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Apple Store Customer Arrested for Shoplifting Says He Was Trying to Use EasyPay Self-Checkout

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macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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A New Jersey teenager was arrested this weekend for allegedly attempting to shoplift a pair of headphones from the Fifth Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan, reports Macworld. Eric Shine says he scanned the barcode of a pair of Bose headphones, and navigated the EasyPay purchase process to the final screen, but failed to complete his purchase. Upon trying to leave the store, he was stopped by store employees who accused him of shoplifting and called the police to have him arrested.

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I pulled out my iPhone, and realized it still showed the Pay Now button, and not the receipt," Shine said. "I told them I had no intent of stealing; I've been in the store for an hour, and I'm still willing to purchase the headphones."

That didn't satisfy the Apple Store staff. "They said, they see this all the time, and that they knew I had the intent to steal, and this was an easy excuse," said Shine, who pointed out to the manager that he had asked for--and received--a bag from an Apple Store employee for the headphones. When you successfully complete a transaction, the Apple Store app clearly states that, to get a bag, "just show a specialist your receipt." Shine says the Apple Store employee he spoke to didn't ask to see his receipt, compounding his own error with the app.
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Last year, the 'Apple Store' iPhone app was updated with a new 'EasyPay' feature that allowed users to purchase products in the retail store without interacting with any salespeople. This benefits both customers and the store by freeing up store employees to deal with customers that need one-on-one attention.

EasyPay has been popular with Apple's more tech-savvy customers, but the risk of misunderstandings like this are easy to foresee. Shine was offered a plea bargain for one day of community service and attending a class on larceny in exchange for having the charges against him reduced, but he declined. He told Macworld that he "didn't try to steal anything" and will instead face larceny charges in October.

Article Link: Apple Store Customer Arrested for Shoplifting Says He Was Trying to Use EasyPay Self-Checkout
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/08/27/apple-store-customer-arrested-for-shoplifting-says-he-was-trying-to-use-easypay-self-checkout/
C

cmwade77

macrumors 65816
Nov 18, 2008
1,071
1,200
This is exactly why I think EasyPay is a bad idea, it too easy to have major misunderstandings.
 
K

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,024
7,867
I'm actually surprised this doesn't happen more often. I've used the feature at Grand Central and the Upper West Side. Both times, I've made sure the receipt showed up on my screen before walking out.
 
P

portishead

macrumors 65816
Apr 4, 2007
1,114
2
los angeles
It's hard to judge intent here, but if it were me, i'd make sure I was damn certain the transaction went through to avoid any accusations of stealing in the first place.
 
D

DMVillain

macrumors 6502a
Jul 20, 2011
620
371
NFC powered passbook should be used to put a real self checkout system in stores to make the system more secure
 
X

xriderx11

macrumors regular
Jul 26, 2010
133
0
I almost did the same exact thing with a Iphone screen protector a couple of months ago! Luckily I found out how to use it then I purchased it!!


This easypay is VERY confusing!!!!
 
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Vertigo50

Vertigo50

macrumors 65816
Apr 11, 2007
1,200
132
I don't know whether he really intended to steal or not, but I sort of hope he gets off. Apple has to take responsibility for the fact that these problems will come up. It seems they are willing to trade tight control for reduced employees, so they have to deal with the possible ramifications.
 
lostngone

lostngone

macrumors 65816
Aug 11, 2003
1,431
3,804
Anchorage
Does he a criminal record?

If he doesn't have a criminal record or hasn't been in trouble with the law before, I would say it was an honest mistake.

On the other hand if he has a history of shoplifting/theft then throw the book at him.
 
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G

goMac

Contributor
Apr 15, 2004
7,662
1,694
I always worry about this. Makes me nervous when I leave the store after I pay with EasyPay.
 
N

nzalog

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2012
274
2
Hahah I freaked my girlfriend out one time using easy pay. I walked out of the store with a product in my hands after using easy pay and said "go go go!" she looked so freaked out, it was awesome lol... Glad she can take a joke... :D
 
Gemütlichkeit

Gemütlichkeit

macrumors 65816
Nov 17, 2010
1,276
0
d0mth0ma5 said:
How do they know he had intent to steal?
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Because this is the 15th pair of headphones he's forgot to purchase ;)

The thing I have against this kid is that there's a confirmation screen for your purchase. How can he just assume and walk out the door?
 
JonathanK81

JonathanK81

macrumors 6502a
Feb 7, 2006
594
105
d0mth0ma5 said:
How do they know he had intent to steal?
Click to expand...

They don't. The problem is, we're supposed live to in a society that is "innocent until proven guilty." In this case, it's guilty, until proven innocent. Ridiculous. Could he be guilty? Sure. But at least hear him out, don't just assume. The saddest fact is, in my mind, if it was an older man or lady, I'm sure their reactions may not have been to immediately assume guilt on his part.

I'd rather we live in a world that is too trusting, and be hurt by that, than live in one where we doubt everyone and everything.
 
tigres

tigres

macrumors 601
Aug 31, 2007
4,213
1,326
Land of the Free-Waiting for Term Limits
This same thing almost happened to me in the 5th ave. store last week. Easy pay was not working (or it did not appear to be) and they were swamped. I left without them- screw it.

I tend to believe this kid, hope he gets off better than samsung.
 
A

audi2009

macrumors newbie
Aug 27, 2012
1
0
Positive Intent

Apple store employees are suppose to assume positive intent. The last thing they are supposed to do is accuse the customer. It may be a crazy rule, but it's in apple's culture, and I believe in their credo.
 
R

RoccoFan

macrumors regular
Aug 12, 2008
101
22
Good for him

Glad he's taking it to court. Why plead to something like this you know you didn't do? The judge will toss this out.
 
brand

brand

macrumors 601
Oct 3, 2006
4,390
456
127.0.0.1
lostngone said:
If he doesn't have a criminal record or has been in trouble with the law before, I would say it was and honest mistake.

On the other hand if he has a history of shoplifting/theft then throw the book at him.
Click to expand...

Not sure how much history matters since you have to start somewhere/sometime. Maybe it was his first time but completely intentional.
 
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