You’ll ‘never leave the store,’ blasts Walmart shopper over receipt check at door – self-checkout button is a ‘trap’

A WALMART shopper has warned customers of a 'trick' button which could land you in hot water if you push it.

The customer aired out their frustrations on social media following a trip to their local store where they spotted the eyebrow-raising detail.

"My Walmart's self-checkout kiosks have an option to *not* print a receipt after transaction," the shopper wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"But there are workers at the doors harassing people for receipts.

"Press this button to never leave the store again.

"This button is a trap lol.

"I’m probably gonna get tackled someday."

The practice of checking receipts as customers exit the store is not new but has become more contentious in recent times.

Walmart maintains that its policy is a necessary measure to deter theft and ensure all items are properly scanned and paid for.

However, many customers feel that the inconvenience and perceived invasion of privacy outweigh the benefits.

WHAT'S THE POINT

Walmart's receipt-checking policy aims to prevent shrinkage, which includes losses from theft, fraud, and administrative errors.

Retail theft is a significant issue, costing businesses billions annually.

Walmart argues that receipt checks are a straightforward way to curb these losses without implementing more drastic security measures that could drive up prices or inconvenience customers in other ways.

And while shoppers are not obligated by law to present receipts at any retail store, refusing to do so may provide the store with grounds to detain you, per Business Insider.

CUSTOMER BACKLASH

Despite the rationale behind the policy, many customers are vocal about their displeasure.

The comparison to being "held hostage" highlights the intense frustration some feel when asked to stop and present their receipts.

This sentiment is echoed by numerous users on social media platforms, who share similar experiences of feeling unjustly targeted or unfairly delayed.

"Public Service Announcement From Someone That Wasn't Me," Donie (@DoniThDon_) tagged Walmart in a tweet last year.

"You are almost exclusively self-checkout now. The last time I was there the lady checking receipts at the exit was stopping everyone."

Top 5 receipt checking tips from a lawyer

Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles attorney, spoke to The U.S. Sun about receipt checks and customer's rights and options when it came to being asked to show your receipt.

1. There has been a lot of debate around the legality of a retailer asking to see your receipt, but if it is within the store, it is completely legal. “There’s seemingly nothing illegal about that. You’re still on the company’s premises and their reason to do it is to prevent thefts,” Dowlatshahi confirms.
2. However, if they are chasing you out of the store, that changes things, Dowlatshahi said. "Location matters," he explained. "If you’re outside of the store you’re in the parking lot and they come and start accusing you of theft and that you have to show your receipt, I think that's a bit of a different situation because now you're on your way."
3. While customers are allowed to say no to receipt checks, it may cause issues if you do and the store suspects you of stealing. "You can say no, maybe it creates an unnecessary hassle for yourself because now you may have the police come to your house and follow up," said Dowlatshahi.
4. If you are being barred from leaving a store because you refused a receipt check, you could have a legal case — but the store must have held you for a long time. “Let's say it’s for hours, that's certainly false imprisonment, and they didn't have any impetus for doing so," Dowlatshahi explained. "If a customer has been emotionally traumatized by being held for false imprisonment, I would definitely encourage [them] to sue.”
5. “I would say, show your receipt," he concluded. "It’s just a really simple thing to do. If you didn’t steal anything, it’s relatively simple to do,” the lawyer advised.

(According to Camron Dowlatshahi, a founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP)

They then explained that they chose not to join the queue of people having their receipts checked before exiting the store.

"So I just skipped the exit line and left," the shopper added.

"I heard her saying 'Sir, Sir' as I kept walking. I simply raised my hand above my head and shook my receipt, as I kindly Ieft the store."

The user also wrote in their post that the retailer should have a certain degree of trust in its customers who use self-checkout.

"Or you can put your cashiers back in place so they can resume the position," they said.

COMMON PRACTICE

Receipt checks are standard practice at membership stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Customers at membership stores are obligated by the terms and conditions of their membership to show their receipts.

In contrast, non-membership stores such as Walmart and Target do not have a legal basis to request to see your receipt after you've completed your transaction.

The U.S. Sun previously interviewed Camron Dowlatshahi, an attorney based in Los Angeles, regarding customers' rights concerning receipts after checkout.

Dowlatshahi explains that while stores have the legal right to request to check your receipt, customers are within their rights to decline to show it.

The requirement to show a receipt only arises if the store invokes Shopkeeper’s Privilege, which permits stores to detain shoppers suspected of shoplifting.

Despite customers not being legally obligated to show their receipts, Dowlatshahi advises them to consider doing so.