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> When Voucher Codes Pro, a company that offers coupons to internet shoppers, surveyed 2,634 people, nearly 20 percent admitted to having stolen at the self-che
by js2 9y ago
> When Voucher Codes Pro, a company that offers coupons to internet shoppers, surveyed 2,634 people, nearly 20 percent admitted to having stolen at the self-checkout in the past.
I weep for humanity. But there's no way the grocery stores would tolerate that level of theft. There's obviously strong correlation between people who steal and people who respond to Voucher Codes Pro surveys.
- Fogest 9y agoYes, people who are using a voucher based site sound like they probably are already on the hunt for deals. I am not surprised that the numbers would be inflated for stealing if it gives them a better deal as well with little risk.
- saurik 9y agoFWIW, the local supermarket near where I live decided to get rid of their self checkout, and I heard it was due to theft (and I do not live in a neighborhood where I would have thought theft would be an extra-serious problem...).
- mturmon 9y agoIt could be that supermarket margins are very thin (perhaps 2%), so appreciable extra shrinkage can tip you over into the red.
- pasbesoin 9y agoIn the my major metropolitan area, a major grocery chain is in the course of eliminating self-checkout. They don't broadcast why, publicly, but knowing some of the staff and management, at a couple of the stores, I and another family member have both heard that it's "shrinkage". Just as well, as far as I'm concerned. They are union jobs, and they have a mix of both permanent staff (with benefits including retirement benefits) and "starter" jobs for kids in high school or putting themselves through college. All things our communities need. P.S. Yes, "union". I don't see anyone slacking off. And I know the union's gone for to bat for one quite decent fellow I know, when a new middle manager tried to jerk him around.
- jstarfish 9y agoDon't know about your specific situation, but in my past experience and positions, even if your store is in a "nice" area it isn't insulated from coordinated mobile shoplifting rings operating from the "not-so-nice" areas. I got out when self-checkout was just becoming a thing but even in those early days, the lack of accountability was already being taken advantage of by means of all the very scams listed in the article.
- pavel_lishin 9y agoThis number is meaningless without context. I've stolen from supermarkets - because I'll occasionally run low on space in my basket, and I'll stick an orange or something in my pocket, and forget to check out with it. A grocery store would very easily tolerate 20% of their customers doing that once a year.