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I feel like the easypay system could be hacked with a screenshot...

When I worked at the Apple store, we had to show a security guard our iPhone when leaving to make sure the serial number on the General Settings page matched our "tech card". Some people must have been stealing phones by taking a screen shot of their serial number and putting it on other devices because security made a point of making sure the settings page scrolled up and down before letting us leave.
 
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.[/QUO

That is so dumb. The Unibomber had no criminal record and a degree at Harvard so history or lack thereof has nothing to do with guilt.

Apple either needs to update the system, or hire more employees or both.
 
Video

For everybody saying "Oh, Apple needs to make this easier"...

Here is a video of the process of using Apple EasyPay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h22AItU4_GE

Essentially, you scan the thing, and then there is a HUGE ASS green button that says "Pay Now" that he didn't bother to press and then waltzed right out of the store. If you are that scatter-brained, don't use systems like EasyPay. Also, make sure you pay for all your beer at the bar and don't charge it to your table, because you are obviously not old enough to handle responsibilities like that.
 
Kids these days, the correct procedure is to slip the product into the handbag of a nice little old lady. If she gets out of the store without being arrested, mug her and take the earphones.
 
This is ridiculous. When you create a system like EasyPay, you need to be understanding when accidents happen (yes, it was a simple accident). That is why they have security personnel in the stores - not to arrest people, but to prevent people from walking out with unpaid merchandise when these small things happen.
 
Of course, if you replace the 18-year-old man with a 65-year-old woman, this whole thing becomes a case of a silly grandma not understanding technology.

But why is it a given that the 18-year-old understands technology? Why isn't Apple being accused of profiling here? If the 65-year-old grandma says "Oh! I'm sorry! I thought I paid for it!", the Apple employee says, "It's OK, ma'am. It's a new system, and we understand that it might be a bit confusing." But the 18-year-old says the same thing and the response is, "Yeah right, kid. We're calling the cops."

What a shame...

Because the 65 year-old woman or 18 year-old man (both assumed to not be technologically advanced enough to read whats on the screen) would either not use the app, or would have the common sense to ask for help when becoming confused. Problem with your analogy here is, the kid NEVER said he was confused. In fact, quite the opposite, he, in his own words said he scanned it, and merely put his phone away. Where is his confusion?
 
Exactly.

Also as a former LP person, you can usually tell who is stealing something or looking to do so. They are looking around at employees, looking for security cameras, picking up something and then putting them down and doing it again. Anyone that stares at the same headphones for an hour and doesn't ask for help or questions is a little suspicious.

And yes those Bose and Beats headsets are always under watch at Apple Stores. Counted constantly through out the day...We only put one set of each out at a time for this reason. That is like the number one no no to take from an Apple store

The other day I spent half an hour trying to figure out which shower caddy to purchase at a local Meijer here - did every single thing you describe here : staring, didn't ask for help, picking one up and putting it down again and again...So are you implying that my behavior is criminal ? Please let me know which store you are usually in so that I know never to step inside it.

I hope the kid is innocent and gets to pursue the civil suit. If I was in the kid's shoes and innocent, I would be mad with rage and never use an Apple product in my life ever again. :mad:
 
When I worked at the Apple store, we had to show a security guard our iPhone when leaving to make sure the serial number on the General Settings page matched our "tech card". Some people must have been stealing phones by taking a screen shot of their serial number and putting it on other devices because security made a point of making sure the settings page scrolled up and down before letting us leave.
I could write an app that simulated the settings, scroll and all and displayed whatever serial number you wanted. I am not sure it would be approved.
 
This is totally Apple's fault and they deserve all the bad publicity this incident and their inaccurately named app has generated. Hopefully this kid will successfully sue their butts off for false arrest.
 
I don't get why he didn't just finish paying for it and walk out. What could they have really done then? I know the article says it wasn't "good enough" for the apple employees, but they couldn't have done anything at that point, right?
 
