fit, ok? Otherwise in 99.9999% of my other transactions, my previous sentiments will apply. Got it.
@Rectilinear Propagation: Hyperbole Police! Hyperbole Police! Help! I'm being assaulted!
...I just don't understand these receipt issues. When I go into a big-box store, I keep the receipt in my hand with the item / bags / whatever, that way I just walk by the employee and flash them the receipt if they ask.
I know people want to defend their rights, but for me its about choosing your battles. Is it worth the 15 minutes and 2 extra trips you now had to make because you didn't want to reach into your pocket? Is it really even defending your rights? Seriously, do you think if you keep doing this they will just stop checking receipts at the door? Do you think if you don't do something about this, tomorrow it'll be worse? They do it to stop shop-lifters, and no matter what you say or do, I just can't see Wal-Mart and the other big-box stores stopping this policy just because a bunch of you make a scene. And I don't see how letting them see your receipt is going to destroy all your constitutional rights.
These receipt stories are getting stupid. What consumer was helped in these? Do we now have more 'ammo' in our quest to protect ourselves while shopping? No, we just come off as self-serving duche-bags.
The point about the receipt is they shouldn't HAVE to show a receipt. Walmart has no Legal right to detain him. Just because stores write stupid policies, doesn't mean we are obliged to follow them.
If you feel the need to comply, go ahead. Don't begrudge people who don't like the idea of rights being slowly eroded.
@wesa: "$450 is change to Walmart. Why do people think that spending a few hundred (or few thousand for electronics) gives them a sense of worth? When you spend tens of thousands, then you might be able to say that, but until then, it's irrelevant."
Even though I think the subject of this post is being foolish and petty, I respect his decision to withhold his money out of principle from a retailer whose policies he disagrees with.
And Wal-Mart's billions are based not off a few million dollar sales, they're based off zillions of $5-$500 transactions.
What makes this one especially interesting is that a manager was involved in the sale, receipt printing, and carrying of the item. He should have said 'it's good' to the guy asking for a receipt, because he was involved in the process. If the guy hadn't actually purchased the firearm, the manager should be carrying it out the door for him.
The interesting thing is that the greatest shoplifting usually takes place by employees, not random people.
I understand the point but it does seem pretty stupid that the store manager knows the item was purchased. So we get two people refusing to budge on the receipt thing(store manager and Customer). Why not just show the receipt and be done with it? If you really want to understand why Wall mart customer service sucks...look up the history of how the company came about.
Okay, I've been on Consumerist for a while now. I have what may be a stupid question about this whole receipt checking thing.
What are the "rights" that people are protecting by not showing their receipt?
I understand that it's within a persons rights to not show a receipt, but besides just hassling employees who probably don't know any better, what's the big deal of quickly taking out a piece of paper and letting the door checker see it?
To me, a lot of these stories come across as people causing trouble for the sake of causing trouble, all for the sake of showing that they "know their rights".
Like that dude who wouldn't show a receipt at Home Depot, or that guy yesterday who was walking out of Wal*Mart with an un-bagged item and refused to show a receipt.
Granted, this story is a little more ridiculous than others, but still if someone can explain to me what rights are being lost if I decide that instead of arguing with a $6 an hr employee I opt to show them my receipt, it would be appreciated.
Good. Freakin'. Grief. How much is the OP's time worth? OK, so you don't show your receipt on principle, or because you're an asshat, or really, both. But you will sit and argue with someone for 10 minutes?! The guy is checking your receipt because managers steal, too! Who is to say you're not the manager's buddy and he's walking you out with some gratis shotgun? They check receipts at the door to deter theft, prevent theft, and they also find cashier errors like being double-charged for Barbie: Princess.
Sam's Club and WalMart used to stock TVs on the base stacks so you don't have to deal with an associate if you just want to grab a set and go. They don't do that anymore because people would load TVs on a cart and walk out the door without showing the receipt.
If you're going to start WWIII on principle, do it for something worthwhile that actually has something to do with your freedom, not over something as petty, inconsequential, and asinine as having to show your receipt. They're not violating your rights. You have no God-given right to shop at WalMart. Stop being a d-bag. You're the customer everyone hates.
I bought one and only one gun at Wal-Mart. Going through their assinine process was enough to remind me why I spend a little extra to shop at a locally owned store.
I'm also curious as to how the manager would have reacted if he had called the local police to report a stolen firearm. He paid, filled out and the paperwork and was approved. Every place I go to the gun is mine at that point.
Retarded on many levels. We all know about the receipt checking policy.
If you do not approve, do not shop there.
Write a letter to corporate and inform them of your disdain. Heck liquidate your stocks too (after the annual meeting and dividends are payed).
You may have a point but there are better ways to make it than arguing with the receipt checker.