How to Spot Walmart “Security”
When I shop at Walmart near Woodland Hill’s Mall, their Loss Prevention Associate follows me. They’re not true security, they’re plain-clothed protectors of profit. Mostly, they go unrecognized and unnoticed. I, however, know how to spot them
Because I’m tired of their suspicion over me, rather than shop elsewhere, I’m going blow their cover. Here’s How to Spot a Walmart Loss Prevention Associate, or LPA:
1) Browsing Male Shoppers
Men do not browse at Walmart, not even the gay ones. Men know what they want. They walk into the store; grab their item and leave. Look for the man who casually browses, with no shopping cart.
2) Quiet Cell phone Use
The cell phone of many Walmart LPAs appears connected to the ear and palm. While it’s not unusual for people to talk on their cell phones in public, it is unusual to not hear the conversation. People are rude, loud and believe their conversation is a gift to shoppers. LPAs will quietly use cell phones to communicate with each other. It’s subtler than a walkie-talkie.
3) Cup in Hand
Most Walmart Supercenters house either a Subway or McDonald’s. If an LPA buys lunch inside Walmart, he’s likely to carry his drink through the store. It’s a natural habit to carry a drink out of a fast food restaurant. However, no one stops at Subway for a meal before a leisurely stroll through Walmart, except Jared. People normally stop on the way out.
4) Look of Intent
Shopping at Walmart requires almost no thought. There are two choices: buy the item or not buy the item. A concentrated look is not always a sign of constipation; it’s also a sign of a secret Walmart associate.
5) Dragnet Vibe
Finally, if casual eye contact with anyone translates into a mental medley of, “Dum – - – de – DUM – DUM,” then it’s probably Loss Prevention.
You’re so funny!
And helpful.
They follow me too, though I’m not sure why. A good trick to get them to leave you alone is offer to let them frisk you. That will usually do the trick.
I like to turn around and start fallowing them, I enjoy moking them, saying things like…walkie talkie noise…pasee we got a code red on the womens hygyne isle repeat code red all available units respond, over and out. I dont know im just kind of onery that way, hey they can f..k with me Im allowed some fun all so…
Linda
That’s not funny everyone has a job and they are there for a reason just let them do there job I know you wouldn’t want someone following you when your at work doing your job I can say that for a fact. And plus they are there for your safety as well keep that in mind when your following them.
lol ive encountered people while walking the floor as a former apa that they get nervous because we were watching them, and them confronting me and calling me a rent a cop or whatever … i loved this part especially because for 1 your paranoid and i would ask them y r u paranoid? haha they immediately feel retarted because they r paranoid and another thing is i used being a rent a cop to my advantage by telling them to go fuck them selves because a peace officer isnt gunna talk shit to u. Another thing is why the fuck r u looking around so much if your not stealing? dead give away jackass.. doing the job for two years taught me that people are horrible at stealing because i avereaged 20 apps a month in a small ass town that everyone already knew who i was but they always wanted to test me but mainly i loved fucking them up when they tryd to run from me.. best thrill in the world body slamming some wana be gangster or true gangsters that thought they were the shit for stealing from walmart, the getting confronted by a rent a cop and getting there ass whooped by 1.. nothing better in the world.
ya you didnt work for wal-mart and do that because if you did they would have fired your lyin ass now go bacmk to your xbox kid
I suggest a pair of billy-bob teeth to help you blend in with normal Wal*Mart shoppers. Nothing tips off LPA like someone that’s out of place – clean clothes, articulate English, adequate grooming, etc.
Dick! is that you? Dick? Dick!
Ain’t that the truth!
I am not a shoplifter, but even I feel guilty and keep my hands in plain site and hope I don’t need anything from inside my purse when these types are lurking around.
Next time, try to lose him by the case of Dr. Thunder and Southern Lighting.
The best way to get them off your back or to make them feel dumb is to say out loud, ” Oh look Secret Rent a Cop!” or my favorite “This guy is undercover walmart security and he thinks we don’t know!!!”
Has everyone also noticed the super secret Electrical room that is magically at all entrances which also says do not block….thats the pig pen!
I know they try to be undercover but sometimes you can spot one wearing a walkie talkie under his shirt! I see it as a game of hide and seek find them and point them out!
Wow you guys really are way off. I am actually in what you call “LPA’s” and many people make comments to us about oh secret shoppers and what not. The funny part is if we are following you, then I assure you, you would have no idea. We often make ourselves visible. And your wrong about were our office is. If you see it then wow you get a gold star, but many of them are out of sight. And we don’t use walkies. But most theft rings try do. If you are doing nothing wrong then you shouldn’t be so uptight about us being around. We are there at all times “walking around”. We don’t stop people for putting their hands in pockets. We each follow close to 100 people a day both criminal and non-criminal, that doesn’t mean we think you are bad. And the next time you lose your wallet or get your car hit in the parking lot, slip and fall, or leave your box of diapers in the bottom of the cart. We are the ones who find out what happened and fix the problem. We also prevent thousands of dollars from being taken from the store every month so your welcome for keeping the prices down.
Actually, if you are following us, we do have an idea. It’s you who has no idea that you’re not hidden well.
I too am a WalMart LP… well actually it is AP now, but like others have said, the reason you typically see an AP is because he/she isn’t paying any attention to you. There are plenty of APAs that suck and will get caught watching people but if you keep seeing the same AP I doubt they’re following you. People tell me all the time I am watching them when I never even noticed them. I promise you as soon as I turn the corner I’ll be watching them now. Only 2 people approach APs in the store: dumb people, and thieves. I wonder which one some of you are.
Helpful comment, however they do have the right to trespass you for disrupting business, and then if you come back in, it could result in a 2nd degree criminal trespassing charge. I think that if you do not have anything to be worried about, don’t bother worrying about them. They have a job just like you do, and they are doing theirs.
I came across a blog post from a guy who refused to allow the security folks to verify his receipt on his way out the door at one of the big box stores. He’d paid for his purchases and felt it was a needless intrusion, basically requiring him to prove he hadn’t shoplifted the goods. The store people freaked, called the cops, and hassled him over it.
So, I’m wondering if I could do something similar. I try to avoid Wally World because they treat their employees like crap, so maybe one of the other big box stores would be fun.
Ed W,
When you leave the register, the items in your possession are yours. No Walmart or Best Buy employee may legally prevent you from leaving with your goods, whether they look at them or not. If they try, politely tell them that they are illegally detaining you and you wish to leave. If they persist, do not allow them to search your bag, but do not be violent. Live through it and then call the nice folks at the TV station.
The one place where this is not the case is at warehouse clubs (Sams, CostCo, etc.), where you sign a contract that says they are allowed to search your goods. If you want a primer on receipt checking, look at http://www.consumerist.com (which seems to be down today) or just google the term “receipt checking”.
Or stop being such a baby and let them look through your purchase and receipt. Why must everyone make everything such an big deal? Just so you know they do have the right to detain you. Each state, however, has a statute of limitations for duration that they are allowed to detain you. But if it makes you wet your pants to hassle a little old lady at a door and call the news and make it out to be that your civil rights were violated just because shes doing her job, then go ahead. Be proud of your immaturity.
Um, not quite, Savana. Each state sets its own rules, but there are usually strict standards for when someone can be detained.
Here’s how it works in Maryland. There’s a statute that allows merchants to use reasonable means to stop people if they have probable cause to suspect something has been stolen. That’s a VERY high standard-the same as required for police officers to arrest someone. Merchants can only stop people, under that statute, for the purposes of recovering property. If someone is stopped at the gates, tosses the suspected stolen property on the ground, and tries to run off, the merchant no longer has authority under that statute to stop them. The statute cannot be used to detain someone for the purposes of punishment or holding them until law enforcement arrives-JUST to get the believed to be stolen property back.
Other than that statute, merchants have no greater authority to detain someone than anyone other private citizen. Citizens do not have the authority to carry out citizens arrests for misdemeanors, and shoplifting under a certain dollar value, I believe it’s $100, is a misdemeanor. If merchants have probable cause that the dollar value of the believed to be stolen goods is above $100, they CAN hold onto someone until police arrive. But again, that’s a pretty high standard.
Detentions outside of the statute or a citizen’s arrest for a felony committed in their presence, be they detentions that don’t meet the requirements or detentions that weren’t intended to meet the standards of those two categories, are, at minimum, false imprisonment. False imprisonment is both a tort (a civil wrong that one can sue both the person stopping you and their employer if committed as part of their duties to the store) AND a criminal act that potentially carries both a fine and jailtime. In some states, if you are forcibly moved from, say, the front of the store to some security room in the back of the store, that may escalate the criminal act from false imprisonment to kidnapping, a felony.
So, no, Savanna, there is absolutely no right to detain someone for refusing to show a receipt. That is insufficient cause to suspect someone of shoplifting, even in states that do not require suspicion to rise to the level of probable cause. Detaining someone for refusing someone to show a receipt is false imprisonment, both a crime and a tort.
Y would u make such a big deal? ” politely tell them that they are illegally detaining you and you wish to leave ” Dont be a little vagina and just let them do their jobs
hey jackass nobody is going to search your shit unless u didnt pay for something that they saw with there own eyes and they can contain u if u have stolen property with lethal force.
