this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2024
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Scan your receipt to exit? Loblaw facing backlash as it tests receipt scanners at self-checkout (www.cbc.ca)
submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
75 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

More BS for consumers who are now being treated even more like thieves when they shop

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

Customers who go through self-checkout must use the device to scan their receipt's barcode β€” confirming that they paid something β€” which opens a metal gate, letting them leave.

How can scanning a receipt prove that you scanned all the items, and are leaving with only what you paid for?

Also, how does this locking metal gate fall under the municipal fire code?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It is probably wired up to the fire alarm like many emergency exits are. They typically fail-open so that if the wire is cut or the power goes out they can be opened without trouble.

Stupid idea, but probably not a major fire risk.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It is probably wired up to the fire alarm like many emergency exits are.

And if there's no fire alarm? Maybe an active shooter or other situation that causes a stampede of people to try to leave the store?

Seems like an unnecessary risk to public safety in the name of loss-prevention.

These gates, if they plan to use them, should only lock if a security tag has not been deactivated (triggering an alarm).

The way it seems to be designed is that everyone is guilty of theft until proven they haven't stolen anything. And it doesn't seem like scanning the receipt actually proves this.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

There is also a good chance that they can be pushed open, just triggering alarm. Based on TFA that is the case.

when leaving the self-checkout area, he didn't notice the scanner, so he pushed open the exit gate, prompting a loud alarm to go off.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

There is also a good chance that they can be pushed open, just triggering alarm.

I hope so. But then it begs the question: will that alarm also be ignored as all other in-store alarms tend to be? LOL

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Of course. My argument isn't that this is a good solution, I don't think it is. I just don't think safety is a notable criticism.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Fair point. I don't know how their metal gates work, so safety came to mind.

edit: corrected Freudian slip.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

The article makes it sound like you can push the gate open without a receipt, it will just set off an alarm.