A Little Secret: Shoplifters Can Ignore Exit Alarms

but they debase honest shoppers as well as our freedom

I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading on shoplifting ever since my Assemblywoman, Mary Hayashi, was arrested and then convicted for stealing over $2,445  in merchandize from Neiman Marcus.  I wanted to understand what made her do it, and at some point I will write about it.

But in researching shoplifting techniques, I found quite a few threads about the electronic/magnetic anti-theft tags that are now put on products of all kinds, from books to electronics (though items of clothing use a different kind).  There are actually several types of these, some hidden within the products.   They are made so that they will be detected by sensors near the exit, which will be if the tag is activated.   When you purchase the product, the checker deactivates it to avoid the beeping.  Shoplifters, as you can expect, try to remove these tags and avoid the beep.  They shouldn’t bother.

The problem with these systems is that they are not sophisticated.  They are often, if not always, calibrated in a way that is not exclusive to the tags used by a given store – so they will be beep if you pass the sensors with an active tag from a product that you bought elsewhere.  Moreover, the deactivation process doesn’t always work, so the sensors may beep when you go by with a product you have actually purchased.  Stores know this, and while they may request patrons to stop (though this is rare), they won’t force the issue.  What generally happens is that the honest shoppers (and inexperienced shoplifters) will stop to have their bags searched.

It may be that these devices deter shoplifting by incompetent shoplifters (which may be a good thing if it stops potential shoplifters from trying it in the first place), but they also present an inconvenience to shoppers.  For one, the implication is that all shoppers may be shoplifters, a “guilty until proven innocent” philosophy which is both baseless and dangerous in what should be a free society.  For another, it embarrasses honest shoppers publicly, as many people do interpret the “beep” as evidence of shoplifting.  Moreover, it makes shoppers waste time.  Needless to say, I disapprove of these devices just as much as of having “greeters” demand to see your receipt and bags when you exit a store.  I’m writing this article to let you know that you too, my honest reader, can just ignore them.

I have a friend that has the same philosophy but is a little more daring than I.  He took one of these devices that had not been deactivated and placed it in his wallet.  Pretty much every time he goes into and out of a store the device makes the sensors beep.  Sometimes he getslooks from the sellers or guards, but never once has he been stopped.  Stopping him, after all, might make the store liable for a claim of false imprisonment.  While stores have a “merchant privilege” of stopping you if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that you have stolen something, the sensors have too many false-positives to make any suspicion reasonable.

There is actually a protocol that merchants should follow to support actual arrests and convictions for shoplifting and avoid false arrest charges.  Neiman Marcus loss prevention agents followed this protocol to the letter when they detained Mary Hayashi.  As there was no question that she had shoplifted, she plead guilty to a misdemeanor to avoid a felony conviction.  She got a slap on the wrist for doing it, though, and she still may be able to salvage her political career: she’s currently running for Alameda County Supervisor.

 

114 Comments

  1. Scott

    I am not quite clear on your mention of the “exit greeters” that want to see your receipt and compare it with the items in your cart. Are you saying that I can just walk past them and they won’t do a thing? It seems obvious that this should be the case. I haven’t stolen anything and it’s a waste of my time. At Sam’s Club I have already waited in the always-too-long lines to pay for my stuff, so I shouldn’t have to wait in another line just to get “approval” to leave the store with my property.

    • marga

      In most stores you can definitely walk past them without showing them your receipt or stopping.

      However, some membership clubs (and Sam’s Club may be one of them), make your membership conditional on you accepting them checking your receipt. Now, you still don’t have to show it to them – but if they can figure out who you are they could revoke your membership.

      • Amira

        I know but im not a shop lifter for example people who shoplif are the people who don’t like using money or are poor or are kids don’t blame kids but kids mostly get caught by parents

        • opecks_

          you are a stupid idiot read a book or better yet go buy one learn how to type sentences correctly its people like you ‘AMIRA’ that obviously can’t grasp what life is so why would you try giving anyone examples pfffttt you are the one that stops like an idiot holding up the main entrance to show your receipt just because you had a few things stashed in your purse…. get a life

          • Matthew Notman

            Opeck, Maybe you should follow your own advice. Your grammar is terrible. Capital letters? Full stops? Commas? Also, the definition of an idiot is “a stupid person.” So, to call Amira a “stupid idiot” makes no sense.

          • Ryan

            Your grammar is just as bad as Amira’s. Ever heard of run-away sentences Opecks with your improper lower case o being that it’s your name? Your a fucking idiot and should shut the hell up if your grammar is NOT any better. You’re an ignorant hippocrit that is to stupid to use proper grammar when bashes one for theirs. STFU

          • Kane

            You’re really going to tell someone how to string a sentence together when you can’t even do so yourself?

            Let me help you:

            “You are a stupid idiot. Read a book, or better yet, go buy one. Learn how to type sentences correctly. It’s people like you, Amira, that obviously can’t Grasp what life is, so why would you try giving anyone examples?

            You are the one that stops like an idiot, holding up the main entrance to show your receipt just because you had a few things stashed in your purse. Get a life.”

            I didn’t place an asterisk by all the corrections because it would’ve made it way too difficult to read. Next time you want to call someone stupid, you should first make sure you’re not retarded.

          • Joe Burrow

            Calls a person ‘stupid idiot’ and questions grammar, while having grammatical errors as well. Maybe you should be the one to get a life opeckersucker

          • SeeYou

            Pride and arrogance let’s you disbelieve. I found you finally. ISP numbers are the funniest tools to get I’d from. But don’t be frightened, it is preferred that the look on a face once “surprised” is priceless. We’ll all be talking soon.

