No, you may not check my reciept

[Napoleon54]

The excerpt posted below is a snippet from a very entertaining (IMO) article found here: http://duggmirror.com/business_finance/Best_Buy_Sir_we_need_to_see_your_receipt_You_Um_no_you_don_t/


On another visit, I decided to get the lay of the land before attempting any more non-compliant exits. Perhaps there was a rule or policy about the Costco system that made sense. There on the wall at the exit, I discovered, is a huge sign that reads:

"Why is my register receipt reviewed when I leave the warehouse?
To assure that you paid for and are not overcharged or undercharged for any item. Also, marking the receipt disallows its reuse."

The completely misleading nature of that message became obvious during my next encounter with Costco security enforcement. As I suspected, there were about a dozen customers in line for “receipt review” at the exit. That represented about six extra minutes that I wasn’t being paid for, and so I rolled toward freedom. The employee “reviewing” receipts left the line and cheerfully said, “I’m going to have to see your receipt first.”

Adopting her happy demeanor, I replied, “And you are going to have to chase me in order to do so.” Sometimes it’s worth being an ass just to see the response on people’s faces. Not only was the receipt lady registering total bewilderment, but several customers in line for the same hassle appeared equally baffled. One woman glanced at me with what looked like total contempt. Her response was invigorating, although I’m not sure why. I continued toward my vehicle, where I was greeted by a man who looked and sounded like “security.”

“Was there a problem at the checkout, sir?” he asked.
“No, actually, checkout was great,” I said. “Very efficient. But leaving the store was a little shaky. In fact, there’s definitely a problem there.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, for openers, I don’t like being treated like a shoplifter.”
“Sir,” he solemnly stated, “No one is treating you like a shoplifter.”
“Really? Then why, exactly, am I having a conversation with store security, who just happened to reach my vehicle at the same time I did?”

To get the whole picture you'd need to read the whole article. Although it isn't that long, it isn't that short either, so I didn't want to post/ reproduce the whole thing here.

I've always been uncomfortable with and annoyed by a store's insistance to search bags when leaving. Searches when someone is observed pocketing something, for example? Fine. But not every customer, all the time? That's simply an invasion of privacy. I don't see any justification for a blanket search policy. The fact that the contents of someone's bags very recently belonged to the store is pointless. I paid for them, now they're mine. It just doesn't make sense to let them search your possessions, and I don't see any good reason to let them. Thanks to this article I now have a few good ideas as to what I'll do next time I'm faced with such a request.

[AlwayzMarel]

Very interesting article. And that's the reason why I stopped shopping at Costco years ago! :dead:

[InfiniteNothing]

Me? It depends on my mood. Sometimes I just walk past them. They never go after me. If they went after him it's because he was acting like a shop lifter

[MikeD]

I never understood why people get upset about this. So they want to check the receipt. Big deal. :shrug:

On the other hand, I don't understand why they bother. Most of the time they give a half-hearted glance. Other times they appear to give a thorough check, but can they really catch everything?

They should just do away with it. Would be better for all involved.

[Airencracken]

I hate that they do this at work to me. Not only are all my possessions fed through an X-ray machine (Jacket, wallet, keys, etc) but I walk through a metal detector and I have to lift my pant legs and take off my hat. I'm treated like a criminal EVERY DAY at work and it sucks.

Going into work however they could give a damn if you beep. I swear just about anyone could walk in with all kinds of matrix type ordinance and the lazy security guards would just say "It's okay, keep going".

Stupid UPS.

[Jcranmer]

While this does annoy the heck out of me at my Sams club, it's something that I guess I understand.

Now the person that makes you show your ID card at the door is another story!

I mean come on guys, why do you care if I come in without my id card, you have to show it to purchase anything.

Depending on my mood, I've really been an a-hole to the elderly card check people. :P

[InfiniteNothing]

I never understood why people get upset about this. So they want to check the receipt. Big deal. :shrug:

I don't know about you but sometimes I find my time too valuable to spend waiting in a line to get my receipt marked.

