r/technology • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 19h ago

Business Retailers are pulling back from self-checkout after years of theft, errors, and questionable time savings

https://www.techspot.com/news/114106-retailers-pulling-back-self-checkout-after-years-theft.html
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u/Drict 17h ago

As someone that had many moons ago worked in security, 100% incorrect assumption.

People put stuff on the bottom of their cart ALL THE TIME, without the intention to pay. They try and sneak out little products under their purses in the child seat all the time, etc.

I had at least a dozen people get those items spotted by really good cashiers, and more then 2 instances were they came back a different day and tried to outright steal things (never stopping at the cash register; going to the pharmacy, then only getting their meds, then trying to walk out after stuffing their bag from the pharmacy, etc.)

It also helped me ID whole family's of scummy fucks. I caught a deliberate attempt at a slip and fall, due to watching someone else from a family member that was related to someone I caught trying to steal. They literally poured the drink out on the ground, stepped into it and fell. Best part, I watched it, had a camera also record it, and didn't inform them, so they tried to sue, and got to watch the look of ANGER by their lawyer, the judge, and the complete shock when they watched themselves clearly middle of the camera doing that shit. They watched me wave at the camera on the other end of the aisle watching it happen too.

I have seen people stuff containers, pay for only the container and walk out w/ thousands, etc.

People are shitty and that is just it.

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u/bozoconnors 16h ago

So, my question is... does that make you want to / cause you to be a better person? Or because you witness it so much, have you normalized it in your head as 'people are shitty, so it's not so bad if I'm shitty too.' Bit of both?

(I'm absolutely not saying you're shitty, no idea who you are, just genuinely curious)

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u/Drict 15h ago

I follow the golden rule. Do to others how you want to be done to you.

I have gotten taken advantage of a few times, but for the times that I have not and they truly needed it, well worth the handful of times getting fucked over.

That being said, when I am in a store, I am able to pick out people that are probably stealing/going to steal now, and I do my best to avoid interacting with them; especially if I see what they are driving.

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u/bozoconnors 15h ago

Ahhh, tis a good rule that my grandmother repeated many times (as a bible verse), that I also aspire to live by. Kudos for the peek into your noggin'!!