OT - Walmart

This is ridiculous, stealing is stealing. Are they afraid they will alienate customers or what? Where will the cost of these "under $25" item thefts go? Like Pat, another reason to shop elsewhere.

Linda in Tx

I suspect they have done extensive research that proves that it costs than more than $25 per shoplifting incident to prosecute -- Wal-Mart has always been very aware of the bottom line. I suspect ethics and morals have never entered into their business decisions.

Believe me, there are TONS of reasons not to shop at Wal-Mart, but I'm curious as to why you would stop shopping there because they have changed their policy on shoplifting. How does it affect you?

Not trying to argue, just curious.

Cindy

Yup, you are right Elizabeth. The article clearly states how much it costs to process the particular crime and how they came up with the numbers. And honestly now.... less than $25 is not going to leave them gouged and blind It makes perfect sense that if they have the resources to go after the career criminals, then they will have prevented more crime and used their resources wisely. As for teaching values... really now... is that Walmart's job folks? Shouldn't we be doing that for our own kids???? Because I know I'm not leaving it up to anyone else to instill that ;-)

No, no. I wasn't saying that Wal-Mart should be teaching values to our children but that their business practices are frequently not moral or ethical, in my opinion. I am sure, however, they are very little different than those of other major retailers.

I'm not defending Walmart, but the cost just isn't worth it. It isn't right, but the costs are high, and judges and juvenile courts have more important cases than $25.00 theft. Insurance companies do the same thing. There are a lot of "nuisance" claims paid because it isn't worth the time and money to go after another party. Most insurance companies have a set dollar amount for damage before they try to get their money back from the other company. They will deny this of course, but that is their practice.

Sherry Starr

Should have had more coffee before I tried that post or been more clear. You were right that the article clearly states it was a financial bottom line decision. The values etc was in response to other posters comments... or at least my fast and loose interpretation of them.... told you .... more coffee Sorry for the confusion....

Jan wrote: As for teaching

Teaching values to children is everyone's job. It is my understanding that a lot of kids do some petty shoplifting at some time or another during their growing-up years, even those that are taught otherwise at home. I would expect all merchants to do something -- at least notify parents -- if they catch a kid stealing anything at all, no matter the value. Most shoplifters don't start with $100 items or even $25 items. It seems to me that it is most likely to start with small stuff like candy bars. If they get away with small stuff, they'll go on to bigger stuff. The article did say that this puts Wal-mart's policy in line with competitors so I suspect that Target, K-mart, etc. probably have similar policies. I realize that the article talks about prosecuting shoplifters. I hope that they do take some action & not let anyone get by completely with anything.

Julia in MN

They did say they were going to follow up. If a person caught once with less than the $25 needed to prosecute gets caught again. They will be prosecuting. At least that is the way I read it.

I very rarely go to Walmart at all, this latest bit just reinforces my shopping habits. Crime is crime and it is not their job to teach kids values, they should make shoplifting have consequences. After all they are always saying they are such good neighbors. Would you want your neighbors to allow your kids to steal from you and not pay for it?

Linda in Tx

Cindy:

1. Shop lifting affects all customers. It causes us to pay higher prices for the items we choose.
2. Walmart tries to come across as a community oriented and family friendly corporati> Believe me, there are TONS of reasons not to shop at Wal-Mart, but I'm

the article did say something about calling the parents and they will keep the kids name on file. if they get caught twice, they call the police. they will call police if the person has no form of ID on them also. as some theives purposely dont carry ID on them in case they are caught and can then give false name/addy etc. doesnt work if they call police cuz they have no ID on them. jeanne

I've heard this same principle in reverse applied with lawsuits against doctors. If the plaintiff is asking a doctor (or actually his insurance company) for an amount below $50,000, the insurance company settles rather than pay the court costs--even if the suit is frivilous. Guess it doesn't matter if the doctor's reputation is ruined?

Sorry, but I can't quote a source on this--it was something I heard years ago and perhaps is no longer true. However, I wouldn't bet on it.

Michelle in NV

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth:

1. Companies (for the most part - there are certainly some who do) do not have a social conscience.
2. As I am told all the time, Companies have the right to set whatever policies they want to. It's their company, not yours.
3. Companies are not our friends. Neither Wal-Mart, Exxon, nor Merck care whether you live or die. Only that your money lives on. That "neighborly" persona is manufactured on Madison Avenue.

Like I said before over and over again. I loathe what Wal-Mart represents. I would encourage anyone who can to spend their dollars elsewhere. Don't shop Wal-Mart because they treat their employees badly. Don't shop Wal-Mart because they are more than willing to exploit foreign child labor.

I just don't see this as much of a reason.

Cindy > but I'll certainly take what I can get

I know what you mean, just got mine yesterday, I'm only 48, they could have waited a year or not send the stupid thing at all. If I want to join, then I will search them out and ginen the fact that I'm only 32 in my head, it's going to be a while before I look for there phone number!!!! My DD brought in the mail, saw the invite and exclaimed, "you're 50 this year, WOW!!!!" So not funny!!!

Joan ~ I might look my age but I certainly don't feel it!!

I got my first one when I was 33 so don't worry. They'll invite you again. I had quit working full time so I think they believed I was "retired".

I also once got an invite to subscribe to a magazine geared to "mature women" after seeing the flyer I hope I'm never that mature. :-)

marcella

Howdy! Got my first invite on my 30th birthday and just laughed. As I've laughed at the invites since then. Right now I have little respect for AARP and their "agenda."

Have yet to meet a quilt shop that offers an AARP discount, altho' many near and far honor guild membership for discount. There's a man who lives about 20 miles from us (same big ol' Metroplex) with the same first & last name as my husband. We keep getting mail for the other man, adverts and offers for elder-care and nursing homes. Some of the mail has been a bit too-informative in regards to the privacy issues that health care facilities & insurers are supposed to observe; we discovered a couple of years ago that the other man is 95 yrs. old, about twice the age of my husband who doesn't qualify for AARP, elder-care, senior discounts, etc.. But I love to keep the mailouts just to tease my dearest. LOL

Ragmop/Sandy--sizzling in n.Tx. (went outside to check the mail )

ok.. just for us foreigners know what is AARP? some kind of club?