[attgig]

They did stop me once cuz i put oranges out of a box and into a separate bag. all of a sudden, i had an extra item than my receipt showed. The author's right, it's all about assuming that i'm a criminal. But, that's just the nature of this world. period. I'm sure these retailers have found that they "lost" a lot less stuff by doing this. I'm not a criminal, but they don't know that. this is the best solution they have to make sure that their ass is covered. It's not a right for me to go to that store to be their customer. they are a private corporation where i choose to go to. if i don't like that policy, i should go somewhere else.


stop being a jerk

[CourtJester]

I agree with everyone. The line checkers are a joke. Half the time they just mark it without even looking at what you bought

[mcs328]

I don't like asking for phone numbers and zip codes.

[Napoleon54]

I don't like asking for phone numbers and zip codes.

I'll give my zip code but not anything that's personally unique (ex. phone number). Complying with a phone number request usually results in junk mail from the postman.

[MikeD]

I don't know about you but sometimes I find my time too valuable to spend waiting in a line to get my receipt marked.

Either they have some reeeealllly long lines at your Costco, or you are the man and your time is uber valuable. It normally only takes me about 30-45 seconds to get through that line.

[Napoleon54]

I'm not familiar with Costco, sounds a bit like Aldi but with stuff other than groceries?

[Napoleon54]

if i don't like that policy, i should go somewhere else.I agree, that certainly is an option. But if you don't like the policy, perhaps a better way of drawing attention to it is via some sort of nonviolent disobedience as suggested by the article.

stop being a jerk
Well, if standing up to The Man causes me to be seen as a jerk by some, then so be it. In your eyes, a jerk I shall be.

[Devhux]

You know, considering the "wonderful" Costco warranty, I'm willing to let them take a look at my receipt and such. Fair trade-off if you ask me. :P


(Not that I've ever done it, but apparently people can return almost anything to Costco even if it's off warranty, and they'll replace it).

[Airencracken]

I had a friend that returned a washer and dryer set after three years. Heh!

Oh, the infamous Costco "rent".

[Burzhui]

I had a friend that returned a washer and dryer set after three years. Heh!

Oh, the infamous Costco "rent".

that's messed up i hate people like that.


As per thread:
I did walk past those checkers several times, and they would kind of try to stop me and i'd wave them off but one time, i was stopped and they explained to me that it's the store policy, and it's posted, and since i am on their property i have to comply with the rules

[Sirrich3]

I needed my receipt for reimbursement for work and the worker ended up tearing it. Had to wait in a long line for a duplicate receipt

[Napoleon54]

that's messed up i hate people like that.


As per thread:
I did walk past those checkers several times, and they would kind of try to stop me and i'd wave them off but one time, i was stopped and they explained to me that it's the store policy, and it's posted, and since i am on their property i have to comply with the rules


That's BS, the receipt is your property and your proof of purchase. Once the cashier hands it to you, it's none of their business any more.

[Napoleon54]

I needed my receipt for reimbursement for work and the worker ended up tearing it. Had to wait in a long line for a duplicate receipt

That's BS too, they destroyed your property.

[Houdini]

I'm not familiar with Costco, sounds a bit like Aldi but with stuff other than groceries?

No Costcos around here either. But I've heard great things about them. I may join Sam's soon, though.

I also tend to get annoyed at the checkers, but only if there is a ridiculously long line and the person is holding up the line for a $0.25 banana or something.

Then again, my main experience with the checkers is at Wal-Mart. It's nice that they employ disabled people for that, physically and mentally often, but the mentally part can be a real hassle when you're trying to get to an appointment. Thankfully, most checkers just take a long hard look at the receipt in their best "official" expression, and then swipe it with a highlighter. It's kinda funny if you're buying something huge, like say, a futon as a friend of mine bought several months ago, and after going through the line they examine the futon box, the receipt, the futon box again, etc. As if someone would be able to or even have the cojones to try to walk out with a freakin' 100# futon in his/her cart.