        • Terrance Jordan

          That Hass to be the most ignorant statement I’ve ever read my life! Most people and steel do it for the thrill. The adrenaline rush, most poor people won’t go into a store. If they don’t have the money and kids don’t steal they just pick things up because they don’t know any better. I don’t get where you say people who don’t like to use money steal things that’s absurd I don’t like using money so I use my credit card. You really need to take your blinders off and open your eyes up to the real world.

      • Christopher B

        For stores like walmart, just walk by.
        Places like sam’s club and Costco you signed a contract for your membership. If you do not follow what you agree to, they can revoke your membership.

        A copy of walmart’s policy on receipts. Most walmarts go WAYYYYY overboard and do not follow their own rules, kinda sad 🙁
        http://img.ksl.com/slc/2489/248982/24898223.pdf

        • Walter Harrison

          Ok you say I could sue Wal-Mart. This is the god honest truth I was arrested at walmart for what they said I was or did steal something. This is what happen the day be for it was the first of nov I went to Wal-Mart I had to get several different things I was going to pay for them in different category like my hunting stuff I was not going to let the wife no I got cuz she say I spend to much , but then I had some stuff for the house an some stuff I was getting my kids, well I had all the hunting stuff in a back pack that I was buying unzipped everything in plan site but when I went to get body a pair of boots I couldn’t find his size so I was up an down the shoe Allie several times but I noticed a guy sneaking around watching me so it made me feel uncomfortable so I started toward another part of the store an he was steal there following me an turned down the Allie an he was speaking around the corner at me so I said fuck it an left biggie seating right there in store not a single thing took. Well the next day comes an I’m like I need to get this stuff so I go back I’m getting the stuff just like I did but today I’m bring back a phone I got I get everything an head up to customer service had my recite where I bought it bout 8 days be for go up there to my return an head back to check out an I notice this lady she doing the same shit as the dude was it pisses me off so I just get the compass out cuz I really needed it that day pay for it an when I get out the store I notice the lady running accord the parking lot o. The phone an a truck pulls up blocks me In they ask me to step out I do so the the recite where I pay for it let the search my truck an me an the lady tells them I stole somethi g yesterday but then also tells them I left it in the store but either way the cop ain’t even listing to nut in really cuz I’m telling him she just said they had the buggy from the day be for with all the stuff in it it was left in the middle of the store but I go to jail. The later dropped the charges but it coast me a how lot an all most got a divorce

          • Smob

            Nice grammar, didn’t understand a single thing you said.

          • Penni

            That makes me SO mad for you. I was in the same blasted place once and had stopped in the middle of a lingerie aisle to count how much cash I had in my purse. One of the Inventory Control people walked by right as I was stuffing my OWN CASH back in the front pocket of my purse. They stopped me walking out the door, making me embarrassed in front of am entire walmart customer count-& then proceeded to accuse me of “getting rid” of whatever it was they imagined I had taken. I sat & waited for cops- who amazingly let me go. They didn’t even apologize! Excuse my French- but FU** Walmart!!

          • JESSICA STEPHENS

            What…that was way too long. I couldn’t even finish your story. Blah blah blah.

          • Adrian Antolini

            Can you repeat that please …I couldn’t understand a single sentence.

          • Alessandra

            would you be willing to write a letter to your state gov and possibly congress? I think we might have a chance at providing more government funding to schools and public education systems with these wise words you have.

    • Midnight

      True

      • MATT FOLEY motivational speaker

        Um…thats not French. That would be English. And you didn’t even say it anyway, or write it or whatever. So no, no excuse for you.

        • Your family friendly shoplifter

          What…

    • Samuel D Murry

      You don’t have to stop and show them anything unless they have like an overwhelming amount of evidence. They have to see you remove the item from its place, see exactly where you concealed the item and then wait until you pass through the doors exit the building before youve actually broke the law. Don’t stop ever, none of those power hungry fools have the right to touch u, if they do scream rape and sue them for sexual advancement, false accusations and public humiliation which is why you now have PTSD. BAM!!!

      • Sean

        This is absolutely right Samuel…they have to see you on camera, record it, know exactly where you put it, prove you had no intention of paying for it (walking out). Then they would still need to make you reveal it (they can’t touch you…or its assault). Then and only then have they made a case to call the police. This is why they just let people keep on walking.

        • Nedal salman

          Target loss prevention ran up behind me as I was exiting.

          And gave me a bear hug. I told him to get his hands off me. I’m 6ft3 265lbs. And he was about my size but that’s not the point. I just dident want to be charged with assult.

          • marga

            You could sue them for assault and battery. Or at least call the police and press charges. They have no right to touch you.

            Of course, I’m assuming you have not shoplifted.

          • Julie

            I know a woman who was assaulted by security at Target he bent her arm as far as almost breaking it. She kept telling me she thought it was cracked, she still had a hard time straightening it. Security told her they had every right to touchange her. BTW, yes she took a few things but wasn’t denying it or fighting them either.

            Help and advice would be appreciated.

          • marga

            She should contact a lawyer about suing Target.