I have read several forums of walmart lp’s ruffing people up and detaining people falsely!!! have read about it thousands of times..I didnt know what to really believe until i became a part of these walmart lp’s abuse and kidnapping “Illegally detained” i am disabled and was approached by lp’s while i was in line paying for my items..I was ask to go with them..when i stopped in the hallway on camera i asked what the issue was and he said i had stold an item, i asked how that was possible seeing as i was in line paying for over a hundered dollers worth of stuff..he called me a F***ing liar and i said i wasn’t going anyplace, he replied: You can willing or i can drag you back with us. Me being disabled feared for my life and safety. SO i couldn’t with stand someone jerking me around do to my injuries..so i hand no Joice but to go with him and his colleague. They took me in there office which is in the front of the store the little door you see that looks as if it were a closet..so yes all walmart lp’s offices are in the front of the store in between the front doors and the theft detection system. they ruffed me up and would not allow me to leave..injured my shoulder..they screamed at me like most would a dog.loud enough people going bye could hear every word..so i let it go..as i had no Joice as they held me against my will..But what they didn’t know is that i would pursue a lawsuit against walmart for the 4 illegal things they did to me. as i am sueing for all damages physical , emotional, kidnapping : illegally detaining me” , and for false arrest.. as well as a public apologie, and personal apologie froim the lp’s which has been agreed upon..so a word to walmart lp’s all over..be-careful who you follow around and be careful of who you accuse or you may end up with no job just like the lp did that decided to stalk me..justice served ..thanks america..
GOD bless us all..
Tom
well that sucks man but just to tell u that they werent supposed to stop u until u left the store so they werent doing there job right and they were in the wrong if thats what really happend
Little known fact: it is really not illegal to shoplift at Walmart.
Just tell them I said so if you get stopped.
I’ll pass the tip along.
wtf are u saying its not illegal to steal? what a jackass.. i fucked up so many dumb asses like u that thot its just walmart who cares lol. little know fact: u may get away a couple of times but u will eventually get caught and when u do tell them what your little known fact when your getting fucked up by a rent a cop.
LPAs themselves are the best shoplifters.
this is true
LOL! You literally made me laugh out loud by your first bullet point. You described perfectly the way I shop, too!
Straight or gay, that’s how men shop at Walmart.
Amazing. I just wrote a letter to Wal-Mart about this very thing. Even more amazing? AT THIS VERY STORE! My two favorite super-stealthy security guys:
The sad balding guy in his 30s. He came from the Wal-Mart when it was at 41st and Memorial and he treated all of his customers to this method of store-wide following.
The middle aged hispanic guy with the mustache.
Also another good bet: The guy standing ‘just outside’ customer service when you return something.
PS: I have also taken my business elsewhere.
My too. I’ve switched back to Target. Plus, I don’t have to wait in line for 15 minutes.
Haha.. hypocrite… WalMart adopted its AP09 policy from Target. They too follow people.
I can spot them too, but they don’t follow me.
how about you make a blog about how people stupid ppl are when they drop thier kids off at the mall to basicly be baby sitted by a shopping center. and how more then half of the cities petty crime (shoplifting car burglarys ect.) is centered around 71st and memorial. 6 of the top 10 crime store are located on that corner. sounds like a great place to drop off your kids to me. all the guns and knifes those stores have come across apprehending shoplifters is astounding.
Hint to all-
All retailers have loss prevention of some sort. Quit crying, because if you act suspicious you are going to be followed whether you like it or not, if you even notice. Hint to the wise, Wal-Mart uses DVR security systems so you are watched from an office monitor also. And for the most part, you wouldn’t complain if you didn’t feel guilty.
Um, Joel Flatten – your threatening, insensitive response does nothing to increase our goodwill toward these stores who are increasingly treating us *not* as paying customers who keep them in business, but as (potential) thieves. And your assumption that only the “guilty” are offended by this is patently false, and probably self-serving. Unless you just have no conscience or soul, period – it’s probably easier to do your job (and to get employees to follow the program) if you perpetuate the myth that only the “guilty” shoplifters (or would-be shoplifters) take offense to being treated like a thief.
I don’t know of any type of shopper who would be *more* offended by what you do than the 100% innocent shopper who has never stolen in his life – who constantly notices being treated like he is something less than the upstanding citizen that he is. You expect a person to be o.k. with following an ethical code of honesty for his entire life – only to get “rewarded” by being treated like a chronic shoplifter or a constant shoplifting threat? You, my friend – have either lost touch with part of your humanity, or are in serious denial.
It’s pathetic that – despite my having never stolen anything in my life – my every move is scrutinized and misinterpreted as “suspicious”. Display indecisiveness? Oh, I’m going to steal! Spend longer than 30 seconds in an aisle? Oh, I’m going to steal! Can’t make up my mind as to what line to get in? Oh, I’m going to steal! Dare to read the ingredients label of bottles of liquid soap? Oh, I’m going to steal! (Far be it from me to have second thoughts about rubbing a toxic combo of triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate on my skin.) Dare to not return an employee’s fake greeting and overdone gaze in a manner that the employee deems satisfactory (because no innocent shopper may be tired and/or shy, right?)? Call security!
It gives me satisfaction to spend as much of my money as possible on online vendors – which is mostly a byproduct of being made to feel more and more uncomfortable in “real world” stores. You and your colleagues have made it uncomfortable for myself, and plenty of other customers, to “browse” anymore; I just walk into a store with a pre-planned “list” of items to buy and don’t waste an extra minute browsing. How do you think this affects store sales? The less we browse, or the less comfortable we feel in a store – the less we buy.
I hope more and more innocent customers take a stand against the indignity of being treated in this manner. As far as I’m concerned, this blog entry should be the front page of Yahoo! for six months straight. Stores like Best Buy and Barnes and Noble should be boycotted into destruction – there is no real reason to actually buy anything from these stores (and I can name other stores in which it’s becoming increasingly unecessary to buy from).
Instead of griping about loss prevention detectives we should be thanking them. I’m sure none of you have actually done research on the subject but because of them we pay less for merchandise. If they did not exist the prices of our goods would go up then everyone would be complaining that we don’t have anyone to keep this from happening. Just like police no body likes them but everyone needs them. So instead of griping about being followed next time maybe you should look at your behavior that you’re exhibiting and change it.
Don’t forget the bearded, “redneck”-looking guy “leisurely” making his way through the feminine-hygeine product section at a Walmart in an area-of-town where his “look” is an anomaly (and giving you a once-over as he passes you).
Or what about the man who – as you’re standing there in an aisle reading the product-information of a box of allergy-medication that you’re thinking about buying (because, in the LP world, its a sign of the apocalypse that a customer would actually *care* about what s/he putting into his/her body) – stands 2 feet away from you staring you down?
The thing about Walmart LP is that – from my experience – they are often so comically-bad/obvious that it doesn’t necessarily take any keen perceptive powers to spot them. So ratting them out really provides no intrigue. It’s like they drastically underestimate the intelligence/perceptive powers of every customer – and feel free to be ridiculously blatant. Or, they just don’t care about offending you with their stares.
And no – I’m no shoplifter – never have even considered shoplifting (although the tunnel-visioned LP types reading this will desperately want to believe otherwise, to the point of delusion). I just have a knack for sensing when I’m being observed/targeted as a (would-be) shoplifter, and a strong distaste for being regarded as a thief when I’m anything but. So I’d love to see more blogs like this – rat ‘em out!
Here’s another thing to look for (particularly when you’re in Walmart late at night – or maybe this takes place at any time of day): look for uniformed employees who get in line behind you (ostensibly to “buy” something) – to observe you or to (in their mind) “prevent” you from stealing something right there in line. I’ve experienced this pattern a few times recently: I guess management fills these employees heads with notions that they’re “prevention heros” – when, most of the time, they are just wasting their time and picking the wrong people to watch (based on God knows what).
Sometimes (and this applies to other stores, as well) – a plain-clothed “customer” (really LP) will get behind you in line. This is when it can get “fun” – although, to me, “fun” doesn’t describe my experience when I’m being wrongly targeted. Sometimes, these LP will rat themselves out by letting you go ahead of them in line – although they may have only one “product” to “purchase”. They think we’re too unaware/stupid to know what is going on.
Speaking of males talking softly on cellphones…one time, I was in a store (not Walmart) – when I noticed a cell-phone-chatting male “slyly” watching a group of women shoppers. I immediately knew this guy was LP. He was probably “chatting” with his colleagues in the back room – and the back-room people apparently was watching me walking in “cell-phone chatter’s” direction, slyly observing him observing these women (simply ’cause it can be “interesting” to notice store-detective-type activity). The back-room people either told this guy that a “suspicious” customer was fast approaching him, or they told him that his “cover” was blown….because this “engrossed-in-phone-convo” guy suddenly lost interest in the women he was observing and started walking in the exact path that I was headed (which was out of the store). It’s like he was following me – not from behind, but from ahead of me (yes, I believe the “slicker” LP can sort-of anticipate your movement & “follow” you while walking ahead of you). He actually “followed” me out of the store – down the outdoor escalator – where he headed into a store on the first level. You had to have been there. It was pretty bizarre.
Very well said Holmgren. I wrote this post out of humor because LP does follow me while I’m in Walmart, which is why I’ve switched back to Target. I’m annoyed at the number of people, from this post and other forums, who think I have a guilty complex from shoplifting in the past. Well guess what? I also have never shoplifted, nor do I plan to. Here’s my typical Walmart shopping list: shampoo, shaving cream, razors, hand soap, cat food, kitty litter, paper towels, toilet paper and detergent. I might throw in a couple of grocery items. I also have been followed to my car for the above items. I’m not a thief, the LP is a prick.
no man your the prick. maybe u just look funny or act sketchy while your in the store. if u seriously made a blog about asset protection associates then you really need to realize that u suck at life. there are plenty of people that have been false accused but they usually go about there life thinking it was just a miss understanding. go back to target thats great but where else u gunna go when u need a car battery at 3 a.m.?
I also don’t shop at Walmart if I can get out of it.I was shopping with my daughter-in-law and grandson, when LP started following us. I spotted him right away, he was really close.
We took him on a long and winding, not straight, line for a good
hour before heading for the check out. I had fun that day!
