ToysRUs no bags in store policy

cybergibbons

Yesterday, myself and my girlfriend decided to visit the nearest ToysRUs store to look at pushchairs. It's about an hours bus journey from here, and we had to wait around 45 minutes for a bus, so quite a long journey.

On arriving at the store, we walked in the entrance and were told that we weren't allowed to take our rucksacks into the store, and had to leave them behind at the customer service counter. There are no lockers - simply shelves.

We've visited the store before, and not been asked to leave our bags at the front (exactly the same bags, as well, so it isn't a handbag/rucksack thing). I can't see anything on their website about it either.

Both of us had our cameras in our bags - mine has a value of about £2k all in, and my girlfriend's maybe £600. We were planning on using them later in the day. My camera insurance will not cover me if I leave the bag unsecured in a public place.

We asked to speak to the manager, and a sub-manager came to speak to us. He told us that they would be liable for any loss of the bags, but wasn't able to show us any terms and conditions or anything written to this effect. His tone was patronising, and he simply wouldn't accept that the assumption that all customers are thieves is fairly offensive. Also, the fact that they feel the need to prevent theft by leaving bags outside the store suggests that they have a problem with theft. So leaving my bag on a shelf, at the front of the store, would surely leave it open to being stolen?

Eventually, he spoke to the store manager who said we could go into the store.

Once in the store, we noticed that most people had bags anyway. I can't see the point in a policy which isn't implemented uniformly. It's only going to alienate customers, and probably has very little proven impact on loss prevention.

I do have to say that the member of staff who helped us with the pushchairs was very helpful and friendly however.

So, just pre-empting he tirade:
* This is just a vent, I don't expect compensation
* I think the idea of ringing up a store beforehand to check if you can take bags in is ridiculous, even if it is a long journey. I can't think of any other UK store that does this, and this specific store has been fine before.
* I'm not leaving my camera at home as it's meant to be used.

The_Next_Verse

Ours has this policy too, and they have a sign to that effect at the entrance.

I also think it's ridiculous!

mrcow

So does ours - it's insulting.

Mind you, I've never had my bag confiscated from them, so they obviously don't bother implementing it.

RacyRed

cybergibbons wrote: »

So, just pre-empting he tirade:
* This is just a vent, I don't expect compensation
* I think the idea of ringing up a store beforehand to check if you can take bags in is ridiculous, even if it is a long journey. I can't think of any other UK store that does this, and this specific store has been fine before.
* I'm not leaving my camera at home as it's meant to be used.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Loved that bit

I agree that it is a stupid policy and, on principle, I don't use shops that have security so heavy that it makes me feel uncomfortable and insulted. Just added ToysRus to that list.

cybergibbons

The_Next_Verse wrote: »

Ours has this policy too, and they have a sign to that effect at the entrance.

I also think it's ridiculous!

Granted, there is a huge sign above the desk. I only noticed it because they pointed it out though, and clearly most people ignore it.

mrmadcat69

I would have gone in looked at the pushchairs picked the most expensive one they had took it to the checkout asked to see the manager and simply say we are going to buy this pushchair else where because of the way you have treated us and then walked away and gone somewhere like mothercare who are cheaper anyway !. If they had any gaul about them they would offer a good discount as an appoligie.

welshbookworm

Our local Tesco tried that with shopping trollies a couple of years back and dropped it after a couple of weeks.
The theory was good , no trollies - less chance of someone being hurt or having their purse nicked from their trolley BUT they didn't think out the storage and you could not get in to the shop because the entrance was cluttered up with shopping trollies.
Plus a lot of people didn't want to leave their trollies unguarded and/ or risk someone else taking their trolley by mistake.

kev.s

shop elsewhere then.....simple

Freddie_Snowbits

Sorry, I use camera's and if asked to leave my bag at the door, I politely explain to them what it is, let the have a look, and if they do not trust me, I show them my large bum.

Note to the offenders, Bum, the buttocks or rump. This would be shown as a patched pair of jeans as I walk out of the door.

Valli

I too would choose to shop elsewhere, OP.

I'd have no objection to my bag being checked as I entered the store though, much like I have had it checked going into pubs and clubs. I wouldn't be happy having it checked as I left though, without good reason...

cybergibbons

Valli wrote: »

I too would choose to shop elsewhere, OP.

I'd have no objection to my bag being checked as I entered the store though, much like I have had it checked going into pubs and clubs. I wouldn't be happy having it checked as I left though, without good reason...

My money will most likely be going elsewhere, but it's about the only place we could see some products in the flesh, hence the long journey.

What would they be checking your bag for on entering the store? A concealed midget pedophile?