So today my son was "accused" of shoplifting

[Shmily1]

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

ITA!! I worked in retail for years and know that you better be very sure they have something before accusing! Especially a minor!

 

[Iri920]

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

Luckily I've never been accused of stealing, although I've been followed around plenty of times , but this is exactly what I'm prepared to tell them if they ever try to stop me. It's sad that a lot of people don't know their rights.

 

[tinatark]

Okay this just got stranger... the store manager called me today.

Yesterday, a customer went up to customer service and told them she saw someone "in a hoodie" put something in his shirt - no loss prevention people were on duty, so the extra people are told to go out into the store and provide "excellent customer service" - which means, go up to people and ask if you can assist them with anything - I guess if you are shoplifting and an "official" comes up to you like that you would be spooked into putting whatever you were stealing back - She (the store manager) saw my son in the men's department, saw the xbox thing in his back pocket and asked him to let her know if he needed anything - she never asked "for the package" as she knew when she approached him it wasn't their item. She thinks the customer (who had by this time told additional employees she saw someone put something into his shirt) may have come up to him, hoping to be a good samaritan, asking him to give her the package... She apologized profusely and is sending him an apology letter and a gift card for the store. The manager did say it is explicitly against store policy to "confront" potential shoplifters.

My son is at school today so I can't ask him to confirm, but he didn't mention 2 employees, just one.

Now, as I think about it, I wonder if she did do exactly what he said, as she is the store manager and losses reflect directly back upon her - most likely in sales bonuses as well as action taken after store inventory. I did mention she could review camera footage, as we knew the time within a half hour or so, to find out whether it was an employee or customer. She didn't offer to do that.

At any rate, I think I am done - he will be happy with an apology letter and $25 for the store. I am ticked that he now has this memory of this accusation, as seen by the other posts in this thread, it will stay with him. I hate that.

 

[daisax]

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?

Pull out your cell phone, call directory assistance, and ask for the number for the local police (don't tie up 911). Then call and explain that you would like an officer to come and mediate because you're being falsely accused of stealing.

And insist on remaining out on the floor of the store until the police do arrive. Once you're in a back room they could put anything in your purse and say you stole it.

 

[tinatark]

Oh, and I told this story to my cousin today, she said she had an employee follow her and a couple of friends around a store when they were teenagers - they knew it, so kept picking stuff up, holding it for a bit, and putting it back when the clerk wasn't looking. I guess it amused them!

 

[dawson5]

Oh, and I told this story to my cousin today, she said she had an employee follow her and a couple of friends around a store when they were teenagers - they knew it, so kept picking stuff up, holding it for a bit, and putting it back when the clerk wasn't looking. I guess it amused them!

I had a friend who lived across from Big Wheel. We would be bored on a Saturday afternoon, during winter and would just go and look at things while walking around, talking. We had the undercover person following us, we always knew it was her because she loaded up her cart with exterior paint in the middle of winter. Dead giveaway to us. Sometimes when they target you, repeatedly, you start thinking of ways to teach them a "lesson."

 

[taylor3297]

Technically speaking, unless he LEFT the store or TRIED to leave the store, she was WAY out of line (if someone DID take something) . Personally, I would have found her, asked her WHY she did that and Then, demanded and apology and secured her name. Then I would have sent a letter to management NOT at the store and demanded another apology for their insensitive, inappropriate handling! If I had a cc with them, I'd also cancel it.
Taking advantage because he was a kid is what it sounds like to me...meanwhile, you have a good kid so try and make it a lesson learned for him, that People judge you because of WHAT you look like (a KID) and who they THINK you are, SAD but true.... Hope he did not get upset!

It depends on which state you live in for that to be true. In Ga concealment is considered shop lifting. The person does not have to try to leave the store in order to be approached. Also, in Ga switching price tags is also considered shoplifting. I worked in a music store for quite a few years. I have had many arrested for shoplifting. Before i approached anyone, I had to be 100% sure I knew what was being stolen.

Now in NC, you have to have passed the last point of purchase before you can be accused of shoplifting.

 

[Pikester]

For a little while the Walmart greeter at my store was asking to see people's receipts as we left the store. I usually have my 12 pks of soda under the basket and my groceries are in reusable bags. Maybe they think I'm stealing stuff.

I was telling my DS12 about this thread and he reminded me about the time that he and his younger brother were in the toy section at Walmart (I was around shopping) and he had taken his wallet out to check how much money he had. He put his wallet back in his pocket and a worker came up to him and asked to see what he had put in his back pocket. I guess the person only saw him stick something in his pocket not what it was. He told me about it after it happened but I didn't think anything about.

 

[Vixen]

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.

I see you're from socal.. where was this at cuz i remember going to a Sanrio store when i was a teenager and swear to god it could have been the same girl ! working there

 

[rgf207]

For a little while the Walmart greeter at my store was asking to see people's receipts as we left the store. I usually have my 12 pks of soda under the basket and my groceries are in reusable bags. Maybe they think I'm steeling stuff.

I was telling my DS12 about this thread and he reminded me about the time that he and his younger brother were in the toy section at Walmart (I was around shopping) and he had taken his wallet out to check how much money he had. He put his wallet back in his pocket and a worker came up to him and asked to see what he had put in his back pocket. I guess the person only saw him stick something in his pocket not what it was. He told me about it after it happened but I didn't think anything about.

