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Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

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Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#261

Post by ssl-3 »

VorpalWay wrote: post #253
ssl-3 wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't really change anything. Previously, a criminal could just print their own shelf tags. They'd probably do this somewhere other than in the store to get the details right, but it was doable. (We've all probably seen rolls of blank shelf tags sitting around at the store, and thermal printers are inexpensive. So what if it's two crimes instead of one?) And then, in the store, they could just switch out the she…

> Fixed, basic auth would just get leaked (probably first by Home Assistant tinkerers who find some discarded electronic shelf tags somewhere and want a new display for their house). You know what, that is a great idea for a project of mine, where I want to display outside temp and weather forecast in the hallway next to the wardrobe. I have been musing about it for a while now: how to make it small and not stand out…

Just look on eBay. It's full of used electronic shelf tags, sold in bulk -- usually, with prices still on them. :)

The sellers don't know anything about how they work so it will take some digging to find the right ones, but having to dig a bit is normal for eBay (or Aliexpress, for that matter).

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#262

Post by conductr »

forgotaccount3 wrote: post #202
conductr wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The visual risk of walking out without paying is much greater than the risk that anyone actually investigates AND tries to track him down for it. Back when I was a kid it was common to still just have simple price tag stickers on every single item. We’d pull off a cheap sticker and put it on an expensive item. If they noticed, we’d just shrug and say “oh Nevermind then” when they found the right price. The only probl…

> The visual risk of walking out without paying is much greater than the risk that anyone actually investigates AND tries to track him down for it. So scan everything, then put it in the cart and walk off without putting in the credit card. Again, both are stealing but paying some fake, reduced rate is leaving your calling card at the scene of a crime.

Calling card doesn’t actually mean anything without enforcement. My city police didn’t have time to investigate when someone kicked in my back door and fled once the alarm sounded. I really doubt they give a crap about looking me up and coming to cite me for misdemeanor charges.

Anything that risks an employee might confront you in the store is a greater risk IMO. And, usually they light on the register is green (or a similar indicator) so they do know right then if you don’t pay.

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#263

Post by Barbing »

cogogo wrote: post #240
data-ottawa wrote: post #203

I’m very surprised here. I worked in retail many years, including doing store shelf tear downs and replacement and night shift stocking. Back in the day we would get our planograms from HQ, then we’d print out all the labels on perforated paper, and walk the shelves moving product and updating the price tags, throwing out the old. The epaper tags are very clearly an improvement to that process in both time and waste.…

Just recently I was in a small shop where I was surprised to see epaper tags and ended up talking to the owner about them. She said they were super flaky and would reset at random. Agter that interaction I am not at all surprised a flipper could mess with them. But I also have not seen them widespread at the physical outlets I shop at.

>But I also have not seen them widespread at the physical outlets I shop at.

Me neither. If it parallels the arc of those restaurant buzzers [USA perspective]:

-Big chains first (Olive Garden) with quality industrial systems

-Then, small businesses with dinky systems sold on Bezos site

What do you think, someone would have to be fired if e.g. Best Buy tags were super flaky and reset at random nationwide?

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#264

Post by lmm »

lamasery wrote: post #153
FatherOfCurses wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Too bad the store owners introduced a way to give customers more control over how merchandise exits their store.

Not just that, getting unpaid labor. Self-checkouts aren’t automating anything, they’re just making the shopper do work for the store. I hope they’re losing money over it.

I'd rather scan stuff myself than awkwardly hover while someone else does it. What's the point of paying (directly or indirectly) for another human's labour if it doesn't save me time?

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#265

Post by Telaneo »

kennywinker wrote: post #244
Telaneo wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given that every store (and damn near every establishment for that matter) has been understaffed for the past 20-ish years, can you blame them?

Yeah, actually I can. Understaffed just means you’re not paying well enough. Look what happened recently in new york. $30/hour to shovel snow got them a lineup out the door of people wanting to work. Those companies made the choice to prioritize profit margins above staffing.

You're blaming the store, which I agree with. My question was whether you could blame the GP, or the consumer in general. They have little control over how much the staff of their grocery store is being paid.

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#267

Post by ComputerGuru »

conductr wrote: post #262
forgotaccount3 wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The visual risk of walking out without paying is much greater than the risk that anyone actually investigates AND tries to track him down for it. So scan everything, then put it in the cart and walk off without putting in the credit card. Again, both are stealing but paying some fake, reduced rate is leaving your calling card at the scene of a crime.

Calling card doesn’t actually mean anything without enforcement. My city police didn’t have time to investigate when someone kicked in my back door and fled once the alarm sounded. I really doubt they give a crap about looking me up and coming to cite me for misdemeanor charges. Anything that risks an employee might confront you in the store is a greater risk IMO. And, usually they light on the register is green (or…

Police know which side their bread is buttered on. Target is famous for being to get local cops to do exactly what they need post-facto (now prosecutor is another story).

I.E. just because police don’t “waste” time investigating a crime with $1000 of damage to your personal property does not mean they won’t dedicate the time to pursue $200 in losses for the local mega mart.

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#268

Post by _jackdk_ »

runjake wrote: post #142
neuralkoi wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yesterday I went to Walmart, and at the self-checkout the system quirked out and an attendant came by. She reviewed some sort of draconian overhead cam video of me trying to locate a tag out for a product to scan. Gave me "guilty until proven" innocent vibes. Are these systems actually effective?

Hey, something I'm somewhat qualified to answer! So, yes, these systems are actually effective. The systems and procedures are designed to look low key, but essentially perform PRISM-like mass surveillance behind the scene. These systems are managed by former US IC personnel. What happens is that your identity is tied to these purchases and after a certain threshold you get flagged as a thief, essentially. At that po…

> PRISM-like mass surveillance behind the scene. These systems are managed by former US IC personnel.

A major supermarket chain in Australia (Coles) is literally a client of Palantir.

https://investors.palantir.com/news-details/2024/Palantir-Pa...

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#269

Post by II2II »

lamasery wrote: post #153
FatherOfCurses wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Too bad the store owners introduced a way to give customers more control over how merchandise exits their store.

Not just that, getting unpaid labor. Self-checkouts aren’t automating anything, they’re just making the shopper do work for the store. I hope they’re losing money over it.

> Not just that, getting unpaid labor.

That's peanuts. I dedicate far more time to locating goods on the shelf then toting them to the cashier than I do ringing in the purchase. You don't see very many people complaining about the lack of full-service in grocery stores. Besides, I usually grab a few items on my bike ride home after work. Self-checkouts tend to be a lot faster. Even in the days of express lanes, odds were that you ended up behind someone counting out change or outright ignoring the item limit.

Re: Edit store price tags using Flipper Zero

#270

Post by toast0 »

lmm wrote: post #264
lamasery wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not just that, getting unpaid labor. Self-checkouts aren’t automating anything, they’re just making the shopper do work for the store. I hope they’re losing money over it.

I'd rather scan stuff myself than awkwardly hover while someone else does it. What's the point of paying (directly or indirectly) for another human's labour if it doesn't save me time?

Many self-checkout stations are setup to be slower than a skilled cashier. So it can save time to have them do it.
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