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If you walk into a store
- Thread starter JAUQO III-X
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I'm sorry nutdog, my California dirty hippie mind is to spaced out to get the reference. Can you fill me in?
Mexican standoff. Technically it takes 3 parties, but I just imagine the big standoff at the counter with the bags while either the store or the customer is the first to blink.
That particular image is the classic standoff in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Highly recommended for California dirty hippie minds.
Seems like it was more rhetorical than straightforward. Your mind was clearly already made up regarding the issue. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but there will always be people who see something differently than you do and they may not respond exactly how you would like them to.
I guess you are one of those easily offended types. A little sensitive are we? Here's the thing. If they want to stop ANYONE with a backpack, they should stop EVERYONE with a backpack. It's really that simple. If they didn't do these kinds of things, theft would occur more often causing losses to the company. Companies don't do losses. So where will that money come from? Of course, it's higher prices to you and me.
Just deal with it and either don't take the stupid thing in there or put it behind the counter. Congrats on having such a stress free life that this kind of thing bums you out. Lighten up.
Just deal with it and either don't take the stupid thing in there or put it behind the counter. Congrats on having such a stress free life that this kind of thing bums you out. Lighten up.
The message they're sending me is they're afraid of theives. Sad but true. On the other hand, if they think they're going to hold onto my bag, they're nuts. It's the principle of the thing combined with the fact that it's too inconvenient for me to have to go back and get it. I'll just go to another store. But actually, I never walk into a store with a bag. I don't have a use for it while I'm in there and I don't want anyone stopping and annoying me. EDIT: Oh, you mean check your bag as in look in it. In that case, I'm not offended in the least. They're just doing their job and protecting their business. But like I said, I never walk into a store with a bag. Why would I? What possible use could I have for it in the store? I guess if you didn't arrive to the store in a car you may have to bring it in, but then I'd just let them look in it and be on my way. No harm, no foul.
I used to be the clerk who did stuff like this so let me explain why the policy exists.
We did this routine to everyone who walked in with a bag who might conceivably be interested in shoplifting. That excluded a few little old ladies - but not all of them.
The point is to send a message to every potential thief that "We're watching you." That's all it is - a psychological deterrent. Stores know they're irritating some of their customers with this policy and they may even lose a few, but they also know that one of the biggest profit losses is from shoplifters. And profiling customers with bags is a deterrent that works. Agree with the policy or not, it's not about race although it is about profiling. I get this hassle all the time myself and I'm a middle aged guy that happens to fit the profile of someone who might be interested in the five finger discount. I know that I look like a street thug or at least some kind of ne'er do well* and it means I get followed in stores and pulled over by cops way more than most folks. I don't like it but unless I radically change my hair and clothing appearance, I'm stuck with it. You shouldn't let it get to you either. IMO.
*see my avatar
For the longest time I would set off the alarm when I walked out the door of a store. It wasn't until months later I realized my jacket had an antitheft tag sewn into it. Weird, but I was never stopped. Really not relevant to the thread, but I care to share. 
Why are you bringing a backpack in the store? Why not leave it in the trunk? If I owned a store, I'd check the bag on the way in and on the way out. It would be silly to let people just walk in and out with a bag and not check it. They might as well put a sign on the door that says, "Backpacks not checked. Take whatever you want."
Shrink (as it's called in the industry) is a huge problem in retail. Stores use all kinds of security measures to reduce it. How do you feel about having video cameras throughout the store, watching and recording your every move?
So I'm for it.
Shrink (as it's called in the industry) is a huge problem in retail. Stores use all kinds of security measures to reduce it. How do you feel about having video cameras throughout the store, watching and recording your every move?
So I'm for it.
I totally agree.
Please, I am not at all the easily offended type. It comes down to respect. Do not ask me to check my bag, doing so is insinuating that I have entered the store to do something that is not even my mind.
And as far as not taking my bag in, some times that is not an option.
I used to be the clerk who did
stuff like this so let me explain why the policy exists.
We did this routine to everyone who walked in with a bag who might conceivably be interested in shoplifting. That excluded a few little old ladies - but not all of them.
Agree with the policy or not, it's not about race although it is about profiling. I get this hassle all the time myself and I'm a middle aged guy that happens to fit the profile of someone who might be interested in the five finger discount. I know that I look like a street thug or at least some kind of ne'er do well* and it means I get followed in stores and pulled over by cops way more than most folks. I don't like it but unless I radically change my hair and clothing appearance, I'm stuck with it. You shouldn't let it get to you either. IMO.
