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

[lk400]

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.

Unfortunately you have your concepts mixed up - that is the presumption in court, sure, meaning that the police have the burden of proof to show that the guy is not innocent. However that presumption is not forced on, in this case, the apple store. To do so would have them become purposefully naive, trusting everyone and thinking the best. As far as I know, its not even a presumption the police have to follow in their investigations - they have to be mindful of what they can prove in court, where that is the presumption, but they can arrest whoever they want, with whatever prejudice or presumptions they care to make.

 

[smallnshort247]

LOL. What issue? You forgot to click "PAY NOW" and tried to walk out without paying? Also curious to know which Best Buy store allowed you to use the Apple App EasyPay to make a purchase?

Sorry, not trying to be rude, but he didn't state at any point that he had an "issue". His "issue" was he thought (somehow) he paid for an item simply by scanning the bar-code.

Haha it was nothing but a little sarcasm

 

[VenusianSky]

I used EasyPay and it was weird

Funny this story just happened. I was at the Apple Store last week to get a MIDI adapater for my iPad and I noticed this EasyPay system on my iPhone for the first time. The store was quite busy, so I figured I'd give it a try. I thought that I was going to at least be visited by an employee (like they got some message that I bought something). Nothing. I sort of felt uncomfortable just walking out of the store. After I made the purchase on my iPhone, I noticed it said that if I wanted a bag to see an employee and show them the receipt on my phone. So that is what I did, just because I felt a bit uncomfortable walking out of the store with this small box in my hand.

 

[Mac Kiwi]

Maybe Apple need to clarify the process a bit better.

 

[Konrad]

Bose headphones are crap. Also, he is lucky in the sense that he didn't get whacked be officer Dick, the method lately growing in popularity among US law enforcement agencies. Handcuffing people over a stolen slice of pizza or an assumption of non payment for headphones? Stealing is bad, but even if proven, or evident, is an arrest including physically constraining humans necessary? If in fact this is a misunderstanding, I hope that in the good American fashion of treating petty theft with airborne and SWAT heavy armed deployment he obtains a significant punitive judgement for them to simply crap.

 

[dsdxp]

wow. Apple really needs to get their act together and train their employees. If they cannot train their employees to utilize this system correctly, then unfortunately, they should get rid of easy pay.

 

[flameproof]

When I use the self-checkout in the supermarket I double check that all items are on the receipt before I walk out.

Not sure how the Apple-system works, but I would not use it if there is no paper print out as a receipt. Their could be a glitch in the Apple store software, or your phone freezes....

Bose headphones are crap.

So you do Apple basically a favor by stealing them?

 

[zioxide]

Except in this case, the accused isn't claiming any of that.

His words: "I scanned the bar code with the Apple Store app, put my phone away, asked an employee for a bag for the headphones..."

Sounds more like a dumbass who just didn't know how to do it then.

 

[KPOM]

When I use the self-checkout in the supermarket I double check that all items are on the receipt before I walk out.

Not sure how the Apple-system works, but I would not use it if there is no paper print out as a receipt. Their could be a glitch in the Apple store software, or your phone freezes....


So you do Apple basically a favor by stealing them?

The receipt shows up on your phone's screen. You can also have a copy e-mailed to you.

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Agreed, this seems rather excessive by Apple.

Honestly, I've been in tech for years, using OS X for many of those, and lately I've been disappointed in Apple's actions. The company is growing too large, too quickly (not getting into the iOS vs OS X debate), and seems to be using their newfound power in ways I believe questionable. We don't know all the facts, however from what I've read in the past 30-45 min's on the matter, I can understand how this may have happened. The juvenile doesn't have a record (from what we've been told), and this is the first time it's happened with him at an Apple store. I'm surprised Apple didn't give him a reprimand and either ban him or keep tabs on him with local Apple stores (used to work in Apple Corp, it's not difficult in putting stores on notice for possible shoplifters). Done.

The courts will decide. He was given the chance in having a clean record with a day of community service. He chose to go to court. Buying the same headphones the next day, sure, may be taken as a way to excuse what he did in court, however that's circumstantial evidence. In the end, Apple chose to push this issue. Whatever becomes of it is on their hands.

We know only half the story right now. Like most companies, Apple isn't commenting on pending legal matters. Perhaps he was already on a "suspicious" list (which he obviously wouldn't volunteer). Perhaps the security guard saw something suspicious. We'll find out soon enough.

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I suppose someone could be in a hurry or just being careless. But you're right. For those reasons, giving the option to self check-out the goods on your own phone was a terrible idea by Apple. If he decides to make a big deal out of it, Apple will get a ton of bad publicity, and media is always on a look-out for a story like this one: David vs. Big Evil Corporate(especially Apple).

Once the word gets around (or is it already?) many clever shoplifters could simply scan the item, keep the "Pay Now" button screen there, and try to walk out when things get busy. Apple will have much difficulty getting those guys.

