Agree 100%. From multiple heights and angles at each exit Only issue is that people dont like to basically broadcast themselves at every waking moment. Screws and anchors not included. I think a lot of people are reading too much into this shareholder report and overreacting here. Its easy to say the employees are to blame Theyre not. When I have a problem with a tool, I can look the person in the eye that sold it to me and they hand me a new one. The comes down to 3 things: HD going to all-self checkout, shrinking staff to the bone, and having a well known and explicit policy of doing nothing to stop thieves. This is going to be similar, where the customer is going to be associated with theft immediately instead of a employee mistake. FWIW, I think you should have created a new article and linked back to this one rather than updating an article that is almost 2 years old. Yes it could be a website, but this would just be a headache remembering to do this transfer or making sure the seller does it. Store manager bonuses are tied to hitting lean payroll targets. 2 other customers (one ex-military) chased the guys down in the parking lot and tackled them, holding them till the police arrive. Home Depot has been in the news again recently and several readers have pointed me towards a Business Insider story that says the plans are now being set into motion. Technology that prevents power tools from working unless they go through the point of sale system? Play with the displays all you want, when you actually want to buy one go up to the tool guy counter and pay for it and he hands you one from behind his counter in a locked case. Period. I have no interest in buying an inferior product at their store because HDs management thinks making their products worse is the right response to the result of managerial choices. Made of hardened steel it is 6 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. I guarantee people will find a way to bypass it almost immediately. Maybe we will only see this feature on expensive brushless tools. There are hundreds of small Chinese firms willing to cheaply sell the brushless motor controllers needed to make these tools run again. Machined steel screw is zinc plated. They have that in higher-risk areas. Also another new power tools unlock service on eBay. Are these people always working at a high level? The issue is human scum who will not change. Does that happen anywhere especially in retail? Nylon, 1000 pack of red 10 gauge anchors used with 1 x 10 screws for the security hanger kits. The other thing they do sometimes to give a perception of being watched is have a security camera that beeps when you walk by it to alert you that you are under surveillance. Before I say, I just want to mention I am in law enforcement, and not some Joe schmoe spewing misinformation. Lowes doesnt really do that. Put a manned cash register in the tool section. So now you have to find a clerk to open it up. I dont think Costco receipt checkers catch a lot, but I do think they are enough of of deterrent that thieves choose to steal elsewhere. Clearly ORC is driving that to the lower number, but if you are seeing employees being fired, youre LP sucks. You can not legally stop a customer to check a receipt. From what Ive read, you must show your receipt at wholesale clubs, as its part of the paid membership agreement, but theres no legal compulsion for anyone to stop for receipt checkers at public stores. 1000 pack of security moulding bracket. He dropped the gear in a turn and ran off into the parking lot. And inconvenience at checkout as in the past there have been enough issues at any store deactivating and removing whatever is in place. Internal theft and shrink is more common in my retail electronics experience. I will say I havent bought a power tool from HD in a very long time as I mostly look for what I want and order it online now. At first the technology is primitive, but innovation soon improves, Eddie, I had not thought of the verbalization, but that is exactly one of the scenarios. Now tools require activation at HD point if sale. Interesting I posted a few stories on Instagram about anti-theft devices at Home Depot. Enough false alarms, and now nobody caresjust like car alarms. The small guys they usually dont worry about. This is go as well as the printer cartridge lockout chips idea is going. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The more items chipped, the higher chance a cashier will miss a paid for item and the alarm is tripped for nothing. 100 pack of security moulding bracket. Im quite sympathetic to Home Depots issues with theft, but I really dont want to deal with deliberately technologically crippled power tools that stop working if theyre not reauthorized periodically, or when their auth chip shorts out from normal heavy duty use. Open the case, swap out the controller, put it back together, done. If it fails safe to authorize then its probably easily bypassed. Pablo, good point, but not legally allowed, with one caveat. Sure I bought that $100 tool, but whos to say I dont have $500 worth in my pockets or that storage tote? I dont want to have to jailbreak my tools like my phone just to get proper control over it. Most retailers are insured for non paperwork generated theft. Whenever those doorway alarms do go off, I never see anyone react, anyway. These plans need to be well thought out so that consumers are not impacted, and I havent seen a solution yet that is engineered that way. yea i work at a tool store and we got some of the Dewalt tool connect product and you have to get it activated so is there a way around it? But going the technology route, with mandated POS activation seems like it would increase tool complexity and manufacturing cost, thus more money for the power tools. Oh wait, it basically is, and they deliver to my door for free somehow. Is it going to increase the cost of the tools? Power tools can also mean different things. Does that mean the entire system is down at my HD and anybody can just walk out with stuff, no buzzer??? Keep your precious artwork safe with our security picture hardware. If you can get your hands on a security device, then it can be hacked. Requires #8333 security T wrench to install and secure frame. Unless I find the receipt Im not taking it back to have the sensor removed, so in effect it looks stolen. Nail guns that have holes drilled into the air chambers are very popular. Dont play the game if