Home Depot plans to foil shoplifters with power tools that won't work if they're stolen

submitted by thefirststone from businessinsider.com

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[–]thefirststone[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

They already do usher tools from locked cages to the register in some locations, I've read. That requires employees, which are expensive and scarce when construction is booming from low interest rates.

Basically, this is automation of their manual security systems. I don't blame them for replacing those tattooed idiots with robots.

[–]skeeter 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

when shoplifting becomes more profitable than being a carpenter or plumber.

when a basic hammer or screwdriver costs more than a used car.

when the economy breaks.

when nobody can afford to sit around and spend time in a forum.

[–]AnarchySpeach 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

It will be interesting to see how one of the fattest counties on earth, that slowly eats itself to death as a competitive pastime, reacts to a food shortage.

Game wardens are going to live like kings when the farms slow down.

[–]skeeter 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Cannibalism will become popular again.

[–]yetanotherone_sigh 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

It is said (by stores) that a lot of the problem is employee theft. I don't know if I believe that or not.

[–]thefirststone[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I do, and this activation scheme can track that, which supports that idea.

Sad as it is, I bet they'll notice an improvement on their bottom line. Yet it will likely inconvenience customers as much as their employees.

[–]yetanotherone_sigh 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Could be. If they do that, I'll opt out of buying them and shop somewhere else. Better yet, get a 25 year old drill instead of a new one. I have one that is as old as I am (50) and it runs great. They'll fight over it when I die. The old machines are much better quality and longer lasting than the new ones. They are designed to wear out and break, with no spare parts available.