Hmmm ...self-scanning has it's own 'breed' of scams:
from:
http://www.rlpx.com/newsuse.htm - - - - - -
Posted: 06/16/99
"This was posted anonymously... Pretty interesting scam... are you vulnerable?"
I work at a primarily mid-western retailer. I recently recovered some merchandise which an individual had price switched using a method which I had never seen. The subject/group had apparently scanned various UPCs on a home computer scanner, and printed them on address labels. They then placed the new UPCs over the existing ones on more expensive merchandise. A $300 vacuum cleaner rang up as a $19.99 hand vac, and a $200 allergen filtering system rang up as a $9.99 (replacement) filter. We also have utilized a "tear and scan" tag system for large, bulky items for some time now. These are easily switched, or torn from less expensive merchandise and handed directly to the cashier. A subject may take the tag from a $59.99 television and place it on a $499.99 television. He/she then tears the less expensive tag from the more expensive item and hands it to the cashier. Most cashiers don't notice since the item rings up as "filter", "hand vac" or "television". The monotony or repetitive nature of their jobs leave cashiers particularly susceptible to these scams as they won't always match prices with items, especially if the items show up as something similar (i.e. "hand vac"---"vacuum cleaner").
"Just as proof the every cloud has an even darker lining, consider this;
- "What happens when the bogus UPC is removed, and the merchanise is returned for a refund?"
- If your policy is lenient for cash refunds, are you kicking out $300 cash for a $20 purchase?
- Even if you have a stricter policy, odds are the refunder can get an exchange. If it were me, I would make sure that I exchanged the merchandise for a slightly different model, thereby getting a new valid receipt at the full retail.
- Consider the duplicate receipt refund fraud taking place throughout the country, and imagine the amount of stolen merchandise that can now be refunded without the annoyance of having to pay the full amount even once."
- Danno
...so now I get to stand behind clueless customers.Probably democrat voters from FL who voted for Gore in 2000. Most call themselves, "Hanging Chads;" the fat ones proclaim they are, "The Dimpled Chads."
Yep, clueless customers and clueless cashiers. No wonder Home Depot is losing customers to Lowes.