[CourtJester]

Guess where I am going tomorrow? COSTCO! I will report back on the what happens when I don't stop at the receipt checker

[Thesifer]

I really don't have a problem with it either way. I've never really thought about it as they are checking to see if I'm shoplifting. (Even though I know that is the case) I just don't care I guess, cause there isn't anything that I buy at a store that is that Private, that the Check person didn't already see anyways. I mean even the walmarts will do it sometimes, and Best buy, and many other places have "LP" Guys that 'Check Receipts'

I guess I just don't care too much cause they usually just go 'eh.. ok'

[Mommypooh]

I do tend to get annoyed, I shop at Sam's Club adn it is the same policy, I have had to wait 10 min just to get my recipt highlighted. When you add 2 screaming kids to the mix who are tired and just want a banana, it gets really tidious. Sams is the only store the kids really lose it in cause they know that in most stores once we get to the checkout and are back in the cart that they can have the item I promissed them, Be it banana, apple, grapes, or brocolli. SO when you add to the fact that they have to wait yet even longer they tend to get angry. I pulled out the bananas once to give them to the kids and I was told I couldn't do that until my recipt had been checked cuase they didn't know if I had bought them or not. It really pissed me off. Yeah there are times I breeze right through when there is no line, but 9 out of 10 times I have to wait and we have meltdowns, and I am not getting mad at my kids for sams stupid policies. My kids did their job they behave adn I should have been out of the store before the meltdown.

I can't get away with just walking out without being checked though cause I always shop their with my Mother in law and she insists we have to wait. I just wish they would stop. That is why I rarely shop there and I have taken to just giving my Mother in law my shopping list and money and letting her do all the shopping by herself.

[MikeD]

That's BS, the receipt is your property and your proof of purchase. Once the cashier hands it to you, it's none of their business any more.

Ehh, that's a gray area there. The items you purchased are yours, because you paid for them. Did you pay for the receipt? Costco would probably challenge that they need to check the receipt for accuracy and, since you are on their property, it is not "yours". :shrug:

Just a thought...

[attgig]

Well, if standing up to The Man causes me to be seen as a jerk by some, then so be it. In your eyes, a jerk I shall be.

the stinkin 60 year old gramps is not "the man". please. he's the poor schmuck that had to work in walmart cuz the same walmart closed down his neighborhood grocery store that he had for the past 35 years. don't give that poor schmuck the hard time. find a better way to "stand up to the man"....

[Cubsfan]

Ehh, that's a gray area there. The items you purchased are yours, because you paid for them. Did you pay for the receipt? Costco would probably challenge that they need to check the receipt for accuracy and, since you are on their property, it is not "yours". :shrug:

Just a thought...

In that case, I should be able to refuse the receipt, and then just stroll out anyway.

I think the main annoyance is that these things never work well, and usually just annoy people. The guy at Costco/Sam's never checks item for item unless you only have 2 big things. Having worked at a Kmart, I found that 99.9% of the times that the alarm went off, it was because a clerk forgot to deactivate something. Probably .05% was because someone forgot to pay for something (honest mistake), and .05% was a kid who was really too young to know to get around the system.

I'm not sure that we ever actually caught someone over the age of 12 with that system. They were smart enough to know how to not set it off.

[MikeD]

In that case, I should be able to refuse the receipt, and then just stroll out anyway.

Well, you could...but why would you want to do that? Would make an exchange / return that much more difficult.


I think the main annoyance is that these things never work well, and usually just annoy people. The guy at Costco/Sam's never checks item for item unless you only have 2 big things. Having worked at a Kmart, I found that 99.9% of the times that the alarm went off, it was because a clerk forgot to deactivate something. Probably .05% was because someone forgot to pay for something (honest mistake), and .05% was a kid who was really too young to know to get around the system.

I'm not sure that we ever actually caught someone over the age of 12 with that system. They were smart enough to know how to not set it off.

I can agree that it's not worth the time / hassle. I still don't see why people mind the wait. To me, it's not that big of a deal. :shrug:

[Prngr44]

I can agree that it's not worth the time / hassle. I still don't see why people mind the wait. To me, it's not that big of a deal. :shrug:

I think for most folks it's not but then you have the mom's with 3 screaming kids and an overloaded cart that just spend 10 minutes waiting to get checked out only to have to spend another 10 to be "blessed" to leave.

[ray]

Personally, I've just gotten used to slow lines and slow checkouts whenever I go shopping. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I live in an heavily populated area, but I think incompetence by the employees also plays a big part. I could write a novel about the incompetence I've seen out here, but I'd rather not waste more of my life

[MikeD]

Part of the problem here appears to be how long we're forced to wait in line. Should have a survey for it.

How long do you normally wait when leaving your Costco / Sams / <fill in store name>?