          • Melanie Maynard

            Did this happen in Roanoke Va? I saw that at our loval Target one time, shoplifter or not, assault is A CRIME even if it’s from ”asset protection”…

        • Bobby

          Last year on Xmas eve I was in spencers. At the time my brother and I weren’t speaking. I has something small in my hand. An employee had walked by me and I noticed she looked at my hand. By her expression I could see she thought I was shoplifting this 2$ item.
          At this point my brother and wife came in the store. I put the item on a shelf and left.
          5 minutes later I’m walking thru the mall. I looked up to see a county sheriff coming my way. Sure enough I was accused of shoplifting!!! He was being a dickhead with threats of putting cuffs on me. I said, follow me. It was so embarrassing having a cop following me to the store! The place was packed!!! So walking thru the store I made sure he seen my outstreched arm lead to said stolen item. I said, is this what I stole? With the clerk standing there next to the other asshole they didn’t know what to say!!! I wish I would’ve sued them. Could I have?

          • Gerald Lee

            People do not understand that they have a whole lot more rights to touch you on their property than you might think. Not just touch, but detain. And the threshold for what behavior is considered as the crime of retail theft is comically low. Check your state’s crimes code for all of the ways you can be charged whether or not you had any intention of stealing anything.

        • Sonya

          What if they see your Lisence plate

        • Alessandra

          this is just completely false and you shouldn’t be saying this. Maybe if you hire a lawyer you can make those arguments in court. but most of us can’ afford lawyers. At least in Texas, they have every right to call the cops is they have any suspicions at all that you have stolen anything, they also have the right (apparently) to hand cuff you and hold you until the cops get there. I’ve witnessed this first hand at Whole Foods. It was fascinating. I hope that person did end up hiring a lawyer because she was treated completely unfairly even if she had taken something – I mean what could possibly be that important or expensive at Whole Foods that they basically tackled her outside the front door?

      • DrugsMoneySex

        I love this comment! My old friend in High School ran out with a 30pack and one of the workers yelled “stop! That guy stole something” and a everyday shopper bum rushed him and almost knocked him out with the hit! My friend was arrested but got let off and couldn’t enter Albertsons. But the times he got by were fun nights!

        • Str8outdagate

          Yea buddy!!!

      • Jon

        Nice

      • King

        You are so bang on the my man

      • Buddy B Halbert

        Here is the reality: Wal-Mart will attack you. I have 13 retail frauds, one of which resulted in unarmed robbery. I like many others picked a receipt up for a 13.99 phone charger. (This was 2010 at the Holland Michigan site) I picked up the charger, did not conceal it and returned it. I was greeted by the two staff members at the exit. He pushed me back from the door telling me to come with him. I told him to f off. He and his partner tried to restrain me, i told them flat out… “Touch me and I will respond.” I broke the guys jaw, and escaped the other 300lb black man by running. I was tackled in the parking lot by normal Wal-Mart employees long enough for the other two to attack me. That case saw 19 months. In another earlier event, jcpenny staff attacked me in the parking lot and brutally beat me, blackened eye, caused me to deficate myself. The only store in my area who will not assault you, so far, had been Meijer.

        • Teddy

          First, Walmart strictly forbid their employees to assault clients, even if they are suspected of shoplifting. They cant even confront you verbally;they have to ask politely if you are going to pay for the items. They also cant pursue you out of the store. The only authority that can do that would be the police. If the employees do what you said they did, they wouldve been fired on the spot. Also the employees outside? They are cart pushers…they dont even give a shit about shoplifters; dont forget them and the greeters are minimum wage. (Also all of the door greeters ive seen are old people in their 60s)
          How do I know that? I’m an actual employee at Walmart and even if im not a greeter, I had an obligatory formation for that. Most of the employees hate their jobs, so when we see people running out with stolen stuff we just laugh and go back to do our stuff like nothing. Most of the time the only people panicking or trying to do something are other clients.

          • Wendy

            Well maybe not at your store but they do it all the time here in Arizona. Follow you out to your car, put hands on you to direct you into security office. I watched 6 walmart employees plus a security guard chase a girl outside almost to her car as she is saying she has nothing. Finally they backed off when her boyfriend threatened one of them for trying to grab her. So BS, they do act like cops when they have no right. They violate corporate policy daily, and never apoligize when they are wrong and/or rude.

          • crazycat99

            If you really are a Wally World employee, you are sorely misinformed. Loss prevention can, and does, detain those suspected of shoplifting. They are Walmart employees, so your statement makes no sense.

          • Alessandra

            TEDDY YOU ARE SPREADING LIES!!! DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MAN HE CLEARLY HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT! As I stated above, whether or not they are ALLOWED to jump you or stop you outside of the store (which they actually are allowed to stop you outside of the store! I’m certain they are not allowed to beat you up), they can and they will do it anyways! YOU HAVE TO HIRE A LAWYER, an EXPENSIVE LAWYER, to prove the points that you are making and to possibly get out of going to jail or paying a huge fine and having it on your record FOR A LONG LONG TIME! And who calls customers clients?? …..

      • Stickeyfingas

        Hell yeah! Lol

      • Gerald Lee

        You do not have to pass the point of sale or exits in many states. Once you conceal an item or remove it from its packaging or remove the security tag or a number of other things, you have committed the offense of retail theft.

      • Shy

        Nice

      • F.R.R.

        LMFAO! Nice.

