ATS: Did Sam's Club Go Too Far?

A Pittsburgh man was shopping at a Sam's Club store in Monroeville, Pennsylvania when store security stopped him. He was told that they had been watching him and had video tape on his activities at two other Sam's Club stores as well as information on his buying habits. He was not allowed to purchase the items that he had in his cart, his Sam's Club membership card was confiscated and he was told to never set foot in any Sam's Club or Walmart again or else he would be prosecuted. When a reporter contacted the corporate offices of Sam's Club to inquire about the incident, he was told that there had been a mistake. An apology was given to the man and he was told that there would be an investigation.



I have worked in retail security and know that there is a watch list for people with certain names and those who fit a profile or description. I have been told to observe these people and to only confront them if they committed an offense while I was watching them. The main reason that I have for posting this story is the reference made to Sam's Club/Walmart having a database of information on their customers. I am not a member of Sam's Club though I do occasionally shop at Walmart. I really don't have a problem with them tracking purchases, it is the reference to the store's video security system that concerns me.



[edit on 30-3-2006 by Thomas Crowne]

This is seriously disturbing. Orwell anyone?

This sounds like something that would happen in a casino, not a Sam's Club...I wonder why they are doing this?

Strange...

Is that the idiots who work at Sam's club think they are doing everyone a favor..... What's up with the security type people??? I have never met a bigger group of low self esteem idiots in my life, they just love to control everyone and everything.

A possible explination is that Sam's Club/Wal-Mart has a "Most Wanted List" of sorts. They scan security videos, and when they find someone they can identify stealing from the store, they distribute his/her picture to other local stores, along with their member ID. If security IDs this person while they are in the store from the most wanted list, they take them out of the store and revoke their card.

Walmart takes security very seriously and I'm glad they do. It keeps the prices low and the stores safe. People make mistakes. Personally, I'd let it go, as long as I got a decent apology. Otherwise, there's always Costco.

Yes I agree that security is needed and is nice to know that many businesses are working on it.

But. . . how far are this businesses are going to taking their security and targeting consumers.

I will ask not only for a written apology but also a nice discount coupon alone with that written apology.

Or I sue the store for profiling.

Funny that this was at Sams club...

dont you still have to pay a membership fee to join there?

times are tough, when the shoplifters have to pay to steal...

seriously... i wonder if this was from a walmart camera, and they were sharing databases...

I would think from logical perspective, that Sams and Costco, would have much less theft (they also have much larger packages) than non membership public stores...

You are right they have memberships and when you purchase anything they are waiting at the door to check your receipt against your purchase.

At least they do that here in GA.

I know they do it in Pennsylvania as well. They keep sending me coupons good for one day of shopping. I just wait for the coupon and buy what I need. I get one practically every month. I just have a thing about having to pay to go somewhere to spend my money.

I've been a Sam's Club member for years. I keep my card in the window slot of my wallet because I need it more than I do my driver's license. When I used to have to go to the the county detention centers for business, I had less trouble getting in there than I do at Sam's Club. It is kind of odd to have to prove that you're good enough to get in by letting them check your membership at one door, then you have to show them your receipt at the other door before you can leave to prove that your not a thieving scumbag. Still, in all I make one purchase each year on which the savings pay for my membership and the rest is lagniappe.

ATS submission :shk: Wheres the conspiracy angle????


I think I know what happened here and it is nothing new. Many Sam's Club and other stores have signs stating no price shoppers allowed.

Security made a mistake on identification is all that happened.

He got and apology and they probably will give him some kind of comps, no big deal at all here.

As for his wondering about the security cams catching him??? Hello name one major store that does not use them?

Frankly this submission belongs in Other current Events.



[edit on 3/29/2006 by shots]

What are price shoppers?

This submission belongs in ATSNN - IMO.

We are all spied on by Big Brother - and Big Brother is a corporate entity.

This is important stuff, with important implications. One of the implications being that mistaken identities do occur - with sometimes huge ramifications.

FYI shots - if you take care of the little things, the big things take care of themselves - cuz they don't get to grow out of control.

What are price shoppers?