Costco: for me, no more than 60-90 seconds. At most, 2 minutes. At Sam's, we're talking 20-30 seconds. Normally only 2-3 people waiting to get checked out.

Do some of you all truly wait 10 minutes? If so, that's ridiculous.

[kgsilvas]

I don't believe that I've ever waited 2 minutes, even at Christmas. It's a non-issue for me.

[cadetevon]

I have had to wait in excess of 12 or so minutes. And although I understand the ‘why’s’ of it all it's still quite frustrating.

And not for nuthin’ but during the holiday season, it gets even worse.

[Jihforce]

Costco receipt checkers are pretty crazy, one time. I had them check the receipt and they spotted an extra item (water bottle) in like 2 seconds. They asked me if i still wanted it, and i said no and they took the bottle and marked my receipt. It seems to be they do it to make sure you don't shoplift and/or to cover the checkers' mistakes. They should be upfront about it tho, none of this "to make sure you paid the rite price for the items". Unless those receipt checkers are computers, i highly doubt they memory the prices of every item you buy.

[MikeD]

I have had to wait in excess of 12 or so minutes.

:gle:

Damn, that's insane. I'd be upset about that too, despite what I said earlier in this thread. I didn't think the lines were that long in some places. That's a serious customer service issue.

[Mommypooh]

Most of the time at ours I end up waiting close to 10 min or longer just to get out the door from the register. I have spent as long as 15 min and I am likly to chew someone out after that long of a wait especially when I already spent 20 min in line just to wait in a line to have my recipt highlighter.

[attgig]

dang... i've never waited more than 2-3 minutes... and even that was once. i'm usually done with the highlighter line in about 30 seconds. many times, there is no line.

[Napoleon54]

the stinkin 60 year old gramps is not "the man". please. he's the poor schmuck that had to work in walmart cuz the same walmart closed down his neighborhood grocery store that he had for the past 35 years. don't give that poor schmuck the hard time. find a better way to "stand up to the man"....

The store is The Man. Wether their representative is a grandfather or not is irrelevant. The potential for people to be impatient and rude to him is part of the job, if he doesn't like it he should find something else. And the fact that Walmart puts most of the small stores out of business is why I don't shop there to begin with.

[Dazzling]

I often do shopping at Costco for my company supplies. Coffee, paper, pens, cups, paper towels, etc. I remember a time when I bought 2 master cartons of copy paper and was charged for 3. Yes, maybe I should have paid attention closely when they scan the item but the mistake was caught by the employee at the door. She saved me 25.00 bucks and a trip back to the store to dispute the charge.I guess it does pay at times to have them check the receipt....cause you never know when you just might miss something.

[attgig]

And the fact that Walmart puts most of the small stores out of business is why I don't shop there to begin with.


that's good. then you got no probs....




and just cuz there's potential interact with rude people where you work, doesn't mean that you're responsible for giving him more than his quota of rude people. sure would suck to have someone come at me every day and be a jerk cuz i'm doing what i gotta do. doesn't take much effort to help another human being have a better day....

[renovation]

I don't shop Costco or Sam's in part for the need to show proof on the way in and then show proof again of sort (receipt) on the way out. And when I have gone there I find their prices are not really that great-sometimes even higher then the store I normally shop at. Their closest store to me is like 12 miles away meanwhile its just 4 blocks to Krogers or Kmart, and 1 mile to Meijers, Walmart, Home Depot. Also, I just have to buy the size goods we need, not a extra large size or 6 of the item. Besides, I don't have mass storage space in my home and don't need it with the kids all moved out and just the wife and myself and my jealous pet.
Then you should factor in your yearly membership fee. To me I better save that by my second trip or this really wouldn't be worth it anyway. The gas, time, membership fees, extra waste due to spoilage from under use are just not for some people like myself. Finally, I do my shopping (giving my cash) to the local venders in my area even if it cost me a bit more.