It's been around for about a year now. This is the first story that I've seen on this. My guess is that there's more to this story than what we've read.

 

[seared.ahi]

I went to the Apple Store Pasadena last week to buy an Airport Express. It wasn't that busy and I should've been in-and-out in less than 3 minutes. But instead every Specialist I asked for help seemed busy and flustered. I literally asked 3 different employees if they could help me check out only to get rejected. WTF? They make it feel like you're asking them out on a date or something. One said, "hold on, but you can check out on your own if you have an iPhone." I said "hell no, I'm going to make you do your job and you're going to check me out."

Ok I didn't say it like that, but I made sure to give them hell, asking for my business/corporate discount on that EasyPay. Then I made sure to get a printed receipt AND emailed receipt AND a bag. Apple deserves to be put through hell. It's a crappy system and their god awful customer service doesn't make it any better.

 

[macs4nw]

They are Geniuses, Duh.

Clever, you put a smile on my face, but seriously...

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.

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.

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?

Isn't this a case of the Apple store employee not doing his or her job, neglecting to ask to see the receipt before providing a bag?

That's really a tough call to make. It seems like the customer might be telling the truth.

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.

All above posts common sense angles. Can't see APPLE winning a conviction on this one; there's just no proof of intent. Yes, maybe he was testing the system to see if or what he could get away with, but since this appears to be the first high-profile case, he must and will get the benefit of the doubt. Also throwing the book at this kid for a pair of headphones, while hammering home that APPLE is serious about shoplifting, will not bode well for APPLE from a PR standpoint! David vs Goliath. The easy solution to this problem will be to get those specialists who hand out bags, to religiously check those 'Screen Receipts', and I bet from now on they will!

 

[scoobydoo99]

How do they know he had intent to steal?

Um. Because he left the store without paying. That's stealing. Stupidity or being unable to complete the app sale (pretty farfetched for a teenage Apple customer) is not an excuse.

There's no question - of course he was trying to rip them off. I love the quote: "I'm still willing to purchase the headphones." LOL. OF COURSE you are! Wouldn't every thief love to be able to say "Oh, you caught me, so let's forget it and I'll actually pay for the item I was stealing."

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You guys just kill me!

You read one article (and not even a very thorough one) and all of a sudden you're an expert on the law, loss prevention, and Apple's policies, procedures, and purchasing policies!

Every single one of you who states as an absolute fact that Apple or the customer was right or wrong in this case is talking out of your butt. You weren't there, therefore you do not have enough information about what actually happened.

Also, if you don't like Easy Pay, then don't use it! The Apple store near me is always busy, and I appreciate being able to just scan something and hit the road. You probably have a better chance of getting mowed down by mall security on a Segue then you do getting "busted" after making a legitimate purchase with Easy Pay. Just because you may not fully understand how it works doesn't make it a bad idea.

Opinions are one thing, but really - you can't say for 100% certainty that the kid didn't break the law, or on the flip side that Apple didn't screw something up. That's why we have the courts, folks.

Wrong. Wrong. and Wrong.

We don't need to have been there. There is no dispute about the facts. It doesn't take a law degree or any special expertise to analyze this situation. It's black and white. The perp admits that he didn't complete the purchase and get a receipt on his phone. Therefore he didn't pay. He then left the store with the merchandise. He stole.

 

[Xiroteus]

Um. Because he left the store without paying. That's stealing. Stupidity or being unable to complete the app sale (pretty farfetched for a teenage Apple customer) is not an excuse.

Intent factors in, it could be a game he was playing or he really thought he purchased the headphone and just did not look to make sure the sale went through. A mistake is a reason/excuse. The intent to just outright steal them would be worse.

 

[dra]

this sounds like extra fake apple news to keep your thoughs offf the next iphone release / rumors

 

[Wanted797]

In Australia this would be a big mistake

I'm not sure about the laws in the USA but here in AUS doing this would be a big mistake. I work in retail and falsely accusing someone of theft and bring major lawsuits against the company. At my work we are instructed that if we find someone shoplifting to ask if they were planing on buying the items, then give them the chance to buy them.

This kids even offered the pay for the headphones after being accused of stealing. So I don't see why Apple had a problem if he was happy to pay for them before leaving.

 

[Interesting_Way_924]

why target the kid?

I mean honestly they probably had surveillance on him. There's cameras in the stores you know. He probably looked suspicious and they kept tabs on him. I bet hundreds of people use EasyPay on a busy weekend day.

I think we need to hear Apple's side of the story. Going after someone for shoplifting is dangerous and they know it too. You can't pursue them outside of the store and all those things. Thus you have to be sure and stop them in store. I'm pretty sure Apple Retail did their job and made a good assessment.

They could be wrong though. Who knows? We'll see how the hearing goes. Without really knowing what went down it could go either way. The kid could've planted that excuse as EasyPay is an easy way out and its a tried excuse. At the same time you must realize people do make mistakes like this and sometimes you just forget to hit Pay. I forget to confirm my App Store purchases (ok let's be honest I'm an Android user so I forget to hit Accept & Download sometims). It happens! On the other hand you know people in retail don't just randomly target people and accuse them of shoplifting unless they're pretty damn sure.

