must have really went up. I was in Lowes just a little bit ago to get a handy box for some wiring changes I'm making in the basement. I went past the Romex and it was all behind locked cage doors. I had just bought some UF at Menards a couple of weeks ago and while it was expensive I wouldn't categorize it as a precious metal just yet.

Sad state we've become. Not to hi-jack your thread Fred, but a couple weeks ago I was at our local Rural King Farm store. They had a really good buy on Remington 9mm, FMJ, ammo. For years their available ammo selection has been displayed on tables, and shelves in the gun, hunting supply area. Now it's all located behind the gun display counter, locked up.

 

Having got to know some of the guys in that department, I asked why. Mainly theft he said...they were losing over 6k rounds/mo. They were finding empty ammo boxes on shelves all over the store where people had taken them, removed cartridges and walked out. Mostly high caliber rifle, but also 9mm, .380 and .45 ACP.

 

Realize not apple to apple comparison here, but more and more items are under lock and key than once were due to theft. Sad, very sad.

Lot of truth in what you said, Dave. Underscoring that, our local Walmart stores now have marked, reserved parking spots for the police....flashing blue light on top of sign posts and a sign that reads "Reserved for our Law Enforcement partners". Very near the entrance.

Edited August 6, 20232 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Around here they steal stuff and sell it on Craigslist.  Pretty sure our Walmart has a resident officer.  Never drive by when there isn't a police car out front.

There's a story on the news about a guy who scammed HD for almost $300K.  He'd walk in, load up a cart with doors or windows, then take them to the returns desk without a receipt and get gift cards.  Did this for a couple of years!  

 

I read that they would sometimes refuse him and he would walk out with them and put them on his truck and go to a different HD and try there.  Story said he had a bunch of different IDs to work with too.

Edited August 6, 20232 yr by HandyDan

On 8/6/2023 at 9:16 AM, HandyDan said:

Around here they steal stuff and sell it on Craigslist.  Pretty sure our Walmart has a resident officer.  Never drive by when there isn't a police car out front.

My nephew's step son, I guess that makes him my great-nephew?, works security for Wal*mart,  Not sure what all that entails.

On 8/6/2023 at 10:34 AM, JimM said:

There's a story on the news about a guy who scammed HD for almost $300K.  He'd walk in, load up a cart with doors or windows, then take them to the returns desk without a receipt and get gift cards.  Did this for a couple of years!  

 

People also buy something, use it, then return for a refund.

 

At Menards last week, the guy at the service desk had said someone wanted an 8' piece of molding.  They were out of stock, so he bought the 14' piece.  Took it home, cut off the 8' piece and returned the 6' cutoff and demanded a refund on the 14' price.  No wonder lumber is so high.