[Burzhui]

i would like to know the legal take on this

[DarkFury]

I don't shop Costco or Sam's in part for the need to show proof on the way in and then show proof again of sort (receipt) on the way out. And when I have gone there I find their prices are not really that great-sometimes even higher then the store I normally shop at. Their closest store to me is like 12 miles away meanwhile its just 4 blocks to Krogers or Kmart, and 1 mile to Meijers, Walmart, Home Depot. Also, I just have to buy the size goods we need, not a extra large size or 6 of the item. Besides, I don't have mass storage space in my home and don't need it with the kids all moved out and just the wife and myself and my jealous pet.
Then you should factor in your yearly membership fee. To me I better save that by my second trip or this really wouldn't be worth it anyway. The gas, time, membership fees, extra waste due to spoilage from under use are just not for some people like myself. Finally, I do my shopping (giving my cash) to the local venders in my area even if it cost me a bit more.
Pretty much you can do whatever you want with your money, however stores like Costco and Sam's do have their "benefits" if you have a larger family and/or additional storage capabilities.

Besides, most "membership clubs" do require you show ID on the way in... so I wouldn't let THAT be a deciding factor. As far as the memberships go, well if you get on the "family plan" where each additonal member of the family can get their own card at a reduced rate from the first one, then you can actually save a few bucks there as well.

As far as the prices go... well, buying in bulk can be "hit or miss". Pretty much you have to already know what the current retail value of some items are to be able to determine the amount of savings when buying a gross quantity. For myself, I already have created a standard list of the things that I can get cheaper in bulk at Sam's... Most of these things are items I use on a regular basis (so that they don't just sit around the house taking up space) so pretty much the storage requirement isn't always a factor.

Here's my personal "short list" of things that are cheaper to buy in bulk at Sam's/Costco rather than at the store...

1) Washing Powder (honestly, my household goes through this like it is going out of style or something)

2) Various Cleaning supplies and Trash Bags (Doesn't hurt to have a box of 60 lawn bags versus the 24 packs that most stores carry. I'll eventually need all of them)

3) Pet Supplies (Kitty litter and bulk pet food can be cheaper, depending on how much your animals consume).

4) Juices and Beverages (Buying cases of Gatorade, Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Cranberry, and Grape are generally cheaper here, unless you just like to drink the generic "Sam's Choice" versions from Wal Mart

5) Bulk packs of meat (I usually can get a 10lb bag of frozen skinless chicken breasts MUCH cheaper than buying individual packs of chicken in the store. Of course, having a "deep freezer" in the garage doesn't hurt. :D )

5) Pre-Cooked Breakfast and Snack foods (Honestly buying 12 Hot Pocket pack is cheaper per unit than the normal 2 pack box. You can buy 3Lbs of Ball Park Frank hotdogs (24 count) for the cost of about 2 regular sized packs (16 total) in the local grocery store) Also, they have good deals on other "party foods" where if you need to feed more than 10 people at a time, you can save buying in bulk.)

6) Fresh Fruit (I've found that 3Lbs of bananas in Sam's is only 99 cents. that's cheaper than the 49 cent per pound normally in regular grocery stores... and honestly those 'nanners don't hang around long in my house. :D )

7) Vitamins (You'd be amazed at the difference in price of buying 500 tablets of "Vitamin X" or Centrum/One-A-Day, etc is over then normal cost of a 125 tablet bottle. Big time savings here!)

8) Soap Refills (Pretty much hands down... these refills are much cheaper in those stores. And if you have multiple bathrooms + kitchen that need soap, it sure comes in handy.)

9) Miscellaneous (I actually bought my son's bed in Sam's club. It was a "Serta" mattress and spring set that cost me a total of about $150... whereas buying that exact same product in a local furniture store was well into the $225 range. Sam's and Costco also get all kinds of "special one time only" deals on other general merchandise that are highly discounted from retail... you just have to know how to spot the extrodinary deal from the "so-so" deal.)

10) and finally the #10 deal in Sam's is the "Food Court". Where else can you get a 1/4 hotdog or Polish sausage and a 32 ounce drink for $1.49? /me looks around... can't find a deal like that anywhere. Toss in a 16" mega supreme or meat lover's pizza for about $8.00 already cooked and you are looking at one of the best deals for "fast food" around. They have other really good deals on prepared food, but those tend to really stand out.