They are paid professional shoppers. They go from store too store buying various products.

They are normally used by their competitors in the area.

When you shop at Sam's you know that they are tracking your purchases and your movements throughout the store and the parking lot. It's private property and besides, criminals have been apprehended because of those cameras.

ATS submission :shk: Wheres the conspiracy angle????
Frankly this submission belongs in Other current Events.



[edit on 3/29/2006 by shots]

Appearently the staff of ATSNN didn't agree. Being watched by Big Biz is NOT a conspiracy? If you have a beef like this in the future please hit the Suggestions button rather than derail a submission.

Back to your regularly scheduled topic.

Im really starting to wonder if many of you just enjoy complaining about anything.
Sam's club memberships are pretty decent packages. Me and my fiance both work at Wal-Mart. Its a wonderful community. Shes has a Sams club membership that is paid for automatically with pre-tax dollars. Therefore we do not get taxed on our payroll deductions. 401k neither. Or stock purchases. Her Sams membership includes dental insurance for two people (both of us) and roadside assistance. Being a Wal-mart emplyee also offer discounts at certain car dealerships, hotels, and lotsa other stuff if your in management.

Hey the city is watching your traffic in the city at locations in city hall, why can't wal-mart/sams have their own security for their community? We have stopped people from attempting to steal 20,000$ worth of merchandise at our own store. That saves alot for the cost of merchandise our customers buy. Besides I would say this man got off easy compared to what would have happened if they had decided to turn him in.

Thats grand theft, a felony that will easily restrict many of your rights. You will not be allowed to own a firearm legally. Many corporate employers, although stating they are egual rights employers, will never hire a convicted felon, even if it were the lowest third degree felon. You could have pawned jewelry that you found in a park that was stolen, and that felony would prevent you from getting certain financial/banking jobs. If you own firearms, they will all be siezed, if you refuse and go on the run, they will throw you in the limbo that is our federal prison system.

So yea, that was a nice thing to forgive the man and hopefully he will decide not to steal, a guide of the ten commandments.

Im not sure if price shoppers or comp shoppers are the same thing. Comp shoppers are retail/grocery employees that go to their area competitors and try to match and beat their sales. they have like a scanner thing that simply accesses the information for their products by going into that stores comps wirelessly.

I believe thats corporate espinoage. Mystery shoppers are people paid in cash/ merchandise/ or other things to test the customer service of area businesses. Apartment complexes, retailers, fast-food, car dealerships and everyone hire people for a job to go in as a customer and evaluate the customer service of their associates.

Wal-Mart RULES!

Don't forget, you can get gas as low as .10 a gallon cheaper than your best local rates by using your Wal-Mart gift card, credit card, or Sams club membership cards at any Participating location. I just felt there may be some people on here that are financialy suffering so that they may be able to save the most money for their energy needs. So if you can afford your gas prices without a big impact on your financial budget, than don't complain about it, many people in this country alone have it alot worse.

[edit on 3/30/2006 by DYepes]

Originally posted by intrepid
This is seriously disturbing. Orwell anyone?

it gets worse before it gets better.



*edit* .............

OMG! i just finished reading DYepes horrible communist propoganda and regretted my premonition.

buy mom and pop.

[edit on 30-3-2006 by billybob]

Okay...so what was it that he was attempting to buy?

Yes...Wal-Mart can be a good store...and I get gas there...usually 10 to 12 cents cheaper with the gift card...but this isn't a commercial space...so move along Mr Wal-Mart man who posted his opinion about the company. lol.

If they suspected the guy was stealing...okay...fine. We should be allowed to know what it was he was atempting to purchase...or else this may happen to us.

Let Me take a stab at this one....was it a bunch of manure...cuz that's what the original story sounds like...lol. Not the person who posted it...or anything...just the extremely tight security and then they screwed up.

I'll be serious...it was probably fertilizer he was purchasing...since we all remember the Oklahoma City Bombing. ~coughs~ set-up ~coughs~ patsy ~coughs~

Man...I need some cough syrup. Maybe I'll just head to Wal-Mart...oh wait...I need some extra manure.

~grins~