Pregnancy & Parenting Checking bags in shops.

[hirdy_is_champ]

Just wondering if people ever get offended when they go into a shop and staff ask to check their bags on the way out? I work in a shop and whilst most people or fine with it, some get incredibly offended. I always try and ask as politely as possible because I know some people get annoyed, but some people are such ****wits and always have to tell them I'm just doing my job etc...

 

[matt_897]

Just wondering if people ever get offended when they go into a shop and staff ask to check their bags on the way out? I work in a shop and whilst most people or fine with it, some get incredibly offended. I always try and ask as politely as possible because I know some people get annoyed, but some people are such ****wits and always have to tell them I'm just doing my job etc...

Yeah, i don't understand it, it's like asking for ID or a reciept for an item previously bought, just a simple thing that we have to do as it's our job to do. Not like we're suspecting anyone of anything, just simple common cursority.

 

[Kram]

Don't have a problem with it, some people are just tools.

 

[sear]

i only get offended when they let two older people walk out in front of me and dont say anything but then they check me. Im a 21 year old female, hardly a risk but i always feel as if im being targeted when Im checked and someone 10+ years older is just let past with a friendly smile

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

i only get offended when they let two older people walk out in front of me and dont say anything but then they check me. Im a 21 year old female, hardly a risk but i always feel as if im being targeted when Im checked and someone 10+ years older is just let past with a friendly smile

That's interesting, where I work it's more the elderly that crack the shits (they often have trollies). However one woman who would've been no older than 35/40 told me where to go, then proceeded to ring the business to say I'd been rude and arrogant. Stupid bitch, she probably nicked something.

 

[Kram]

Aren't middle age+ women the worst shop lifters?

 

[TheStinger]

A few years back when I was younger and more prone to being a w***er for no reason, I was in a store (like Kmart or DJ's, I forget which one) and I was on my way out with my back pack on my back, in my own little world and never saw the lady who appeared as if from nowhere as I passed through the scanner gates. As I was about to walk away she said "Sir, can I check your bag." Now, without even thinking about it I've just said "Isn't that what these gates are for?" and continued on my way with a little turn of my head just to see her standing there with her jaw dropped to the ground, but she never ran after me.

Now, I wasn't stealing anything and normally I would stop and show my bag, but that day I was so into what I was doing that when she just appeared my mouth went into motion before I even realised what I was doing. I didn't really mean to be rude, but it probably came off that way. But if you refuse, what can they do? Nothing apparently.

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?

 

[Bazzar]

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.

 

[Shell]

Isnt it just shopping bags they can check? **** them if they think they're going to look thru my handbag, no way.

Other than that I have no problem with it.

 

[Bazzar]

**** them if they think they're going to look thru my handbag, no way.

You tell em Shell

 

[TheStinger]

Isnt it just shopping bags they can check? **** them if they think they're going to look thru my handbag, no way.

Other than that I have no problem with it.

I had a dude the other day wanting to check my motorcycle helmet.

Yes, I had a fridge in there....

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

Where I work, there are no gates, and I never ask to look through hand bags. If you don't like it, then you don't have to shop at that shop. If I don't ask, I'll get in trouble and eventually lose my job.

 

[Brad Roo]

Shop attendant: Hello, can I please look in your bag?

Brad Roo: As long as you're prepared to apologise afterward for insinuating that I am a thief.

Shop attendant: Well, it's just a part of my job.

Brad Roo: That's what the SS used to say in Nazi Germany.

 

[Kim Hagdorn]

A few years back when I was younger and more prone to being a w***er for no reason, I was in a store (like Kmart or DJ's, I forget which one) and I was on my way out with my back pack on my back, in my own little world and never saw the lady who appeared as if from nowhere as I passed through the scanner gates. As I was about to walk away she said "Sir, can I check your bag." Now, without even thinking about it I've just said "Isn't that what these gates are for?" and continued on my way with a little turn of my head just to see her standing there with her jaw dropped to the ground, but she never ran after me.

Man, you are a hero.

 

[TheStinger]

Where I work, there are no gates, and I never ask to look through hand bags. If you don't like it, then you don't have to shop at that shop. If I don't ask, I'll get in trouble and eventually lose my job.

I don't think any reasonable person should be angry at you just doing your job, but I think there should be a degree of free will to refuse to show your bag. If you feel certain someone is stealing, then you can get security (or other authorised person) to detain them.