All in all.. all I'm trying to say to ya is that your Membership to one of these clubs basically is what you make of it. Yeah, it might not suit everyone, but they do have their worthwhile benefits and in the long run money is saved if you shop wisely. Either way, everyone makes their own choices whether or not to shop there. (and I don't fault you for choosing not to. :D )

[InfiniteNothing]

i would like to know the legal take on this
Well, I imagine it's illegal for them to stop you or detain you since that would likely be false arrest. It's probably okay for them to yell at you to stay there and get your receipt marked but they probably can't enforce it.

[Airencracken]

I've waited in line at costco in excess of fifteen minuets.

[BigJon]

Half the time at the Sams Club we go to...they don't really even "check" the receipt...they just draw a line down it and let you go.

[Jeffbx]

i would like to know the legal take on this


http://crimedoctor.com/loss_prevention_3.htm

Looks like it's perfectly legal for them to ask, and perfectly legal for the customer to refuse. They can only do 'voluntary' bag checks, so if you refuse, they cannot force you & they cannot detain you in any way.

[YellowCoffee]

You can get mad at Costco all you want regarding the receipt check, but you definitely can't get mad at them for their $1.99 big slice of combo pizza, hot dog & soda for $1.55, or a chicken bake for $2.69. Wow, that is sad that I memorized the prices to almost every item on their menu.:rolleyes: Looks like it's Costco for lunch!

[MikeD]

I've waited in line at costco in excess of fifteen minuets.

:gle:

Again, that's nuts. I don't blame anyone for rolling out if the line is that long. How do they keep it from backing up into the register aisles? And what is the freakin' hold up?

[Markel]

I'm surprised that Fry's hasn't gotten mentioned yet in this thread, because they do the same "receipt check" thing on the way out. One time after I had bought a single item and the receipt checker was being real slow with someone in front of me, I just pulled my item out of the bag and waved my receipt as I walked by.

[attgig]

You can get mad at Costco all you want regarding the receipt check, but you definitely can't get mad at them for their $1.99 big slice of combo pizza, hot dog & soda for $1.55, or a chicken bake for $2.69. Wow, that is sad that I memorized the prices to almost every item on their menu.:rolleyes: Looks like it's Costco for lunch!


how about their churros and ice cream. can't forget desert!

[Napoleon54]

that's good. then you got no probs....

and just cuz there's potential interact with rude people where you work, doesn't mean that you're responsible for giving him more than his quota of rude people. sure would suck to have someone come at me every day and be a jerk cuz i'm doing what i gotta do. doesn't take much effort to help another human being have a better day....

I by no means go out of my way to be rude to people. In fact, it is very very seldom that I don't make an effort to be pleasant. It is part of my personality.

I think you've erroneously equated noncompliance with being rude. It is not a contradiction to say, with a genuine smile, "no thank you, you may not check my receipt" and keep walking. That's not rude and people who do that are not necessarily jerks.

[Napoleon54]

Thanks for the link Jeffbx! That sheds a little more light on the topic. I have a question about this part though:
Not only does the bag checker help catch mistakes and deter theft, but also aids in the return procedure. The special mark that is made on the receipt is a signal to the refund desk that the item passed by the door checker after being purchased. Unmarked receipts suggest that the items might be stolen or purchased at a different store. This could adversely hamper speedy refund processing.

How does marking the reciept make it valid? Was it not valid prior to marking? Just doesn't make sense. If the customer hadn't purchased the product, then where did the reciept come from to begin with (be it marked or not??) Moreover, what's to prevent a customer from marking the reciept themselves and thus make it valid?

That reminds me of a couple people I know who don't sign the back of their credit cards 'cause "if it isn't signed then the cashier will ask for ID and make sure that it isn't stolen". That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard 'cause if I stole an unsigned credit card from someone, the first thing I'd do is sign it.

[Jeffbx]

How does marking the reciept make it valid? Was it not valid prior to marking?

It's all store policy, so it really makes no difference to you & me. Although I do remember one time going into Home Depot (? some big home improvement store) several years ago with a friend of mine who bought a $400 saw. Checked out in the back, they gave him a receipt & said 'Just show this at the door in case anyone stops you'. No one stopped us, we went out & put it in the car. I remember thinking how easy it would have been to go back into the store, grab another saw & wheel that one out too. Or just take the 2nd saw up to the front desk for a 'refund'. So it DOES make sense for the store to do it, but if I'm in a hurry I won't feel bad about refusing.


