Anyone get stopped leaving stores?

[JB4310]

they'd ask for ID. My wife wasn't happy with me, but twice I refused to show my ID and walked off leaving all the items they had rung up and bagged.

Wow Bird that's kinda harsh, but everybody has there own comfort level when it comes to what they perceive as an invasion of there privacy. I also feel somewhat insulted especially if I feel like I'm being singled out, But as someone else has stated they prefer to have there ID checked.

If showing your ID gets your feathers ruffled your gonna love this one, A couple of years ago I was in one of our local banks to cash a check that was drawn on that bank, I didn't have an account there so OK I know the routine, 2 forms of ID, no arguing there, license and major credit card, then the teller flips open an INK PAD AND TELLS ME THEY NEED A RIGHT THUMB PRINT ON THE BACK OF THE CHECK!!!
I was more shocked than defensive so I just did it, walked out of there feeling like a criminal with an ink stain on my finger. Now I had been fingerprinted before so it was nothing new but I was thinking there are people that go thru their whole lives without ever being finger printed, wonder how they would feel.

I see now even Bank of America has a pad at all the tellers counters, it's some kind of invisible ink I think, haven't had to use it since I'm a regular there.

Lowes always asks to see the card after you swipe it, which is a pain cause after I swipe it I put it back in my wallet then she asks to see it again, even for a $10. purchase, so now I just give it to them and make them do it.

For a while Home Depot was experimenting with not requiring signatures for card purchases under $25.00, which was fine with me, not sure if they're still doing that.

JB.

 

[SnowRidge]

Lowes always asks to see the card after you swipe it, which is a pain cause after I swipe it I put it back in my wallet then she asks to see it again, even for a $10. purchase, so now I just give it to them and make them do it.

I bought something in Lowes yesterday. After I swiped the card, signed the pad, and put the card back in my wallet, the clerk asked me what the last four digits of the card were. I realized I actually knew that off the top of my head, so I told her. She said, "That's right," and handed me the receipt.

Is that their security check now, asking you the last four digits on the card?

 

[actionaj]

Not to hijack this thread. But I hate going to a store were they want you to use the self check out lines. I totally refuse to use one. I was at newly opened Wal-Mart one morning and there was only one casher lane open and their where about ten or twelve people in this line. Then I guess it was the manger came up and asked each one in line if they would like to try the self check out line. I think only one person went to try it and the rest said no. When it got to my turn being asked I told her that the only way I would try it would be if I got a 20% discount. Then someone else said they would do it for a 10% discount and another said 5. So the manager just walked away. I feel that these self check out lines just knocks someone out of a job. What ever happened to service.

p.s I also hate bagging my own stuff at stores to.

 

[tallyho8]

When a clerk asks me for my id for a liquor purchase I always say "Gosh, I didn't know there was an age limit on alcoholic purchases. How old do you have to be to be overage?" As I leave we are usually both chuckling.

 

[SnowRidge]

Not to hijack this thread. But I hate going to a store were they want you to use the self check out lines. I totally refuse to use one. I was at newly opened Wal-Mart one morning and there was only one casher lane open and their where about ten or twelve people in this line. Then I guess it was the manger came up and asked each one in line if they would like to try the self check out line. I think only one person went to try it and the rest said no. When it got to my turn being asked I told her that the only way I would try it would be if I got a 20% discount. Then someone else said they would do it for a 10% discount and another said 5. So the manager just walked away. I feel that these self check out lines just knocks someone out of a job. What ever happened to service.

p.s I also hate bagging my own stuff at stores to.

I have never caught a cold from a self checkout machine, but I've sure caught a few from sniffling checkout clerks. My wife and I avoid stores that don't have the self checkouts, when we can. Self checkouts are faster, often have no line, and you can bag your stuff the way you want it bagged.

To each his own.

 

[LMTC]

Re: the thumbprint/ID.....years ago our business took a check from a customer...a certified check in fact, drawn on a local branch of a regional bank. Probably around $8,000.00 or so, so big, but not a lifetime fortune. I wanted it cleared asap for cash flow reasons, so I went to that local branch. We had no account there, so I took multiple forms of ID, and they would not cash it without writing my SS# on the back by my signature. I refused, did not cash it, and took it to the customer (with whom I had a good relationship) and told him as far as I was concerned, his bank refused to cash the check. He went to the bank and they wouldn't reverse the process and refund his money. I think they lost him as a customer too. Ultimately I think I deposited it in our bank (signed, but no SS) and from that day on I will not take a check drawn on that bank...and I am happy to explain why to customers. If you look in the sky at night you will see the thing(s) for which that bank is named.

