If you walk into a store

[JAUQO III-X]

Some of you guys don't get it.


I am very well aware that shoplifting takes place but please do not assume that that is the reason I'm coming into your store.

[Phalex]

I've only ever been asked to check a bag at the outlet malls. Quite frankly I'm always relieved that I don't have to carry a gigantic shopping bag full of knock off shoes and discount designer clothes through the place.

If I had a lap top in a backpack, I might be less willing to let an unknown minimum wage earner keep an eye on it.

[MX21]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Some of you guys don't get it.


I am very well aware that shoplifting takes place but please do not assume that that is the reason I'm coming into your store.

I get it. I feel the same when I go to costco and they search my cart on the way out. They say it's to prevent errors on their part, but we all know they're checking to see if I stole something.

[Chebass88]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

If you walk into a store and you're carrying a back pack or any other carrying bag of sorts and a store employee asks you to check your bag,

What message are they sending you?

They are trying to treat me like a common criminal. I am not, and do not want to be treated as such. I am significantly less likely to spend money in their store after encounters like this. Further, I do not appreciate the threat of someone stealing MY things while trying to "protect" theirs.

That said, it is private property, and I firmly believe in their ability to require certain behavior while I am on THEIR premises. If I don't like their policies - I am free to walk out the door.

[elshunko]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

That they assume that I'm coming in there to steal.

And when they ask me to check my bag I tell them that I did not come in there to steal.

I have spoken with store managers and they have always said it's to deter shoplifting. I understand that but don't ask me to put my bag behind a counter. It still comes down to you assuming that I am coming in to steal.

One does not need a bag to carry a weapon or bomb into a store to do harm.

You want my money but you don't trust me enough to come in your store.

They should say nothing to me or just a simple hello.

I understand your frustration, however consider how you would feel if you were the store owner. Here you are trying to make an honest living and people continue to rip you off and it's causing a major financial loss. Now you are met with a decision. Pass it on to consumers and increase costs on your products, or implement a mild inconvenience to deter the criminal element from entering the store and possibly putting you out of business.

[RandalPinkFloyd]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

That they assume that I'm coming in there to steal.

And when they ask me to check my bag I tell them that I did not come in there to steal.

I have spoken with store managers and they have always said it's to deter shoplifting. I understand that but don't ask me to put my bag behind a counter. It still comes down to you assuming that I am coming in to steal.


One does not need a bag to carry a weapon or bomb into a store to do harm.

You want my money but you don't trust me enough to come in your store.

They should say nothing to me or just a simple hello.

This just in, thieves don't announce they are there to steal. So you telling them that you are not there to steal is a good excuse for them to let you break the rules is laughable. Having worked retail, theft is a big problem for a lot of stores and a back pack makes things much easier for a shoplifter. I don't understand why some people have such a hard time following some simple rules that businesses put in place to protect themselves. People prove daily they can't be trusted, yet act appalled or get upset when trust isn't automatically granted to them when they are unknown. Get a clue man.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Phalex

If I had a lap top in a backpack, I might be less willing to let an unknown minimum wage earner keep an eye on it.

Exactly. And I've seen how they pay attention to the bags that are checked. They really don't pay them any attention. Some one could still your bag and I do not trust a stranger with my bag that may have some expensive items in it.

[Marial]

Hey, the staff should clearly be psychic.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by elshunko

Pass it on to consumers and increase costs on your products, or implement a mild inconvenience to deter the criminal element from entering the store and possibly putting you out of business.

I actually consider it a convenience that I don't have to carry my crap around while shopping. Never really worried about them stealing my stuff. I'm quite certain it rarely happens as the risks don't seem worth the crime. Most bag checks are very visible to shoppers. Pretty sure they all actually are.

[Relic]

There's a local gun store that I go to where they do this. Last week my 14 year old was with me and was stopped and told to leave his shopping bag at the counter in an abrupt way. It's claimed that it's to prevent theft or somebody bringing in something stupid, and I DO understand that, I really do. It's a gun store, not a "My Little Pony" outlet store... BUT I still don't like the fact that it's seems as though I'm IMMEDIATELY distrusted as soon as I set foot in the store. It's like an instant "guilty" verdict. Just a psychological thing I guess. Again, in the grand scheme of things, it's not a huge deal to me but I do find it annoying at times.
Actually, I'm easy. There have been times where it's all been in the way I was asked that's made a difference. There's a used CD shop not far from me - Princeton Record Exchange, where they make you check your bags every time. Or at least they used to last I was there. They would usually have a cute bubbly gal at the counter who would give you a pleasent: "Hiii!!! Can I check your bags for you!? Thaaaank you!!! With a huge smile. It worked every time as let's face it, I'm a gullible manslut.

