Pregnancy & Parenting Checking bags in shops.

[rdhopkins2]

Come on people, time for a massive hissy, demand to be strip searched at the gates and really get upset. I had a few uni retail jobs and it was always painful if you were 'security' and doing the bag checking. That said, shrinkage is a massive problem for many companies (*insert joke here*).

 

[TheStinger]

This attitude I can't understand. I have worked in retail for two years now and you always see the people who think they are too good to be treated the same as everyone else.

We don't check your bags because we want to insult you. We check your bags because of the thousands of dollars a year the company loses through theft. Don't like it? Don't come into our shop. Simple.

The door person is basically there as a deterrant for shoplifters. Targeting mainly school-aged monsters running rampant on school holidays. Company thinks having a door-checker might scare them into doing the right thing.

It's not that I think I'm too good to be treated like everyone else, I just think that sometimes these pseudo-laws need to be challenged when used inappropriately.

For example, one day I went into JB-HiFi and walked past the Loss Prevention Officer, turned left, picked up the game I wanted, turned back and went straight to the counter and paid for it. I was walking out all of three minutes after I walked in.

I had my back pack on over the top of my motorcycle jacket and carrying my helmet and my paid for purchase. The LPO asked to see my receipt and I showed him. He then said he also needed to check in my bag. I said "Are you serious?"

He said yes. Now, to take my bag off I have to put my helmet down, undo the fiddly strap mechanism on one strap and then take it off. After about ten seconds of me fiddling with the strap I said "How am I supposed to steal anything when I can't even get my damn bag off?"

He just grinned and waited for me after shrugging. I didn't mean to snap at him but it was at the end of a long day at work and I just wanted to go home and play my game THAT I HAD BOUGHT LEGALLY!

In hindsight I should have said "No, I've been here three minutes, two and half of which was at the counter. I didn't steal anything." And they have those security gates as well.

Taking a quick look, which requires two seconds, I have no problem but when you inconvenience me for over a minute for no good reason other than "It's my job" then I have a problem with it.

 

[Helicopter Punt]

Stores have no right to demand to check your bag. I feel sorry for the young staff put in that position so if I am asked nicely - remember there is no obligation they are asking for a favour - I will show my bag.
However some are just rude and their request sounds like a demand rather than a request. In this case their remedial lesson usually starts with a simple polite question 'Do I have a legal obligation to do so?'

 

[ClarkeM]

I always get away with stuff

 

[DidakDelight]

Unless you're a female why are you carrying a bag?

- The only time a bloke should be carrying a bag is on the way home from:
School/Uni/Work/Gym/Footy training etc.

Can someone please let me in on this bag thing in shopping centres?

 

[lewigie]

Shopping bags that have things in thm from other stores?

School bags would be the main ones checked.

 

[DidakDelight]

Shopping bags that have things in thm from other stores?

School bags would be the main ones checked.

Ok I get you, that makes sense now.

 

[HodgesHeroes]

as long as they don't ask me to drop my pants or try to frisk me, I have no problem.

jb seem to be one of the worst though as they usually have security at the door instead of just casual staff. Once I was asked to empty my pockets I just laughed and continued on out of the store.

 

[breeno]

The worst one at JB, I walked through the beeper at the same time as some lady who was about 40. It went off. Obviously she was the one that had stolen something, and after getting me to walk through the security bit twice and no noise occurred, he asked me to empty my pockets so I kindly told him to do his job properly next time and stop the two people whilst I continued out of the store.

 

[NoName]

It's just not shops either, when I go to the football, I take a small mini zipper ( example:- http://www.emotionalbaggage.com.au/eb-boutique.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=5001) and I always get asked by the security to look in my bag in case I take cans of drink etc into the stadium. A few weeks ago I cracked it when asked and said "Do you even think I could fit a can of drink in here" I barely have enough room in my bag after I have my wallet, keys, phone and diary in it.

So my question to people is are security allowed to look in people's handbags?

 

[azreal]

TBH I really don't care, it is not a difficult thing to do.
You'd have to be a real ****wit to make an issue out of it IMO.

 

[hamG]

They either detain you or let you go.

I'm not entirely sure that sounds legal, if a ****ing clothing shop 'detained' me for refusing a random bag search I suspect they'd be the ones walking a fine line of legality.

We don't check your bags because we want to insult you. We check your bags because of the thousands of dollars a year the company loses through theft.

I'm seeing a flaw in your system here, it appears people have invented some form of bagless theft.

 

[Helicopter Punt]

It's just not shops either, when I go to the football, I take a small mini zipper ( example:- http://www.emotionalbaggage.com.au/eb-boutique.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=5001) and I always get asked by the security to look in my bag in case I take cans of drink etc into the stadium. A few weeks ago I cracked it when asked and said "Do you even think I could fit a can of drink in here" I barely have enough room in my bag after I have my wallet, keys, phone and diary in it.

So my question to people is are security allowed to look in people's handbags?

Under no circumstances can security look in your bag without your consent.
They can require a search as condition of entry - such as your footy example - but this still leaves the choice in your hands ie. you can submit to search or you can choose not to enter. This is their right to do.
This is different from a shop placing a sign where you may or may not see it and then assuming you have consented on the basis that you entered the shop. This is a try on.