    • Johnny Tucker

      AMEN. It’s ignorant. If a store can’t hire one of millions of dorks beating the doors down to be a figure of Authority, to boost their self esteem and 3″penis, for 8.00 an hour to simply watch obvious foreheads and cons try and leave with a cart full of merchandise without paying, then theres a problem. Well, they don’t, and the idiots wonder why their losses are so high. It’s so easy to spot, catch and eliminate repeat offenders, but they get too much of a personal high to see the light. Just hammering down every other week, and not just Christmas time, would eliminate it. Something else is in-store Tower alarms go off every 5 minutes when I’m in a store. 90% of the time, it’s a female. What’s up with that? I noticed a lot of tightwad, senior citizens getting into the shoplifting scam. They always let em walk out and never watch them on surveillance. If stores started displaying a clear shot of their face on a huge monitor screen and it named the product out loud that the tower picked up it would stop 90% of dumbass shoplifters that constantly set off the store towers these days. It’s every 5 minutes! Obviously what they’re doing isn’t working. It’s so cheap to hire these goofy ass loss prevention people. Walmart are scumbags for putting those poor old senior citizen door greeters in harm’s way and giving them the responsibility to stop shoplifters and do the dork security guards job. What’s up with that Wal-Mart? Oh. It’s because humble senior citizens are less likely to sue your ass if they get knocked down, assaulted in the parking lot, or shot at God forbid. Walmart, and walmart loss prevention lean on these poor old folks way too much and for that, it proves you’re ALL lazy a++ incompetent IDIOTS with sh!t streaks in your drawers. Losers catching losers.

      • Gerald Lee

        Policy for Walmart is exactly that except for Loss Prevention employees. Also, most stores are not so blasé about it.

    • Mitchell Lippel

      when I’m has done paying, I do not stop, it’s my constitutional right to leave, and they are in violation of 2nd amendment rights detaining me without cause, searching my property. m Ya I shoplifted I had plenty of time to put the stuff in bags at an empty register, no one watch then walk away … When they as me to show the receipt, Tell them no and keep moving, or I tell then ok But I want to search your wallet first, and locker. Then I walk out the door,

    • Benjamin

      While yes, this is correct and unconstitutional, they can check our carts on the way out of sams, and we MUST show recipte. Sams has that policy due to the orginization/club you joined. It is actually in their terms and conditions stating that every club member must show valid recipte upon departure. Which. Since we signed a contract to become a member, that is one of the “rules” we must follow . Now Walmart, Kroger, loves, buckies, you name it. Walk right on out. No buddy, as far as sams, is allowed to ask for recipte.

    • yes

      That is exactly what it says. And it is 100% correct. It is not the law. Once you have purchased an item and obtained a receipt you now legally possess the item and are the rightful owner. The items are now your legal property and you are within your rights to make attempts to continue to possess your property. It is to you to decide who will view your property. Of course your going to hear words like policy, and require, and BS like, “when you shop here you automatically agree to our terms or when you signed up or whatever. Doesn’t matter, none of it amounts to anything even close to law. They will make sound as official and as they can, but is not the law. It is my contention that stores like walmart have gone too far in their loss prevention. We all understand the idea of what their doing, but they are compromising our rights in order to do it, and then they mask and even flat out lie about it. Walk up to somebody you dont know and say, “i need to check your things”. See how far that goes. Just remember this, Its not a law for a reason.

    • Kelsey Hall

      At same club you do have to wait and show it. It’s part of your membership agreement for being a member of the club, same with bjs and Costco, and anyplace it’s a paid membership.
      But any normal store, no you absolutely do not. Every time I walk out of Walmart and I’m asked I smile and say no thank you and keep walking. Two times I’ve had the greeter ohh really huh?! Or come walking after me MAAM! And I just turn and say: if your loss prevention has any reason to believe I’m shoplifting they will stop me, but I’m not required to show you my personal belongings thank you.
      That’s the law. They are asking for your receipt, your willingly showing it to them. No law states you are required to show anyone your personal items you own without your consent . So no, they cannot and most are trained not to stop you if you say no thanks

    • Katrina

      You absolutely do not HAVE to stop. They may act like you do but you don’t. MY stores around here even when they do check it all they do is take it, look at it, and make a little line on the barcode with a highlighter, never even once looking at my items in my cart. It’s a complete waste of time and not required by the store or by law.

  2. Pamela

    Scott, believe it or not, when I have been to Sam’s Club they check my receipt each time without fail. Last time, not knowing of course, the cashier forgot to ring up my very large bag of Donkin Donuts Coffee Grounds – and the checker caught it and made me “hand it over” or pay for it.

    I have to admit I was frustrated – and decided that going back in line to pay for an item that should have been rang up the first time was not worth my time.

  3. Teo

    So You saying i can go to like family dollar and cvs take the tag off and walk pass the metal detectors and dont get caught

    • admin

      No, it’s actually the opposite. What I’m saying is that the electronic tag that makes a product beep if it’s activated is a red herring. A store does not have the legal right to stop you just because you “beeped” while you exited the store. But they can still stop you or call the police on you if they have other evidence that you have shoplifted. For example, if a store employee saw you take the item off the shelves and leave the store without paying. Or if they have camera footage of you doing that.

      For example, I was at the Dollar Tree the other day when store employees saw someone picking up an item and head out, the store employees called him out about paying, but he walked out with the item. If the store had a security guard (and this was a small store, so it didn’t), the security guard would have been able to detain the shoplifter until the police came.

      I want to make sure to make it clear that I don’t condone shoplifting. I think it’s a very stupid thing to do. But I also think that those devises are annoying and inconvenient without adding much in the way of security for a store.

      • Nedal salman

        I agree. But target in CA does put hands on you.