They watch you because you are probably a sleezebag or just look like one. I think it is hilarious that this offends you. Or maybe, it’s just the voices in your head telling you people are watching you.
Fact is, LP helps honest consumers by reducing shrink and keeping prices low as well as keeping the store safe. Cry about it if you want, but it’s a fact of life that people will steal. Either stores catch the thieves or they jack up prices.
44% of store shrinkage is due to employee “sleezebags” your term, not mine. I’d bet the percentage at Wal-Mart is a good deal higher.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinkage_%28accounting%29
Wikipedia is NOT a Valid scource from which to gain your information…find something else.
Now you tell me! I just spent that last two hours scraping plaque off my teeth thanks to Wikipedia.
“Wikipedia is NOT a Valid scource from which to gain your information.” According to recent studies, Wikipedia has actually proven quite accurate in most areas. There are many experts that review information from queue of recently edited articles. Often, incorrect information is taken off within a matter of minutes. Also, Wikipedia is a VERY valid source if the information a person is referring to is properly cited.
I think some may be misinterpreting their actions, the part you’re seeing anyway, just because their job is to catch shoplifters does not mean their interest in you is because they think you might steal something. They get paid to hang out in a store and watch people, they’re typically 20 to 30-somethings that get paid “by the hour” to watch “anyone they want” with high-end DVR hardware, they work in small teams or gangs if you will. They do little that can be measured, they have an unlimited amount of latitude while on store premises. Police Officers and real world security related jobs have a strong set of policies, procedures and a code of ethics the corporate security world isn’t burdened with. The corporate world is all about Image and Public Perception, first and foremost, facts, guilt, two sides to the situation, irrelevant, video is there to show their side ONLY, anything conflicting their side is never seen. Remember, these people work for Wal-Mart to protect corporate assets, they answer to “their” corporate infrastructure. If the police show up on site it’s generally because a person representing Wal-Mart has made the call, in some situations it’s almost forbidden to make the call.
You bust a spotter talking to his bud on the DVR scoping on some babes, “think about it,” you bet they’re going to make sure you’re run out of Dodge before you can figure out what they’re doing and ask questions. Then again you could just be a parent of athletically gifted children that year after year take the starting positions away from the kids with parent(s) that work as LPAs or are best buds with them. Stalking you in the parking lot, in the store, ghosting you, calls to checkers for checkout slowdowns, none of your bank cards work, ID check, age checks, it’s all intimidation and harassment. Is it because the guy running the cameras has a crush on you or maybe because you dumped the lead LPA’s baby sister and broke her heart. Who knows, question is, why you? It’s not what you buy, not what you wear or how you act, it’s just regular people in a tiny position of authority taking advantage of that position.
Do these people get drug tested on a regular basis, or at all? Are they given polygraphs on a regular basis…, ever?
As the “Loss Prevention” field goes, think of the type of person attracted to this line of work, it’s typically people attracted to an authoritative position out of some personal need to feel superior to compensate for low self esteem due to real or perceived shortcomings. Those that lack the qualifications, self discipline and dedication to serve their community in a positive selfless role such as a Police Officer, a position that would require commitment and accountability.
Individuals I knew in High School and College that later in life became LPA or LP types, ALL fit one stereotype, Percy Wetmore “the guard that stomped on the mouse” in The Green Mile. I’m sure there are some that don’t fit into that category but the next time you see one, try as you may, you will not be able to ignore their Percy tendencies.
I’ve discovered one thing The Percy’s of Walmart seem to be annoyed by. Customers keeping track of them, snap shots with your camera phone, take videos, most of the time I just fake it, other times I act like I‘m just taking pictures of the price of something. Talk on my phone, walk by and make a camera click sound. Drives them frigging bananas. Invade their space, ask questions, “Hey, what’s your name? ‘you’d be surprised how that one throws them,‘ you sure shop light? What kind of phone is that? Where are the tampons? Wow, can you buy those here? How long have you worked here? What’s the store manager’s name? What’s the LP Director’s name?” Sometimes I just walk by and say Percy…
If you feel threatened in any way, accused of breaking any laws, call 911. Be polite, yes sir, no sir, I’m so sorry I didn’t know, “but acknowledge nothing” comply with requests as long as it doesn’t isolate you locked in some back room. I always have a digital voice recorder running in my shirt pocket when I drive into the parking lot, if confronted, I pull my phone out of my pocket, just hold it in my hand like I’m trying to position it to record something and say, “I’m recording this” but don’t make any move as to indicate I’ve turned anything on, I generally put it back in my pocket.
Here are some photography related rules.
http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2005-12-29-camera-laws_x.htm
http://www.rcfp.org/photoguide/
Here’s a good take on ‘mall ninjas’ – those under-paid, under-appreciated, corporate security warriors who keep shoppers safe from, oh, a host of threats both domestic and foreign. Be sure to scroll down (it’s long) for the shootout at the Orange Julius. After reading it, you’ll undoubtedly discover a new-found respect for those hard working men and women devoted to making your shopping mall experience a safer one.
….or you may find yourself hurting from laughing so hard.
Oops…forgot the URL!
http://lonelymachines.org/mall-ninjas/
This whole idiotic whine is based on some pretty broad and uneducated generalizations.
you ppl think security are all ignorant morons with nothing to do but to follow you. obviously you do not actualy know one. yes one may actualy follow you but it may be for many different reasons. you look like someone they have been trying to catch or you are doing something that is typical to ppl that have causght shoplifting before. did you bring your purse that can hold the kitchen sink in with you and did you pick up makeup and set it right beside your purse? maybe you should think about how you should and if you were a security person would you think that is something to watch. i know a security person and he has caught everyone you can imagine on 60 year old lady sacking up groceries, nice cloths looked normal. crack heads taking meth products. thiefs come in all shapes and sizes. go ahead take out all the security and see what happens to your beloved stores. they will look like the ghetto in no time. i think we are lucky stores havent all gone to metal detectors and baggage checks when we enter and leave. maybe if they did we wouldnt be paying more for milk then gas. if someone steals a tv they arent going to raise the price on tvs they are going to raise the price on something ppl will not go without. i really hope your purse gets stolen or your car broken into or maybe you lost your kid cause your a dumb ass and dont pay attention to them then you might change your minds on how you feel about stores security. some securty walk those stores 10 hours a day. it may be a boring day and you just see them 20 times while your there doesnt mean they are following you.
What really cracks me up is that you probably spent an hour typing all that.
True. Also, too many of comments are five-times longer than the post.
What really cracks me up is that s/he is practically illiterate, which I believe is a requirement for anyone who wants to work in LP.
If people really knew how thankless our job really is. 90% of people that complain about what I do for a living is because they have gotten caught and have had to pay the restitution. The other 10% or rainbow sucking liberals who have no idea how to survive in the real world. The fact of the matter is we are good at what we do and that pisses people off. We don’t get kick backs or even atta boys for our job we just do it because we care enough to make a difference in our neighborhoods. I don’t like to see crack head whores take DVDs and use their illegitimate babies to hide the merchandise under. I’ve put my life on the line for something that is important to me. I want to keep my store and my family safe and yes even your helpless jerks who shop there. There is so much more to this job then you know and I am looking forward to the day when you losers get to sit in my office and wish you were just a little bit nicer!
“I am looking forward to the day when you losers get to sit in my office and wish you were just a little bit nicer!” hahahah someone pissed off the wally world cop!!
I have been a police officer for over 20 years and have taken many reports of the LPs getting their A$$ whooped.
C’mon…we’re talking about security guards here! They’re people who couldn’t pass the test to be real cops, so they get to be pretend ones. Most of them are unarmed for good reason.
Two kids stole my bicycle one morning from a spot right next to the security guard station at work. When I asked him why he’d let them take it, he said, “Because they said it was theirs.” The mouth-breathing idiot had watched me lock it up for weeks! I have small kitchen appliances that are smarter than security guards.
Sure, everyone needs a job. I just wish these ‘loss prevention’ types could go back to mucking out barns or find another line of work that offers less intellectual challenge.
i had no intention ever to become a pig, jus to tell u that being a l.p. is the best job at walmart cause the other jobs suck balls. i was a l.p. for two years and it was the shit. i got to hit on bitches all day everyday and then got to fight niggers, white trash, dumb asses, wana be gangsters etc all the time and when people confronted me cause they figured out who i was when i walked the floor, I would tell them great job man now walk out the store with that merchandise in your basket so i can maybe have a decent day at work while slamming your face in the wall putting hand cuffs on u.
Has no one read the disclaimer, specifically the “written out of humor, and should not be taken too seriously, or as the truth” part?
