Is this legal?

gerryscot

dfh wrote: »

Unfortunately,there is a lot of ignorance about Mental Health and many people wrongly believe that you can simply lock people up untill they are "cured".Sadly,illnesses like schizophrenia for example are life long.If we were to follow to principle of locking people up untill they are cured we might as well go back to the anylums of the 18th century where people were incarcarated for life.And it is sad that such prejudice and ignorance masquerades as "free speech".

"It is sad that such prejudice and ignorance masquerades as "free speech".:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

That statement is a total contradiction for you dfh, you’ve got a short memory!!!!!

However, I will never forget………

brighthair

littlemissmojo wrote: »

Dear All, Its me again. I just thought I should perhaps clear a few things up. My daughter is 28 and suffers from severe depression. She is not 'unsafe' nor does she need to be committed to a hospital for 'treatment.' She has depressive episodes and is treated wih medication that makes her feel very woozy for a while. All that happened in this incident was that she walked out of the shop holding onto a bottle of shampoo.. she did not put it in her bag... nor is this one of many incidents. She was extremely distressed about what happened those of you who imply that there is more to this story need to bare in mind that I know my own daughter and how difficult things can get for her and when I say I believe her I am in a better position to do so than anyone here. My original question was only is it legal for a store to request this money? Regardless of how these costs were incurred. They are asking for £82.50 for staff time, £24.75 administration fees and £30.25 for surveillance costs.. the cost of the shampoo as it was recovered is nothing. The exact details of what happened are not what I wish to have comments made on ( although why some here have chosen rather to insult a young woman they have never met as a 'metal' rather than answer the original question is a mystery and offensive in the extreme and I dearly hope that no one you ever care about is ever affected with any form of mental health problems.. which incidently affects 1 in 4 adults in the UK). Those of you who have offered constructive advice and help I am very grateful and thank you for taking the time to do so.

I think the costs are unfair but I do have to say that suffering from anxiety and panic disorder, and being on meds that make me tired etc, I have never shoplifted - even by accident. Surely if they accept it was an accident then they wouldn't be asking for the costs?
I just don't think the depression, and the medication is the excuse - more that it was just an accident

Mankysteve

While I don't think this young lady should be charged those cost in this case. The cost they can charge are completely fair though business lose a lot of money this way. Its helps to provide discouragement for people doing such acts in the first place if anything they should charge more.

What happened here is typical of the UK climate no body uses and bloody common sense. It quite clear that the way this item was taken was purely by accident, if it was hidden then fair dos but it wasn't. I've walked out of a shop on at least one occasion with something in my hand after forgetting about it. It happens to everyone I see it every so often where I work.

dfh

Mankysteve wrote: »

While I don't think this young lady should be charged those cost in this case. The cost they can charge are completely fair though business lose a lot of money this way. Its helps to provide discouragement for people doing such acts in the first place if anything they should charge more.

What happened here is typical of the UK climate no body uses and bloody common sense. It quite clear that the way this item was taken was purely by accident, if it was hidden then fair dos but it wasn't. I've walked out of a shop on at least one occasion with something in my hand after forgetting about it. It happens to everyone I see it every so often where I work.

I think this is one of the best posts I have read in a long time.I agree there is a complete absence of common sense these days when dealing with problems and these things can be sorted out without having to resort to heavy handed tactics.

pinkshoes

Littlemissmojo, have you heard back from TKMaxx after you sent them the letter?

Given she had it in her hand and was blatantly NOT trying to deliberately steal it, then I think the store handed it very badly, but... the store have changed their policy and now charge for plastic bags, so lots of people now pay for their goods, and then leave just carrying them, rather than coughing up 5p for a bag. Perhaps they thought she was being too obvious, hence their heavy handed approach?

Still, don't even think about paying that fine, and if they take it further, I will happily boycott TKMaxx.

fluffybunnies

Can I point out that the administrative fee was probably incurred in part by banning her as to have banned her from the store they should have sent her a letter stating that she was banned.