Now here is something I am interested in hearing your opinion on:
Last week, I had a stubborn sinus infection. It has been a long time since I dealt with something like that, so I am standing in the aisle at our local Walmart reading labels on the various OTCs. I became aware of a beeping and I looked towards it. In the ceiling, much to my surprise there was a square screen displaying the flashing words 'Recording in Progress'. I stood there watching myself watching me.
I wasn't quite sure what to make it. I didn't like it.
I moved on. We needed a curtain rod. We knew what length. We knew the finish. We looked at the different kinds. Before we chose, I heard that beeping once again. I looked up and sure enough, there we were. Along with the flashing red words 'Recording in Progress'. FFS! I mean, the curtain rods were in a 4 foot box. It wasn't like we would stuff that in a pocket.
We walked on discussing it. What was triggering that? Were we specifically being targeted as potential thieves? Why? We both agreed that we did not like it.
I saw USB cords. I stopped once again. I needed one that fit my phone and our charging block. I knew I needed a long cord. Before I could even pick one out, we heard that beeping once again.
I said to Tim, "you know what? I think that when you stop, it triggers an alert." We began to look around and realized that these cameras were all over the store.
I was kind of grumpy. Neither of us liked that, and in my defense you have to remember that I had a sinus headache situation. I said, 'Forget the USB cord.' I walked away, but not before flipping the camera off.
We had one more thing to look at: I needed to look at earrings for my granddaughter. I said, "you KNOW there will be a camera there. How on earth can you browse, and feel comfortable about it? I mean it is Christmas season, and it seems like they would expect that.."
Sure enough, there was a camera. I was trying to hurry. I wasn't fast enough. When the team leader came over to unlock the cabinet to get the earrings out, I made it really clear that I thought the cameras were creepy and I did not like the feeling of being rushed. "If I can't look around without that being seen as suspicious, I will do my browsing someplace else."
He said he would pass on my comments.
We haven't been back.
So...what do you think?
As John Gray would say, "answers on a postcard."
I think I would avoid that store! Surely most everyone else would feel as you do? It's weird enough knowing the cameras are on us at the self checkouts. Of course, I guess, par for the course, there are few shopping alternatives in the area?
ReplyDeleteThere are not a lot of options
DeleteTwo grocery stores, Walmart. Ollie's. Dunham's, the cluster of Dollar Generals. Along with a family Dollat and Dollar Tree
Lowe's. We do have a vape shop on every corner though.
That makes me want to watch the ceiling when I go to the store now. I do more shopping at Aldis than Walmart. They may not carry the name brands, but I like most of their brands and the service is many times over what Walmart will ever be. I am sorry you had that happen.
ReplyDeleteI have no illusions that I am not on camera when I go into a store. What irks me is that beeping. As a self conscious person to begin with, I immediately feel as if I am doing something wrong or suspicious. I hate that. I bought a hundred dollars worth of cold cuts, cheese, buns, tomatoes, lettuce. I did not buy that stuff at Walmart.
DeleteThe cameras would worry me less than flashing warning lights, recording in progress. I expect I am being monitored by cameras wherever I go. I would find the warning quite disturbing, feeling as if I was being targeted.
ReplyDeleteBut then perhaps it is just you, with store detectives at another premise informing others of the risk you pose......sorry.
Exactly. It is as If I have someone standing at my side impatiently hurrying me along.
DeleteYou know that there are cameras everywhere...and you know that there are shoplifters...and what is coyly called "floatage" ( theft by staff)
ReplyDeleteBut beeping and flashing lights and signs are enough to put anyone off...apart from real shoplifters if you look at the figures...
I have no expectation of walking into a store and not being recorded. What I hate is feeling as if I am behaving suspiciously, triggering surveillance.
DeleteI am used to cameras in shops and don't tend to notice them any more, but I would find the beeping weird and off-putting.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard not to feel targeted. As if you are doing something suspicious.