        • Jerry

          Bull shit they did on my friend in corona ca

      • Sonya

        What if the alarm goes off and they get your plate

    • Nunya bizness

      No what they’re saying is leave the tag alone because even if it goes off,unless u had someone visibly watching u take it and conceal it, even if u set off the alarm they can’t force u to stop

      • jackie wong

        In Canadian Walmart’s we use Paper tags attached to plastic for most clothing which a shoplifter can easily cut and stuff it in a bag or pack and Canadians are ignorant. It’s easy to see where the cameras are and someone can just hide behind in the child’s clothes aisles since there aren’t cameras there. Canadian Walmart’s aren’t the smartest. If the clothes have label tags it’s easy to cut off and leggings have no tags or barcodes only a sticker with the barcode and sizing which can be removed. It’s not like H&M or stores like that where they use sensor tags. It’s easy to steal from Walmart and the person can walk out with out harm provide they know what to do.

  4. Destyni

    Dude, Im literally a pirate in hawaii. I live in the streets (kicked out) and it requires me to steal to survive. Check this out: Walmart, kmart, safeway, all their detectors NEVER work. I went through them with a bunch of shit that a few more pirates and I steal. We’re even able to steal alcohol. Just avoid cameras and slip shit into your bag (a hand bag that you can easily open is the easiest) and the secret is to buy something everyone you steal. It doesn’t have to be expensive, for example, I had 300 dollars worth of shit in my bag and I only bought a mountain dew. As long as you’re seen paying at the register, they won’t bother to even suspect you shoplift!

    • admin

      Destyni, stealing is not the answer. Leaving morality aside – eventually you’ll get caught, get a record, and have a really hard time finding a job. There should be social services that can give you some help in Hawaii. Try a church, if not.

      • Ari

        Are you really giving a homeless person a lecture on morality?
        Food and shelter should be free for all morals have nothing to do with this.

        • admin

          I specifically said “leaving morality aside”. There are very practical negative consequences to be caught shoplifting.

        • Drtystar

          Right that got to do whatever to survive

          • Jon

            Agreed

        • Adam Steward

          Well said!!!!!

        • Nedal salman

          Bravo

        • Joey

          well said…….the fact someone has to have an appointment to have someone who knows nothin about you or your situation the right to decide if you are deserving…..ohhhh sorry eligable for food and shelter….and usually the person deciding is completly burned out….work at a pizza joint…youll be sick of pizza in quick time….i never let them check my bags or reciept…..its completly judgemental and intrusive…..if u see the lift call security….if not kiss my bag…ha get it….bag…jk…lol

    • Zach

      Your a fucking savage who gives a fuck about getting caught lifes about having fun dude if it makes u happy just do it fuck anyone that hates. I dont like being on camera and to be filmed If i were to steal from a big store like american eagle or something i would wanna have like a friend with me and when we get in the store act like we dont know each other and both buy something small then and then put something in a bag and both walk out on oposite sides of the entrance setting the alarm off but wouldnt know who to stop idk just a thought i wouldnt wanna steal from a store that has camera though cause sooner or later they will find out and then i wouldnt feel safe going to my favorite stores

  5. Stephanie

    Shut up stupid bitch. You know nothing about being homeless and the horrible shit you are subjected to because of a series of shit that ended up leaving you homeless. Your morals change real quick when you have no idea where to sleep that night. I’d love to watch people like you go through what I have gone through and am still going through. Fuck your morals

    • Watcher88

      Im 29 and have been homeless in LA for two years now, i only steal what i absolutely need and pay for what i can but the harsh reality is that it doesnt matter what happened to you to get u to the point of being homeless, society treats u like a lesser being and judges and discriminates against us homeless before giving us a chance. I walk into a store and instantly i have loss prevention following me or hear “security, watch all cameras” over the p.a. system, even if im holding cash in my hand. And resteraunts or fast food places tell me i have to get my food to go just because im homeless, its fucked up and demoralising. I could understand it if i was filthy and smelled horrible or was disruptive or something but thats not the case, i keep myself quite clean for a homeless person, i wash my clothes in bathroom sinks and wash myself and hair in restrooms as well and when im lucky enough to get a hotel room for a night i let every one of my friends who live on the streets shower and stay the night regardless of hotel policy. We get treated like lesser beings but the truth is, some of the nicest, most caring, generous and most inteligent people i have met in my entire life are homeless, so stop looking at us like trash, we are people, we cry and bleed just like everyone else.

      • marga

        It breaks my heart to read your comment. I know you are right. And what’s worst is that we all could be where you are. Have you tried homeless programs in LA? Churches?

      • Nedal salman

        I belive homeless people(for the most part) became. Homeless from being good people. And geting ran over and pushed aside by family or a ex

      • Ty

        Hey man, I can’t really say I’ve been “homeless” not for more than a day or two at a time but I’m 28 and struggled with meth addiction since 24. I was in my 3rd year of college, when I got arrested for possession of a controlled substance 2 years ago. I was offered a pre trial intervention to keep the felony off my record, one of the conditions of P.T.I. is mandatory, random drug testing. I failed my second drug test and was convicted of the felony and sentenced to 365 days in the county jail. I had never spent a night in jail. From there, 5 months in an inpatient rehab. (I used the literal day I got out of rehab.) Looking back I have no idea how I survived.
        Now, 6months sober, on my good days I focus on a few things I’ve learned that I’m quite sure never would have been possible without the lows and struggles. Things that changed who I am to the core.

        everyone cares (to varying degrees) what other humans think of them. The only people I’ve met that truly don’t judge others, are people that have been down roads like you and I have. And even then it’s far from a given. I’m still human and everyday is it’s own fight. Getting a job (forget a career) with a felony drug conviction was incredibly difficult. Finding someone that would rent a apt/house with a drug felony nearly impossible. I moved into an apt 2 weeks ago. 6+ months I spent on friends floors, the one family member that would allow me to stay, the street a couple times and mostly a motel where prostitution/drugs were everywhere. I was able to stay there largely due to the money from selling things i stole. It’s very easy to judge someone when you’ve never walked in their shoes. Before my addiction, I never, not once gave a dime to a homeless person. Reasoned they must be homeless for “a good reason.” Methheads? I don’t have any specifics but I can say for sure I looked down on addicts and judged them.