Not all of us are wanna be cops. I served as a Military Policeman in the Unites States Marine Corps. Got home and looked into several jobs that would benefit from my training. My wife says she doesn’t want me to be a cop, because she wants me to come home on a daily basis. I follow people when I get a gut feeling about them. May not always turn out to be anything, but I also do not blatantly offend them. In most cases the ones that come up to me asking me why I am following them it is someone that I haven’t even taken a second look at. In other cases it is the ones that I have seen bagging up unpaid for merchandise and in a desperate atteempt for them to try to divert their guilt, they give me the third degree that they were going to pay for it. I know some LP’s have an overbearing presence, but it is also a part of the job to at least make an attempt to sometimes deter someone rather than stop them and press charges. Some cases call for out-of-the-box deterrent methods such as blatant observation of an individual. The job is there and someone has to do it. Whether or not the general public likes it or not does not boil down to a petition or corporate negotiations. The majority of consumers are honest, but there are some out there who make a living off of being dis-honest and more or less thieves. They prey on the honest by mimicking their actions and incorporating less than suspicious means to get the job done. Take a computer or TV for example. Walk out with one that you pay for than return to the store minutes later with that same reciept and attempt to leave with another. They don’t always get caught. In the process of losing high dollar items such as these the company leaves it up to sometimes one person to occupy a 200,000 square foot store with more people than a small country shopping daily to prevent this. They serve their purpose, but in reality they deter more than they catch. It is more chess than checkers. Some people steal more than they buy and they are very good at it. Some say they feel threatened by their presence and offended that they would be observed by a 20 to 30 somethings in a retail environment, but the reality is that if we were not there it would be far worse. Stolen purses and broken in cars are a reality and we also remedy this by using the cameras to identify small details which lead to arrests. Conterfeit bills and stolen credit cards are also common occurance. Fraudulent returns of merchandise that came directly from the shelf. Quick change artist who get 100 dollars to every 200 every store they enter. Even switching prices and tags to give the appearance of honsesty while paying a dollar for a 20 dollar item. These are all common and more common are the complaints of even the guilty to why they were being watched in the first place. They try to discredit character by using their social status, race, gender and disability to name a few. They all play a game and eventually get caught and even after getting caught it seems that the majority have no dignity or honor in being called out on what they did wrong. They would steal from you if they knew you had what they wanted. Wal-Mart has everything to an extent and that is why people continue to make a trip to try to get things for free dollars and free cents. It is a losing battle, because more people are becoming dishonest. Why? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I trust no one after a little over 4 years of this job. It is sad, but reasonably concluded that between the ages that a person can walk and use their motor skills at a young age until they begin to lose them can have a life that has brought them to steal. Save the almish or the nuns that occasionally enter the store, but then again whos to say a criminal wouldn’t dress like them for a day to get a 1200 dollar TV? This is why there is no prejudice in who is being watched. Criminals do not concern themselves with things like price tags unless they want someone to think they are shopping. My point is that rather than try to degrade someone who has this job and their methods, think about the possibility that you are not anyone special in an LP’s eyes because you look like you are honest. Thieves stay out of jail by looking honest and they appreciate your giving us hell, because it draws attention from them. You serve their purpose.
Is it too much to ask that when I purchase shampoo, bodywash, toothpaste, toilet paper, milk, bread and eggs to not have an LP follow me to my car? No, it’s not. These are not high dollar risks and I am not a thief. However, I’m followed by the same person each time I shop at this Walmart, excuse me, shopped at this Walmart. I will not shop there anymore. Technically, he succeeded. I am no longer a security risk because I am no longer a customer. Instead of following me when I buy basic household items, why not focus the energy on the quick change artists, the person walking out with a TV or stolen purses? Not the person buying Crest.
i caught someone stealing a toothbrush before, it happens all the time. wtf should it matter if its a t.v. or a damn piece of gum? stealing is stealing. u name it ive caught someone stealing something cheaper and more retarted from a entertainment center to a prego test people will steal it.
p.s. nobody gives a shit that u dont shop at walmart anymore except jackasses that have been caught stealing.
You are funny, but, right on. I am an unusual shopper who does Not shoplift either, but, I do encounter odd “shoppers” like you mention above. I do enjoy my Physical space, anonymity, and mental space while shopping. Being impulsive and not brnging a shopping list to shop, I am also relaxed enough to get distracted or change a short purchase to a full blown shopping experience OR change my mind if so ene posses me off or I need to potty so bad I have to abandon my shopping items. Upon coming across one of these Jack-asses, if they get too close, too often they receive a full blown verbal assault and reprimand for following me. I will slam anyone in a heartbeat who invades my personal space or makes me feel self conscious or distracted. I have even whipped out my cell phone and video-Ed or photographed them so I can show management or police if they contnue to STALK me. Eccentric is no excuse to harass or threaten the safety of another human being. I blurt out loud, “what is wrong with you!?!” “leave me alone and stop following me. You’re sick!”. Embarass them. But, then again, even my walk intimidates uniformed officers! I send
the message that I know who I am and what I a
want…. do NOT interrupt me unless the President od US or so
done is hurt and needs me to yield to them. I live and let live. I expect nothing less.
I am an LPO. I am a damn good LPO. I have an office, I have a coffee mug, I have a parking spot. I have a place to go for 8 hours a day 5 days a week to sustain my life, while in the whole scheme of things contribute to a greater good. What is that greater good? Keeping the bottom line. What do most of you do when you go to your job? Keep the bottom line, however your job description probably doesn’t include physical altercations, verbal harassment, and the occasional police involvement. I am an LPO not because I failed the police exam, I am 21 with police aspirations, and this is great experience. There is no better feeling in the world when I know that someone has stolen and that 5-6 seconds when I am running out of the store to stop them, the adrenaline, the look on their faces, the crying. I do this all not because i need to be authoritarian but because in a world filled with criminal minds, con artists and so on for that 5 -6 seconds good prevailed over evil. Sure in the bigger picture I lose more than i catch I am not that delusional, but some of these posters ranting of picture taking and yelling when they feel they are being watched. Well shame on you. Shame on you for criticizing someone for earning a living. I’ve been caught watching people, it happens to all LPO’s, but really if these “Authority hungry” people get yelled and screamed at by a ranting lunatic what is that person going to do? Probably not back off them. Either way, most LPO’s love what they do, and honestly dont care that you call them out. Shoplifters all get caught eventually, LPOS are going to be there no matter how many complaints are filed so just deal with it, and stop crying.
fuck LPO’s low life mother fuckers especially the ones working at woodland hills, i see you fools on the street with your black chevy SUV ima fuck you bitches up.
“I am an LPO. I am a damn good LPO. I have an office, I have a coffee mug, I have a parking spot. I have a place to go for 8 hours a day 5 days a week to sustain my life,”
WHAT THE #$#%???
Son don’t even try to become a police officer, Mall security awaits you my boy. When you mature and balls drop you might then test to become a P.O. But with this attitude (I am cop hear me roar) I would not want you backing me even on a barking dog call.
I can see you in internal affairs and fired in no time from all the complaints.
No way in hell your a cop, u think using the screen name po po makes people think ur a cop? Im thinking you failed the cop test, thenyou failed the rent a cop test and now ur a parking lot attendant with a plastic nametag sound about right?
NO WAY ur a cop or even a security guard. Im thinking parking lot attendant with a yellow vest that uses badge polish on your plastic nameplate sound about right?
This is some very funny stuff guys, I can spot them also. Like the BIG black guy standing behind a skinny pole like we cant see him. I dont believe they should be able to put a hand on you. They can surround and detain i suppose till police get there. But as far as assaulting and slammimg people to ground and causing physical damage is just wrong and those that do it should be charged. If they want to be hotshot police then apply to be one.
Haha, you shop at target now so you don’t get watched? Ridiculous. I’ve worked for both companies doing lp. The ways they watch are different. We always have a reason to watch someone, and shoot about 65% of my apps are gut feelings about someone. I’ve caught people who’ve confronted me about watching them and explaining that they don’t steal. So do us all a favor, grow up.
Target is spelled with a capital “T.” I don’t know if I’d trust your gut feeling.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
seriously?
Hey ThiefCatcher, cool story. your office is like a 1/3 the size of my penis. and it gets hot in there right? got a plug in air fan in there? yes you do. your “job” requires being able to run and jump and tackle. get a real job like law enforcement, why waste your time in the nonsense department? ill bet your parking spot is behind the walmart in those 5 sparking spaces that nobody parks in, and you just said to yourself, this is my spot forever now. i actually made a huge fool of you and your colleagues.
im not going to post it here but if anybody would like to hear what happened, and possibly do it yourself because its rather easy to pull off, just email me at CharlestonChewly@aol.com. I’d love for this to spread and for LPs all over the country working at “Corporate” (Walmart) to get a taste of themselves.
first hand dude.. let me guess u got caught jerking off in a walmart bathroom and got trespassed and now your mad cause u cant go back to your favorite jerk off spot.
I hope every LP loses there jobs and you are all forced to shop in places where everything is locked up and you have to pass thru a medal detector. lets make shopping like going to the air port. they dont give a rats ass what you do outside but come inside and lets take your shoes off, have random searches and go thru your belongings. OR you can go about your buisness and shop and if someone is looking at you. who cares maybe they think your sexy. maybe you look like someone they caught before, maybe its some kidnapper. just do your shopping and get on with your life. I have worked undercover security for a retail chain. ive caught ppl in their sunday best and bums living off the street, ppl from teenages to grandparents, all shapes sizes and colors. and guess what you bring attention to yourself by staring at me, them im going to look right back. i couldnt even count how many ppl i have caught that knew i was watching them or said something to me and then i walked around get another spot or called another person to watch and there they go stealing. I would say on average throughout all retail only 10% of shoplifters get caught. maybe they only did it once or maybe they just keep getting lucky but eventualy if you keep shoplifting from the same stores you will be caught. and out of the 10% that get caught less then 30% get prosecuted. If i was still working LP i would love to just stand at a medal detector and search everyone. so i truly do hope all retail for the same policies as the airports. prices would drop ppl robbing houses/cars/person would go way up. wouldnt bother me a bit. i have a big dog and several guns around the house.
FUCK Walmart..lol I few years ago one of the LPAs stopped me at the BACK of the store n the Sewing section and tried to arrest me right then and there for shoplifting. I did indeed shoplift, however I wasn’t even trying to leave the store yet.
Let it be know it is against Policy for them to Stop you until you are literally about to walk out the door. If I would have known this I would have filed a lawsuit right back on them for breaking policy and just to be a dick back.
However, I did knock the LPA guy to the floor when he tried to arrest me in the back of the store since he was being a smart ass with me and another LPA tried to grab me and I picked him up and slammed him down and broke his leg.
