Accused of Theft In A Shop

lincroft1710

bouicca21 wrote: »

My local (stand alone) m&s food only issue a receipt if requested. I assumed this was policy for the whole chain.

The food section of our local M&S "department store" operates the same policy

LadyDee

I can't understand why OP's post said they had "been accused of theft" - if what they say is correct then they weren't accused of theft, they were simply asked where they had purchased items already in their trolley, and if they could produce receipts for them. So much drama over very little.

The-Truth

naedanger wrote: »

Do you actually think the staff member did the right thing when they asked to see a receipt?

naedanger wrote: »

However my view is there was nothing wrong asking if the items had to be paid for

Well can they ask to see a receipt or can't they? Come on make up your mind!

One minute you're saying one thing but then when questioned you come up with something completely different.

naedanger

The-Truth wrote: »

Well can they ask to see a receipt or can't they? Come on make up your mind!

One minute you're saying one thing but then when questioned you come up with something completely different.

Are you incapable of reading?

There is a difference between asking whether items have been paid for, and asking to see a receipt having been told the items were bought elsewhere, as the context of my posts makes clear.

However if you cannot see the difference no wonder you are missing the point.

The-Truth

naedanger wrote: »

Are you incapable of reading?

There is a difference between asking whether items have been paid for, and asking to see a receipt having been told the items were bought elsewhere, as the context of my posts makes clear.

However if you cannot see the difference no wonder you are missing the point.

If a store has only a policy of saying "have the items been paid for" that would be a shoplifters dream, in fact they'd be laughing at any retail company stupid enough to introduce such a policy.

Are you so incapable (your words by the way) of seeing how stupid your post is and how it could be so easily be taken advantage of?

naedanger

The-Truth wrote: »

If a store has only a policy of saying "have the items been paid for" that would be a shoplifters dream, in fact they'd be laughing at any retail company stupid enough to introduce such a policy.

So you now see there was a difference between asking if items have been paid for, and asking for a receipt after being told the items had been bought elsewhere. Therefore you now understand I was not being inconsistent, so at least your reading is improving. Perhaps you should apologise for telling me to make my mind up, when the problem was your reading skills.

Are you so incapable (your words by the way) of seeing how stupid your post is and how it could be so easily be taken advantage of?

It is you that is incapable of seeing that asking to see a receipt in the circumstance of the op's situation was not a good idea. The purpose of my previous question was to help you see that. So I shall ask again, what if the customer could not find a receipt, when asked to produce it, having already said they bought the items elsewhere. What do you think the shop could or should do then?

Capyboppy

deannatrois wrote: »

Sorry I know it sounds like the mad being responsible for the inmates lol.

I loved this ha ha. My friend is partially deafblind; I use a cane or 'wheeler' and also wear the same solar shield 'fit-overs' when it is bright. If we meet up it must look so funny to others; literally the 'blind leading the blind' :rotfl:

Never lose your sense of humour; it is great.

Capyboppy

iammumtoone wrote: »

. I did read somewhere that to be accused of steeling you have to actually leave the shop, if the till assistant had let you do this I am sure it would have been more embarrassing to have the security guard chase you and ask you to return to store :eek:.

My husband used to be a security guard and they have no powers at all. They are not even allowed to put a hand on you or touch you or your goods at all. If they have a really good reason for believing you have stolen something, then at most, you can ask them to call for a police officer; they are the only ones who can touch you or/and inspect your bag. You are correct they can't do anything until you leave the store though, but even that is useless as they can't actually do anything. What usually happens is the 'detective' plays on the uniform and look of authority as the nervous person automatically goes back as the siren goes off. The sheer embarrassment of the situation usually makes the person lower their head and automatically open their bag.

On more than one occasion the exit siren has gone off (and on entering too). Within seconds someone has been there asking my husband to step back/open his bag. He has told them if they believe he has stolen something then he will wait while they phone for the police; sometimes actually saying this as he continued walking out quoting the law. Nowadays it doesn't happen as much but because of a decline in health, he has pointed the health issue on top of this. Not once have the 'detectives' tried to manhandle him or follow him right to the car.

I know it is hard folks when least expecting to be 'got', but don't let these folk bully you. Be it a store detective or a store employee.

unholyangel

Capyboppy wrote: »

My husband used to be a security guard and they have no powers at all. They are not even allowed to put a hand on you or touch you or your goods at all. If they have a really good reason for believing you have stolen something, then at most, you can ask them to call for a police officer; they are the only ones who can touch you or/and inspect your bag. You are correct they can't do anything until you leave the store though, but even that is useless as they can't actually do anything. What usually happens is the 'detective' plays on the uniform and look of authority as the nervous person automatically goes back as the siren goes off. The sheer embarrassment of the situation usually makes the person lower their head and automatically open their bag.

On more than one occasion the exit siren has gone off (and on entering too). Within seconds someone has been there asking my husband to step back/open his bag. He has told them if they believe he has stolen something then he will wait while they phone for the police; sometimes actually saying this as he continued walking out quoting the law. Nowadays it doesn't happen as much but because of a decline in health, he has pointed the health issue on top of this. Not once have the 'detectives' tried to manhandle him or follow him right to the car.

I know it is hard folks when least expecting to be 'got', but don't let these folk bully you. Be it a store detective or a store employee.

Not quite correct - their job doesn't give them any special rights, but they can still perform a citizens arrest just as any other person can. Some info here if you are interested.

But of course as I detailed in my previous post, if they're wrong then they may possibly face assault or unlawful arrest charges.

Capyboppy

unholyangel wrote: »

Not quite correct - their job doesn't give them any special rights, but they can still perform a citizens arrest just as any other person can. Some info here if you are interested.

But of course as I detailed in my previous post, if they're wrong then they may possibly face assault or unlawful arrest charges.

Good down to earth link. Now would the store detective be making the citizen's arrest in his own right (if he has believed the individual to have stolen something without paying)? Or as an employee? if it is as an employee then this surely would be in their contract wouldn't it?