Walmart is locking up underwear now

[skyactiv]

Sad comment on current times. I buy my underware at Costco. I try to avoid shopping at Corprate Freeloaders.

The term "corporate freeloaders" is subjective, but some sources point to large retailers whose low-wage workers rely on government assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid, such as Walmart.

Costco is about the only exception in retail. Walmart is no different than any other retailer, even union at least where I live regarding wages and benefits. Kroger and Meijer is UFCW and pays less than Walmart minus the old union members that have been with them before they let new contracts screw over later hire dates. Retail has never been a good paying job. What I don't like about Walmart is the workers don't seem efficient and as friendly as other retailers.

 

[fat biker]

Comparing Costco and Walmart on several metrics. I found these numbers searching Google. Sorry, my effort at making a table did not agree with the forum software.

Sales per square foot Costco $1600-$1900 Walmart $640
Average Pay per hour Costco $31 Walmart ~$19
Employee Turnover Costco 6% - 8% Walmart 70% some say as high as 90%
Annual Profit Costco $7.4 Billion Walmart $15.5 Billion
# of stores Costco 914 Walmart >10,750

I much prefer shopping at Costco. I have had Zero bad experiences. Most employees go out of their way to provide great service. I shop at Costco weekly.

I have had several maddening encounters at Walmart. I have a rule when I shop there. No Tech or stuff they can easily screw up. Some employees are helpful, some are not. I often go months between Walmart visits.

 

[D60]

I'm pretty sure the Underpants Gnomes had the plan, didn't they?
1) get underpants
2) ?
3) make money

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Out of curiosity, I searched my local Walmart for items that are locked up.

1. Guns
2. Vehicle replacement bulbs
3. Personal lubricants and those fancy massagers. (I can imagine hearing it over the intercom now, “Customer needs assistance at the personal lubricant case!”) This is all in a section where the razors, makeup, shaving gel, etc., are located. You’re supposed to pay for those items before you leave that section.
4. Video Games/some electronics.
5. Flea/tick meds

Thankfully, we haven’t gotten to the point of locking up underwear.

That's pretty much how it is at the one by me.
But we're "rural"

 

[Delta]

Out of curiosity, I searched my local Walmart for items that are locked up.

1. Guns
2. Vehicle replacement bulbs
3. Personal lubricants and those fancy massagers. (I can imagine hearing it over the intercom now, “Customer needs assistance at the personal lubricant case!”) This is all in a section where the razors, makeup, shaving gel, etc., are located. You’re supposed to pay for those items before you leave that section.
4. Video Games/some electronics.
5. Flea/tick meds

Thankfully, we haven’t gotten to the point of locking up underwear.

"Massagers" yea OK

Nothing at the Walmart I frequent has anything locked up, but I've recently found the one near work has a good bit locked up. The Home Depot beside it has a good bit locked up as well. It used to be a nice shopping center, but I guess the riff-raff has taken over...

 

[2005jettatdi]

A very significant amount of Walmart theft is by employees. I assume that is true for other chains as well.

 

[fat biker]

A very significant amount of Walmart theft is by employees. I assume that is true for other chains as well.

I had always heard this.
I am not sure it is true today.

I have worked retail several times.
About 15 years ago I worked Christmas at my local Target.
Target takes theft prevention seriously.
Cameras all over the place, monitoring station is always manned.
Rent-a-Cop near the front.
1-2 undercover loss prevention crew members on the floor.
Several times each week local law enforcement responded to haul handcuffed thieves off.

Frequently I would find evidence of theft, opened CD or DVD plastic cases in housewares.
One time a thief got past the cop at the front, he took a lot of grief for that.
Another time about two isles from where I was working a thief exited the building through an emergency exit to a getaway car outside.

 

[opus1]

My local Walmart hasn't gone to that level yet, but I'm guessing it will soon. I check out the bargain section for clothing/underwear and I see a lot of packages marked-down with a sticker saying "1 pair missing" on it.

That begs the question on when the person decided to change his skivvies and how, and then I rethink the question and decide that I don't really want to know.

 

[mr_boring]

Stealing underwear is a gateway crime

Underpants Gnomes

 

[Patman]

Underwear is a scam!

 

[PandaBear]

In 20 years all reasonable stores will likely turn into a club store like Costco to avoid thieves if they want to keep self checkout, or they have to lock up a significant amount of inventories.

 

[Revving2Redline]

It's sad there are so many thieves. All they do is increase the price for everyone.

Back when my grandparents lived in Turkey, theft is dealt with severe consequences. Lots of people missing digits and extremities.

 

[ripcord]

Back when my grandparents lived in Turkey, theft is dealt with severe consequences. Lots of people missing digits and extremities.

I talked with a couple who visited the Middle East back in the 1980s. I forget which country they said they visited, but one of them forgot their expensive camera in a little village square next to a well where everybody came on a daily basis. They came through about a week later on their way back the camera was still there unmolested, except someone had covered it with plastic to protect it.

 

[2heeldrive]

Semper ubi sub ubi

 

[wayne55]

Bought a lawn mower battery yesterday at Walmart, and they were locked up.

 

[Chris142]

Bought a lawn mower battery yesterday at Walmart, and they were locked up.

Here you can finagle them out of the locked rack

 

[Hohn]

Maybe we should try locking up thieves instead of consumer goods..

Anyone checked the crime rate in Japan?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I had always heard this.
I am not sure it is true today.

I have worked retail several times.
About 15 years ago I worked Christmas at my local Target.
Target takes theft prevention seriously.
Cameras all over the place, monitoring station is always manned.
Rent-a-Cop near the front.
1-2 undercover loss prevention crew members on the floor.
Several times each week local law enforcement responded to haul handcuffed thieves off.

Frequently I would find evidence of theft, opened CD or DVD plastic cases in housewares.
One time a thief got past the cop at the front, he took a lot of grief for that.
Another time about two isles from where I was working a thief exited the building through an emergency exit to a getaway car outside.

When I worked at Target , they spent more resources on watching employees than customers. At least where I was , employee theft was a bigger problem than customer thefts.

 

[D60]

Maybe we should try locking up thieves instead of consumer goods..

Anyone checked the crime rate in Japan?

A radio host who I couldn't mention without hurting feewings was recently in Tapei and noted how safe it was. He noted examples like leaving personal belongings at a seat in a busy cafe to mark your seat while using the restroom.

The point is we know from results it's possible to have large cities with low crime rates.

 

[Dave P.]

I had always heard this.
I am not sure it is true today.

I have worked retail several times.
About 15 years ago I worked Christmas at my local Target.
Target takes theft prevention seriously.
Cameras all over the place, monitoring station is always manned.
Rent-a-Cop near the front.
1-2 undercover loss prevention crew members on the floor.
Several times each week local law enforcement responded to haul handcuffed thieves off.

Frequently I would find evidence of theft, opened CD or DVD plastic cases in housewares.
One time a thief got past the cop at the front, he took a lot of grief for that.
Another time about two isles from where I was working a thief exited the building through an emergency exit to a getaway car outside.

A radio host who I couldn't mention without hurting feewings was recently in Tapei and noted how safe it was. He noted examples like leaving personal belongings at a seat in a busy cafe to mark your seat while using the restroom.

The point is we know from results it's possible to have large cities with low crime rates.

The question would be; what happens to someone who attempts to steal? Here, you'll probably get a slap on the wrist.
In some countries, your hand may be removed at the wrist. Where would you rather be a thief?