November 6, 2024

Locked Up Products at Your Walmart? Unlock Them with Your Cell Phone Soon!

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It’s very much become a reality to walk into CVS, Target, Walmart, and many other stores only to be confronted with products being locked up. Essential items like deo, toothpaste, and laundry detergent now all locked up. There’s a certain irony in the fact that my local Walmart locks up things like toothpaste but they literally have six rows of cosmetics that are not locked up. So, wait, you’re telling me people are stealing the $4.99 toothpaste and leaving behind the Maybelline Mascara for $17.99? The math isn’t mathing with the lockdown situation. It’s not only Walmart but also, Target and CVS. These places have aisles of makeup that isn’t locked down but they’ll lock up deodorant. I mean, I guess there’s some sort of method to the madness and these items are high theft items but I know if I was a thief I wouldn’t be headed in for the toothpaste.

I’ve always been a huge online shopper but the last year or so a lot of my local stores have started locking up virtually everything and it’s annoying to shop there now. First off, I like to touch things, read the back of the packaging, sometimes I even take a little sniff of a body wash (If it’s seal I’m SO NOT THAT girl that opens it but I’ll steal a sniff if it is open!). That’s become impossible to do now with everything being locked up. You really need to know what you want and not waste the person’s time who is unlocking the case. They aren’t going to stand their while you read the bottle, browse the other options available, etc…! They want to unlock the case, give you the item, and get out of there. That’s also, a problem I don’t understand the solution to. How does locking something up only to hand it to someone prevent theft? I mean, ok, you locked it up and maybe that will prevent someone from stealing a few of the same item but what’s to say they won’t steal that one item you did unlock?

Here’s my main issue with locked items though…

My main problem with the locked up items is actually getting someone to unlock the case. Both Target and Walmart is AWFUL about this! It’s a hit or miss situation as sometimes when you ring that little bell they come fast but in my experience they either don’t come at all or it takes about ten minutes to get someone to unlock the case. Most times at Target I end up leaving as I’ll ring the little bell and absolutely no one shows up. If I have the time I’ll hunt someone down to open the case for me. It’s just not a good situation. Also, employees are so SLAMMMED with work already and I’m sure having to run to open a case for someone to buy something every five minutes can be a pain. So really, it’s not only the consumer that has an issue here but also, the employees.

Well, apparently Walmart is working on a solution for those locked up products! They are apparently testing a new technology in stores that will allow shoppers to unlock the cases with their cellphones. Supposedly the technology is already in a few hundred Walmart stores. There isn’t much information about this as of yet but it appears the discussion is that Walmart+ Loyalty Members will have this optional available.

What do you think the solution is for theft? How can we prevent it and how can we keep the shopping experience for consumers a less irritating one?

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About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Kimmwc03

    I like the idea but Walmart+ costs money that I’m not sure we all want to spend. It’s annoying for everyone though.

    • Isabella Muse

      agreed also, I don’t even have a walmart + option as my walmart is way too far from me so having the membership even if i wanted it is useless! A better idea would be to have people leave their phone number with each purchase they make which would track their spending so that they know the person is trustworthy. Not a great option as some people aren’t keen on having their shopping habits tracked but it’s an option that might work outside of paying the monthly/yearly fee for +!

  • Ashe

    I feel like the toothpaste is locked up because sadly, people might need it. My Target has underwear and baby formula locked up, and that might be why.

    • Isabella Muse

      I forget that sometimes Ashe. And I apologize if I came across like a jerk when I said who would steal toothpaste but yes, some people do need toothpaste thus they lock it up and yes, that is all kinds of sad : ( The baby formula hasn’t hit the lockup here yet nor the underwear but all the everyday essentials are. Laundry detergent, toothpaste, deo, etc..!

      • Ashe

        You didn’t come across as a jerk AT ALL! It’s still confusing – our Target’s skin care aisle is locked up but the makeup is flying free. I guess they just go with whatever is being taken, although how all these people are getting through the detectors, I can’t guess.

        • Isabella Muse

          I sort of did when I thought about what I said and you mentioned it being sad toothpaste was an item people stole. But you’re sweet to say I wasn’t. I think I wasn’t thinking when I typed that as I don’t think toothpaste is a luxury item but some people who don’t have it or can’t buy it for themselves def do. I should thank you for giving me a wake up call there for a sec 🙂 I can only say I wasn’t thinking when I typed that out. It boggles my mind that all the skincare is locked up here too yet not the makeup. Cerave is locked up (we all know that’s a viral brand thank you Tiktok) and I just think to myself, if I were a thief would I steal Cerave? and I’m just thinking no, that wouldn’t what I’d grab first but I guess they know best. Funny about detectors and such and how people are getting away with stuff as I ran across a tiktok of someone saying go buy soda or beer at walmart, pay for it, than go back inside and put the same exact items in your cart and hand them the receipt from your first purchase when they check you at the door. I was just sat shaking my head at how devious people are.

  • Sonja Beach

    The way my local Walmart prevents theft of locked items once they give them to you is to make you either pay for them before you leave the department, or they put them in a bulky plastic box that is also locked and has to be unlocked at checkout.