In recent weeks it has not been unusual to notice, while shopping at the Rochester Wal-Mart location (in NH), signs of people eating food; before getting to the register. Examples of such have been; open food containers left on shelves (that should have been sealed), partially empty food containers (again, left on shelves), as well as watching people bring empty containers to the register (those that were honest enough to pay for such). I have recently observed an; almost empty (one meat ball left), clear plastic container (like one that may be sold in the pre-packaged deli area), set on its side (with the lid wide open). However, It not being that unusual of a sight (at this location) I didn't bother to report it. My mistake. I did report the fact that there was, what appeared to be a handful of cake, missing from the cake we purchased there. It was one of those cakes with many stickers on the outer packaging, so when my 'other half' put it in the cart she didn't bother to examine it first. Her mistake (although, one would think that whole cake would not be necessary). When I spoke with Bryan (claimed he is general manager of Rochester, NH location) he didn't sound very apologetic. His Mistake. I don't expect a person to 'trip-over themselves', while begging for mercy, but at least sound a little sympathetic. One might even expect a little surprise/disgust, if they were in Bryan's position. When I explained the circumstances, that a handful appeared to be missing from the cake we bought, he didn't sound overly surprised. During my phone conversation with Bryan I did explain to him that it was not unusual to find empty food packages. When I asked him, "Where is your security, when all this is taking place?", he claimed that he had never heard of anything like this happening before. Again, he didn't sound; shocked, disgusted, horrified, or even appropriately concerned. Oh, he said that he would refund me, when I brought the cake back; which is fine. He just didn't sound motivated/concerned. I'm thinking this could have been a health issue; who knows what he is thinking. So who is most at-fault? The customers (who don't report every empty package), asset protection (enough said), the management (who seems to be clueless that this appearing-to-be consistent activity takes place)? I wonder if Wal-Mart Corp. Even has a policy that is suppose to keep shoppers from eating, before paying. If so, it is not well enforced at the Rochester, NH location. Of course, that would not surprise me, since I question the observation capabilities of their asset protection team, at that location. They can't report what they don't notice. Unfortunately, that means that this behavior (customers eating and re-shelving food) will also likely continue.
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