RE: ID when using a cc, I am happy to do that, as it protects me. Never yet had anyone want to write down my SS#, just confirm that I am the person named on the card. We shop Sams and Costco, and the whole receipt checking thing doesn't really bother me (even though I am very private re: personal info) because I know it saves me money in the long run, and I can choose not to shop there if it bothers me.

We accept CCs for parts and small purchases (we really have to to properly serve our customers, as we ship most parts), and for those of you who have not been in that position you have no idea how many times people try to scam you with a card. Most times they don't want the part (they will try to order something very inexpensive), but what they are doing is checking a stolen CC# to see if it is still being accepted....then they will run to best buy or whatever and get what they want. So far I think I have spotted virtually every one of those. Used to try to report them to the issuing banks, but learned they don't care enough about one card/transaction to take my calls.

 

[Bedlam]

I have no troubles with the license check if its not discriminatory.
And that was my main point here.I couldnt walk out becasue they had already done the sale, and she couldnt cancel it.
Just like the time that an item was scanned wrong at the supermarket.
They couldnt adjust it right at the checkout I had to wait awile longer in line at the service desk as the ice cream melted lol
I agree with Bird 100 percent.
And a fingerprint??? No thanks I will retain my rights lol

 

[shvl73]

I see now even Bank of America has a pad at all the tellers counters

Odd that Bank of America asks for prints when they would extend credit and mortgages to people with false SS #'s.

 

[dfkrug]

You must not belong to a Sam's Club or B J's Wholesale............ as they stop EVERY customer and make you prove you are not stealing anything on the way out.

Yes, this policy is part of the agreement you signed to be a member and
buy from these club stores.

As for other stores, checking your stuff before you leave the store will
continue as long as customers put up with it.

The proper response when leaving is to smile and say "no, thank you" to
the clerk at the door. No one has ever come after me and accused me of
stealing.

The biggest abuser of this obnoxious store policy is Frys Electronics, IMO.
I remember when they were one small store that sold food and electronics.
They were the only one except the club stores checking at the door. Now
I just walk by the long line at the exit, wondering why customers put up
with it.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Walmart started selling beer and wine and when I bought a bottle of wine and the cashier asked for ID, I asked if she really thought there was any chance I was under 21. She said it was store policy to ask everyone. The next time it was a male cashier and when he asked, I told him it must be terrible to have to work for a boss who thought he was too stupid to know that I was over 21. And I've never asked again in any Walmart.

If you leave the store with alcohol and don't have ID and get checked by a cop, it's the store that gets in trouble, it doesn't matter if you look 90.

 

[scott_vt]

I think I would have turned the buggy around and went to the service desk and returned everything got my money back. Then tell that big shot wannabe that I will being doing my business with your competitor from now on.

Good Afternoon Aczlan,
Im with actionaj on this one ! If it wasnt for all the time you spent putting the cart together, and if my wife wasnt standing next to me, they could darn well keep their cart and all their groceries ! And i would make sure the top dogs in that store knew that all my business was going to their competitor !

 

[Bird]

Wow Bird that's kinda harsh, but everybody has there own comfort level when it comes to what they perceive as an invasion of there privacy. I also feel somewhat insulted especially if I feel like I'm being singled out, But as someone else has stated they prefer to have there ID checked.

Harsh, yes, but I asked why they wanted to see ID and when they lie to me, we're through doing business. If they give me an honest answer, I'll show my othe ID.

I bought something in Lowes yesterday. After I swiped the card, signed the pad, and put the card back in my wallet, the clerk asked me what the last four digits of the card were. I realized I actually knew that off the top of my head, so I told her. She said, "That's right," and handed me the receipt.

Is that their security check now, asking you the last four digits on the card?

That's one I haven't figured out yet, but they always ask for the last 4 digits and I can just tell them and that the end of it. Why they enter the last 4 twice is something I don't understand.

I hate going to a store were they want you to use the self check out lines.