 

[noobey]

An Apple spokesperson has confirmed they plan to sue the boy for $2BN

 

[Paul McG]

If they don't, they set a horrible precedent for future shoplifters, where all any would-be thief needs to do is set up a near-completed transaction as cover in case they get nabbed walking out the door.

Using an Apple device, with an apple account?

It seems to me a 'sophisticated' scam that would fail because of it's sophistication.

IE the 'shoplifter' has gone into the Apple store and scanned the item against their Apple credentials. Apple should know who scanned the item and when and easily be able to find them in security footage.

The best case scenario for the 'shoplifter' who has tried to use a half done Easypay as 'plausible deniability' is that Apple rings them up (you know, on their Apple phone) and politely suggests they make arrangements to complete payment.

 

[mrxak]

I was really waiting for this story. I knew it was coming sooner or later. I think the kid will walk. They'll need to prove intent in court for a conviction, and it's clear if he had the app open in the process of completing the transaction, just left unfinished, there's plenty of reasonable doubt. Apple employees should have really just let him complete the transaction and walk out, especially if one of them gave the kid a bag. What a waste of time for all involved.

Personally, I really doubt I'll ever use the self-checkout even though I have an iPhone and the app. My local Apple Store is always crowded, but usually isn't too hard to grab an employee when I need one.

 

[mcarling]

The fact (assuming it's true) that he was given a bag gives his story enough credibility to exceed the reasonable doubt threshold. The prosecutor should not take this one to trial.

 

[pragmatous]

In the context of being in the store and using an app to purchase something using an inherently flawed system? Yes.

If you get arrested for using something that was suppose to work you should take it to trial and then sue the store. This is your freedom. Don't give up on it by taking some plea deal! If you're innocent you have that right for the prosecutors to prove criminal intent.

So it's meant to be that we also stop shopping online? Or, can we get around how it's meant to be by calling a friend or something right as we click Submit Payment?

 

[Macman45]

This is exactly why I think EasyPay is a bad idea, it too easy to have major misunderstandings.

And probably why it's virtually non existent in the UK...I don't think I would feel comfortable walking out of a store unless I had actually passed the product to a sales assistant and received a copy of the sales invoice.

 

[charlituna]

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.

We only have his side of the story. He could have been acting shifty and suspect. And being on the Pay Now screen doesn't really show intent to buy since he hadn't logged in yet. You can scan an item to look at reviews and be on that screen.

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This poor kids' life could be pretty f'ed up for the time being because of this mistake.

He's a teenager. It will most likely go in a sealed juvie record. If he stays out of trouble no one will ever see it after he turns 18.

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Why can't they just let him pay and get on with their day?

Or, if they must drag this out, then check their security cameras. They see every inch of those stores, I'm sure they could see if he was using his phone to try and buy something.

That store also has dozens of plain clothes LP officers. Who could have seen him scan it, stick his phone in his pocket with taping to pay, etc

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I know nothing about easy checkout or whatever, but how does that happen with more major purchases that don't have a barcode in plain site?

You can't use it for the big stuff. Just little things like iPhone cases etc.

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mere fact that the kid refused a plea bargain should be proof enough he is honest.

Or he thinks he can get off.

Dishonest folks will yell and screw about unfair treatment etc if they think they can get their way for being loud enough.

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he did nothing more then not pay up front for his agreed upon service from Apple.

He walked out, or attempted to, with an unpaid item. That is criminal.

The dumb thing is that he turned down a slap on the wrist plea bargain and could end up with a bigger punishment including possible jail time depending on NY laws.m

 

[oogje]

It seems odd that Shine pointed out to the manager that he asked for, and received, a bag. And then all the verbiage about how the app clearly states you need a receipt to get a bag. So, at that point in time he knew he should have been asked for a receipt and obviously knew he didn't have one. But he didn't know how to complete the transaction? Or the Macworld story is so badly written you don't know who said or did what when.

 

[haruhiko]

Um. Because he left the store without paying. That's stealing. Stupidity or being unable to complete the app sale (pretty farfetched for a teenage Apple customer) is not an excuse.

There's no question - of course he was trying to rip them off. I love the quote: "I'm still willing to purchase the headphones." LOL. OF COURSE you are! Wouldn't every thief love to be able to say "Oh, you caught me, so let's forget it and I'll actually pay for the item I was stealing."

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Wrong. Wrong. and Wrong.

We don't need to have been there. There is no dispute about the facts. It doesn't take a law degree or any special expertise to analyze this situation. It's black and white. The perp admits that he didn't complete the purchase and get a receipt on his phone. Therefore he didn't pay. He then left the store with the merchandise. He stole.

"Stealing" requires the element of dishonesty.