you cant afford it. The activation may create a false sense of security and more power tools may end up walking out the store. Even self checkout is heavily monitored by associates. These damn self-checkouts are the root of most of this. All the time? Picture Hang Solutions specializes in professional hardware for hanging pictures. Everytime someone brings up DRM I remember how much I hate apple. Bulk wood security hanger set. I think they should at least be able to fire a crazy GPS tracker at the getaway car Or a teaser that doesnt shock too crazy, but pinches a tracker into your scumbag skin. they would rather take an opportunity to jump on the everything-as-a-subscription bandwagon rather than implement effective stock tracking (RFID) cradle to sale. Pay for the labor or pay for the shrink. I just purchased a brand new Dewalt XR combo kit with tool connect and the drill /driver doesnt work. No need to worry about unwieldy security measures; our hardware can get the job done for you without compromising aesthetics. ? That these greedy sobs would rather impose a complicated tool activation system on vendors rather than admit they screwed up is all I need to see upper management is full of hubris. Its win win ur right man & I dont wait in lines, I steal the shit. Just like most laws trying to keep honest people honest. Professionals quit shopping at these low end places and support your local businesses. It would just be yet another reason to buy online, reducing their sales even further. Any Mgfrr that puts enabling POS tech also means disabling so nope. All tools need to be purchased there. No Thanks! Screws are not included. Plus, who do you think will eat the cost of adding a feature like this? 1000 pack of security mounting bracket has dimples for marking the wall with the location to install the T screw. Your theft insurance would go down, and it would discourage Wal-Mart style shootings in house. That forces you to either try to twist the package around and contort yourself so you can see the specs on the back, or waste time trying to hunt down the person with the key to unlock it. Theres so much they could do that would help. Secures to the frame with #8210 1/2 x 8 screws. They cant possibly be so shortsighted to not see the potential for this to backfire right? They wonder why brick and mortar stores are going under. No one from HD offered to help and the criminals just ignored the cop trying to stop them. Thiefs at HD tend to be more drug addicts then hackers dude. 100 pack of security T screw. My guess is a one-time, irreversible authorization where the fail-safe is to authorized rather than to unauthorized. HD is a job place. American Standard Colony Faucet is a perfect example of store product switching. What they have done is put all the power tools in locked cribs. Right? In almost any HD you can walk right out the door with a full cart and no one will say anything to you. They come with decoy shoplifters; they wait until nightfall to toss items over the outside garden walls to waiting cars; they brazenly grab things and just run out the doors. E-retailers could care less about this, so are the manufacturers working with HD on this? They also would end the ridiculous policy of returning opened merchandise. Im sure if this happened, then all that would be focused on is hacking the software to enable everything for free. When you shop those big box stores, you might get a lower price, but you get what you pay for. Lock Framed Pictures to the Wall to Prevent Casual Theft and Tampering. 100 pack of red 10 gauge anchors used with 1 x 10 screws for the security hanger kits. Im not that old but old enough that I dont want a bunch of smart tools. Thieves are responsible for theft. Why do you think HD is behind this protection ? What they can do is install cameras better than what was found in circa 2008 cell phones, so that these people can be identified. Its also the real reason why were encouraged to be so friendly and engaging; to constantly bombard potential shoplifters with an employee presence. A few features here, Its strange how that works both ways. Festool Tool Shortages due to COVID Disruptions, New Milwaukee USA Manufacturing Facility is Coming in 2022. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); New Home Depot Power Tool Activation Tech to Help Prevent Shoplifting, Stanley Black & Decker News (Jan 22, 2019). What about USB dongles? Whats next, companies selling identical tools, but how much you pay for them activates how much torque they have? So now instead of Home Depot budgeting in shrinkage, the cost of the shrink prevention will be built into the tool, and be directly (instead of indirectly) paid for by the consumer? Our anchor has more holding power than standard anchors adding to the strength of the security hanger system. Employees are instructed to not pursue once its out the door due to assaults on employees and the potential responsibility of the principal in the agency relationship. Secures to the frame with #8210 1/2 x 8 screws. Mounts to the wall using #3210 1x10 screws and #8334 anchors. just repoint the IP address in the code to localhost. For brushed tools, they would have to add a processor where one was not previously needed. My tool rep had much higher quality internals. How it is going to work with self checkout? A demo tool out with a security cable so customers can play with it. Better CCTV would help as in some WallyMarts (where the in-aisle camera notifies you on a screen) with some AI applied (any floorwalker knows the tells and AI can be trained). If you know what you want, thats okay I guess. On a side note, I hate when stores try to prevent theft of some items by putting a little lock on the end of the peg that the item is hanging from that prevents you from removing it. Haha. Mounts to the wall using #3210 1x10 screws and #8334 anchors. Theres someone about an hour from me that sells stolen Milwaukee batteries. BTW, there is no such thing as an opioid crisis. Somewhat. Next: Milwaukee OneKey to require you to activate & register your tool with bluetooth to your phone and scan your receipt to make it work. This is going down a very dark road. Made of hardened steel it is 6 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. great idea! It may even be worse. That or maybe go the small electronics route and have a display item in store and you take a card to the register and the item is brought out after you pay. This post was