That reminds me of a couple people I know who don't sign the back of their credit cards 'cause "if it isn't signed then the cashier will ask for ID and make sure that it isn't stolen".

My dad always writes 'ask for ID' in the signature space. He says about 10% of the time someone actually asks.

[Napoleon54]

My dad always writes 'ask for ID' in the signature space. He says about 10% of the time someone actually asks.

Now THAT makes sense, good idea.

[Airencracken]

My dad always writes 'ask for ID' in the signature space. He says about 10% of the time someone actually asks.

Been doing that since I got cards. :)

[Nija]

My dad always writes 'ask for ID' in the signature space. He says about 10% of the time someone actually asks.
Mine says, "See I.D." (Which, according to our local Post Office, it's not supposed to say, since they won't accept it if it says that or any variation).

I almost never get asked. On the random time I do get asked, they always ask me about how often people check, and I usually tell them every couple of months.

[Thesifer]

Mine says, "See I.D." (Which, according to our local Post Office, it's not supposed to say, since they won't accept it if it says that or any variation).

I almost never get asked. On the random time I do get asked, they always ask me about how often people check, and I usually tell them every couple of months.


So then what do you do when you go to the post office? Do you have a Post Office Credit Card?

[ShawnLee]

Mine says, "See I.D." (Which, according to our local Post Office, it's not supposed to say, since they won't accept it if it says that or any variation).

I almost never get asked. On the random time I do get asked, they always ask me about how often people check, and I usually tell them every couple of months.:hmm:

So then what do you do when you go to the post office? Do you have a Post Office Credit Card?
:stupid:

How do you know this? I do that too, and I agree, I only get asked rarely, but never had a problem at a Post Office.

[DarkFury]

That reminds me of a couple people I know who don't sign the back of their credit cards 'cause "if it isn't signed then the cashier will ask for ID and make sure that it isn't stolen". That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard 'cause if I stole an unsigned credit card from someone, the first thing I'd do is sign it.
Actually what they SHOULD do in that case is write: "PLEASE CHECK FOR ID" in permanent ink in the signature block.

That would solve that problem. :D



EDIT: Heh... based on the responses after you posted that, I guess others have the same idea about that one. :D

[Houdini]

Not sure about the postage thing either. ?? Are you sending bigarse products? Morseo than a few bucks or stamps will allow? I'd never think of reaching for plastic in a post office. :shrug: But then again, I've never been in a situation where I've had to. I try to avoid post offices. People are often so sour, rude, etc. Probably b/c they have to stand all day and deal with sour/rude/impatient people who have been in line for 30 mins or so.

[Napoleon54]

Not sure about the postage thing either. ?? Are you sending bigarse products? Morseo than a few bucks or stamps will allow? I'd never think of reaching for plastic in a post office. :shrug: But then again, I've never been in a situation where I've had to. I try to avoid post offices. People are often so sour, rude, etc. Probably b/c they have to stand all day and deal with sour/rude/impatient people who have been in line for 30 mins or so.

I try to avoid the PO too, especially for packages, but for different reasons. There's been speculation that the postal service keeps hiking first class postage (something they mostly have a monopoly on) in order to subsidize their competition with private carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL) for package delivery. Shady operation, IMO. Besides, I think it's high time that the government abolished the whole postal system and let private companies take over. A little competition between a few separate companies would get the job done a lot more efficiently. No doubt that once upon a time, government was the only way that mail delivery could've been done effectively in this country. But that time has long past.

[Markel]

Besides, I think it's high time that the government abolished the whole postal system and let private companies take over. A little competition between a few separate companies would get the job done a lot more efficiently. No doubt that once upon a time, government was the only way that mail delivery could've been done effectively in this country. But that time has long past.
I'm not so sure I would support this. I doubt that I could get FedEx or UPS to deliver my mortgage payment for 39 cents.

[psycho-]

People complain about this policy @ Costco as if they're forced to shop there. If you hate , there are plenty of alternatives out there (other stores, you know). Costco isn't the only place you can buy things at.

I also understand that if you don't like that type of service at Costco, you can get a full refund on your membership.

You can also fill out a comment card in the store.

regardless, it just sounds like whiney venting

[kgsilvas]

:agree: !!!