Walmart: Was getting Two of your LPA Employees hurt worth you breaking Store Policy to arrest me? I hope so! lol
Here is the Story to prove I am not lying: http://i32.tinypic.com/2w32ef5.jpg
All I got out of it was 4 Years probation and 4 Months in Jail instead of the 4 Years Prison Time Walmart was pushing the DA to give me to use me as an example.
*Round of Applause*
Thank You Thank You.
you can all Donate to my heroism here: http://tonywilford.com/donate/
well you my friend are a DUMB ASS.
pot meet kettle, kettle meet pot.
Seriously? dude you’re tough. I was sure that link would be to some shock image.
I too am a Wal-Mart LP, although they call use APA (Asset Protection Associate) now, and I hate to break it to you guys but if you see the APA, the odds are they aren’t watching you. I will admit there are some stupid APAs that end up getting caught following someone but the majority of APAs follow people without being noticed by the person they’re following. Even more so with technology now, APAs don’t watch people from the floor, they can do it from the office with PTZ cameras; yes, I know not all Wal-Marts have PTZ cameras.
If you keep seeing the same APA walk past you over and over, then they aren’t following you. The reason they keep passing you is because they aren’t concerned with you. I have people start talking shit to me all the time about following them when I never even looked at them. I can promise you this though, as soon as I turn the corner my attention is on them now, and you’d be surprised how many of them steal even after they opened their mouth.
There are two types of people that spot APAs in my book: dumb people, and thieves. I say dumb people because they are too stupid to realize that if there was an APA following them they typically wouldn’t know. Then of course thieves, whom are usually dumb anyways (see above example), that notice APAs because that’s what they look for.
I am also an APA so I thought I would check out this forum to see what the typical idiot shoplifter is trying to learn or teach. I have only been doing this job for about 5 months and have already seen some of the craziest things. Some of these things make you realize how dumb people are and make you lose faith in humanity. I have been busted a couple of times when watching someone, but thats when I was just developing my skills. One guy said it earlier. This job is not that glamorous, but it is a freaking blast sometimes. When you call us out, we are definitely going to start watching you, but most likely you will have no clue. I have had a lady call me out for watching someone else and then she actually stole lol. I have had people put stuff in their bags right in front of me and had no clue and actually recently had a guy stuff a fishing pole down his pants. This job is sometimes absolutely hilarious. Some of you may not know this, but when we get complained on by you for following you too much, we get a pat on the back for a job well done. I actually am currently in the hiring process for our local metro police department, but I don’t do this job to have authority. I don’t have to prove myself to people cause I’ve already done that for myself. I’m the one you are calling names, but its funny to me; not insulting. I am way smarter than all you little thug wannabees and people who brag about harming the APA’s. If you have to brag about it, then you are not at all a hardass. Unlike 98% of shoplifters, I actually have more than a high school degree and joined the Army to serve my country so you have a place to roam freely and steal. I love when we get the little gangstas who try to buck up when we stop them, cause it only lasts about ten seconds then they are in the office crying and apologizing. Just don’t steal and you won’t have to worry about us. Just so you know, when you belitttle us for doing this low-paying with high responsibility job you are not making us feel bad. We just laugh at you for worrying about us so much. I can’t believe I even typed this much to a group of thieves where about 35% of them are lucky to know how to read. Apply yourselves to something rewarding instead of being the scum of society and stealing. Even convicts look down on thieves. Good luck to all the APA’s in here!
Does anyone who works for Walmart understand they shouldn’t take this post too seriously.
@GuyWhoCatchesYouStealing
I can only hope you try to catch someone shoplifting like me because eventually you will and you will get sent to the hospital for broken bones like the Loss Prevention guy who caught me did.
I figured it was due time anyway because I was stealing $500+ of Stuff from Wal*mart almost every week for over 2 Years so I got my money’s worth.
As far as your Thieves-are-uneducated stereotype, I have an associates Degree in Computer Science Majoring in Web Design.
Wheres that degree from? degrees-in-24-hours.com? Your a worthless shoplifter and I hope u get caught again and again
i did the job because i love adrenaline, talking shit to niggers etc. and most of all being able to go wwf on big ego mammas boys like this dumb shit up here wrote this post. fuck shoplifters, its funny after all the people i caught and got in the office it was amazing to hear the same shit over and over (it was my first time i swear) then catch em again a week later.
“If you have to brag about it, then you are not at all a hardass.” I feel this way about both sides. You all have gone off the deep end, but keep it up, I do enjoy reading.
As a Walmart APA, I found the post mildly humorous. Occasionally I’ll browse the web looking for the latest shoplifting or employee theft tips so that I can stay on top of my game. Some of the folks on here from both sides are taking this all a little too personally. To the LPs/APAs, keep doing what you do. Some customers actually appreciate what you do (especially when they get their purse stolen in the store…). To the shoplifters/potential shoplifters, be careful. While not every shoplifter or employee gets caught, our office has stacks of folders of people who thought they were Vincenzo Peruggia. So, a bit of parting advice:
1. As has been mentioned, a good APA doesn’t watch you from plain site unless they’re actively deterring you. Personally, I prefer catching shoplifters as it’s more likely to prevent their return. If you keep seeing the same person, they’re either bad at surveillance or they aren’t following you, despite what you think. A good APA will watch you through the holes in the shelves or through merchandise on endcaps (the ends of the aisles/shelves) or any number of other tricks. I’ve known APAs to climb into clothing racks to watch people (and no I don’t mean look under/down people’s clothing…perv). And of course, there’s the undetectable PTZ *heavenly chorus*.
2. Assaulting or resisting an APA who tries to apprehend you is a bad idea. Depending on the jurisdiction and the circumstances, you could be charged with strong-arm robbery. If you think doing years in prison is “worth it” for shoplifting, then have at it. If an APA tries to apprehend you and you didn’t do anything wrong, just cooperate. APAs get in trouble for making bad stops.
3. APAs don’t necessarily have to bother with waiting for a shoplifter to leave the store before taking any action. If the APA feels that attempting to apprehend the shoplifter would create a dangerous situation, they are free to call the police to report the shoplifting. That could be anything from suspecting the shoplifter has a weapon (could be as simple as a pair of scissors) to observing a person who makes no attempt to hide the fact that they’re stealing. A person who flagrantly steals is a person who is likely to resist apprehension at the door. It’s a judgement call. If I watch someone stick a DVD into their waistband and that person thinks they’ll lose me by roaming the store for the next hour, I can just call it in: “Yeah, I’ve got a shoplifter here…I hate to bother you because he only stole a DVD and I was going to apprehend him myself but it looked like there may have been a knife in his waistband, I didn’t really get a good look…ok see you soon, I’ll fall back and watch him on camera.” So while the shoplifter is putzing around thinking he’s a smooth operator, the police are rolling in. Again, depending on your jurisdiction, just putting merchandise in your pocket/purse/shopping bag/etc. qualifies as shoplifting, even if you claim you were going to pay for it later. So putting something in your pocket in one aisle and taking it out in the next aisle is a bad idea too.
4. There are cooler ways to make money or “stick it to the man” than shoplifting. For instance, you could become the man and become a corporate bigshot and rip off millions through white-collar crime.
True i am also an APA in Kansas the stratigiees these people have are unrealistic no body even see’s us i bet everyone on this site i could catch, with all elements in hand
I agree wit this…
Here’s a good take on ‘mall ninjas’ – those under-paid, under-appreciated, corporate security warriors who keep shoppers safe from, oh, a host of threats both domestic and foreign. Be sure to scroll down (it’s long) for the shootout at the Orange Julius. After reading it, you’ll undoubtedly discover a new-found respect for those hard working men and women devoted to making your shopping mall experience a safer one.
….or you may find yourself hurting from laughing so hard.
I just like to have fun with them and car salesman. First when I notice them I will start stuffing items at random under my shirt and hold them with my arm, I will get a load of stuff and have them follow me around for a bit just for fun, then out of the blue I just dump it all out in the isle and watch it scatter everywhere, then start picking up new stuff of the racks and do it all over again.
For the car salesman I pull into the lot and watch them start to walk toward me as they get closer I just keep driving slowly and stop again they will whistle and wave and I act as I didn’t notice them and then I pull up more never getting to far ahead of them and lead them up and over to another isle. When they stop and look like they gave up I stop on the next isle and with wife I point at some cars and even back up sometimes like looking at another car and watch as he starts back toward us again. You can really get them following you for a ways and in this heat too. Did I mention I HATE car salesman?
Funny stuff. What’s even better is all the butt hurt LPA’s posting here. I understand you need to do your job, but if you follow me when I’m trying to shop, I will take that as harassment and you will be thoroughly embarrassed.
ive had plenty of people try to call me out, i would tell them that they r paranoid and keep walking and if they kept running there mouth id talk shit to em as long as i could.. sure i got in trouble with my boss sometimes but i never gave a shit cause in the back of mind i would tell myself (i work for walmart .. fuck it) and go catch some more jackasses like this dickless wonder vincent lol.
LoL
qoute: (I work for walmart……fuck it) LoL i used to think the same thing.
(I work for JC Pennys…….fuck it)
For everyone who seems to think that calling out LP’s is embarrasing to them… it isn’t. Haven’t we all met or seen that crazy tweaker on the street who “is being followed”……?
Now you know how they feel!
Ok so I have worked at Walmart for several years and I can tell you that the LPs at least at my store don’t follow people around so much as just scan around for suspicious activity. Like if you have a big coat that you put over merchandise in your cart, then they may pay attention to see that you pay for your stuff. But just because you see them a few times in the store doesn’t mean they are following you; they’re simply roaming around looking for suspicious activity. If you aren’t stealing something you have nothing to worry about and they aren’t watching you. They’re scanning the store.
