The original MacWorld story says that it was a security guard. (Hired company that work at the NYC stores)
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Apple Store Customer Arrested for Shoplifting Says He Was Trying to Use EasyPay Self-Checkout
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The original MacWorld story says that it was a security guard. (Hired company that work at the NYC stores)
All we're hearing is his side of the story. I've used EasyPay twice, have seen others use it, and have never been or seen anyone stopped. My guess is that he was being watched as they saw something suspicious. But we'll find out later since he intends to take this to trial.
Funny, I've used easy pay three times - the first I almost walked out of the store with a smart cover under my arm. I was out the entrance before I realized I hadn't paid so I ran back in and completed it. The other two times no one ever asked to check the digital receipt, though I had it visible on my phone screen. Confused the heck out of my wife!
it won't. the risk of getting arrested is too high. This story should spread like wild fire.
True, but we haven't heard the whole story. Regardless, he was in the store for an hour, and apparently wasn't at the Genius Bar the entire time since he was walking around looking at headphones.
The craziest part is this dumb kid is not taking the community service option! Call me crazy but I'd be looking to put this behind me if I were him.
The problem is that this comes down to who you believe. Any thief would use the exact explanation that this kid used. "Oh, gee, it didn't check out, but look at my screen– I meant to buy it." The mentality is, of course, create a plausible excuse and best case scenario, you get a free pair of $250 headphones. Worst case, you're caught and have an excuse– having to buy them like a sucker (everyone else.)
The obvious problem is that this same scenario could be a legitimate error– the kid could have actually made this mistake innocently. But here's where profiling comes in to play. If this happened to a middle aged consumer that looked like they had the means to otherwise buy this product, security might buy the story of a mistake. But if you are a scrappy looking kid from Jersey, who doesn't look like they could afford it, and this happens– too bad!
Ain't saying this is the wrong approach, but this type of thing happens in retail all the time.
The obvious problem is that this same scenario could be a legitimate error– the kid could have actually made this mistake innocently. But here's where profiling comes in to play. If this happened to a middle aged consumer that looked like they had the means to otherwise buy this product, security might buy the story of a mistake. But if you are a scrappy looking kid from Jersey, who doesn't look like they could afford it, and this happens– too bad!
Ain't saying this is the wrong approach, but this type of thing happens in retail all the time.
Even so, they obviously had proof he was trying to steal to call mall security.
He deserves to be arrested for potentially making a mistake? Accidents happen. We don't live in a perfect world, this isn't a Utopian society. Humans are known to make mistakes, however, we don't just throw the book at someone because of it.
Right. I don't necessarily buy that the kid was completely innocent, but the burden of proof is on the other side. If you use a system like this, you can't always reasonably tell the difference between someone who accidentally didn't complete payment and someone who just pretends to accidentally fail to pay.
In those cases you have to assume it was an accident. (You know -- innocent until proven guilty?)
You don't have to get a bag. What the easy pay does is eliminate standing in line at a designated area of registers. It's very simple to avoid being suspected of stealing. As you are walking out, just grab the employee near the front and flash the receipt. It would take 2 seconds and I guarantee they appreciate it
That's nonsense.
Then everyone would go in, find something they have the money to purchase, half-complete a transaction and leave the store. There would be ZERO RISK for leaving the store without paying. If you're caught, you pay what you would have, if you're not, you get it for free.
I bet a lot of people would take advantage of this and it would hurt Apple.
Accidents dont negate the crime. People accidently kill people all the time. You think they shouldn't go to prison? Or are you going to argue that killing and stealing aren't the same and completely ignore the principal? :\
True. If I were to use it, I would make sure I have the email confirmation as well as the on screen receipt before I walk out the door.
The system definitely needs to be improved to ensure this doesn't happen in the future.
Edit: I would hold the screen up with the receipt as I walk through security. Reminds me of the George Clooney movie "Up in the Air" as he walks through the TSA check point he has his ID and boarding pass held out in front of him as he walks through the metal detector. I do that at the airport all the time. I would do that at the Apple store with my receipt.
The prosecutor will have to prove this beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense should have a real easy time showing no intent to steal by showing that he was on the last step of the confusing self-checkout app and had already asked a store clerk for a bad.
