Nope. We have plenty of donation centers that stock these items for people who need them. Thieves are stealing these items to resell elsewhere.
5 Likes
I was thinking the same thing. I remember just getting a card and waiting at the end of the conveyor belt for things to come out! I miss Service Merchandise. I still have some great bargains from there (like my husbandās wedding ring).
Many things were not locked up, but they were chained to a counter or shelf.
Here, I havenāt seen large locked cases at any of our storesā¦.yet.
2 Likes
In Boston many stores are locking up many, many aisles of things. Places like CVS, Target, etc. In the downtown Boston CVS more stuff is locked up than not. I feel like we are going back in time with this. Remember back in Mayberry when you had to ask Mr. Drucker to get you each item that you needed. Well, it seems like that.
2 Likes
Several organized shoplifting crime rings have been busted in our area in the past couple of years. Some recruit homeless or teens to steal these items and sell the stuff to them for pennies so the items can be resold through an online store, including Amazon! Since shoplifting is a misdemeanor, those who get caught get a slap on the wrist and no jail time. They are free to continue their drug money making business.
4 Likes
In central MA, things are not locked up. I havenāt seen any of that here. Probably should add that while Iām in Worcester County, Iām not in Worcester. The city may be different than the surrounding area.
Many stores have locked high price and easy to steal items for a while - batteries, laundry detergent (those Tide pods are often $30), dog food (stores used to stack outside but not anymore), cosmetics, razor blades, baby formula and other supplies.
When I was in San Francisco in April, I think half the CVS store was locked up.
We certainly have more things locked up in the downtown areas than the suburbs, but some of the suburban grocery stores are experiencing a higher theft rate, especially those near high schools. The students walk in, take what they want, and walk out, often including beer and wine (thatās what our grocery stores can sell). They parents are irate if someone tries to inform them that their little darlings have stolen something (using something like their car license plates to identify them).
The Walmart closest to me has a separate area for cosmetics, and about half the things in that section are locked and you have to check out in that section. Most of the toiletries are still in the āmainā aisles, like toothpaste, shampoo, paper products and OTC drugs this is just expensive cosmetics and lotions.
3 Likes
Sam Drukker was Hooterville.
Mayberry was Fred Walker followed by the unseen Mr. Franklyn.
I know esoteric TV trivia but have never heard of Service Merchandise
5 Likes
I got my āniceā watch at Service Merchandise in high school. Before your time, @skieurope !
7 Likes
The Service Merchandise type store here was called LaBelleās.
1 Like
For some reason, there is a black market for Tide and it is one of the most shoplifted items, along with diapers.
Loved Service Merchandise. Nice products and displays were on glass shelves. Easy to order and pick up.
5 Likes
I have vivid memories of going to Service Merchandise when my oldest was about a week old and reveling in all the attention he got from strangers. I think thatās why I can remember it so clearly. I got a bunch of baby stuff there.
3 Likes
I have not thought of service merchandise in years. It was catalog based. I remember getting things for my house when we first got married. I donāt remember the conveyor belt.
1 Like
look what I found - the 1978 Service Merchandise catalog
Service Merchandise Pre-Christmas Tru-Specials 1978 Catalog : Service Merchandise Catalog Showrooms : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
4 Likes
3 Likes
I live outside of Portland, everything is locked up. The police donāt respond to shoplifting calls so people just walk out with grocery carts full of stuff.
2 Likes
The grocery store I use most has a separate area for personal hygiene items and you have to pay for them when you leave that area. They also recently made a deal with the local police that they would up their security measures and the police would respond to their shoplifting calls. One thing they implemented was a receipt checker at the exit. I hate that. I refused to stop when WalMart implemented it. But you know what? If this keeps that store open Iāll let them check my receipt. Iāll hate it, but if the choice is that or the loss of one more grocery store in my part of town, okay.
Our Target keeps Tide products locked up. Except for the free and clear types. I guess they arenāt as in demand on the black market?
Everything is locked up at the Walgreens near me. I donāt bother to go there anymore. Between the line for the pharmacy that runs around the whole building some days and the merchandise thatās locked up, itās not worth it.
1 Like
BJs has had a receipt checker for as long as Iāve been a member. Honestly, I have no issue with this if it helps the businesses.
I guess I need to pay attention at the storesā¦to see if more things are now locked up.
They have receipt checkers at the Walmart we go to. They usually just wave me and my husband past without checking. I know they are profiling us as people who will not be stealing stuff (an old couple).
Just install giant vending machines where you have to pre-pay for merchandise.