Am I being a paranoid conspiracy theorist about a national grocery store chain and condoms?
Ok, this is more of a rant than a question, but would still like input on the subject.
If you try to buy condoms in the self checkout lane in the local grocery store (which is a national chain), an alert goes off and an employee has to come over and “approve” the purchase. This is very annoying as it may take (or seems like) 5 minutes or more for an employee to finally come over if they are busy.
I have voiced my annoyance more than one once and the response is always the same. “It is because it is a high theft item”.
I think this is total BS. I personally think they are trying to embarrass kids to keep them from buying condoms, thinking this will somehow prevent them from having sex.
If they just scanned the item, doesn’t that mean they are not fucking stealing it?!?!
Even if their intentions are not truly sinister, and in their twisted reasoning they are just preventing theft, this is still messed up.
Now I know some people are going to say if you are too embarrassed to purchase condoms, you are not mature enough for sex.
But that reasoning is irrelevant in the real world. Kids are going to have sex and there isn’t a lot that will prevent that.
Shouldn’t we be making it easier for everyone to get condoms instead of trying to embarrass them or make them jump through hoops?
I also don’t think that condom theft is going to break a massive grocery store chain. In fact, I feel they should be making them free to those in need, no questions asked. Give back to the community a bit.
I don’t see how this policy is preventing theft, but do see how it would deter some kids from purchasing condoms. So I feel it does more harm than good.
Your thoughts?
11
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24 comments
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EricTrommater
Level 9
Apr 2, 2018
10
If only kids knew to go to Planned Parenthood or the school nurse and ask for free condoms. But wait, do they even have school nurses anymore?
CopperPenny
Level 5
Apr 2, 2018
5
The problem with that is that they have to talk to an adult. Much less embarrassing for them to go through a self checkout line.
I have to admit, it isn’t the most comfortable thing for me when a woman who looks like my grandmother comes over to approve the purchase. I can only imagine what I would have felt like at 16! LoL
And honestly, I rarely used them when I was younger. They were expensive (to me), and the old bitty behind the counter always gave you a lecture!
I know times have changed, but kids still fee like they are doing something wrong, so the last thing they are going to want to do is ask an adult for them.
Which chain would that be? It could be worth a letter to corporate.
arca2027
Level 6
Apr 2, 2018
4
I thought about a letter, but figured it really wouldn’t do much.
I didn’t post a company name as I am making sarcastic assumptions on the logic behind their policies and some companies get touchy about that kind of thing.
I will say it is a large chain here in Denver and it’s parent company is one of the top 5 largest in the country.
Theft does seem like a bullshit excuse, or just a ill thought out stupid one. If someone was stealing it, they wouldn't scan it or have a need for a worker to come over and approve the sale. If it's a high theft item, it would be behind a glass door with a lock, be behind a counter, or have a metal tie connecting it to the shelf.
Hey, make sure you have a worker come over to approve the sale if you're going to steal this item. Thanks lol
Piece2YourPuzzle
Level 8
Apr 2, 2018
4
Seems like they are encouraging theft . As for checking for age I didn't think there was an age limit on buying condoms . My opinion they should be free to anyone no matter how old
Simon1
Level 7
Apr 2, 2018
4
They are not checking age. They just come over and “approve” the purchase. They have to swipe their ID card and click accept.
They don’t ask for ID or anything. They just say they are verifying that you are not stealing it.
Which makes no sense if you just scanned the item.
That’s why I think there is some other reason behind it.
@sarahjustme I wondered about that, but there is a plate on the scanner that specifically disables the NFC chip in every other item that has one. So why is this one different?
I have never had this happen on anything accept condoms and Mucinex. Which I completely understand the drug issue with Mucinex.
I am sure that condoms are not the only thing stolen in the store.
Yeah, they give out free needles to to people with drug addictions. Seems like giving out free condoms would be an important public health service. And that's total bullshit for a retail chain to do that. May as well have a flashing light go off and a team of people come over and do like at some restaurants when it's your birthday. Only the song will be something about getting laid!
ejbman
Level 7
Apr 3, 2018
2
For some reason you really touched me with that argument - I didnt realise that this happened. Arent there machines in mens toilets that dispense them? Chemist shops maybe nicer people to buy from? Yes I would if I were a man be incredibly embarrassed at having to scan condoms nad have someoen come over to me to check - Its not like you can even make it humourous -
jacpod
Level 8
Apr 3, 2018
2
The machines are mostly gone. Only left in truckstops, and are probably older than you would want to trust. LoL
I think most guys 25 and older wouldn’t really have much of an problem.
The issue I have is kids in the 14-18 range are not going to deal with it well.
I also don’t think it is that common. I have only experienced it at one particular grocery store chain.
Oddly enough I did see one just this past weekend on a road trip. It stood out, because I haven’t seen one in quite a while. LoL
They can go to a c-store and buy them easier than a supermarket. Probably is a high theft item my guess.
sassygirl3869
Level 9
Apr 2, 2018
1
I am sure it is a high theft item. Right up there with candy. But they don’t make you verify that you are purchasing candy.
And verifying they are purchasing an item after they have scanned it doesn’t accomplish anything. They are obviously paying for it.
@idlopalev very interesting, I would have never have guessed on those!
In Scotland. most pharmacies sell condoms but also have them free. You can pick up a card at the counter, tick the type you need and hand it over to the assistant who will then pass you a large bag of them. Good for folks who get a bit anxious about such things or don't have much money.
Eastrenbi
Level 5
May 4, 2018
1
Is the grocery store chain in question operated by fundamentalist christians? If so, that would explain things.
SpikeTalon
Level 9
Apr 4, 2018
1
Not sure, bu that is my suspicion.
Why I love Australia, condoms available everywhere, no questions asked.
I noticed the same to be true in most European countries.
When I was teen birth control was still illegal in Massachusetts, condoms had stamped on them "for prevention of disease only." Under 21 it was difficult to find a store that would sell them to you! Some states still have stupid laws on the books thanks to the christian "morality."
Lincster45
Level 6
Apr 3, 2018
1
Might also be that there is an age limit on buying condoms(Why, escapes me)!
BillF
Level 7
Apr 2, 2018
1
Mea:
It would be to attempt to prevent people under 18 from having sex; which would be very stupid because people will have sex anyways and all this would do is potentially hurt more people.
Nope, there is no age restraint on condoms in the US.
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