Security Guard Issue

SeaBreeze said:
I probably would have told him I have nothing under my jacket. Then if he asked me to open it, I would have and when he saw nothing he would likely have apologized and that would have been the end of it.
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I agree. That's what I would have done, too. Why make a big deal out of it -- he's just doing his job.
 

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The Wal-Marts here DO have security guards, as do most of the grocery stores; many of them are off-duty police officers. I am glad to see them, particularly in parking lots at night.
 

Butterfly said:
I agree. That's what I would have done, too. Why make a big deal out of it -- he's just doing his job.
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So you would be comfortable with a security guard confronting you in front of customers and staff when you are innocent.? Especially if you have been a long time customer?

You are an American? You have Rights. That's what all the complaints are about.

He's not just doing his job. He's overstepping it by a long shot.

I truly am am shocked at your response.

That's what happened in WWII. Don't make trouble?
 
I think you way over reacted to a security guy just asking you to open your coat. Does the store do this to everyone, or every third customer, or only in the middle of the night, or whatever? You're in their store -- if you don't like their security measures, take it up with management or don't shop there or both.

Getting nasty with the guy at the door neither proves nor solves anything -- he is doing what he is told to do. When I was working, it was my job to do what I was told in keeping clients (long time or new)at bay when the boss didn't want to be disturbed, and I took a lot of crap about it sometimes. Nevertheless, I didn't have any option but to follow instructions if I wanted to keep my job. Getting nasty with staff never gets you anywhere. They care more about keeping their jobs than about whether you are happy about it or not.

Some stores here make you leave big coats, parcels and big bags at the door and not bring them into the store. I wouldn't like it if I were accused of shoplifting, but all the security guy did was ask you to open your coat. It's the way the world works nowdays.
 
Our Walmart occasionally goes on a kick where they check everyone's receipts as they walk out the door. Costco checks your receipts as you leave, supposedly "so that you weren't overcharged" (yeah, right, like they care). Should I be offended that they're doing it to make sure I'm not shoplifting? I don't like to have it done, but I accept it as just "one of those things".
 
With Costco I understand it's part of your agreement.

But I wonder. Do they catch many or is that just deterrent and intimidation tactics?

What does checking your receipts do if you don't check it against the items?

I don't understand why they simply don't install security cameras.

It s embarrassing.

I am certain the policy will change when a few people get falsely accused and complain.

We have a Safeway with self checkout. That's where I will be shopping.

Thanks for for the input.
 
Walmart has become a "Mecca" for shoplifters, and they lose millions of dollars per year to the thieves....so it is only understandable that they would be taking more measures to cut down on those losses. People who shop there regularly should be supportive of these measures, which will help keep prices low. I've been stopped a couple of times by the "door greeters", on my way out, and asked to show the receipt. No Big Deal, and I quickly comply, and have No problems. Here's some of the measures Walmart has had to take in recent years.....

http://time.com/4439650/walmart-shoplifting-crime/
 
They will continue to lose millions on theft.

They don't spend enough money and time on inventory control. It's always screwed up. The prices are not on the shelf. The tags are not updated in the computer. The refunds are not updated. They can't tell whether it's a computer screwup or actual theft. I was in Home Depot looking for a thermostat. "We don't have any left". Well then, what's that box up there with the same serial number of the item I am looking for? Wait till I get a ladder. 15 minutes later the guy still hasn't shown up.

People are not stupid. They aren't going to put stolen items in their shopping carts.

They are hidden on their body somewhere. That's not going to show up against your receipt.

I have been there. I have done that. Trust me. The actual theft and what they are reporting isn't even close.
 
Camper6 said:
They will continue to lose millions on theft.

They don't spend enough money and time on inventory control. It's always screwed up. The prices are not on the shelf. The tags are not updated in the computer. The refunds are not updated. They can't tell whether it's a computer screwup or actual theft. I was in Home Depot looking for a thermostat. "We don't have any left". Well then, what's that box up there with the same serial number of the item I am looking for? Wait till I get a ladder. 15 minutes later the guy still hasn't shown up.

People are not stupid. They aren't going to put stolen items in their shopping carts.

They are hidden on their body somewhere. That's not going to show up against your receipt.

I have been there. I have done that. Trust me. The actual theft and what they are reporting isn't even close.
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I don't get it? How do people steal? They have those alarm things at the door if you walk past with something that hasn't been scanned.
 
Trade said:
I don't get it? How do people steal? They have those alarm things at the door if you walk past with something that hasn't been scanned.
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I've several times heard the alarm go off at the Walmart "out" door and not yet have I seen anybody come running. I honestly think you can steal at my Walmart with complete nonchalance. However, the cops are there a lot, so somebody must be getting caught.
 
I read about a year ago that a Walmart somewhere down south got into some squabble with the local police for calling the police dept. an inordinate amount of times for thefts and/or suspicion of theft.

