So today my son was "accused" of shoplifting

[Sparx]

Had they not put a return sticker on it at the front door? They usually tag everything.

Tinatark, were you are foothills?

I always worry because I mess with my cell phone in and out of pockets or purse or this little Real Simple thingee I have with all my paint chips etc. in it to match items up etc.

Yes, they put a sticker on it at the door, and when I went to customer service, they had someone walk with me from the customer service counter, to the game case, take the game, and walk back to customer service.

 

[Buckalew11]

Yes, they put a sticker on it at the door, and when I went to customer service, they had someone walk with me from the customer service counter, to the game case, take the game, and walk back to customer service.

That is sooo strange. But I have never returned anything like that so I'm not sure if it is normal or because you are young. Like that means anything... but you know what I mean.

 

[Redpepperflakes14]

I was about 17 when I was at a Payless Shoe store with an idiot ex-boyfriend (Idiot 1) and his idiot best friend (Idiot 2). The two of them were looking for cheap sneakers. They didn't find anything and I picked up Idiot 1's jacket so we could leave. The woman working in the store came running out, demanding I come back to the store because I had 'shoplifted' a pair of sneakers.

Her evidence: One of the two idiots had pushed aside the sneakers on the shelf and this had left a 'hole' where a pair of shoes should have been. Because I had Idiot 1's jacket, I must've stolen a cheap pair of men's sneakers and hidden them under the jacket. She was nervously apologetic and tried to laugh it off when I lifted the jacket and showed her there were no sneakers being smuggled, but believe you me, she was called everything but her name that afternoon (I was 17, I don't like being embarrassed and I didn't find a darn thing funny.) I didn't dare tell my mom, she already despised Idiot 1 and would have cussed him and that Payless worker. Idiots 1 and 2 thought this little scene was hysterical and neither said a word in my defense.

I have neither returned to a Payless (No offense, but I prefer good quality ), nor have I returned to that mall.

To this day, I always worry that retail clerks think I might be shoplifting, even at stores I frequent. I guess it's one of those slight traumas that stay with you.

 

[Sparx]

That is sooo strange. But I have never returned anything like that so I'm not sure if it is normal or because you are young. Like that means anything... but you know what I mean.

Yeah, I know what you mean. But all the workers there were college-aged too, so I'm not sure. It seems like it might be a store policy for electronics (to not give it to the customer until its paid for) because they hold the game until you finish shopping too.

 

[tinatark]

....

Tinatark, were you are foothills?

....

No, Sevierville - about 5 minutes from my house.

I have called and left a message for the store manager to call me. I believe my son is entitled to a written apology from the store. I may or may not take it to "corporate".

It's scary how often this happens - to teenagers and adults alike!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Wow, this thread just reminded of an incident that happened when I was 8 months pregnant with my first daughter. I was in a bookstore in the mall and my idiot DH and his idiot nephew (there is only a 3 year diff in their ages, and at the time, we were all teenagers) kept trying to mess with me by giving me different books or something. I can't remember the particulars, but they were goofing off and messing with me. This must have caught the eye of the manager, because when I left the bookstore, he followed me out and asked to look inside my purse. I was SO humiliated. I was pregnant and very hormonal and only 19. I busted out crying on the spot, so he probably thought I really was guilty. But I had nothing to hide, gave him my bag and just stood there crying. OH it was awful. I haven't thought about that in years. To this day, if I am in a store and have to get my cell phone or a grocery list out, I make sure I am in a very public area in the store. I don't ever want to be accused of stealing again! I guess that's why I do that....must have been hiding in the back of my mind.

 

[luvsJack]

I don't think I've ever shopped at this store, but is it just possible that this store inspects all packages you bring into the store? That would explain why she asked to see a package he came in with.

I don't know. Just trying to look at it from different angles.

I was wondering this too. Our TJMaxx is in a strip mall with Hobby Lobby next door. They usually ask for all packages to be given to customer service which is right at the front door.

At a Halloween store that opens each year in town, they will actually inspect women's purses at the door on the way out. I was flabbergasted that they did this and really wondered if it was legal. They must have had a serious issue with stealing because I heard the manager jumping all over the ladies at the register (and the store was pack and had lines out the door) about opened packages being under the counter, she was basically accusing them of stealing something that was in plain sight and still in the store.

 

[amez]

I was accused once a couple of years ago (I'm in my 30s) I was with my mom my nephew and my three children at a gift shop at a monument. When went in to watch the movie and a security guard followed me in and ask me loudly in front of everyone if I was wanting to buy the pen. I was like What? Very confused but I didn't get angry or anything and then he asked me to come outside the theatre area so we could talk about it-everyone is staring at me I'm ready to melt into the ground.