When they saw he was on the final payment screen they should have asked him to just complete it or taken back the merchandise. Calling the police was a bit unnecessary. I think someone just was on their high horse that day.


Since he did try and leave the store, but did express intent to actually purchase the item, they should have just given him the option to either "complete the transaction" or "we call the cops".
 
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.

We are already living in your second world. Your first world ended around 1962.
 
The EasyPay system does seem ripe for mistakes and frankly will likely get this kid a pass in the long run BUT HERE IS WHAT I THINK THE KID DID...

He planned all along to steal the headphones, perhaps he has in the past. He goes in, rings up the phones on EasyPay and doesn't click the final pay button knowing that if he asks for a bag and is asked for a receipt he can show his phone and claim he "forgot to hit the button" and then just buy the headphones, perhaps just returning them for a refund later. To a teenager this seems like a great plan until Apple holds him to the fire.
 
Here in the UK...

...the country has over the last 10-15 years (under the socialist government), slowly drifted painfully towards a presumed guilty attitude to the public. It is humiliating, stressful and can ruin your career and health.

Just today, in a terrifyingly dystopian announcement, government advisors (who are paid under the carpet by surveillance equipment suppliers), complained that the huge network of CCTV cameras monitoring almost every major road in the country (tracking each driver in real time) is not quite comprehensive enough.

I was shocked to even discover that my PRIVATE journey is monitored by what we call here, council/police/government 'Jobsworths', who are really like overweight self hating 'lightweight' (!) equivs of the Stasi, KGB or even SS.

I have video and audio recordings made to my horror of staff at a British Railway Station abusing passengers and myself after series of mistakes by the railway operators that left us stranded outside in the cold.

The way the staff and the thuggish security people (who were ill educated immigrants who acted little different than criminals) treated us (we're all working professionals) was very upsetting and scary at the least.

I'll be publishing it all online in due course after seeking legal advice and/or contacting the media.

I hope so much what went on in this Apple store was a one off and that either the guy was a thief or that there was a breakdown in 'process' by the staff.



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.
 
The Apple employee should have immediately asked the guy to come back into the store and complete the transaction. If the person does not have an Apple account, or that app is not installed, then charge him for shoplifting. Otherwise, assume it was an honest mistake and help the person out!
 
The EasyPay system does seem ripe for mistakes and frankly will likely get this kid a pass in the long run BUT HERE IS WHAT I THINK THE KID DID...

He planned all along to steal the headphones, perhaps he has in the past. He goes in, rings up the phones on EasyPay and doesn't click the final pay button knowing that if he asks for a bag and is asked for a receipt he can show his phone and claim he "forgot to hit the button" and then just buy the headphones, perhaps just returning them for a refund later. To a teenager this seems like a great plan until Apple holds him to the fire.

This.
 
I never thought this would have been a good idea. What's stopping people from using screen shots of edited receipts and fooling the Apple employees into getting a bag?
 
I've never had an issue with easypay. Used it several times at the Apple store. Worked really slick. I'll wait to hear both sides of the story before making a judgement. Right now we only have one side of the story yet people are assuming Apple's in the wrong.
 
I believe the kid.
Not only that this all could have been prevented if the employee did his / her job when he went to ask for a bag.
That alone should put the ball back into Apples court.
 
I never thought this would have been a good idea. What's stopping people from using screen shots of edited receipts and fooling the Apple employees into getting a bag?

......

When I worked at the Apple store, we had to show a security guard our iPhone when leaving to make sure the serial number on the General Settings page matched our "tech card". Some people must have been stealing phones by taking a screen shot of their serial number and putting it on other devices because security made a point of making sure the settings page scrolled up and down before letting us leave.
 
they can't prove that he had the intent to steal.


but regardless, he probably was going to steal it, and use that as a back up plan.

lol what an idiot though, he couldn't run? lmao. or it may have been that it was because he was truly trying to buy it
 
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