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maxsolomon

(35,501 posts)

49. I don't know where you all live, but organized retail theft is a real thing in Seattle.

Thu Jan 16, 2025, 06:18 PM

20 hrs ago

It's not just at Walgreens. Target, Rite Aid, Bartells, Safeway, Fred Meyer, QFC all lock up different products because of open, defiant shoplifting of whole categories of goods: hard liquor, disposable diapers, baby formula, batteries. Store employees are directed not to risk injury by confronting the shoplifters, many of whom are transients with mental health or drug issues who'll turn up the crazy to 11 at any provocation.

People will steal and sell anything they can resell quickly. The police have had to shut down open-air black markets on downtown streets.

Some shoplifters made a living out of stealing specific goods for resale: Lego sets, for instance. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/25/lego-seattle-police-trafficking-scheme

I've seen this happen firsthand multiple times since 2020.

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LeftInTX

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Walgreens says locking up products to prevent shoplifting hurts sales [View all] BumRushDaShow Yesterday OP

To try to find a salesperson to unlock what should be basic items and to find the key for multiple "locked" hlthe2b Yesterday #1

What gets me is the myriad of half implemented fixes paired with the world's most sick person unfriendly website. Hugin Yesterday #3

I wasn't referring to ordering routine products from the pharmacy website. hlthe2b Yesterday #4

It is like that in every Walgreens I have been in lately. Hugin Yesterday #6

At least for the 2 Walgreens near me BumRushDaShow Yesterday #8

I share your frustration and lack of patients. I'll not wait... and will just purchase elsewhere. Oopsie Daisy Yesterday #10

Agree, my Walgreens needs at least one more in Pharmacy at all times and........ NGeorgian Yesterday #19

Yeah, there's a Walgreens on my way home where all the cosmetics are locked. LeftInTX Yesterday #23

Agree get the red out Yesterday #30

Yup. Walgreens is locking things up TexasBushwhacker Yesterday #42

When I walk into a store like this, it's just depressing. yardwork 4 hrs ago #55

Noooo, tell me it isn't so. Hugin Yesterday #2

Yeah, but it sure did help perpetuate the rightwing lie... Think. Again. Yesterday #5

+1 n/t Hugin Yesterday #7

You should have seen some the bee ess posted here about all that. tenderfoot Yesterday #35

That article is correct for its time (March 2024) Polybius Yesterday #37

I just found the same link lonely bird Yesterday #38

Nevermind BigMin28 Yesterday #9

Well.... bamagal62 Yesterday #11

LOL...people "shop" at Walgreens? They like paying damn near double for everyday stuff? Bengus81 Yesterday #12

Yeah, that is my experience with Walgreens in Colorado--pricey. My sister in Atlanta swears they aren't pricing higher hlthe2b Yesterday #16

The one we go for prescriptions is sky high on everyday stuff. Bengus81 Yesterday #18

I buy Walgreens clear version of Hibiclens. Otherwise, it's hospital pink everywhere else. LeftInTX Yesterday #25

It might be less of a deterrent to customers if the store was not understaffed... surrealAmerican Yesterday #13

Was in a Home Depot. Woodwizard Yesterday #14

Half way kidding but actually might work. chouchou Yesterday #15

Greed and price gouging combined with greed-driven understaffing Magoo48 Yesterday #17

This is exactly why I don't shop at walgreens, and for like personal care items, not even the target near me sboatcar Yesterday #20

I wonder if these places ever thought about having people on the floor walking around to assist people? LiberalArkie Yesterday #21

They probably hired a consultant HarryM Yesterday #22

Yeah, thats why Amazon is the way to go. Mosby 23 hrs ago #45

The whole situation sucks SpankMe Yesterday #24

That sounds interesting but I can see some problems. Frank D. Lincoln Yesterday #43

Amazon Just Walk Out. Mosby 22 hrs ago #47

Yes, I've seen this at airports SpankMe 4 hrs ago #54

True in Walmart too bucolic_frolic Yesterday #26

Spray paint has been locked up since the 80's. (huff-huff) Just about everywhere. LeftInTX Yesterday #27

It's new to my local Walmart about 2023 or 4. The last store renovation bucolic_frolic Yesterday #28

Took the words right out of my mouth! BumRushDaShow Yesterday #29

Over here in NY they even ask for my id when I'm buying spray paint Polybius Yesterday #39

Walgreens prices have gone up substantially in the last 10 years. milestogo Yesterday #31

I needed eyedrops and could not find an associate to help me. Basso8vb Yesterday #32

No worries Gymbo Yesterday #33

Walgreens already on our no-fly list El Mimbreno Yesterday #34

Community Note Mosby 22 hrs ago #48

They need a "creative" solution for shoplifting - how about just hiring more employees? FakeNoose Yesterday #36

Are those employees going to physically restrain shoplifters? maxsolomon 2 hrs ago #56

In a lot of cases, just having extra people on duty is enough to discourage shoplifting FakeNoose 1 hr ago #57

We only buy a couple of things at Walgreens lonely bird Yesterday #40

Lose more in theft vs inconvenience. It's a tradeoff and the ultimate alternative is to close the store. mathematic Yesterday #41

As much Linda ladeewolf Yesterday #44

Amazon. Mosby 23 hrs ago #46

I don't know where you all live, but organized retail theft is a real thing in Seattle. maxsolomon 20 hrs ago #49

I wonder if that is one of the reasons we lost the election? LeftInTX 12 hrs ago #51

Well stop doing it then Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 12 hrs ago #50

Retail theft *and* locking stuff up hurts sales? What do both things have in common? unblock 12 hrs ago #52

Right across the street from Walgreens is an Independent Drug store. multigraincracker 9 hrs ago #53