He then repeated that he saw me with a pen. Then I realized that he ment a pen that tacks to you you-my dd had brought one over and asked me what it said. I read it and she put it back and I reminded her we look with our eyes not our hands. Apparantly he thought I had put it in my purse-I don't think I even touched it! I was carrying my mom's purse (didn't even have my own with me) She has a very full purse and it was getting to heavy for her (she has trouble walking) so I started pulling out the water bottles on top and said "look I don't have it" I don't think I could have put anything at all in her purse because of the waterbottles. I never got an apology either and he certainly didn't go tell all the people in the theatre that he was mistaken.

I understand they want to be dillegent, but my gosh I was so embarrassed. And my kids and nephew are fairly young-he must have thought I was pretty smooth to watch all my children and still try to steal some worthless trinket.

 

[tinatark]

I was wondering this too. Our TJMaxx is in a strip mall with Hobby Lobby next door. They usually ask for all packages to be given to customer service which is right at the front door.

At a Halloween store that opens each year in town, they will actually inspect women's purses at the door on the way out. I was flabbergasted that they did this and really wondered if it was legal. They must have had a serious issue with stealing because I heard the manager jumping all over the ladies at the register (and the store was pack and had lines out the door) about opened packages being under the counter, she was basically accusing them of stealing something that was in plain sight and still in the store.

You don't check your bags at this store.

I wish more stores would require that - I bought 4 dresses at Belk at the mall on Saturday, and it was a pain to lug them through Dillards while I was shopping there - I would have welcomed a bag check in!

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I had this happen at a Sanrio (sp) store when I was 17-18ish. I went in looking for a present for a little girl. I used to love Hello Kitty, so I thought it’d make a great gift. The store is really tiny, so tiny, that the counter person can see you the whole time. The second I entered, she watched me like a hawk. She then GLARED at me. I tried to ignore her, but they also have those signs saying “Don’t steal” or stuff like “Don’t even think about it!” hanging all over, so even though I have never stolen a thing in my life, I was feeling a little nervous. Finally, I went up to the counter to pay and this girl said in a very snotty voice, “is that all?” I said yes, and she rang up my order. Then, she proceeded to tell me she wanted me to take off my jacket. I was like what? I took off my jacket, she grabbed it and went through my pockets. Finding nothing, she threw it back at me and rolled her eyes at me. No apology, no explanation just an eye roll. I left very annoyed. I have never gone back in that store.

 

[SandrA9810]

I was accused of shoplifting at agrocery store when I was 17. It was cold and I had my infant son wraped up in my coat. I was stopped at the exit. The manager felt realy stupid and my mother went off.

I know it probably was funny at the time... but I sure hope you can look back and laugh at how stupid this manager was.


I've seen several stores down here that ask you to take your bags to the counter. Mostly those cheapo tourist trap gift shops. And some Bealls, Big Lots, Ross.
I guess it's to "help" theft. and help that you don't have to be asked to show proof of purchase for the items bought at another store. I just find myself walking out of the store...

 

[Cinderellabride]

So incredibly illegal what many of you are describing. When I worked one of my retail jobs at an outdoor outlet mall with a huge shoplifting problem we were not allowed to accuse anyone because if we were wrong about even what pocket we said they had it in, WE could be arrested!

 

[Cindy B]

I will tell you that there are tons of guards (plain clothes) in Magic Kingdom. On our senior class trip (back in 1988) thought it wouid be funny to steal a few items from one of the shops. Well, the group got caught, got sent home and had a "one" day trip to Disney World.

Personally I never have been accused but one clerk in a Wawa got on my son once about stealing something. I wasn't there but my younger daughter was with him and chewed out the clerk!

 

[Ceila]

Thankfully, this has never happened to me or my familty, but it has got me wondering. Just what should you do if store personnel accuse you of theft? My kids are still young enough that they aren't shopping without an adult, but the day will soon come when they're allowed more freedom. What should I tell them about this kind of thing?

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

My DH and I were accused of taking a wallet from one of these booths that you find in the middle of shopping malls a few years ago. DH was looking for a similar wallet to his old one which was falling to pieces. We spotted these nice leather wallets on the booth so my DH got his own wallet out to see if the new one was the same size. It was and DH was going to buy it when the stall owner came over and said 'Did you just put a wallet in your pocket?' Slightly confused my DH said yes - well he had, his own! - and the guy called over the security guard who got my DH in an arm lock!