[Napoleon54]

Aight, I'm feeling outta the loop here 'cause I don't know Costco from a hole in the ground. There aren't any Costcos here and I've never been to one. Anybody willing to clue me in as to what they're all about?

[DarkFury]

Aight, I'm feeling outta the loop here 'cause I don't know Costco from a hole in the ground. There aren't any Costcos here and I've never been to one. Anybody willing to clue me in as to what they're all about?
Funny you should say that since you pretty much started this whole debate. :heh:

More or less... Costco is a "members only" discount retailer. Pretty much they buy and sell in bulk to get lower unit prices for their members.

Costco is very similar to "Sam's Club" which I think started this whole "membership discount club" idea.

[Napoleon54]

Funny you should say that since you pretty much started this whole debate. :heh:

More or less... Costco is a "members only" discount retailer. Pretty much they buy and sell in bulk to get lower unit prices for their members.

Costco is very similar to "Sam's Club" which I think started this whole "membership discount club" idea.

Hehe, yeah, good point, but there was enough info in the article that I could deduce what he was talking about. :) Though I honestly didn't have a clear picture of what Costco was.

In my area though, I think it was BJ's Wholesale Club which brought the "members only" discount wholesale club idea into existance back in the mid to late 80s... long before Walmart and Sam's Club moved in in the mid 90s. Costco, though, obviously, has yet to make their appearance here. :shrug:

Thanks for the info!

:)

[Hoser]

The first store that I remember having memberships was Bi-Mart. This was in Oregon in the '70s. They date back to the early '60s.

[Mommypooh]

well we are getting our first Costco here in about a month. I have the opertunity to buy my own membership from my husbands work. I think I will become the membership holder for once. I can't complain about Sam's club policy to them cause in all essence I am not allowed to shop there even if my mother in law pretends to pay for it and then I reimburse her. They are very strict.

And on the comment of Credit cards, mine is signed with CID in perment marker next to it. Because of the post office. They said it had to be signed or they would not accept it but that I did have the right to put CID next to it and i do get checked most of the places I go that I don't swipe it myself. I never get checked at the grocery cause I swipe my own card and they don't care, but Dairy queen I always get checked at, and most fast food, granted we only eat there once an month or less so....

[Houdini]

The first store that I remember having memberships was Bi-Mart. This was in Oregon in the '70s. They date back to the early '60s.

Wow - that would have different connotations today...

[ShawnLee]

The first club store I remember (granted that I'm younger than some of the more aged here) was the Warehouse Club my family went to when I was younger, back in Chicago. I think they sold to either Costco or WalMart, and got converted to Costco or Sam's, whichever.

[Airencracken]

I remember Price Club and PACE. As of now, I'm a member of Costco.

[Jcranmer]

Sams Club has been around for more years than I can remember in my area, but we did just get our first Costco a few months ago. I've yet to try Costco, but I do shop at Sams quite a bit. I was even in there tonight, although I didn't buy anything.

[Captain Video]

I tell em my dog ate it and keep walking. By the time they rea;ize, they are too amused to chase me.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Very enlightening article. I'll still wait for the kid to check my receipt at Sam's Club (I've never waited longer than two minutes, and I'm fairly non-confrontational IRL.) But I will never again stop when the automated voice at Wal-Mart says "Please wait for an associate". Like the guy said, I'm not being paid to assist some giant retailer with its security measures.

[cadetevon]

I remember Price Club and PACE. As of now, I'm a member of Costco.

Price Club is what we now know as Costco. Mr. Price, a San Diego native, either died (not sure) or just simply sold the company and retired.

The Price Foundation (something Mr. Price set up) offers up TONS of research grants every year and the San Diego State Foundation (or whatever they're calling themselves now-a-days) manages most of them.

[Nija]

So then what do you do when you go to the post office? Do you have a Post Office Credit Card?
Since I've been of Legal age ( for your reference I'm 27) I can think of 5 times I've been to a Post Office, and three times that I had to use my card (come to think of it, they were all for white elephant/secret santa gifts for this site :P ).

I have no use for the post office. All my bills are submitted electroniclly (Cable, Cell Phone, Gas & Electric)and before that, I could get them at ATM's.

The Girl uses stamps fairly frequently, but she only gets them from the ATM. She uses them to send in her car payment and insurance and birthday/holiday cards.