originally published on 12/12/2019 and updated on 8/3/2021. Perhaps, but theres zero new information. Just dumb garage that we will have to pay for, cause they sure arent paying for the extra costs! POS activation might be appropriate for some very high-end items, but it would have to be transparent to the customer or as others have pointed out (like all the good ratchets behind glass, etc.) Criminals will be criminals and drug addicts will be drug addicts. I mean that seems more feasible than a special HD version of the tool which is the only one that has the additional anti-theft tech. Not HD. Whether I have to pay for the took I need for a job at the corral or at the front register makes no difference to me. If you dont think you need the hammer function, you wouldnt buy it until you need it. But I have no doubt that there will be someone who can bypass the lock through some sort of tech wizardry means. Its normal for one person to cover multiple depts. Screws are not included. The impact driver, however works great. Haha, exactly! Personally, I wont wait in a line for a receipt checker if I dont have to and have somewhere to be, but Ill stop for a second if theres no on else there. The volume was cranked up, so as I paced up and down the aisles looking for deals I kept getting the obnoxious reminder that I was on camera. One for the big box stores and one for the local tool only distribution and repair shops. Just fry the chip that controls authorization.. Until they figure out how to sell smart drills as a subscription service. Using this hardware the frame can not easily be removed from the wall without the use of a T-Security wrench. Side rant. Traditionally thats the most difficult type of shrinkage to combat: they have the means and the opportunity, all it takes is a motive, and even good people can succumb to poor decisions. Nylon, 100 pack of yellow 12 gauge anchors used with security T screws #8680 for the security hanger kits. Each set contains enough hardware to hang 100 frames. Its funny you say that. HD has to shoulder a bit if the blame, they are fostering these losses, take action, and even install highdef cameras in the parking areas. The employees cant even reliably deactivate those anti-theft tags. So they cant make it easier to buy tools the way the music industry has made buying music easier. Pay for security, prosecute thieves to the fullest. Most companies are suppose to either destroy or return to manufacturer defective or returned products These can include stolen items These items are in fact not destroyed. Theft is a major problem at HD. Just put the tools in an area that requires you to check-in and checkout, and the rest of the store like Frys electronic stores more secure exiting, dont like it, then tool bad. If there was a way to make the tools unusable until an activation itd be good. Used with both wood and metal security systems. Use #8335 anchor to attach to the wall. No wonder they have a shoplifting problem. Home Depot doesnt help itself by making staff scarce to engage and deter shoplifting or by installing self service check out where one can swap bar codes and walk out with a more expensive version of a product. Big box store had plastic gears and transmission parts, cheap triggers. The dedicated tool guy goes and grabs it and voila, zero theft, more store space, better stock management, etc. As a PT semi-retirement gig, I worked at both HD and Lowes, and it was rare to go more than a day or two without a fire door alarm going off due to a thief bolting with a combo kit. If the price is right and I need the tool then I am gonna buy it, regardless of where in the store I have to pay for it at. I dont why they cant do what Costco does: have everyone form in a line and check everyones receipts. . Thats another trick question. Now, pretty much every powertool and some handtools I bought in many years had a small security device in the packaging / on the box behind the barcode or even on the power cord of the tools, setting off the buzzer, if it was not deactivated at the register. the hassle factor will drive business elsewhere. I asked the cashier how often that happens and she said all the time. Mostly I agree HD could be replaced with a large Milwaukee tool vending machine and Id not really notice the difference. Im sure cities like London with many surveillance cameras have spent a ton of effort trying to add AI and other aids to help with people tracking and intelligence gathering, and Id imagine that some of that tech has spilled over into casinos. All we can do is document it and hope to recognize them the next time they come in and hope the police get there in time. Being in law enforcement its sickening the number of tools that walk, usually briskly, out of THD and Lowes. Makes more sense to separate the high theft items into a store-within-a-store area, like the liquor stores inside some supermarkets. I simply dont buy this. We cant stop anyone, and the security detectors at the entrances arent enabled, so all of those spider wraps you see on more expensive items are only meant to deter casual shoplifters. These are all uge pain in the butts to consumers and dont stop any theft besides opportunity theft. Id hope if it works stores like Apple would look at a way to activate items once purchased/at the register. Actually its a misconception that Costco receipt checking is for theft. Net guns. The next thing we are going to have to deal with is power tools as a service. Wouldnt it be easier/cheaper to put a corral around the tool section along with a register. In one instance the guy just gave the tool to me once I asked but at a more-urban store the woman took it to the checkout and held it there for me, Ironically, this is in Maine where about half the cars and trucks parked out front will have the keys in the ignition, Oh and all the Ryobi deals are still piled up on aisle ends and in the sale bays at the front of the store loose no security. Featuring security kits, cleats, and other accessories like T-locks and mounting plates, our security hardware areespecially designed to eliminate casual theft or tampering of artwork. Thats why you hire security guards that work for firm, contract that out. Your email address will not be published. Zinc Plated steel. Home Depot should look at what Costco does to control theft. Only one staff member at the register area distracted with one person, just roll on through with whatever they want undetected?????