- What if this is the first time he has used the app, and didn't realize there was another screen?
- What if he clicked next, and then pocketed his iphone because he has seen the confirmation screen because he realized he was running late to his next engagement?
- What if he's just really stupid?
Of the above scenarios which explain how he assumed the purchase was completed, none make him guilty of larceny. Despite us often wanting it to be, stupidity is not a crime.
The only scenario that does make him guilty is if he purposely (1) chose to stop on the second to last step of the self-checkout app, (2) asked the store clerk for a bag to disguise his non-purchase, and (3) inconspicuously walked out. It's not so far-fetched to be impossible, but it's also not the most likely scenario.
I'm sure a good lawyer can come up with a few suits to throw at Apple in order to encourage them to drop this complaint.
If it were me, and I knew I was innocent, I wouldn't take the community service option either. That's admitting some sort of guilt on my part. If I'm not guilty, I'm not taking that option. I'd rather fight it out. I have respect for myself. If I didn't do the crime, I'm not doing the time.
I wouldn't plead guilty to a petty larceny if I was innocent. Why should he have that on his record?
Jelly Bean
You know people, this is just the tip. Wait till Apple has Google remove offending patents from Android 4.1.
Or, pay Apple X for each copy of Android "given away for free". This is the end game people. Not which phones are banned, but changing Android.
I guarantee you Google's Executive Team is meeting just like Samsung's.
All Eric had to do was not steal from Steve. Microsoft was able to do it? So simple. yet ending with such unsurvivable consequences.
The G III is not threat with no OS.
You know people, this is just the tip. Wait till Apple has Google remove offending patents from Android 4.1.
Or, pay Apple X for each copy of Android "given away for free". This is the end game people. Not which phones are banned, but changing Android.
I guarantee you Google's Executive Team is meeting just like Samsung's.
All Eric had to do was not steal from Steve. Microsoft was able to do it? So simple. yet ending with such unsurvivable consequences.
The G III is not threat with no OS.
EasyPay is only available for certain items. Typically smaller accessories around $100 or less. You can't use it to buy a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, as those items have to be brought out from the back of the store.
Getting a bag is not a requirement. You can just walk out of the store without showing the receipt to anyone. I have done it; it feels really weird.
Assuming he really did just make a mistake, I don't blame him for wanting to clear his name.
I believe like others said taht there is probably more to this story then what we know. Why did the Apple employees specifically stop him if he was using his iPhone and it would have looked like he was paying w/ easy pay? I look forward to the trial so that we can all know the truth on how Apple is screening for those who are legitimately using Easy Pay and those who are shoplifting.
Confusing? You must to be kidding.
I don't agree with that statement. I did a few purchases with EasyPay and I found it very, very simple and a great way to shop. It is really obvious when the transaction went through.
I even put the merchandise I bought in my pocket or bag and nobody asked me to see the receipt when I left the store. Every time I wonder how do they know I already paid for the items. Nobody ever stopped at the entrance. I love to use EasyPay, and I will keep using it every time I can.
By the way, it is not for items less than $100. A couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones, at the 5th Avenue store. The price with tax was above $200, and I paid it with my iPhone. Later that day I got another pair of earphones, the B&W C5 and I also paid with this system. No problems at all.
The only minor inconvenience I see with Easypay is that you need to do a transaction for every item. You can scan several items and pay the total. Anyway, it works great.
I don't agree with that statement. I did a few purchases with EasyPay and I found it very, very simple and a great way to shop. It is really obvious when the transaction went through.
I even put the merchandise I bought in my pocket or bag and nobody asked me to see the receipt when I left the store. Every time I wonder how do they know I already paid for the items. Nobody ever stopped at the entrance. I love to use EasyPay, and I will keep using it every time I can.
By the way, it is not for items less than $100. A couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones, at the 5th Avenue store. The price with tax was above $200, and I paid it with my iPhone. Later that day I got another pair of earphones, the B&W C5 and I also paid with this system. No problems at all.
The only minor inconvenience I see with Easypay is that you need to do a transaction for every item. You can scan several items and pay the total. Anyway, it works great.
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Do you blend into a crowd? I don't look typical at all. I'm the guy who gets security screened at airports. I would never use this.