DeleteSadly it's what our world has become, stealing from shops is huge extra cost, which everyone has to pay, it's one thing to be watched we almost always expect it, but to beep and tell you they are watching you at that moment.
ReplyDeleteThat is the part that bugs me.
DeleteI would be inclined to give that store a miss in future. It does the business no good to be perceived as suspicious of all customers, ready to pounce. We know we are watched, but do not need to be reminded constantly of it!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me. I plan on it.
DeleteThis makes me feel a little less guilty about all my online shopping. Still, they’re everywhere now. Yours was just being more obvious about it.
ReplyDeleteTo each his own. I avoid Amazon but I do a lot of shopping.
DeletePhillis from Tennessee here. Just this week we went to Walmart to look for an item that took us to the cosmetic department. Of course, the store had been rearranged since the last time we were here so it took a few trips to find the item. Anyway, I noticed on each aisle, cosmetics, there was a screen showing the aisle and whoever was in it. This was new to me. I did not notice a recording or warning, but it was nuts, every single aisle had a screen. George, who was out in the main aisle, mentioned that there were screens, not just cameras, right above him. Every time I go to Walmart I swear it is the last until I need something only Walmart or Amazon has. Now, you have me curious and I may need to go back and see if this store has the bells and whistles.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a lot of options, unfortunately.
DeleteMy daughter says when she does her groceries at Walmart, sometimes she hears the alarms go off when someone leaves the self checkout and nobody even goes to check. I don’t mind that they record but I would not go back if I heard the beeping and flashing warning. Gigi
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I think Walmart has added to their own headache. They want to minimize their employees. The self checkouts are a problem.
DeleteSorry for butting in, but I can't stand those self checkouts! I refuse to use em.
DeleteI find it very interesting that the dollar general stores here all have self checkouts. Not a single one of them actually use them any more. Pretty telling.
DeleteI refuse to use them too. Sometimes the “helper” person will do the self check for me but I won’t do it. They are not paying me and I don’t work for free. Gigi
DeleteAt a local store, I noticed that message on the screen as I entered the store. I knew that they always filmed my entrance, but I hadn't noticed the notification before. With all of the barriers already in place, I didn't realize that much shoplifting could still be carried on.
ReplyDeleteAt that same Walmaet, last summer, I watched two women with a cart full of electronics go right through the unstaffed automotive entrance and unload the stuff into their trunk. I mean, how was that not noticed? Why was that door opened, since the shop was closed? I mean, yes, the have to protect themselves. But surely there is a way to do this without making everyone feel like a suspect.
DeleteI feel like rip van winkle reading this. I haven't shopped in person for so long. The rare occasions I do I'm not aware of being recorded and watched, though I suppose that's happening. Creepy!
ReplyDeleteIt feels very creepy
DeleteI wonder if they actually ARE recording or if that whole alarm and message is just a way to dissuade people from shoplifting if they're thinking about it. In fact, I just googled "Are the cameras at Walmart fake?" Guess what- many are. Check it out. (No pun intended.)
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. Your pun is excellent, intended or not!
DeleteI don't shop at Walmart. :)
ReplyDeleteWe live in a rural area and there are not a lot of options.
DeleteIt's just part of life now. Everything spies on us. Am I paranoid? Maybe, but that goes back to the wild days of my youth. 😉 I know people talk about boycotting this and that store/company, but I shop where I can get what I want and I'm not ashamed to say that's often Amazon and Walmart. (though I'm headed to DG here shortly)
ReplyDeleteI did a great deal of my Christmas shopping online. I have not used Amazon or Walmart for any of it, and I am pleased with that. I use Amazon to browse, but I go directly to the manufacturer to order. I went directly to Lego.com and actually got the two lego sets I was looking at for cheaper than Amazon. Free shipping too. I don't think people realize that sometimes.
Delete"Smile, you're on camera." I do see these signs. From now on I'll follow your example and give them the finger.
ReplyDeleteI really should have been ashamed. It really just hit me wrong, and I swear. I am not going back there.