I'm not entirely sure that sounds legal, if a ****ing clothing shop 'detained' me for refusing a random bag search I suspect they'd be the ones walking a fine line of legality.

Too right. Anyone can detain you if they have 'finds committing' (Crimes Act 1958 s.458) ie: they see you commit a crime. Otherwise they risk false arrest. You can expect a five figure payout.
If a clothes shop detains you and you didn't pilfer anything, the only thing left to decide is which lawyer and which holiday destination.

 

[stmookeyj]

I just do it so they're off my back. They usually don't see much beneath my work clothes anyway.

 

[Helicopter Punt]

TBH I really don't care, it is not a difficult thing to do.
You'd have to be a real ****wit to make an issue out of it IMO.

Keeping in mind that the issue stems from management requiring staff to ask rather than the staff themselves. Depends how they ask.

You'd have to be a real ****wit to take shit off people who have no right to be demanding anything in the first place.

 

[pacemaker]

Well I say do you wanna check down stairs as well?

 

[Shell]

It's just not shops either, when I go to the football, I take a small mini zipper ( example:- http://www.emotionalbaggage.com.au/eb-boutique.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=5001) and I always get asked by the security to look in my bag in case I take cans of drink etc into the stadium. A few weeks ago I cracked it when asked and said "Do you even think I could fit a can of drink in here" I barely have enough room in my bag after I have my wallet, keys, phone and diary in it.

So my question to people is are security allowed to look in people's handbags?

Ugh dont even get me started on the footy and their bullshit rules. This total bitch of a security guard chased me down after I had entered the ground (the actual security guards that I passed by didnt even question me) and kicked me out cause i had fish and chips!!!!!

Just called up a mate already in the ground and she got a pass out and took them thru.

Seriously, later on I wanted to approach the sercurity guard with the last of the chips and offer her one.

 

[azreal]

Keeping in mind that the issue stems from management requiring staff to ask rather than the staff themselves. Depends how they ask.

You'd have to be a real ****wit to take shit off people who have no right to be demanding anything in the first place.

How is it 'shit' to show your bag? You'd have to be a pretty big ****wit to think that they are giving you shit to ask to see your bag. ****ing sooky sooky la la, go and shoplift some tissues.

It is pretty obvious that they do it as a deterrent to shoplifting and theft, I don't see how any reasonable person can take this personally. If stores lose a lot in theft, we all pay for it in the prices we pay.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

And what are the scanner gates for (besides going off for no apparent reason a few dozen times every day) if you are going to take a cursory glance in the bag anyway?

They are obviously purpose built for urban sprinting.

Warning: course language

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96OljGZapv4

 

[Helicopter Punt]

How is it 'shit' to show your bag? You'd have to be a pretty big ****wit to think that they are giving you shit to ask to see your bag. ****ing sooky sooky la la, go and shoplift some tissues.

It is pretty obvious that they do it as a deterrent to shoplifting and theft, I don't see how any reasonable person can take this personally. If stores lose a lot in theft, we all pay for it in the prices we pay.

Cranky much?
You realise my post contained two paragraphs?
It's not taking shit to show your bag and I am happy to do so if asked but I choose not to be ordered to do so by some cranky bozo who has no right to - which is what I was referring to.
I also clarified this in an earlier post but if you didn't even read the one you were responding to, I'll simply assume you weren't aware.

 

[WheatsWorshipper]

What do some of you have in your bags/handbags that makes it an issue to be searched?

 

[Borry]

I just let them check my bags. It doesn't bother me, not worth making an issue about.

 

[King Elvis]

A shop has NO legal right to inspect your bag. I just refuse and demand to speak to the manager and then tell him or her to ring the police if they suspect me of stealing, and have them come and inspect my bag. They always give in and let me through. Pricks, im no thief.

Not a thief, just a knob.

 

[pacemaker]

Not that this has anything to do with shopping bags but in year 8 we ended up going to the movies for an excursion after that the teachers let us do what ever down town for an hour. Ended up cheaking out the shops as you do and a mate of mine ended up trying on a hat from the shop. He was a fairly big bloke height and muscle wise. Any way he forgot he left the hat on and managed to walk out the shop (it was Big W by the way) only to figure out 10 minutes later he still had the hat on. Funny enough none of us realised it either, came away with a free $50 hat. Either the scanners weren't working or he was just to tall from the scanner to reach his head.

 

[kwame]

went to one of those dvd bazaar sales at jeff`s shed when i was about 18 with a couple of friends.......as we walked out this security guard asked us to lift our shirts to show we hadnt stuffed anything into our pants.........i totally lost it due to other older shoppers walking out without being targeted. hadnt stolen anything but just wanted to make a point. they threatened to call the cops i said fine go right ahead.....then i called the security guard who was a MASSIVE black guy at least 200cms tall a ******...... he proceeded to threaten to beat me down.....didnt back down though. called for his manager to come over and told her what had happened in the end got fed up with the bulls**t lifted my shirt to prove i wasnt a shoplifter and told the woman and the security guard next time not to generalize based on age