I am So,So, Sorry LPS follow you guys around all the time, it is so funny to me! Since I am a 24 year experienced Professional Booster and they never follow me around, until I’ve been in their store 800 times and by then it is to late. You retards are doing something wrong.
Hahaha right? That’s what I’m saying. Everythings freeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
Next time wear a clown suite, that should help, Ha,Ha!!
I always seem to get this treatment at Walmart. Always. And it irks the hell out of me, since I am NO would-be thief.
Sometimes I think that they target me not necessarily because I seem more “suspicious” – but mainly because I’m an “easy target”, if that makes sense. Perhaps there is something about my demeanor that makes them less intimidated to do offensive, degrading stuff – and be a little more blatant about it. These Walmart employees are displaying a wretched side of human nature – in which people do what they think they can get away with. Many people – least of all Walmart employees – aren’t nice to you or respectful of you because they are genuinely nice, respectful people – but because they are scared of the consequences if they aren’t nice or respectful. Remove that intimidation factor, and people’s ugliness reveals itself.
I’ve minimized the times I shop at Walmart and what I buy there – but there are times when there is little alternative. The massive, relentless Walton empire has us over a barrel. And they have little incentive to change as long as the masses are complacent.
I noticed when I was in there recently, the cashier (who was ringing up the person two spots ahead of me) stared at me as I slightly hesitated as I was subconsciously deciding whether it was the right time to start putting my items on the conveyor belt. Why the paranoia? Where and how would I conceal a large package of sanitary napkins, several frozen dinners, and several gallon-jugs of water? And while I was standing there in line, it became obvious that the “customer” just ahead of me – the one who only had a box of cereal and a gallon of milk – was LP. Pay attention to their bodylanguage: there’s nothing else to do in line, and they eventually give themselves away. This guy kept tying to look back at me out of his peripheral vision – and – when he was all rung up and should have been making a beeline for the exit – turned around to give me a “sly” once-over. A uniformed employee got in line behind me, with one 50-cent item to “buy” (the cashier finished ringing her up before I could even finish putting my wallet back in my purse).
Oh – and look for a “door greeter” to turn and face you and stare at you as you are heading for the exit area, walking in their direction – particularly when you are in there during “slow” periods. Sometimes, you can tell that they have only been standing there for a few moments: they have come out of nowhere just moments before – with the express purpose of standing there and staring you down. It’s a mind game they play with you – trying to put psychological pressure on you, because they think of you as some some opportunistic thief. It’s all part of their insulting schtick.
I can’t wait for the time when more and more customers start picking up on all the little ways in which we are being treated like criminals – customers who are far more outgoing/less inhibited than I am, and who will not hesitate to call out these employees.
Oh, and I’ve noticed that many of the employees and LP who do this are black. And they like to complain every time they get pulled over for “Driving While Black” or otherwise treated like suspects by the police? What they are doing to customers is the SAME THING that they’ve been complaining so much about. They get angry every time they get treated like would-be criminals – yet, they turn around and have no problems with treating customers like – horror of horrors – would-be criminals. I guess those black guys who gave me the stare down, or observed me in line can’t say ANYTHING when their brothers, their sons, their “homies” – or they themselves are stopped for Driving While Black, huh? They understand that the cops have a job to do, right?
I love reading this stuff. I’m going to get a job at wallyworld just to scope security I also have heard its way to easy to steal if u work there lol. You got to think out side the box. What if one day u spilled ur Coffey on some sensitivite surveillance equipment oops can’t record for a few days. I’m just scratching the surface here people. I hate wallyworld and I love to f#!$ them over I have many good reasons for this such as dead pesant insurance. Look that one up wally will not see me coming and I will never take a thing. But I’m going to break that store. Walk softly.
how could u spill coffee on something that is above your head? most of walmarts theft is from its employees, but they usually get caught specially if your a cashier. u have a better chance if your a customer.
Either I am not very perceptive or I have just been blessed to not notice whether or not I have been followed in these stores. But I absolutely hate to shop, so I spend as little time as possible shopping for anything. Reading the comments in this piece, however, it is sure easy to spot the LP!
I don’t want to shop at wally world simply because I don’t want to see Napolitano’s ugly mug every time I go there. If I did, I would probably lose a lot of weight because I wouldn’t want to eat for several hours afterward. But I digress.
Oh, I just realized that this post has been around a while! As of this time, we all now will have the pleasure of seeing Napolitano’s face at the checkout line asking us all to do the LP’s job. (I guess you LPs were not doing a good enough job — you now need our help.)
Perhaps, Irritated Tulsan, you would like to write a piece about this new development. I know I will read it. I certainly have thoroughly enjoyed this one!
You’re an idiot, and a paranoid idiot at that. LPA is there to prevent thefts . Instead of thinking you’re so smart by spotting them, just say “hi”, smile and walk on. It’s stupid to think they aren’t needed. People steal all the time. The public library, the ball park, even Disneyland has their own security, so why not the biggest merchant in the world. Get some therapy and or medication and let them do their jobs.
I am security at walmart and these rules are so out of date we change things up all the time we hope you guys look for stuff like this cause we’ll find you. and we dont need to pretend like were shoppin you guys are some dumb asses we will still catch you…and if your not stealing and were watching you its probably cause your weird as fuck
Speaking of Walmart’s legitimate concern about theft, does anyone know why we have Janet Napolitano, the head of Homeland Security, asking customers to report suspicious behavior in the store at checkout? Is she concerned about theft at Walmart or could she be asking people to report on other customers for some other reason?
THEY ARE WATCHING ALL OF US. OH GOD, HE’S RIGHT BEHIND ME.
I am an APA for Walmart, all you shit bags that call us out are 9 times out of 10 the same scumbags stealing shit.. it’s great an all that you might of got away with it a handful of times.. just know that everyone slips up and we catch up to you eventually. If you scumbags put as much effort into finding a real job as you do fucking stealing on top of the free government benefits you already get, we would be better off. The only reasons shit even gets out the doors half the time is because the 90 year old people greeter at the door waves to you as you set the EAS alarm off and they don’t know any better. So continue wrapping video games and DVDs in tin foil and having purses that you could hide a baby in. Why not wear a flashing light on your head you dumb motherfuckers. As said before, sometimes we are obvious on purpose…if we really wanted to follow you…I can assure you that you would never even see me until I met you at the door and grab you by the fucking back of your neck and put your face in the wall when you try to run. Eat shit ass hats and suck on the fact that you are one of the root causes of high prices in retail establishments. Don’t worry though, you are considered the sweaty asshole of Walmart’s $7.3 billion piggy bank thanks bitches.
are you the fat guy at 81st and riverside the or you may be the main guy maybe from admiral but travels kind of looks like the main boss on home imprvment makeover you sound like you have anger issues you know what was really cool converting those cards to cash hey to the return crew at 81st such a polite crowd untill the end you always so nice to me i know we had alot of returns
he is a foreigner
I’m also an a apa for walmart. I tell you what I follow everyone and I don’t sterotype. If you are stupid enough to steal than your stupid enough to get caught and go to jail. This is my job to catch shoplifters and to keep our cost down for our honest customers. If you are being followed its because you have done something to catch their eyes. At the end of your shopping experience at walmart, pay for your merchandise. End of story, leave the store and have a great day. Come again, steal and be caught…:)
Happy Shopping…..
your lucky i quit smoking crack and moved from tulsa yea ive been caught and reformed i always loved the neighbornhood ones the guy at the admiral walmart the security hes good i always hated being out east and have to go shop there pushing a full cart of unbagged tbones and sirlons 30.00 packs with a dog food bag on top down admiral to one of the many steak buyers those were ther days.
I really would like my question answered someday. Just so that no one has to read through a lot of profanity to find it, I will ask it once again right here. “Can someone please enlighten me as to why we have Janet Napolitano ask us at check-out if we have noticed anything suspicious while we were in the store?” Perhaps this doesn’t happen in all stores. I have my own ideas about why Big Sis is there and none of them have to do with Walmart; they have to do with the government. Anyway, I won’t ask this again in this piece.
By the way, you people who are employed by Walmart to patrol the floor looking for “criminals” are really taking this post and your job much too seriously. Here are a few thoughts for you: Store theft may affect prices somewhat, but it is not the reason retail prices are rising. Some people steal, but not everyone steals; some people actually have good character. You really need to start doing a better job of favorably representing the store you proport to care about so much. I doubt that Sam Walton (I believe that is his name.) would be proud to have you in his employ with you using the kind of language you use and presenting yourself the way you appear to in this post.
I would have to disagree. Do you know how much one store can loose due to shoplifting? On another note, you do agree that shoplifting does occur. So, if there were shoplifters in the store, can you tell me how to identify them? At times, it take less than one second to put something in your pocket. My point is, I understand it’s akward to have someone watch you, but no one wears a sign that says “I’m stealing” which means we have to watch everyone. Yes, everyone. If a police officer pulls behind you, odds are, he will run your plates. It’s not because he thinks you stole the car, he doesn’t even know you, but every once in awhile, he finds one. If your being watched, it doesn’t mean we think you will steal, but there is only one way to find out. I do apologize for the situation it puts an honest shopper in, but I won’t apologize for the fact that the job exist, because if it wasn’t needed and effective, I wouldn’t be getting paid to do it.
j
Alright im 14, i collect baseball cards, so i buy them from target and walmart all the time. I make sure i go through all the packs in a box its called packsearching. I find the packs i want and buy them, but some creep apparently has a problem with that. I understand there curiosity to what im doing because it probably does look suspicious from their POV and i don’t really care if they ask me questions about what im doing that is perfectly understandable But, they follow me around the whole store, i buy the cards get my reciept (A white guy with an ear piece is watching me and following me the whole time keep in mind) I walk outside of the store to go find my mom cuz she was at the store across the street and him and his possy with walkie talkies are still following me. WTH!! what am i gonna do i clearly steel their car? i can understand them following me around the store, but when there still following me around outside after i already paid right in front of them it just doesnt seem right to me. Thankfully they gave up when i got to the store, but im just so tired of spending what little money i have and supporting their buisness and get treated like a hardcore criminal. Any of you LP workers plz let me know the reasoning behind that
and how about the camera,s that are in there bathroom, yea thats right you are being watched in the bathroom
No! Please tell me you are kidding. Please!