        My point, if there is one, is just to hang on and give everything you have to changing your life if that’s what you want. You’ll never be able to stop others from judging. I don’t think stealing is ok. But for those of you that never experienced your backs against the wall & it comes down to surviving, you’ll be shocked what you do. 6 months clean and I have family that still won’t even text me back. Even tho my addiction amounts to like 7% of my life. It hurts to be treated this way. It’s a pain like no other. But I try and remind myself that 5 years ago if replying to you i would have said something mean and judgmental, people can change and the best way I’ve found is by example. Be kind to everyone. Never say “you would never do _______” unless/until you’ve been in the situation yourself and just show the people that judge and look down on you the same thing we both want. Kindness and understanding. I hope you’re doing well, man. If you were in Alabama I’d find a way to help if you still need it. Don’t give up.

      • LBedilion

        Watcher88, I know this comment was left long ago but if you happen to see this please leave me an email address here on this comment to be able to get in touch with you. I hope all is well and things have gotten better for you. Merry Christmas

      • Joseph

        I’ve takin care of me and my girl for two years off of stealing and selling cloths I’m not saying it’s right but I have been very fortunate never been caught and crazy part is that I think I’m a lousy theaf it feels like they know I’m stealing but let me go every time I don’t get it I wonder why that is I’m not big and scary just normal person but I never steal for myself I sell everything I steal and you should see the look on the less fortunate childrens faces when they get to wair nike and polo like the more fortunate kids it makes me feel good I boost clothes 90 percent childrens cloths and I take only wat the family can afford to spend sometime it can be 500 dollars worth of clothes and maybe get 50 to 75 bucks been known to give for free if the family had no money

        • Stickeyfingas

          I’m the same damn way man fuck the Lp’s

      • weiner

        mmm, hes right hes right

      • F.R.R.

        Amen. I had always had a job. My own place. Never asked anyone for anything. I always gave a few bucks or something to a homeless person or if I seen someone needed it, then one day I was sitting up against a building with a couple bags of my belongings and someone came up to me and handed me a little self care bag that had a tooth brush, a wash cloth, soap, etc. And a $5 bill in it. And at first I was confused. Then another person came up to me and handed me a to go box with food in it. Then followed by another person that handed me a couple dollars….. tears began to fill my eyes and fall down my cheek as it started to sink in where I was in my life. I had lost everything and had started to bounce around between friends places and trying to find another job. I thought I was just in a temporary situation. Up to 6 years ago I had everything I needed and I worked hard to get what I had. 6 years ago I lost everything and have been homeless, struggling, barely surviving………. I worked my entire life, paid my taxes, law abiding, took care of others…….. Being homeless , I’ve been humiliated , looked down at, judged unfairly, treated less then, and made to struggle harder just to get basic anything that is needed to live. Until it happens to you, you will not understand just how difficult it is. And you might not see it coming. I pray that it doesn’t happen to another…….I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. So yeah…. I’m not for being a thief, but I am about surviving, take it how you’d like.

    • Caroline Sanchez

      You sound like a pretty intelligent person. Intelligent enough to go on a tirade about being homeless. You should channel that energy into something positive Or ask God to guide you. Try being homeless with 5 kids because a DEADBEAT didn’t man up and help with his children!! But rather than wallow in self pity, I went to college, got my degree and made a better life for my kids and myself. I sure the hell didn’t want them to learn how to STEAL to survive. Good Luck to you. God Bless you!

      • Nedal salman

        I belive homeless people(for the most part) became. Homeless from being good people. And geting ran over and pushed aside by family or a ex

        Your right Wi-Fi. Or even PAYING A ACTURALL PHONE BILL LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS HOMLESS

        As for your kids dad “maning up” ???? Ummmmm. Lets see here. …… You had 5 kids with the guy and he dident run away after the 1st. Or the 2nd. 3rd 4th but the 5th one he did. ???? Because that’s what men do. Ya. Makes since. We leave the women only after 5 kids. Because that’s what we do. :/

        .sarcastic. And your story sounds fake af

        • Joey

          that was epic poetry my friend….i guess the fifth one is what tipped him over the edge…lol….how bout we lynch we all the 1 %ers give there homes to shelter people without 1..and employers get there heads straight and hire the homless temp who has shown on time all the time and has worked harder than everyone….but no lets hire the brother of the guy who stole from us 10 times….i mean his family is rich and the boss is having an affair with a minor…but that homless guy looks like trouble….trouble this repectable God fearing nation doesnt need…….fuckin losers

      • Banks

        You get goverment funding so stop complaining and stop abusing and chasing your children’s father off with your toxic, hate filled attitude and let your children be with their father.

    • Jon

      Feel you

  6. Lynn

    “Stupid Bitch??” Wow, Admin didn’t say anything bad about this person; they were simply stating that there are places out there designed to help people in a homeless situation. And it’s true. Yes, sometimes it is difficult to have to go to a shelter every single day and ask for help, but that’s what it’s there for.
    Name calling is not necessary here.

