Lowe's pioneers system to solve organized retail crime | Hacker News Reader

Lowe's pioneers system to solve organized retail crime

foxbusiness.com

8 pointslatchkey10 comments

>the system which utilizes RFID [Radio Frequency Identity] chips

Can’t wait to see the Flipper Zero used to unlock tools!

> To work, manufacturers would first have to embed a wireless RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) chip into a power tool product. The chip is already preloaded with the item's serial number. It is also embedded in the box’s barcode.

> The product is set to inoperable up until the moment the customer pays for it. An RFID scanner at the register would then read the chip and activate the tool for use.

I assume they meant a RFID writer, and this seems like a valid idea, but it seems like an excessive idea for power tools. It would make “authorized repairs” a nightmare situation if that ever becomes a profitable opportunity.

It’ll also make it a lot easier to track people passively (since RFID stuff can emit a signal 24/7 if theirs a reader listening).

> Once a customer purchases the product, the transaction will also be recorded on the blockchain.

Wow they must have started project this in 2021. /s

But actually why is this a block chain? This could just be a centralized database… like their existing purchase records. Or no database at all.

>>> The product is set to inoperable up until the moment the customer pays for it.

I had read that Home Depot's power tools do this already?

Found it! Home Depot's system uses bluetooth:

Power tools are almost too easy to sneak out of large stores like Home Depot, especially when organized retail crime groups are involved. In order to deter theft, Home Depot's power tools won't work unless you have them activated, which can only be done at a register after paying for the item.

According to Business Insider (who also provided the image above), the system uses Bluetooth technology to activate the power tool once it has been paid for. Without that activation, the product is essentially useless except as a source for spare parts. Home Depot VP of asset protection Scott Glenn apparently isn't too concerned about that scenario because criminals would just move on to something easier and more profitable.

https://www.slashgear.com/home-depot-power-tools-wont-work-u...

This is for an exceedingly small fraction of tools, at least currently. Think pro-grade stuff only found in very specific Home Depots where contractors tend to load up before heading out for the day. Things like Jackhammers.

It's interesting to me since I don't see why rfid/bluetooth tracking is not more common - as the extra chip to add to these boards in the batteries or tools has to be pennies. Chip shortage I think has something to do with the slow rollout.

Milwaukee actually has a semi-useful inventory app that will track all it's bluetooth enabled products. It's kinda neat to track tools you've lent out to people.

Source: Power tool addiction. Way too many dollars spent at the Depot over the past 4 years.

Criminals no longer have to go into the store to steal something, they just wait for you to leave the store and fetch it out of your hands.

Yep. It would suck to live in a "gun-free" state, because then customers are easy prey.

The workaround for that would be to do geofenced location activation where a phone app is required to do the activation from a pre-selected location at purchase checkout time.

Also when one source dries up, criminality shifts: more porch pirating.

I suspect the epidemic of drug addiction and "K"-shaped recovery not working for those in semi-/less-skilled industries are moving the needle towards criminality.

> It would suck to live in a "gun-free" state, because then customers are easy prey

I feel like no one should get shot in a Lowe’s parking lot for stealing a drill. It seems a bit excessive.

> I suspect the epidemic of drug addiction and "K"-shaped recovery not working for those in semi-/less-skilled industries are moving the needle towards criminality.

I don’t know about drugs, but I think the low-skilled-worker stagnation is well documented. The numbers don’t always back up a growth in retail crime though. It’s still probably something that society should take seriously though.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-12-15/organized-...

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/12/shoplifti...

There's lots more tools stolen from workplaces, jobsites and homes.

Do the job right and transfer the rfid to a customer app so it only works for the legitimate owner.

Interesting. What happens when the owner forgets, passes away etc and the tool needs to change owners? Seems like there is a customer service tax that would need to accompany this, otherwise its as easy as a hard reset. And if no hard reset, tools become garbage.

User forgets email address or loses access to email address?

I think it would take a lot of work to "do the job right"

sure it can be circumvented

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