He’s not kidding. The cameras can’t legally be placed in the view of toilets or urinals, but they can be in the bathroom, yes.
Hello, I am a worker for a smaller store where we basically do everything from lp, ring people, freight and much more. I was shopping at walmart one day, and i bought a boast mobile card from there, and I kept taking and putting in and out of my pocket because I just had that feeling of being watch. So I then turn around and saw this guy like an inch from my fast, all I did was
said “Hello how are you today” totally ignore me. Then I followed a complain following the next day or so. Two weeks later, I spot the same guy, and I guess a manager. The guy was on some sorta of life thing, and the manager was on the side.
Really can you make anymore obvious?
I know when people are following me with my experience.
Well now, it’s become apparent what this blog could be. At the very least, Walmart LP types seem to have discovered this page, and may be monitoring it to keep track of the thoughts of those whom they have pegged as potential threats. Because no, we are never human beings who are understandably upset enough at being wrongly “profiled” that we would go online to look for others who are having this problem. To them and their overly-simplistic way of thinking, anyone who would be on here is automatically thieving scum.
It is this type of oversimplifying and over-stereotyping that leads to you wasting your time and energy on completely innocent people. Because I assure you: every time you follow me, stare at me, send LP and/or employees in my aisle, etc. – you are completely, COMPLETELY, wasting your time. You are wasting your time so severely that it’s beginning to be comical. Really – when it comes to me, you guys are fumbling badly. It’s laughable.
If you guys haven’t figured out by now that I’m no thief, NOT a risk for theft – then something is deeply wrong with how you are doing your jobs.
I wonder how many people are getting away with stealing while you’re wasting so much attention on me? Based on the regularity with which I’m targeted, I imagine there have been a number of people who have benefited from your increased surveillance of me.
FYI: customers have their individual characteristics/idiosyncrasies – having these traits don’t make us a thief, it makes us uniquely human. Just because you may observe certain body language, or take note of certain aspects of physical appearance – doesn’t mean that you’re correct in associating these traits with shoplifting. Stereotype at your peril.
For example: if – IF – you notice anything “suspicious” about me, it could be the signs of the severe social anxiety disorder which I’ve struggled with all of my life, and which has gotten worse over time. It is a disorder that has been crippling and debilitating, and which is greatly exacerbated by today’s shopping environment in which customers are continuously scrutinized by overly-suspicious LP and employees. If you know anything about social anxiety, you may know that any situation in which the sufferer is under heightened scrutiny makes our anxious misery worse – and I think a store teeming with employees and LP looking for any move that is “suspicious” qualifies as “heightened scrutiny”. Few people – not “innocent” people, not so-called “normal” people – like to feel watched, or stared at – for negative reasons. Least of all social anxiety sufferers.
I try to control the symptoms of my anxiety as much as possible, but anxiety that is severe as mine is virtually impossible to keep under control every second – especially in an aggravating environment like Walmart. I’ve said in the past that I wouldn’t wish my anxiety on anyone – but your treatment of me is so insensitive and unrelenting that it would be nice if you could live in my shoes for awhile – to see how much more difficult you make an already-difficult existence. Then you would know firsthand how it feels to be stared at harshly, or to perceive all of the “little” ways in which I’m targeted, or to know that I’m probably being watched on camera.
Think you notice my nervousness, or whatever other self-conscious behavior I may display? Don’t pat yourselves on the back for identifying a would-be shoplifter, because that’s NOT who you’ve found. I assure you that you’ve “only” found someone who is struggling with a diagnosed anxiety disorder.
If you think this is some concoction – trust me, I wish it were. Your skepticism and stereotyping has already cost you a lot of wasted time – I warn you that you will only continue to waste your time by targeting me.
Backing off would be the compassionate, prudent, sensitive thing to do – but who am I fooling? I’m trying to appeal to people who have not displayed compassion, prudence, or sensitivity.
If you really think about it, you have access to evidence that I’m telling the truth about my anxiety. Hint – when I use the word “debilitating”, I’m not kidding. “Debilitating” —–>”Debility”——>”Disability” – yes, my anxiety is severe/disabling enough that I’m on Social Security Disability for it. Now you can connect the dots, you sleuths. Now maybe you can begin to understand my circumstances, instead of stereotyping and insulting me. That would be the day, huh?
I caution you against abusing this information. Karma can be a bitch, and you’ve already wasted enough time targeting me. I’m learning to take more satisfaction in the incompetence you display when it comes to me – and probably many others. Come on – do you really think that any more than 30% of the people you target are even thinking about shoplifting? You guys look completely ridiculous.
Yeah I work Walmart AP and if I was being followed I’d be upset too. I feel bad when the person I’m following pays for the stuff. But in the end that’s what I’m getting paid to do, and we don’t really know until they pay. But all the other “security” on here need to calm down and realize were not the police. I’m real laid back when I follow someone if you see me and don’t put the stuff down and leave, your probably ok. But on the other hand I don’t think people should go out of their way to make our job difficult, after all were getting paid your just wasting your time…
My husband and I just shopped at Sam’s Club tonight and bought a cart full of groceries, a tv, an air conditioner, and a lawn mower. We must have looked hilarious as we went through the parking lot with all that stuff. Some guy suddenly showed up at our vehicle commenting on our purchases. He even looked in our buggy and looked over the boxes of the tv and ac. Then he just wandered away. He had to be security, didn’t he? I wanted to ask him if he needed to see our receipts, even though we’d been checked at the door as we left. Wasn’t that kind of overboard???
I am feeling very concerned about the encounter you had outside of Sam’s Club. If the person were security, he was way out of line. The more I think about it, having someone pay so much attention to you and to your purchases in the parking lot sounds to me like a security risk to you. You don’t know who this person is; you don’t know what he wants. You do know that it was night, that he surprised you, that he seemed to be interested in your purchases, and that he was by your car, which because of your license plate, contains identifying information. This is not a good situation for you. With your husband with you, you are probably OK — probably. I think you would be well advised to call the police and give them a description the next time that happens. Surprise gives attackers the advantage — be very aware of where you are and who is around you at all times. Other precautionary measures may be, of course depending on the severity of the situation, carrying pepper spray (empty the whole can into his eyes). You can purchase a strong, sturdy flashlight like Surefire that you can shine in his eyes, even in the daytime. Once he is momentarily blinded, you can then hit him with the flashlight and drive away. Take a good self-defense class. It will help you to be more aware and therefore more confident in such a situation.
Actually, it doesn’t get dark where I live till about 8:30 PM, so it was still light out. And we were driving a rented Pennske truck, so the plate likely wouldn’t lead him to us. But you’ve given good advice. The way the world is going, self defense classes and pepper spray is a great idea. I have pepper spray, and I rarely go out at night alone anyway. One can never be too careful.
I’m still convinced he was security though.
It sounds like you were going to get jacked =/
I’ve been APA for a while now and whenever we approach someone the first thing we do is identify ourselves by giving our name and stating we are an asset protection associate. If he did not identify himself then he either made a huge mistake or he was not APA.
Hey I don’t mind security cameras etc. Just so as they have to put a screen somewhere anyone can see who is watching.
I don’t have to steal. I live in Canada and if the price is wrong I get the item for free. Easy $40 every time I go to your store. Deal with it LP. Keep following me cause I am stealing. IN A LEGAL WAY lol.
AP guys just doing their job. All the AP people I met while I worked at wally world were great. People get spooked too easy and can take things personally when there’s no reason to. Think about it, they get paid to watch people, if there is no one suspicious looking, are they just going to chill in the in store fast food place? No, they’re going to follow someone that they don’t necessarily think is going to be a problem. Do you often go when there aren’t many people in the store? And know this, usually a portion of the AP are MEANT to be seen, same as cops, knowing you are being watched will make it much less likely to do anything. Another portion is practically invisible. Plenty of the AP I’ve known were young women in hoodies and jeans or tank tops and miniskirts. If AP don’t want to be seen, they won’t. Anyway, what I meant to say is, relax. Even if you look perfectly normal in every way and do nothing suspicious, so do plenty of shoplifters, so they have to keep an eye on everyone, including innocent types. They actually watch store employees more scrupulously than customers, because they know we know how they work.
th AP are noticable i was simply wondering around walmart when i notied this guy who seemed to be everywhere on the fone but never seemed to be saying much into the fone nd then wtf he litterally followed meh in a traight line down aisles when all i was doing was carrying headfones nd then when i put my hand in my pocket switching the headphone packet to my other hand i received a hand on the shoulder of a guy with the cell phone saying i was committing a felony if not all APs are bad atleast get better ones to replace the bad ones
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I am an APA as well & all I can say about this whole page is LOL!!! Yeah some of you are taking your job WAY too seriously! When I see someone that I “suspect” I might follow them all the way up until they leave the store or I may only follow them for 5-10 minutes. I don’t stereo type everyone because it is true that you never know who is going to be stealing. The APAs in my store are completely respectful to everyone we catch and even to the people we only suspect. We are never blatantly disrespectful to anyone. If you try to run from us, go ahead, we won’t stop you! Of course it does help we can throw a rock and hit the police department!
Just saying that yes, we do watch everyone, innocent or not. We don’t know if you are innocent or not until we see for ourselves.