DeleteI haven't been in a Walmart for a year, so I've not seen this. We are major users of curb side pickup. Jim needs a shirt, we had packing fails this year, or we may have to go in. Or I could just order one of everything and take them back. I've seen those cameras in the past, they're very irritating.
ReplyDeleteEven more irritating when your face is killing you.
DeleteWith their obnoxious beeping cameras, they are treating all customers as thieves. Definitely would not encourage me to browse and spend money there. I go to Ross, and even though their security guard is standing there watching you checkout and pay … he has to count all the items in your bag to compare against the receipt before you can leave the store. It’s a joke. Security line backs up longer than checkout line because they only have one person checking bags. Cali
ReplyDeleteI am glad most of my Christmas shopping is done! I have very lite reason to be there.
DeleteOur Walmart has the cameras, too! However, I know I'm not doing anything wrong, so I never feel guilty about lingering when trying to decide what to get!
ReplyDeleteI just don't like the feeling that my behavior is deemed 'suspicious' for whatever reason.
DeleteThe memes are great. I really dislike WM so rarely go in there but I've known for years that they have cameras. What I haven't noticed is the beeping and instant recording. I say let me browse in peace or I'll go home and order what I need, from somewhere else. I know WM seems to be having a huge, huger than normal theft problem but sheesh!
ReplyDeleteI have never noticed these cameras before.
DeleteIt's interesting that it beeps. I'm sure it's meant to be a deterrent, but to me, the beeping is more obnoxious than the recording itself. I usually don't have a problem with being recorded in public -- we have CCTV everywhere in London -- but the beeping would definitely make me feel unwelcome.
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between assuming that you are being watched and having your nose rubbed in that fact. The beeping is not loud...it sounds like a mobility scooter backing up.
DeleteI would be VERY uncomfortable. And I would feel targeted, even though they are recording everywhere. It would just make me turn to online shopping.
ReplyDeleteI used to go "shopping" for fun. I would browse the aisles, usually just making mental notes of styles and items. That would make me a target for sure!
I sure do not feel as if I can look around...get in and get out.
DeleteThe obnoxious beeping would be enough for me to simply leave. Cameras (security & otherwise) are a fact of life these days.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It IS a fact of life, but they sure do not need to be so blatantly in your face about it.
DeleteThat seems like over kill to me. There would be some stores that have a big shopping theft problem but to chase somebody around the store is too much.
ReplyDeleteI think so.
DeleteSounds to me like that particular Wally World has a big shrinkage problem. That said, the beeping and the "you are being recorded" is very off-putting. Like you, I would be hard-pressed to return.
ReplyDeleteI am sure they do, but I think that they can come up with ways to combat it that doesn't treat every customer as a risk.
DeleteMy husband refuses to go into a Walmart. I rarely go there but now I may stop by just to see if the one here has those cameras!
ReplyDeleteYou have to understand that we live in a very rural area. Walmart is basically it. There is a Walmart in Titusville and another in Corry, as well as the one in Warren. We went to titusville tonight to get gas. We went to the Walmart there. They have cameras there as well. They are glass balls at the end of a conduit in the ceiling. We have no illusion that we aren't being watched as these cameras scan the store. The new cameras at the Warren Walmart make it clear that they think you are behaving suspiciously and that you are being watched. That is what we do not like.
DeleteBig brother is everywhere
ReplyDeleteCameras just hadn't been part of my consciousness.. but your posting made me look... though my husband said cameras were to be expected with all the shoplifting etc. .. I noticed that Home Goods had a security camera taking a live view down the check out aisle. As I stood waiting my turn I could watch myself and those in front and back on a tv monitor.
ReplyDeleteOH wow! I haven't been to Walmart in such a long, long time. They must have a gazillion hours of tapes or whatever to look at. Thing is, you can't prosecute someone unless you see them walking out the door without paying. Maybe with AI, they can match the person who did it with who went out the door? Good grief! My brain is fried. I wonder if they just do it to discourage stealing? They'd have a video of my choosing sweet potatoes for 1/2 hour. LOL!
ReplyDelete