My right to not be guilty until proven innocent should not be infringed upon. If the store wants to ban me for it, then they need to come up with a decent reason, otherwise be prepared for someone to sue them for defamation.

It will happen, if it hasn't already.

 

[HSSB]

i only get offended when they let two older people walk out in front of me and dont say anything but then they check me. Im a 21 year old female, hardly a risk but i always feel as if im being targeted when Im checked and someone 10+ years older is just let past with a friendly smile

Pics?

I don't really have a problem with it though, most shops have the sticker 'Condition of entry is that we are allowed to check your bags' or something along those lines'

 

[Bazzar]

Pics?

I don't really have a problem with it though, most shops have the sticker 'Condition of entry is that we are allowed to check your bags' or something along those lines'

And that is a complete crock of shit. Its made up, and they no legal authority.

 

[breeno]

I've only got a problem with them forcing me to leave my bag outside the shop. They can check my bag all they want, but I can tell you I'm not leaving it outside where ****ers can steal it.

 

[rhinowce]

No shop has the right to search bags and they are not allowed to hold you in the store if you refuse, them signs saying condition of entry are bullshit, you can go in to coles fill up a trolley with stuff and walk out the front door and if they ask where did you buy that a simple "bought it in another shop" answer is all you need customer is allways right..

 

[TheStinger]

No shop has the right to search bags and they are not allowed to hold you in the store if you refuse, them signs saying condition of entry are bullshit, you can go in to coles fill up a trolley with stuff and walk out the front door and if they ask where did you buy that a simple "bought it in another shop" answer is all you need customer is allways right..

Well, if there is someone watching the security cameras then you are done for. I do like the idea of just refusing to show your bag, politely though.

"Can I just check your bag please?"
"No, sorry you may not."

They either detain you or let you go. Either way you maintain your privacy and if they call the cops and are wrong then they have some problems.

I used to hate when you come out of some stores with pay points within the store and the person on the door checks your docket and rips it. This is my proof of purchase and you just ripped it. What if I need to return the item and I now have a ripped receipt? It just seems dumb.

 

[triplejdude]

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.

You seem like the kind of guy that I would have hated when I used to work in retail. Seriously, how hard is it to show them your bag for one second, or at least politely decline, as mentioned earlier in this thread?

 

[Emerald]

Well, if there is someone watching the security cameras then you are done for. I do like the idea of just refusing to show your bag, politely though.

"Can I just check your bag please?"
"No, sorry you may not."

They either detain you or let you go. Either way you maintain your privacy and if they call the cops and are wrong then they have some problems.

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.

 

[sear]

That's interesting, where I work it's more the elderly that crack the shits (they often have trollies). However one woman who would've been no older than 35/40 told me where to go, then proceeded to ring the business to say I'd been rude and arrogant. Stupid bitch, she probably nicked something.

I'd never say anything, I just show them and leave and just generally dont go back. Its just annoying when Im at Target or wherever and they check me whilst letting other people walk through without saying anything to them. Seriously, if I'm going to steal something, it would be from somewhere nicer than Target.

 

[Xtreme]

I'd never say anything, I just show them and leave and just generally dont go back. Its just annoying when Im at Target or wherever and they check me whilst letting other people walk through without saying anything to them. Seriously, if I'm going to steal something, it would be from somewhere nicer than Target.

That usually happens when they are busy checking one or two people, too busy to stop the others from walking through the other exit/entry points.

I go through phases, i generally don't mind..... but i can be an arseh*le about it at times. I've queried as to whether they also want to strip search me as well.... goes down a real treat (considering i have no room on my person to pick pocket anything).

Usually they will want a quick glance at the dockets, however it is a pain in the arse if they also want to check the contents of the bags to make sure (and if you have 5+ bags on you, it's a bit of a task sorting through them all). I know most of the door people at the stores i shop at, so i generally get to go through without needing my bag(s) checked.

 

[rhinowce]

You seem like the kind of guy that I would have hated when I used to work in retail. Seriously, how hard is it to show them your bag for one second, or at least politely decline, as mentioned earlier in this thread?

Lol I'm not that dude Iam happy to show what's in my bag I've got nothing too hide, I too have worked in retail and still do nightfill, I was just passing on how it works.
The big chain stores really couldn't give a shit if stuff gets flogged, I can't ever remember anyone being busted for stealing at my store and you only have to look at coles how easy there've made it for thiefs by opening up the entry and taking away the oneway entry.