Wrongly Accused Shoplifting In Tesco - Help

celtic_charmer

I set the alarm off at my local Tesco's this afternoon. The security guard asked if I had any CD\DVDs or clothes from the shop, or elsewhere, and we found a tag had been left on a jumper I'd bought from the shop next door.

He was perfectly polite, got the tag removed for me and apologised for inconveniencing me. He didn't even want to see the receipt for my goods, even though I offered.

I was talking to my brother about this thread - he used to be a security guard - and he thought this was a wind up as well!

[Deleted User]

For ages and ages, whenever i left my local tesco wearing my favourite coat, it set the alarm off. First time it happened, they looked through our bags, then asked me to take my coat off and wave it through the detectors (setting it off). I took it back to the shop i bought it from, they spent 10 minutes looking for a tag and couldn't find it... so for months after, i grew to know the different security guards in tesco because i always set the alarm off.

Sometimes I'd avoid a patting down by timing my exit at the same time as a chavy looking family. That was always amusing. Anyway, i eventually did find the tag (hidden inside the washing label) and i no longer set the alarm off.

The story the OP describes does remind me of a case in america reported on another website.. i do wonder if it's truethful or a wind-up

Reggie_Rebel

I'd ban you for crimes against the English Language

williham

Well I work in a supermarket and we're told never approach anyone, unless we are 100% sure that they have stolen something. All they had to do was quickly rewind the cctv, see he bought them and then not cause this big mess.

You shouldn't have to prove yourself to them, they should have to prove that you've shoplifted. It's just good customer services.

Coupon-mad

Money_maker wrote: »

The 23 mags were to do with an offer on a handbag worth £12 odd for only £2.95 postage or something - see previous posts by op.

Must be an ebay seller or have lots of female relatives!
quote]




No, it wasn't, what posts are you reading? It's been explained earlier by veggiecar that you can buy some magazines and make a profit against your food shopping.

Best this week has £2.20 in Tesco-scannable coupons which Tesco will accept against any shopping (Waitrose have the same instore policy BTW so it's not just a chavvy Tesco thing!).

Did some of you miss the 'how to use coupons as cash' thread, article and email update? It's one of the simplest ways to save money that appears on MSE...here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/supermarket-coupons

Then read where to get the coupons on the Discount Codes & vouchers board which is where myself and veggiecar (& plenty of others) learnt how to save so much. Come & chat on the printable codes & vouchers thread, we are a fun bunch really. And before anyone says 'but you have to buy the magazines first so it's a waste of money' - no you don't if you use other free coupons to buy the mags...




P.S. sinw I have to agree with everyone else. Sorry, you made a big mistake by not just showing your receipt, most people would have shown it without any problem at all and been out the door without a second thought. I can't see you have any grounds for complaint, you were seen putting things in your bag which would obviously look suspicious.

Put it down to experience and don't put stuff in your bag in a store if you can help it, ever.
If you do, be prepared that you may well be spotted and shopped by someone who won't know that you've paid for those items (or you may even get seen on CCTV) and if there is a next time just show your receipt.

nomoneytoday

The OP should be banned from the supermarket for wasting time, and crimes against the English language

Piggles12345

Would have saved a lot of time, hassle and embarrassment if you'd have just whipped your receipt out.

Pollycat

I agree with everyone on here, what a fuss and palaver the OP caused, not to mention wasting Police time.

So, the 'Help' in the thread title that the OP wanted isn't forthcoming. And, because it wasn't, he nipped over to the 'Quick! Grabbit while you can' board - and got the same on there.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=19157163#post19157163

Wouldn't we all just love to read this letter....

Anyhow i extremly upset and angry with my treatment in TESCO and wonder what i can do? I phoned CS who gave me a case number to write a letter of complaint...

PMSL :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

veggiecar

Thread title:Wrongly Accused Shoplifting In Tesco - Help

sinw wrote: »

Hi peeps - i have vented on the other board, if anyone can share similar experiences or know abit about the law can u advise/discuss basically i was wrongly accused shoplifting

sinw wrote: »

I asked numerous times if they were accusing me of shoplifting and clearly they said no,

I don't think I'll be commenting further!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Treadway1

williham wrote: »

Well I work in a supermarket and we're told never approach anyone, unless we are 100% sure that they have stolen something. All they had to do was quickly rewind the cctv, see he bought them and then not cause this big mess.

You shouldn't have to prove yourself to them, they should have to prove that you've shoplifted. It's just good customer services.

If you are just one of the shopworkers, then I completely agree that you shouldn approach possible suspects. Firstly, that isnt what youre paid for, and secondly, its not worth the risk of being assaulted. However, if youre a security guard, then you have obviously taken the job knowing that it may come with a bit of rough and tumble, now and then and are employed solely for the purposes of protecting staff, and preventing loss. As for security having to prove that someone has stolen something, and that its not down to you to prove yourself to them, well that doesnt really work does it? How do you expect them to prove 100% that someone has stolen something, if they dont stop a person they suspect of stealing, and asking them if they have anything they havent paid for. Otherwise, unless stores employed enough security guards to follow every customer around the store observing them, hardly anyone would be arrested. The long and short of it is, you arent going to get stopped unless they suspect you of stealing. If they do stop you and you havent stolen anything, then have the common sense just to show them your receipt and be on your way, rather than spend upwards of an hour arguing and wasting the local constabulary's time. Im all for arguing my rights as a consumer, but you have to learn that sometimes its best just to let it go!