The only place I show my receipt is at Sam's Club. Any other store that asks me for my receipt, I politely say "No Thank You" and proceed. I've never had a problem.

 

[Redpepperflakes14]

Oh, and I told this story to my cousin today, she said she had an employee follow her and a couple of friends around a store when they were teenagers - they knew it, so kept picking stuff up, holding it for a bit, and putting it back when the clerk wasn't looking. I guess it amused them!

Oh I love it when they follow me around! I had a professor who said when that happens say: "Since you're following me, can you tell me where ZZ (and ZZ can be anything from condoms to KY) is?" I've had a few become shamed and leave me alone after this.

At the Ralph Lauren outlet in Leesburg, Va. I entered and immediately one clerk decided to give me the 'excellent customer service (TM)!' treatment. I had been to this store numerous times and had never seen her before. Anyway, I was looking to buy sheets (theirs are the only ones that completely fit our bed and have decent thread counts.) Realizing what was going on, I took her up on her 'if you need any help!' schtick and I worked her like a dog that afternoon. She must've put back and pulled 50 sets of sheets and answered a million questions from me before I made my purchase. I hope she learned it's really not nice to prejudge!

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

I love both of these. I'm going to write down what your father said and keep it in my bag. I haven't been accused of 'lifting shop' since that incident when I was 17, (so I've probably just jinxed myself!) but I'm ever vigilant!

 

[tinatark]

For Wal Mart shoppers - the door people are "supposed" to stop you if you have anything not bagged in your buggy. I bag everything - even gigantic boxes, etc. for that reason!

 

[Evil Genius]

The TJ Maxx by me inspects all packages and oversized purses when you walk in. It sounds like this store might have the same policy.

 

[rgf207]

The TJ Maxx by me inspects all packages and oversized purses when you walk in. It sounds like this store might have the same policy.

That's when I would turn around an walk right out. I can't stand it how people are basically labeled as shoplifters until we prove we aren't.

 

[momrek06]

That happened to me in 1984. DH & I had relocated to Cherry Hill, NJ for DH's job. Had only lived there one month. DS2yo and I went off to the local post office (actually in Voorhess,NJ) and I was mailing cards and packages to family in Boston. I had thrown a half used dispenser of scotch tape (in case I needed it at the p.o.) in my purse prior to leaving the house.
After my stop at the p.o. I headed to the supermarket. Earlier, DH had called to tell me several men from work were coming by and to pick up items for a cookout.
With DS in the shopping cart, I was checking the meat dept and I noticed/felt that this woman was kind of stalking me. Seemed every where I was going, so was she. Oh well, no biggie.
All of a sudden, this same woman pulls out some badge and says she is with store security and states out loud "I saw you place that scotch tape dispenser in your purse" ... whattttttttttttt, I am now ballistic, raging mad. I pull out the tape and show her that not only is it almost all gone, the CVS sticker was right on it. She smiles and attempts to walk away. With the most intense force and I guess rage, I take the shopping cart and literally fly towards the front of the store towards the Manager's office. I remember knocking over an entire display of RITZ crackers ... DS is like , "mom, look what you did"!!!!
Manager comes right over to me and APOLOGIZES over and over and over again. Everyone is looking at me. He then proceeds to tell me to fill my shopping cart with whatever I need and they will cover the cost of everything.
I got back in the car and just started crying. Called DH went I got home and we decided to sue the supermarket. We got ourselves a lawyer.
WE WON!!!!!

 

[tinatark]

The TJ Maxx by me inspects all packages and oversized purses when you walk in. It sounds like this store might have the same policy.

No it doesn't! This store is 5 minutes from my house - they do not check packages when you walk in.

The manager lied to me on the phone today.

I asked my son if more than one person talked to him - nope, SHE is the person who asked my son to "let her know if she could assist him" then told him to give her the package from his pocket! He has no reason to lie about who asked him what, she has every reason to lie if she went outside of corporate policy because she thought she could.

 

[my3sonsagn]

The TJ Maxx by me inspects all packages and oversized purses when you walk in. It sounds like this store might have the same policy.

I would love to know which store this is just so that I could take in a big bag full of freshly purchased adult toys for them to search. I'd even offer to explain exactly what each one is, where it goes, and how it works. Anyone know of any mandatory bag-check stores in GA so that I can try this?

 

[Pikester]

For Wal Mart shoppers - the door people are "supposed" to stop you if you have anything not bagged in your buggy. I bag everything - even gigantic boxes, etc. for that reason!

In the entire time this Walmart has been near me and that I have shopped at it they have never asked to see my receipt before. They probably did it for a few months and then as quickly as they started they just stopped.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

That's when I would turn around an walk right out. I can't stand it how people are basically labeled as shoplifters until we prove we aren't.

I know it stinks and it's insulting ( i have a story earlier in this thread about being accused of shoplifting) but having worked in retail as a teen, we were told that companies lose millions every year due to theft. This loss in profit gets passed on to the consumer by having to charge more for products.
And this may have changed since I was a teenager, but we were told we could not approach anyone unless we saw them actually conceal something, then we were supposed to call management who would come up and have to see the actual thief leave the store before they could do anything. I saw my store manager get in a physical altercation with a man who had stuffed ribeyes down his pants...of course, as a teenager working with nothing but other teens, we were laughing our butts off watching this take place in the parking lot.