    • Bad ass money

      There are waiting list for shelters defiantly if your not loving in a semi big city then your forced to sleep outside or find some place indoors a laundry a hallway somewhere to get out the cold and maybe get rest being homeless really homeless fucking sucks bad your never all the way content or comfortable so don’t talk about shit you have never lived or felt

    • Sky

      If they are homeless and have nothing how are they able to be reading this without a phone or computer???

      • admin

        Public libraries offer free access to computers and the internet, for one.

      • glennis

        That sound so stupid. I’ve been homeless before and was able to have a cell phone. It’s a invention called Wi-Fi. It’s literally everywhere by the way

        • Brent addelia

          Literally it’s not

        • Nedal salman

          I belive homeless people(for the most part) became. Homeless from being good people. And geting ran over and pushed aside by family or a ex

          Your right Wi-Fi. Or even PAYING A ACTURALL PHONE BILL LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS HOMLESS

  7. SIAN

    can those electronic article surveillance things detect gift cards?

    • Josh

      Gift cards have to be activated at a register so idk why you would try to steal one it’s not worth anything

  8. nikko

    not sure about the seriouseness here , but wow lovn it. The “stupid bitch” who commented…. classic. Obviousely we all wish we were at least well off so we didnt have to steal shit. and if u gots to do what u gotta do then thats it . Best of luck and , get urs since u gotta. Greed , lazy gets u caught . and a bad plan of course . Simple as this i love everybody, but seriousely Fuck all yall. bitches. Ough , and body language and dress atire are encouraged. sorry pirate guy – still love u though. Be scary , intimidation is real.

  9. nikko

    anybody confused about prior comment ,other than admin , fuck you. sorry im having a bad life. fuck . stephanie -where you @ baby ?

  10. Jeff Carter

    I shoplift something EVERYTIME I enter any store. Easy to scrape off those RFID tags with my thumb.
    MOST IMPORTANT is to not look around and up at the cameras making it clear you are up to something. I smile and joke with staff and checkout clerks. Walmart loss prevention is poorly trained and very easy to find in the crowd. They are always alone carrying a small light weight product (hat, shirt or socks).
    If you don’t want to pay for it? Take it.

  11. Josh

    I recently stole [deleted] drive from [deleted], and I just now realize that it can pretty much ruin my life. I’m pretty sure the only thing the cameras can see is the movement of my coat. What worries me is that action combined with the sensors at the door going off. I continued walking though the door out to my car and nobody followed me. Do you think they have enough evidence that I stole to convict me? I will not be stealing anymore, that’s for sure.

    • admin

      I don’t think you have to worry about being arrested, much less convict you. If they don’t detain you immediately after you leave the store, the chances of their going after you are infinitesimal. They might, however, be on the lookout for you and detain you if the see you shoplifting again. Stores also share the photos of known shoplifters with one another, so that other stores can be in the lookout for known shoplifters.

      • Josh

        Ok, thankyou

  12. PX_V

    HELP YAL OK SO TODAY I STOLE WHIT MY FRIEND in Walmart I had a bag I was gonna invite my other girl/ Friend cuz it’s not gonna be obvious if we stole cuz girls always carry bags after we left the alarm rang the fat lady that checks receipts told us to suffer I have a nasty look like bitch tc we didn’t steal shit leave us alone and kept walking my dumb ass friend stood there and I was like come hurry after we got out the doors in the front I started running to my car I WAS SHOOK BITCH we left and opened everything removed the tags and stuff (Btw the only reason it ran it was bc I stole a movie// forgot that my friend always takes the bar inside) now when I was driving back home I was parenoid bc there was allot of cops and also a cop going to Walmart all I want to know is can I get arrested or get charge I’m 16 also I said I’m gonna blame it on my other friend since he’s 15 and they can’t take him to jail or nothing IM SHOOK they have new cameras when u walk in I just hope that fat bitch didn’t snitch or call the cops I hope she does

    • PX_V

      Told us to *Stop not suffer I gave her a nasty look*hope she dies* omfg I suck at typing dis LITERALLY my first time getting caught

  13. angus

    Took your guys advice and went to a store, took 4 ten foot chargers with the mind to put one back, and headed to the back of the store. I took the tags off of two and put them in my pocket.There I struggled taking off the plastic surrounding one of the chargers which could have been detected. Around walks a black employee while seeing the struggle, asks if I was stealing, I replied no and made up some crazy story, and insisted that I was gonna pay for it. In short I got two chargers free and had to pay for one (I put the other one back)

    • admin

      I did not mean this to become a post/thread about how to shoplift. I’m not censorious, so I’ll allow the comments – but I think it’s really, really stupid (in addition to unethical) to shoplift.

  14. Angela

    Hell no do i stop and let the exit greeters check my stuff for example at Wal-Mart I just remind them that they are not Costco so therefore I never signed any membership agreements!!!