I tried to explain what had happened but they wouldn't listen and carted us off to a back room somewhere where my DH was made to turn out his pockets and I had to empty my purse and pockets. After finding no 'contraband' on us they reluctantly let us go. VERY humiliating!

We used to avoid that area of the mall for some time afterwards just in case but when we went by a few months later it had big 'closing down sale' signs all over it and we were told by one of the other stall owners (after my DH asked them ) that the guy had gone out of business. I'm not usually one to revel in others misfortunes but we went home feeling very 'smug' that day!

DH and I are professional people in our 40's - we really don't NEED to shoplift a $20 wallet thanks!

 

[luvsJack]

You don't check your bags at this store.

I wish more stores would require that - I bought 4 dresses at Belk at the mall on Saturday, and it was a pain to lug them through Dillards while I was shopping there - I would have welcomed a bag check in!

Well, then I would be contacting the manager and customer service (usually can do this through the company's web site). I don't blame you a bit for being angry.

The deal at the Halloween store I mentioned before stunned me, but when my oldest son was in junior high, I had a bit of a run in with Dillards. I was taking my son, his friend that lived with us and another friend to look for clothes to wear to the 8th grade promotion ceremony. We went to Dillards but just walked through the men's department (at the back of the store) as we didn't see anything they wanted to wear. I was walking slightly in front of the 3 boys, who all towered over me. A clerk spotted us as we left the men's department and followed us all the way to the front door of Dillards--so all the way through the entire store. I couldn't help myself. I turned around at the door and asked him what his problem was. He looked really embarrassed and stammered that he didn't see me with the boys. I asked him if he normally thinks that all jr high boys are trying to steal something and that they couldn't possibly be shopping? Really? He just stood there and turned red. A manager heard what was going on and came to the door and apologized and assured me that Dillards does not make a habit of making anyone feel accused of stealing. I still shop at Dillards but have often wondered if they really do that to all teens or was it just that clerk. I am just glad that we didn't actually pick anything up in the store. We literally just walked through the men's department and back out again.

 

[Shmily1]

I am too glad this didn't happen to my DS20. Nothing stands unless you leave the store and then they catch you. Also, the manager should have asked for you to be present if she was questioning your DS. They better have lots of $$$ if they accuse DS of something like that when he did nothing wrong. They would be paying for thier wrong-doing and his embarassment and I would make sure all the higher ups knew what had happened. It would be on!!

 

[emma'smom]

This is the process that I find so annoying. I walk into our Wal-Mart with my receipt and whatever it is I want to return. It takes half a minute to get to Customer Service from the door. However, the incredibly, painfully slow greeter takes 10 minutes to wander around finding a sticker, figuring out how to peel it of, and put it on whatever item I'm returning and wander back. The whole process takes so long that I always wait until I have multiple returns-- but that means the "greeter" takes even longer.

The whole process annoys me because it assumes that a customer is going to steal something (thus they need to protect themselves with their little sticker). Way to say "Welcome to our store, we don't trust you! Thanks for shopping at Wal-Mart!"

By the way, I've now just taken to just walking in and heading to CS pretending I don't hear the the "greeter". The folks at CS never say "Where's your sticker?". They just take the returns and give me the refund. I'm happy, they have their stuff....all good!

Yes, they put a sticker on it at the door, and when I went to customer service, they had someone walk with me from the customer service counter, to the game case, take the game, and walk back to customer service.

 

[MickeySP]

This happened to me a few years back, I just remember my fathers words to say.

Sir(or madam) - you better be damn sure that when you ask me to come with you/open my bag/turn out my pockets you find something. If you don't I will be asking you for your name, store managers and your legal representation. Please have a list of all your asstes available as I will be going shopping on your & the stores dime.

The guy turned white, told me he saw me and was sure he woulf find their property on me. I said go for it but I wanted a sworn police officer present as a witness. He called, I complied. Well a few weeks later got a nice settlement check and apology, oh and it hade a very nice happy face on it

Now I would simply video on my phone and put them on youtube

 

[MrsPete]

at TJ Maxx! I had gone in there with my younger son, while he (ds16) went over to GameStop - he bought a Microsoft points card - put it into the front pocket of his jeans - then came over to TJMaxx. After he came in, an employee ("manager type", his description) came over to him and told him to let her know if he "needed anything"... then she told him to just "give her the package" - he handed her his points card, which she looked at, realized it wasn't an item they carried, handed it back to him, and walked away without a word.

When he told me, we walked through the store some more, but I didn't see her - I'm not sure what I was going to say, but I was pretty ticked at the way she handled it.

If she really thought he'd taken something, then she was doing her job . . . but when she realized she was wrong, she should've apologized graciously.