Wrongly Stopped for shop lifting

ZsaZsa

I'd have been mortified too. I worked in retail a few years ago, but I know as part of training (I don't remember whether it was their own policy or whether it was law) we were told that we were only ever to approach someone if we'd actually seen them take something, and only when they had crossed the threshold of the shop. I know the OP did receive an apology, but its still very embarrassing nonetheless.

arcon5

That's all well and good in theory. However in reality you don't have a member of staff watching each and every customer so it's not always this simple.

It's quite possible a member of staff dealing with another task spotted op leaving the store, a boxed toy in hand and was duty bound to ensure she wasn't shop lifting.

As for the op, I think you're making a mountain of a mole hill. Easy mistake, quickly resolved and apology issued.

arcon5

ZsaZsa wrote: »

I'd have been mortified too. I worked in retail a few years ago, but I know as part of training (I don't remember whether it was their own policy or whether it was law) we were told that we were only ever to approach someone if we'd actually seen them take something, and only when they had crossed the threshold of the shop.

I'd be inclined to go over and offer them a basket

'Would you like a basket for the item under your coat Sir? It would be no trouble at all.'
'Er.. er..er.. yes.'

Then watch them change their mind about purchasing the item and leave the store as quickly as possible.

I know the OP did receive an apology, but its still very embarrassing nonetheless.

I agree it would be embarrassing. Not many people like so much attention drawn to them in the street. But they was trying to get her attention so I feel shouting 'Excuse me' is appropriate.

somethingcorporate

I have no idea what you think you could sue them for.

This really was a non-event and you should waste no more of your time on it. You made an error taking toys into a toy store, I fail to see what the staff-member did wrong.

Just let it go, there really are far more important things than this.

If the staff member worked for me I'd be glad they went to such lengths to try and protect the stores property. The fact they made a mistake in the end is neither here nor there, I don't think it would reflect badly on you.

antrobus

mattalex2008 wrote: »

...
I have found these which seem to back that up.
www.Rockinjoe.hubpages.com/hub/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-shoplifting
and
http://www.expertlaw.com/library/security/shoplifting.html

They're both US sites, and therefore what they have to say about the law regarding shoplifting only applies in that jurisdiction.

As far as I'm aware, there is no law in this jurisdiction (as in England and Wales) that prevents one person approaching another person and asking them a question in a public place.

I'd imagine that it was not uncommon for young children to pick things up from the shelves of toy stores and walk out of the store with the item still in their possession, with their harrassed supervising adult being completely oblivious to the situation. For a member of the store's staff to then approach the adult once they'd left the store to ask whether or not the articles had been paid for would be perfectly normal. In this case, the staff member was wrong. But there you go, people make mistakes.

mattalex2008

Thank you antrobus, for your answer. I wasn't sure on the law side as, as i said it is what i was told by the retailer i worked for, but didn't know if it was their policy or law.
Which is why i was asking if any body knew. Didn't want to inform management/head office if it wasn't actually law, and just what my firm prefered to do iykwim?
I still think she could of handled it better, if she'd of come up to me instead of shouting it as she made her way to me.
Also don't think it was very safe, as i say i've been threatened, and for all she knew i could of been a butt kicking ninja pmsl, and she was on her own and some way from the store.
So i won't write now i know, thanks for all the reply's.

somethingcorporate

If you were going to be aggressive challenging you from a distance is exactly what I would do. Although a woman with 2 kids is likely to pose less of the threat than a tracky wearing scrote swinging a can of special brew!

Difficult one to judge but IMHO they appeared to take a "reasonable" (and defensible) course of action.

shaun_from_Africa

You could still write to the manager of the store concerned explaining exactly what happened, and say that in your opinion it might be better if the employees thought that someone had forgotten to pay for an item, it might be better if they were to approach them to make enquiries instead of announcing their concerns in public and at the top of their voices.

A politely worded letter may get the manager to have a word with their staff and get their procedures changed.

adouglasmhor

It happened to me in 1968 in Woolworths in Springburn. i had bought a toy at another shop which they did not even stock and i was grabbed by a shop assistant. I would like to say everything bad that happened in my life stems from that experience.


But it would be a big drama queen lie.

barvid

I have to say I'd rather enjoy the experience of being accused and then being able to prove immediately and conclusively that the shop assistant was wrong. But then maybe that's just me!