*see my avatar
I'm very familiar with why this policy exist.
And I never ever brought race into this.
My thing is you want my money but you assume that I come to steal. Not kool at all.
It's my choice Munji to carry the back pack with me.
I have no issues with cameras in the stores.
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
Jauqo, you've met me. I get my handbag searched all the time. It's a big handbag. I could probably have carried your Lakland home in it. 
If it's a profile, leprechauns are included in there. LOL.
It's one of those things that works to keep shoplifting down. I sort of expect it anymore, and I make embarrassing jokes about it now. I've been asked to leave the bag at the front desk a time or two, and I politely decline, and then counter that their risk management person can accompany me on my shopping trip to watch me shop. Then - I dawdle. And head for the fitting rooms with far more items than I'm supposed to take in. Then I ask nicely if the risk guy (and it's nearly always a guy) will hold my extra stuff while I'm trying things on. I kick back and wait a few minutes, then I holler out for him to hand me the lace teddy or come out and ask if he'll zip me up. And then....after much scrutiny in the mirror.....I ask him....
"Do you think this dress makes my butt look big?"
After a long uncomfortable pause, I head back for the fitting room, put all the stuff back on the hangers, hand it back to the risk guy, and leave him with a dumbfounded look on his face.
I'm not sure a guy could get away with that, but it's been effective. The security guys are always too busy to accompany me shopping when I return to those stores.
If it's a profile, leprechauns are included in there. LOL.It's one of those things that works to keep shoplifting down. I sort of expect it anymore, and I make embarrassing jokes about it now. I've been asked to leave the bag at the front desk a time or two, and I politely decline, and then counter that their risk management person can accompany me on my shopping trip to watch me shop. Then - I dawdle. And head for the fitting rooms with far more items than I'm supposed to take in. Then I ask nicely if the risk guy (and it's nearly always a guy) will hold my extra stuff while I'm trying things on. I kick back and wait a few minutes, then I holler out for him to hand me the lace teddy or come out and ask if he'll zip me up. And then....after much scrutiny in the mirror.....I ask him....
"Do you think this dress makes my butt look big?"
After a long uncomfortable pause, I head back for the fitting room, put all the stuff back on the hangers, hand it back to the risk guy, and leave him with a dumbfounded look on his face.
I'm not sure a guy could get away with that, but it's been effective. The security guys are always too busy to accompany me shopping when I return to those stores.
Dude, how can they know what's in your mind?????? That makes no sense! By the way, someone who feels as though they are being disrespected easily and someone who gets offended easily are exactly the same. There's no difference at all.
So, OK, what's YOUR solution? Should they....
a) Check everyone BUT YOU?
b) Check no one and just let theft continue?
c) Check only people who look like they have theft ON THEIR MINDS?
What would YOU do if you owned a store?
So, OK, what's YOUR solution? Should they....
a) Check everyone BUT YOU?
b) Check no one and just let theft continue?
c) Check only people who look like they have theft ON THEIR MINDS?
What would YOU do if you owned a store?
slobake
resident ... something
I was going to ask that question myself, but then I thought about it a little more.
Not everyone drives everywhere. Some people might be taking a bus or walking and need to stop at the store.
Jauqo, you've met me. I get my handbag searched all the time. It's a big handbag. I could probably have carried your Lakland home in it.
It's one of those things that works to keep shoplifting down. I sort of expect it anymore, and I make embarrassing jokes about it now. I've been asked to leave the bag at the front desk a time or two, and I politely decline, and then counter that their risk management person can accompany me on my shopping trip to watch me shop. Then - I dawdle. And head for the fitting rooms with far more items than I'm supposed to take in. Then I ask nicely if the risk guy (and it's nearly always a guy) will hold my extra stuff while I'm trying things on. I kick back and wait a few minutes, then I holler out for him to hand me the lace teddy or come out and ask if he'll zip me up. And then....after much scrutiny in the mirror.....I ask him....
"Do you think this dress makes my butt look big?"
After a long uncomfortable pause, I head back for the fitting room, put all the stuff back on the hangers, hand it back to the risk guy, and leave him with a dumbfounded look on his face.
I'm not sure a guy could get away with that, but it's been effective. The security guys are always too busy to accompany me shopping when I return to those stores.
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