  15. Manuel Ybarra III

    I was walking out of Lowe’s I had a sale paper the receipt And my cellphone my 14 year old son was about 30 feet behind me he was Caring a can of paint he has Stop and looked at a new flashlight. We had to checkout at the service desk because our Lowe’s in Leesville ,La only has one check out open most of the time and the self checkout never works so I always go to comuster service . Let me add I am Mexican so as I am walking out of the store this woman walks over to me and ask can I see your Receipt I showed it to her and I asked he did I look like a theft why did you stop me I did not have anything in my hands then this manager name Dan walks up and tell me that is part of her job I ask him where is there a sign telling me to stop and show anyone my receipt he tell me we can stop you at anytime I told no you cannot about that time my come up and tell me dad I seen the Dan man tell her to stop you . So a that ploy I knew the he told her to stop me because of me being Mexican and it was racial he just wanted to catch me because of the color of my tan skin I have call the headquarters and what did they do have his store manager call me like the two good old boys are going to do anything to each other. But I seen my son watching me to see what I was going to do and I let Dan have it I explain that he had no right stopping me that he need to learn the laws about Stopping some one i could go on but there’s no point. I know there is a lot of theft out there but in 50 years I have never stolen anything and I tough my 3 yung men never to take anything that is not your. I can only hope that Lowe’s will fix there problems but they have lost a shopper and word of mouth is the best way to let others know if I tell 10 people they will tell 1000 and it will bring there sale down .

  16. Laur

    I went to target and I checked out at self-checkout. I did not know there was a electronic protection sticker on a false nails box. I go to head out and the alarm goes off. Nobody came or anything so. I was like wtf. I’m now home. I hope the police dont come to my house for no reason lol. And i did not take the reciept on my way out…….

  17. Anonymous111

    I went to a shop where its checkout counters are placed in the middle of the shop but not at the entrance. So I accidentally walked through the detector with an unpayed item on my hand. I was so embarassed that I didn’t even know what should I say when the security guard closed up to me. My thought at that moment was the shop designer was so stupid that he doesn’t placed the counter at the exit

  18. Tammy

    It was Christmas time and I was shopping in Wal-Mart, I put things in my cart and a few things I decided I did not want so I put them on a table and I noticed one of the items wasn’t in my cart anymore so I thought it rolled out and fell out while I was shopping because with that item that has happened Nemours times. So I paid for the things I did want as I was walking to the exit a security person stopped me before I even got to the metal detectors and told me to stop that I was stealing merchandise, I had no clue what they were talking about they told me to lift up my purse and the item I couldn’t find that I did not want rolled under my purse a little bit, they took me in the security office and I was just so baffled that they didnt even give me the chance to walk through the 1st set of doors for me to put my cart back which at that time I would have grabbed my bags and lifted my purse to even see that item and let me leave it in the cart or bring it back in because at that time I still have not left the store. When I was in the office while they were writing up the report they tried to keep the things I bought and I told them that is fine but they need to give me my money back. It was taking forever for the police to come so they let me leave and informed me I would be getting a court date in the mail. The next day a cop comes to my house and arrests me. I was so pissed off about the whole situation especially I was not trying to steal anything nor did they give me the chance to even leave the store with their merchandise so how is that theft???

    • Matty Boombatty

      So, the pigs actually showed up at your house just to arrest you for that?? After the store security grunts let you go?? That’s weird… Did they also raid the place looking for other stolen merchandise and find something they said was of interest to their investigation? Was there a warrant of any kind–arrest or search?? I mean, this seems pretty bizarre, this showing up at your home the next day and being taken into custody. I’m baffled.

  19. Nature

    In 1985, a young mother, 19 years old, was basically homeless and had been kicked out of her home by her parents because she had a baby out of wedlock, and in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which is bible-belt country, this was not tolerated at all in that era. 19 year old mother, newborn infant needing nourishment, was in the store stealing baby formula as she could not afford it and had to feed her baby. Naturally the store clerks ran after her. She managed to get to her car, and was trying to drive away. An off duty cop happened to be there, probably working as a part time security and he stood in the parking lot and was going to use deadly force to stop this little mother by pointing his gun at her windshield and firing two shots into her head. Killing her instantly. The store saved themselves the goddamn can of baby formula but a life was lost and a baby was orphaned. Yeah, TG&Y not only deserved to lose everything but also deserve all the contempt and the scowls that their name of infamy now represents to those who know how twisted and evil they were and to the degree that they went out of their way to scrub all news of this event out of the public’s view. A rare news article from 1985 here and there are all that remain.

    The mother stealing for her baby was the right thing for her to do. Morality was on her side. Her actions were entirely pure, to feed her baby. Nothing more. The store was the real thief.

    And that’s just ONE instance of this kind of shit. In 1990, in Salt Lake City, Utah, a guy on parole was killed, he ran away from the store as they shouted at him to stop. But because he didn’t want to go back to jail and had no money, he ran. He was suffocated to death by a team of security at Albertsons. His crime? He stole a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. He’s dead. The store saved a whole fucking 3$. Life means NOTHING when it comes to merchandise.

    And while these instances are in the now-long-ago, and things have changed somewhat, those goddamned detectors is another such disaster waiting to happen. Some vigilante wanna-be cop will seek to kill someone for stealing and all he or she needs is that sound of an alarm.

  20. Jon DeGeorge

    This happens at Home Depot ALL THE TIME. Every 10 seconds, the Sensormatic alarm tower goes off. I have seen people steal items on multiple occasions.

  21. Stickeyfingas

    Sue the bastards!

  22. Jamie jensen

    What makes me laugh is that y’all had time to sit here n spend minutes he’ll maybe hours n try to tell someone something about their writing style .. Don’t y’all have a life

  23. Francine

    Iv not bought groceries in over 4 years.Iv taken cart loads from Walmart.Iv zero sympathy or remorse for my actions.And Iv never been caught or arrested or even detained.I’m a middle aged woman who looks like a soccer mom.Tjats all I’ll say☺️

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