Shoplifting - or not....??

superscaper

scotsbob wrote: »

Neither do I see where the OP said he arrested her.

Although a security guard has no more power to arrest or detain someone than any other member of the public. And essentially making a citizen's arrest does require quite exceptional circumstances with pretty much 100% certainty.

DCFC79

It was a mistake, things happen, it could have been worse as you could have been dragged into the shop by security in front of other people,

Jo_F

I used to work at B&Q and on one of the tills, the deactivator was a bit hit and miss, one day this huge policeman came in to buy a new door lock, as he was paying at my till he was telling me that they had broken the door down to this little old lady's house, and he was replacing the lock, we finished up and he went towards the door, and yep, the scanner hadn't deactivated the tag and the alarms went off, I don't know who was more embarrassed by it, me or the big burly copper that had set the alarms off

scotsbob

superscaper wrote: »

Although a security guard has no more power to arrest or detain someone than any other member of the public. And essentially making a citizen's arrest does require quite exceptional circumstances with pretty much 100% certainty.

Correct on both points.

That is why they try to get you to go voluntarily, because if you refuse they have to make a decision.

This is the point I made in my original post.

Stephb1986_2

I bought a pair of jeans once from sainsburies got home went to try them on and the big plastic security tag was still on them (argh) The scanners didn't go off on the way out of the shop so I didn't know so I managed to break the tag off with a pair of pliers.

Steph xx

chequeout

Haha - jeez! Is this post still rumbling on....? If any of you want anything to fill your day with, please do let me know haha ;-)

Just as an update, I did write to the head office and they have replied (very speedily via recorded delivery) with vouchers to the tune of £25, which I am more than happy with. Their obvious bespoke reply (rather than the usual pre-written PR claptrap) admitted that what happened to me is a problem, that customer service is essential for their stores and that they will be speaking with the store manager over this "unacceptable" episode that, "if it wasn't for the oversight of one of their employees would not have happened".

Moral of the story...? It seems some things are worth pursuing and, contrary to the replies of many on here, whilst I am the first to admit there are more important things in life to worry about, it doesn't mean that mistakes like this should be ignored. The fact is that I did nothing wrong and will not be left feeling in the slightest bit embarrassed for any reason without at least registering my complaint.

The fact this company (I'm not going to name them now as I think they have handled this extremely well and I am more than impressed with their efforts) has taken it seriously has made me feel better by sticking to my guns and not being put off by some of the "replies" on here.

There you go, folks - I've given you something else to discuss for the next few days.... JOKE / EMOTIONS / APOLOGIES IF MY SARCASTIC TONE CAN'T BE PICKED UP BY TEXT ALONE BLAH BLAH BLAH!! Just wanted to share my experience and urge anyone else to go with their instincts. You feel like you should complain then do it - and don't post on here about it (as I have learned!!) Shame but true.

Right back to work I go - will check in a few days to see where the position of this post is lol.

Ta-ra!

Idiophreak

chequeout wrote: »

Moral of the story...? It seems some things are worth pursuing and, contrary to the replies of many on here, whilst I am the first to admit there are more important things in life to worry about, it doesn't mean that mistakes like this should be ignored.

Ah yes, quite.

Never ignore an honest mistake - you might be able to get compo out of it.

A very modern, British, moral.

Helix

Jo_F wrote: »

I used to work at B&Q and on one of the tills, the deactivator was a bit hit and miss, one day this huge policeman came in to buy a new door lock, as he was paying at my till he was telling me that they had broken the door down to this little old lady's house, and he was replacing the lock, we finished up and he went towards the door, and yep, the scanner hadn't deactivated the tag and the alarms went off, I don't know who was more embarrassed by it, me or the big burly copper that had set the alarms off

They set the alarms off every time they come in at work,we're used to it. I think its there radio that does it.

adouglasmhor

The clerkess (who was hard of hearing) in my dad's work was once rugby tacled to the ground by the security guard in a store in Glasgow city centre in the 1970s, she had not noticed the alarm and the guard was a bit keen. He was not so keen when dad (at that time the hooker for Jordanhill RFC) and his senior engineer (little skinny man but ex SAS from Malayan times) went round to ask what he thought he was playing at.

They could not convince the lady to press charges but without laying a finger on the creep they mannnaged to turn him into a shaking wreck.

advent1122

chequeout wrote: »

Haha - jeez! Is this post still rumbling on....? If any of you want anything to fill your day with, please do let me know haha ;-)

Well, it was dropping out of sight until you dragged it up again.
People like you are the reason this country has gone to pot.

A shop assistant makes a genuine mistake, nobody bats an eyelid when the beep beep goes off in a store.
I certainly don't think the person looking sheepish showing the receipt to the security guard is a thief.
Yet you get £25 for throwing your toys out of the pram and acting like a spoiled child.
Most NORMAL people wouldn't have even gave this a second thought as it happens so often, yet you write to head office.
Sheeshh, My island in the middle of nowhere with only a goat for company can't come soon enough to get away from people like you.