It was suspected that the Walmart in question did have a high volume of crime, but instead of hiring appropriate security to deal with it, they opted instead to use taxpayer monies to rely mostly on calling the town police.
 
First---The security guard was out of line.
Second----If the police want to talk to you, they should approach you and not have the security guy relay the message. Suppose the security guy leads you out the door in privacy, who knows what his intentions are?
Third---Because the police didn't contact you, I question the security guard's integrity.
Fourth---Normally, I wouldn't say this, but you did the right thing getting out of there, but had the police approached you and identified themself, you would have been best off answering their questions?

Just saying!
 
911 said:
First---The security guard was out of line.
Second----If the police want to talk to you, they should approach you and not have the security guy relay the message. Suppose the security guy leads you out the door in privacy, who knows what his intentions are?
Third---Because the police didn't contact you, I question the security guard's integrity.
Fourth---Normally, I wouldn't say this, but you did the right thing getting out of there, but had the police approached you and identified themself, you would have been best off answering their questions?

Just saying!
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Thanks. I won the battle but lost the war. But it was a great discussion with many viewpoints.
 
RadishRose said:
I read about a year ago that a Walmart somewhere down south got into some squabble with the local police for calling the police dept. an inordinate amount of times for thefts and/or suspicion of theft.

It was suspected that the Walmart in question did have a high volume of crime, but instead of hiring appropriate security to deal with it, they opted instead to use taxpayer monies to rely mostly on calling the town police.
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And thus, at least two smaller towns in Florida have informed Walmart that they will be henceforth charging them for police calls, because too much of their manpower is being utilized by Walmart calls.
 
It's preordained. They will apologize and offer some condolence factor like a coupon or something because to lose a customer or get a bad name is a sacrilege.

However. I'll give it a shot.
 
Butterfly said:
I think you way over reacted to a security guy just asking you to open your coat. Does the store do this to everyone, or every third customer, or only in the middle of the night, or whatever? You're in their store -- if you don't like their security measures, take it up with management or don't shop there or both.

Getting nasty with the guy at the door neither proves nor solves anything -- he is doing what he is told to do. When I was working, it was my job to do what I was told in keeping clients (long time or new)at bay when the boss didn't want to be disturbed, and I took a lot of crap about it sometimes. Nevertheless, I didn't have any option but to follow instructions if I wanted to keep my job. Getting nasty with staff never gets you anywhere. They care more about keeping their jobs than about whether you are happy about it or not.

Some stores here make you leave big coats, parcels and big bags at the door and not bring them into the store. I wouldn't like it if I were accused of shoplifting, but all the security guy did was ask you to open your coat. It's the way the world works nowdays.
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No that's not how the world woks nowadays. Maybe in your world, but not in mine.

Let's put it this way. You are a different breed of cat than I am. You would let someone step on your tail. I won't.

If that store has a problem with theft it's not my problem. It's their problem.

What you call overreacting I call standing up for myself from false accusation.
 
Many stores, banks and other commercial establishments, as well as workplaces have upped the ante to relying on cameras to do their investigation work.

On more than one occasion, I have been called to stores dealing in soft goods. On one occasion, the store owner asked me to follow him to his office. Once there, he showed me a replay of one of his employees stealing lottery tickets and dollar bills from the register.

He was taken into custody and charged appropriately. Bail was set by a District Judge, which he was able to secure through a bondsman and he was released. I am not sure of the outcome because there was no trial. I know this because I was not called as a witness. Evidently, he pleaded guilty and was probably fined. In some other cases, I have been called to testify.

I remember another instance of being called to a manufacturing plant and showed a replay of an employee stealing gloves and tools. You just never know who or what is watching you.
 
You just never know who or what is watching you
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Ain't that the truth. Better to assume you're being watched in stores.

Long time ago I heard of a situation where a teen was caught stealing food - couple packs of lunchmeat and a bag of candy from a grocery store. Manager found out the father had abandoned the family, they had no food, and were on verge of being put out of their apartment. Mgr called the police, but long story short gave the kid a job as carry out boy/bagger. Most stories don't end that well.
 
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Camper6 said:
No that's not how the world woks nowadays.
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Not my world either, I've never heard of anything like that. I will make a big deal out of it, the security guard would think twice next time he wants to harass another customer.

With security cameras watching every corner in today's world, you want to search me because you think my jacket is bulky? That's ridiculous.
 
Knight said:
And then there is a mystery about how senseless murders happen.
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Knight. I was being sarcastic . We don't have handgun rules in Canada like those in the U.S. We also have possession licenses even for hunting rifles. Automatics and semi automatics are a no no.

But you are right. That's how it happens in the U.S. where all kind of guns are readily available and mass murders take place with frequency .
 
Camper6, were you inside the store or outside?
In my State(Pa), if you are outside the store, you can be detained until the Police arrive. But nobody can search you, without your consent.
BTW. I would have done exactly what you did. And when the cops came, I would have wanted that SOB of S.G. charged with something.
 

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