I was at the Germantown WalMart...

[snipped]

At this point, the manager informed me that Wal*Mart policy did not allow me to leave the store without showing a receipt. I said that I had paid for my merchandise, that it was in fact a store employee that had thrown away my receipt, and that I was not compelled to prove that items that I legally owned belonged to anyone but me.

Cliff_Donner at 04:48 PM on 06/14/08

Some group needs to orchestrate a "Leave Wal-Mart Without Showing Your Receipt" Day. It would be interesting to see how the store would deal with dozens of people trying to simultaneously bypass the receipt-checker. Maybe even throw in some extra people just carrying Wal-Mart bags filled with crumpled up newspaper to spice things up.

scerwup at 04:52 PM on 06/14/08

So, the security guard threatened to kick his ass did he? In the parking lot, not in the store even. All I know is that, here in Texas, you threaten me in a public place, such as a parking lot, I have every right to pull out my stun gun and defend myself. Shit, in Texas if I have a concealed weapon license and you threaten me in a public place, I have a right to defend myself from bodily harm, such as "kicking my ass", with my weapon. I don't carry a gun, but a stun gun works nicely and is totally legal for anyone to own. Threaten me, get the shit shocked out of you. That's what happens. I wish more people would stand up for themselves.

wring at 04:54 PM on 06/14/08

i never thought there would ever be such a term as "police-state superstore". maybe it's time to turn libertarian.

Skankingmike at 04:54 PM on 06/14/08

THIS IS WHY YOU DO NOT SHOP AT WALMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They force their employees to work extra hours off the clock you think they give a rats ass about your civil liberties? and cops DEFINITELY do not give a crap about those either.

YouPeople at 05:36 PM on 06/14/08

When I'm asked for my receipt at Wal-Mart, I ask for the store manager, and say they aren't seeing anything until he or she comes down. Once they're there, I let them search and explain to the manager that if they're going to waste my time, I'm going to waste theirs.
They haven't changed their policies, but it feels better.

Phexerian at 05:40 PM on 06/14/08

If I was in this situation, at the point the employee told me he was going to kick me ass and was grabbing for my belongings, I would have dropped them and then dropped his teeth from his mouth a few times, until he doesn't resist anymore, while screaming to not touch me and to get away; then detain him physically and tell him that he is under citizens arrest. At this point I would phone an officer to the scene after taking control of the situation.

The person in this story, after being told that THEY need to go talk to the cashier, should have said no, but that the walmart management can go talk to the cashier as he is under no burden to prove his innocence, but rather walmart has to prove he was stealing. If an american citizen has to prove their innocence everywhere they go, I might think we live in a police state.

Unfortunately, I don't think it would go anywhere in court as to walmart detaining you. They had reasonable suspicion to do so, but once again, they have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are guilty of theft.

Send a letter to corporate and complain. Ask for the managers superior and get in touch with them about the problem. Get in touch with the ACLU and ask them to investigate it. It may be possible that they can put some heat on them for this.

-Phex
-3rd Year PharmD/MBA Candidate