[agent77]

I don't drive and always carry a backpack, so I've encountered this many, many times. I know it's done for security, and all that, but after a few years it gets really old.

Lately I have noticed many women carrying handbags as big, or bigger, than my backpack. Usually these oversized handbags are left open and placed in on the shopping cart where a little kid would sit. My backpack is zipped up and being worn with both straps. In my opinion it would be much easier for a woman to sneakily place an item in her bag than it would be for me to take off my backpack, unzip it, and put it back on. How this is not discrimination I don't know, but I guess being a white male does not allow me to make such a claim.

Sometimes I may carry something of value in my backpack. Why should I trust the minimum wage employee with a tattoo on his neck with my digital camera?

Also, there is a grocery store close to my house that sells these big canvas bags to the "earth friendly" people that don't want their groceries in a plastic bag. Although I've never seen anyone use these bags, I'll bet they don't have to be checked upon entry into the store.

Sorry for the rant, but like I said, I've been thru this many, many times and it gets old.

[pacojas]

i never enter any store with a bag. or a large jacket.

last time a had either, the worst "Theft Prevention Officer" followed me around. as i turned to walk out, i reached in my pocket, yanked out a stack of C-Notes, and used them to wave "Buh-Bye!

the funny part was watching him pretend to shop!!!

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by LarryO

Im suprised it took around 15 posts for race to be mentioned

I know. I would have have replied sooner, but I was busy loading my truck up with stolen office supplies.

Originally Posted by MX21

Guitar Center usually does this. I carry my netbook in a small bag (murse?), so whenever I go, I wait to enter the store until they let a lady with a purse walk by and then I go in. If they stop me I can claim sexual discrimination, threaten to sue, then settle out of court for a bass rig. Hasn't happen yet.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

If you walk into a store and you're carrying a back pack or any other carrying bag of sorts and a store employee asks you to check your bag,

What message are they sending you?

The same message that many stores send you.

There are too many thieves around, and carrying a backpack makes it easier to shoplift.

The annual losses to shoplifting are significant.... "According to the survey, total retail losses cost retailers $33.5 billion last year, down from $36.5 billion 2008." (National Retail Federation, http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=...live&sp_id=945)

It's not personal, it's business. I don't see any issue or problem. If you find it offensive, first, don't shop there; second, get a life. This is not worth expending energy on.

I find myself wondering if this thread isn't based on someone working really, really hard to find an excuse to be offended about something.

[KiDD QuE]

Lol well being black sometimes you don't even need a bag to be treated like that

[Datsgor]

Yea, if some store wanted me to leave my bag behind the counter with the employee, I would trun around and walk out. They obviously don't need my money.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by agent77

Also, there is a grocery store close to my house that sells these big canvas bags to the "earth friendly" people that don't want their groceries in a plastic bag. Although I've never seen anyone use these bags, I'll bet they don't have to be checked upon entry into the store.

I use those recyclable bags. I usually put my groceries in the bags as I'm shopping, them put them up on the conveyor as well as the bag and the employee will bag my groceries as they are scanned.

It would be pretty difficult to use one of those bags to steal when they're being used at checkout. So hey! Maybe by being a dirty hippie I'm being put on the positive side of discrimination...so that's how if feels....

I've seen women being asked to check their purse when they walk in with those giant purses. It never goes well

[Phil Smith]

Why should you trust people you don't know to "check" your bag? Would you give your bag to a stranger on the street and say; "Hey hold, this while I go check this out?" Of course you don't, so why should you trust someone you don't know simply because they work in a store? You don't think they'll rob you?

I never check my bag and I don't let them check it on my way out. If they want to check my bag they'll need probable cause i.e. a valid reason as in they think I stole something.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I find myself wondering if this thread isn't based on someone working really, really hard to find an excuse to be offended about something.

I think that after his former life as a career criminal, jauqo's point of view may just be a bit skewed

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Datsgor

Yea, if some store wanted me to leave my bag behind the counter with the employee, I would trun around and walk out. They obviously don't need my money.

You'd have a problem if you were a student at the university where I work. When you enter the bookstore, you're asked to leave your backpack in storage kiosks. I approve, because frankly, college students shoplift a lot of stuff. But since the bookstore is where you get your texts, you'd have a leeeeetle problem.