If you walk into a store

[Chico16]

I'm the Loss Prevention Officer at a retail store, and we do NOT check customer's bags or hold it for them because of the fact that it comes off as rude and offensive as OP is taking it. However, I will be watching that customer for the remainder of his visit because well, that's my job. As long as the backpack stays on his/her back there's no problem and I never accuse them of anything other than being regular customers, unless I have enough reason/evidence to prove otherwise.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by Marlat

Can't say it's ever really been an issue. I live in a free country where you can walk into a shop with a bag without having to check it in. I can't say I've been treated like a child going into a shop in the UK. That said if its the shops policy to make you check in a bag then I have the choice whether to go I or not. Shops can set their policies and I can choose to shop there or not.

It's pretty rare in most parts of the US, as well. I've never been asked to check a bag. Ever.

I do love Jaquo threads.

[Chico16]

Oh yeah forgot to add, in the US it is a Federal Offense to open bags that do not belong to you without the consent of the owner, therefore you can always refuse to open it. Same goes for police officers etc.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

.....if they had a sign on the door saying all backpacks and bags must be left at the counter, or something like that?

It has been my experience that stores that do this have a sign with the policy clearly stated right as you walk in the door.

-Mike

[Ziltoid]

I was putting it that way so there would be no "bag checking" involved, and nothing left to the discretion of the clerk. But perhaps you're right.

[MAJOR METAL]

I understand where your coming from Dude. When I lived in California, I used to walk to the Supermarket and would use a backpack to lug my grub back to my cave. I always had to check my backpack in at the customer service desk as shopping with a backpack on was not permitted in their store.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by Chico16

Oh yeah forgot to add, in the US it is a Federal Offense to open bags that do not belong to you without the consent of the owner, therefore you can always refuse to open it. Same goes for police officers etc.

Wha......

Could you tell me what federal law provides for this bag opening law? Probable cause applies to police, but it does not prohibit a private company from setting these types of rules.

[Ziltoid]

This may be the language barrier going funny on me but are you guys referring to people looking in your bag for stolen goods or having to "check-in" your bags at the desk when you mention bag checking?

[two fingers]

The owner of a private company can (within reason) set any rules he wants within the confines of his business. Many in the US are not very familiar with our own laws. It is perfectly legal to walk around in the US with a shotgun thrown over your shoulder. The only place you can't do this are a church, school, municipal office, and a demonstration. However, a store owner can post a sign saying "No Firearms" on the front door, and "your rights" just went out the window. The same goes for backpacks. You have no federal right to carry a backpack within the confines of my private property. If I don't want you to have it inside, I am well within MY rights to prevent you from bringing it in.

[elshunko]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Wha......

Could you tell me what federal law provides for this bag opening law? Probable cause applies to police, but it does not prohibit a private company from setting these types of rules.

Must have heard that from his PolySci Prof. Everyone's a lawyer.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by two fingers

The owner of a private company can (within reason) set any rules he wants within the confines of his business. Many in the US are not very familiar with our own laws. It is perfectly legal to walk around in the US with a shotgun thrown over your shoulder. The only place you can't do this are a church, school, municipal office, and a demonstration. However, a store owner can post a sign saying "No Firearms" on the front door, and "your rights" just went out the window. The same goes for backpacks. You have no federal right to carry a backpack within the confines of my private property. If I don't want you to have it inside, I am well within MY rights to prevent you from bringing it in.

There's a bit of irony in your statement there...you do realize that state law can vary, right? You can NOT "walk around with a shotgun over your shoulder" in public in NJ, Cali, Mass, Chicago. NYC and a few other places. Just to set that straight. but yes, private property has it's own set of protections.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Relic

It's psychological I guess. Having to open my backpack for them to gawk at what's in it feels like an invasion of my privacy. Again, I know why they do it, I just don't like it.

Again, why are you bringing the backpack in the store in the first place? Consistent with Jauqo's assumption, I'm going to assume there's a good chance the backpacker is going to steal something. The store could just institute a policy of "No bags or backpacks allowed in the store." That was the policy in the bookstore at my university. You had to leave your bags in lockers in the foyer. This has never been an issue for me. I don't bring backpacks into stores. Why do you need to? Just to get butthurt over someone wanting to check it?

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by Relic

There's a bit of irony in your statement there...you do realize that state law can vary, right? You can NOT "walk around with a shotgun over your shoulder" in public in NJ, Cali, Mass, Chicago. NYC and a few other places. Just to set that straight. but yes, private property has it's own set of protections.

I was trying not to derail this into a gun debate. But you are absolutely correct. There are other local statutes in smaller towns as well.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Chico16

Oh yeah forgot to add, in the US it is a Federal Offense to open bags that do not belong to you without the consent of the owner, therefore you can always refuse to open it. Same goes for police officers etc.

Even if that's true, the store can set checking inside all bags as a requirement for license to enter the store. You don't let 'em check, you don't get in. Entering the store is implied consent.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Even if that's true, the store can set checking inside all bags as a requirement for license to enter the store. You don't let 'em check, you don't get in. Entering the store is implied consent.

Not exactly. Google "places of public accommodation." There are some limits as to what a store can demand. I doubt that bag checking is one of those limits, but (for instance) racial discrimination is prohibited even if there is a posted policy.

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Even if that's true, the store can set checking inside all bags as a requirement for license to enter the store. You don't let 'em check, you don't get in. Entering the store is implied consent.

No it's not, you always have the right to refuse the checking of your bag meaning the checking of the bag is voluntary i.e. you have to agree, there's no implied consent.

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Again, why are you bringing the backpack in the store in the first place? Consistent with Jauqo's assumption, I'm going to assume there's a good chance the backpacker is going to steal something. The store could just institute a policy of "No bags or backpacks allowed in the store." That was the policy in the bookstore at my university. You had to leave your bags in lockers in the foyer. This has never been an issue for me. I don't bring backpacks into stores. Why do you need to? Just to get butthurt over someone wanting to check it?

This is a really bizarre assumption that you're making here and maybe because you don't live in an urban area, I don't know, but what I do know is that in NYC, everyone pretty much has a bag.

[eyeballkid]

Originally Posted by 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.

word.

whatever ever happened to the basic agreement in our society to be free of any and all unreasonable searches or seizures without due process of law?

btw, on a side note, the big fish among shoplifters wear suits, don't carry a bag, and nobody watches them cos they don't look like one.

[matante]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Again, why are you bringing the backpack in the store in the first place? Consistent with Jauqo's assumption, I'm going to assume there's a good chance the backpacker is going to steal something. The store could just institute a policy of "No bags or backpacks allowed in the store." That was the policy in the bookstore at my university. You had to leave your bags in lockers in the foyer. This has never been an issue for me. I don't bring backpacks into stores. Why do you need to? Just to get butthurt over someone wanting to check it?

Again, not everyone drives everywhere. Lots of people bike or walk around town, or ride the bus. Is that so hard to comprehend?

I'm with Jauqo on this. The people who own these stores have a low opinion of the general public, and they realize that the general public has a low opinion of itself. To check someone's bag at entry or at exit is an insult, but most people don't realize they're being insulted. The thing is that for every one of us who 'gets it' there a thousand other people who don't see the insult, so they continue to shop there and the store continues the policy.

I never shop at these stores just like I won't go into any nightclub that "frisks" you before entering.

[FreakyStyley69]

Due to this thread I'm going to start refusing.

Lets see if it works.. And I ride a motorcycle so I always have a bag