I don’t mind being called out cause if you continue to disrupt business then it’s a very simple ban for me! If you want to call out APs they do have the right to ban you for the simple fact of showing violence, threating violence or disrupting the flow of business.
Actually,
Before I was hired on as a store Manager for Sears I was an CO-Manager at Wal-Mart. Certain managers can also make stops and in our particular state in this great country of the USA the law allows us to use handcuffs under very strict guidelines. I worked at a store in Southern California who averged over 2million dollars worth of goods stolen a year. LP/AP recovered about 150k and another 750k typically was recovered from courts ordereing fines on defendants. JUST A FEW LITTLE TIPS, at my store I did alot of the hiring for APA’s. We had a minimum of 7 on the floor at all times and each store carrys 25 APAs, 2 APCs, 1 LP DIrector and 2 Shrink Prvention Managers. Of the 30 or so LP/APs we always kept atleast 15-20 actual law enforcement officers as LPs/APAs. These were either Sheriff Deputies or LAPD cops that wanted the overtime and loved busting people. JUST KNOW THAT ALTHOUGH I DONT WORK FOR WALMART ANYMORE THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT LP. THEY TRY TO HIRE OFF DUTY COPS, AND FINALLY THEY END UP SAVING YOU THE CUSTOMER MONEY BY LOWERING THE PRICE OF GOODS! THAT AND IVE SEEN WAL-MART LP PROSECUTE FOR EVERYTHING FROM CHAPSTICK TO LAPTOPS. JUST DONT STEAL ITS NOT WORTH IT. HERE IN NORCAL A PETTY THEFT WITH A PRIOR MISD IS A FELONY AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY WILL ARREST YOU FOR A 459PC ANYWAY FOR THE MERE INTENT OF ENTERING THE STORE WITH THE INTGENT TO DEPRIVE. WE DO THE SAME THING AT SEARS EXCEPT WE ONLY HAVE A TEAM OF 5 WITH 1 BOSS WHO IS A RETIRED COP.
I am currently an Asset Protection Associate at Wal-Mart. I don’t do the job because I’m a power starved jerk that has a desire to harass everybody that walks through the door.
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely believe that a large amount of APA’s fit that demographic. I’m consistently followed every time I walk into another Wal-Mart by this exact type of person. You have to remember that most APA’s started off in low-level positions (Cashier, Stockman, Cart-pusher) and worked their way up. They’ve had no significant amount of authority or responsibility and now they’re considered “Hourly Supervisors” and are entrusted with upholding the integrity of Associates and Customers.
When we go through the training, there is nothing that covers interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, customer service or even written and spoken communication. You just walk the floor and try to develop a “surveillance” method and cover basic Asset Protection Guidelines.
If you are being followed, don’t take it personally. We generally watch people based off of shrink trends and common practices. If I see you taking DVD’s to the Hardware Dept, I’m going to see what’s going on. It’s a high theft item in a common place used to steal in our store. A good APA can tell in less than a minute if you’re going to steal (based on body language, capability and opportunity). It’s the bad APA that is following you to your car after you’ve purchased shampoo and body wash.
I welcome people to confront me. If you think I’m following you, then ask me. If I happen to be following you, I will politely tell you so and explain the situation that caused me to follow you. I will provide you with my name and offer to contact a member of management if you wanted to file a complaint.
APA’s need to stop taking their job TOO seriously. It’s not our job to lecture, demean or humiliate shoplifters. Our task is to recover merchandise, process shoplifters into APIS and prosecute if necessary. It’s definitely not our job to harass honest customers.
That is all!
I agree. Asset Protection Associate here as well. A lot of the guys who do our job are adrenaline-starved testosterone cases. Most of us are not.
And yes, if you are shoplifting – we are watching you. And no, you won’t see us.
Try playing hide and seek in the same warehouse for years and years – we know our playing field MUCH better than a selfish jerk who thinks theft doesn’t affect people in your own communities. To those who think we’re ineffective, you are simply wrong. I recover more than twice what Walmart pays me in shoplifter apprehensions every month. (And no – none of them saw me until they walked out the door)
Those single Moms and Dads who need their eggs and bread to be 88 cents deserve a place that can provide it. I’m proud to help those families.
If you’re some over-privileged teenager thinks a 60 dollar video game is yours for free, I’ll meet you at the front door.
And no – you won’t see us until its too late for you.
And yes – The families passing by when I put you in handcuffs will applaud that their groceries were inexpensive.
There is no self-satisfaction for being stealth. There is no self-congratulating for retaining control. We get satisfaction for hungry kids whose parents could afford peanut butter and jelly for them this week.
First off we as APA have jobs to do i see half of the people disrespecting us must be shoplifters regardless what any of yall say if we see us oh well im at a store were we caught 180 people and still have cases pending each time we wake up we have to come to work and do what we gotta do why steal if you know you going to jail why trip if you see us watching you or someone else we are paid based on our judgement regardless its a 50 50 that we get shoplifters or not we as AP are there to do what we do if you steal from walmart chances are your going to get caught so for those who stole or who is thinking about steal all i can say is THANK YOU FOR SHOPLIFTING AT WAL-MART!
All I was able to discern from your sentence is that if someone disrespects you, by default they must be a shoplifter. Would you kindly show me how you arrived at that conclusion? Perhaps it is only my ignorance, but I thought that a person became a shoplifter when that person stole something from a store.
They used to follow me so now I wear my uniform and name tag when I go to Walmart. I’m an R.N. I’m not going to steal anything. The little Keystone Kops, blessum.
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I know you said its supposed to be just humor BUT, there is a lot of truth in there too.. security at walmart is a joke. The “loss prevention” guys are always small town ex-cops. they are so obvious that they are ineffective. The door greeters are the ones that are really watching you. However, even if you set off the alarm as you leave all they can do is ask you to let them see you bags. If you refuse and leave the greeter cant do anything to you. they (sometimes) will go to a phone and call a manager. By the time anyone gets there you could be in another state. This COAPA guy is a case in point. He takes himself seriously instead of his job. I probly won’t but I could tell you how to steal walmart blind. They are so arrogant they can’t see for looking. when they catch some kid stealing a dvd they think they really solved a major case. the joke is on them cause they are a joke
oh im not an “ex-cop” and my job is certainly not a joke you thieving, prolly most likely unemployed freeloading douche. its a fucking job and im glad someone was willing to hire a injured Vet in my town and walmart was the first place to give me an interview.
Well, you’ve just proven yourself to be very dumb. I am an APA for Wal-Mart and I am not an ex-cop (in case you’re too dumb to realize this means YOU ARE WRONG!). I have never had anyone call me out for being an APA, so I am not obvious (again this means YOU ARE WRONG!). The door greeters are a huge help to AP but they are not the ones watching you. The AP team are the ones watching you whether it be on the floor or in the AP office on camera. Also, my job goes much farther than just catching shoplifting punks. I investigate internal theft, counterfiet and more. Looks like the jokes on you, Ronald.
Thank you, IT, for providing us with an article with so many hilarious comments. I’m still laughing. When I go to Wal-Mart, I ignore everyone (except for those mentally challenged people who think its okay to have a family reunion in the middle of an aisle). I get my products, pay for them, and leave. I have yet to have a problem.
Hey, im not a thief or LP/APA or whatever you want to call it. When I was 17 me and my dad were going to my graduation and I had a cold sore on my lip so my dad bought me some chap stick for cold sores and when we started to leave a man that looked homeless came up to me and said I had stolen an item and I said “what are you talking about? I have my receipt” and he said “ma’am your going to have to come with me” and i said “why? what did I do?” and he ordered me to dump my purse with no cop present nor my dad and I was considered a minor still in my state. He took the umbrella my mom had bought me, make up I was going to put on at graduation they didn’t even sell that my mom got me a month prior, and tried to say I stole my chap stick. I asked for them to show the tapes of me stealing because they said they had videoed evidence and they never offered it to be shown and never let me see it, and in court they dismissed it as evidence since I was never offered to see it. I know they didnt have a tape of me stealing. I sued them to, surprisingly they dropped my charges and said “sorry for the mishap ma’am”, I have never looked at Walmart the same way again and I only go in there with someone else right next to me the whole time, sorta like a witness. So to all LPs/APAs I thank you for getting the REAL thieves because some of the prices at Walmart aren’t that bad. However, the ones who just want to f*ck people over because they hate their lives, get a real job.
Unbelievable! I am so sorry to hear you had such an experience.
cool thanks for the tips there Irritated Tulsan, now i know how to do my job better. Thanks again there buddy 8)
So how do the comments presented here help you to do your job better? By the way, thank you for what you did for our country when you were in the military. (You said previously you are an injured vet.)
This is so funny because the people you think are APAs probably aren’t even APAs. I was walking the floor about a year ago and this lady started yelling at another customer saying he was security. I’ve never seen the guy before in my life and he definitely was not AP. Idiots.
tomos gotcha… if ur learning from this blog u reinforce my opinion that very few APAs are any good while most think they are the best. walmart in particular, IMO, must be the worst. i walked in with my bag, just shopping, and i check prices. i get it that i look suspicious. i believe i was looking at cereals for the coupons when some dude sprints by the end of the aisle, slams on the brakes, all while on his cell, and proceeds to browse the aisle display just past the end of my aisle. needless to say i had suspicions right away. i wandered over and noticed him browsing the canned pumpkin-pie filling. comical. i said, are you doing some baking? his kettle boiled. said “mind ur own f’ing business” or something. even without recognizing the guy, as he had been obvious b4, it was obvious. ironically, at the time i was a retired shoplifter but this incident in particular makes me think about a comeback. it’s child’s play.
The thing is, Walmart is private property, and the moment you step foot inside, we can watch you and follow you if you even look at us wrong.
I guess I’d better watch where I step foot.