I like the self check-out myself at Home Depot, Kroger's, and one of the two Walmarts we trade at. I'm sorry the Walmart closest to the house doesn't have that.

I was in one of our local banks to cash a check that was drawn on that bank, I didn't have an account there so OK I know the routine, 2 forms of ID, no arguing there, license and major credit card, then the teller flips open an INK PAD AND TELLS ME THEY NEED A RIGHT THUMB PRINT ON THE BACK OF THE CHECK!!!

When I was repairing air tools, my brother (Matco Tool distributor) brought me the tools and he paid my bills weekly, then he collected from his customers. And if I went to his bank to cash one of his checks instead of going to my bank, they wouldn't cash it at the drive-in; I had to go inside and put my thumb print on the check and that was over 10 years ago.

they would not cash it without writing my SS# on the back by my signature

I've run into that a couple of times and gave them my SS#.

 

[Bird]

How often do you find stores that ask for your phone number? I find that to be fairly common with places like Northern Tool, Tractor Supply, Bass Pro, and others. And I give them my phone number, but of course they wouldn't know whether you were telling the truth or not. And for the 6 years we were full time RVers, I'd just say, "I don't have one." (Honest answer, since we didn't have cell phones then, just a "non-subscriber" AT&T credit card.) And I never had anyone question why I didn't have one or pursue the matter at all.

 

[Travelover]

How often do you find stores that ask for your phone number? I find that to be fairly common with places like Northern Tool, Tractor Supply, Bass Pro, and others. And I give them my phone number, but of course they wouldn't know whether you were telling the truth or not. And for the 6 years we were full time RVers, I'd just say, "I don't have one." (Honest answer, since we didn't have cell phones then, just a "non-subscriber" AT&T credit card.) And I never had anyone question why I didn't have one or pursue the matter at all.

Radio Shack used to be really insistent about getting your phone number. One time I told the kid I was in the Federal Witness Protection program and it would blow my cover to divulge it. Another time, I asked when a 100 ohm resistor had become a controlled substance? Now I use the no phone line.

 

[PILOON]

Little bit OT;

Gas bar now wants prepayement before filling up.
How do I know how much my tank will take?

Since I use my CC there is no way I'll give them a chance to clone it while I self pump.
(and most cloneing happens that way)

They claimed the thefts were getting so bad that they needed to resort to that measure.
As I departed (empty), I suggested that perhaps they should hire a security guard to watch over the pumps if thefts were that bad!

Being treated like a crook is not my cup of tea!

 

[JB4310]

I think the phone number info is for the retailers own marketing strategy, not to call you and try and sell you something, more a way for them to know where there customers are coming from. But still the first few times Radio shack asked me for mine I gave them an attitude.

I have to draw the line with the SS# I've never been asked to put it on a check and I wouldn't want to, the company that always asked for my SS# is Verizon, even if I called with the simplest question they ask for it, when I asked why they said it's for my security, I told them that me giving my name and SS# over the "air" is a greater threat to my security than my kid calling and trying to get their text messaging turned back on without my consent.
I told them to never ask for my SS# again, so they let me use a challenge question type password.

SS# is our most unique identifier and the grand prize for identity thieves, with that the rest is easy for them to build a complete foolproof portfolio on you. IMO SS# should be used by Govt agencies, banks employers etc. for tax purposes ONLY.

What's gonna be next, DNA mouth swabs???

JB.

 

[Philscbx]

You must not belong to a Sam's Club or B J's Wholesale............ as they stop EVERY customer and make you prove you are not stealing anything on the way out.

I assumed his story omitted a member's only store's procedure.
Iv'e not noticed any tactic similar to common builder, or food chains.

 

[txdon]

Yep, Walmart stopped me yesterday. I dug out the receipt and talked about the weather while he checked the basket. At least he is working and I am not stealing so no problem.

Real Story:

There was a complaint by a department store that one of our employees bought a TV at one store the went to another with the original receipt and walked out of the 2nd store with another TV. When our employee was caught in the parking lot and asked to show the receipt our employe ate the receipt of the first store. The department store dropped the ball by not filing charges and the employee was still working when I left.

I always think of this when asked for my receipt and just have to shake my head.

 

[SnowRidge]

How often do you find stores that ask for your phone number? I find that to be fairly common with places like Northern Tool, Tractor Supply, Bass Pro, and others. And I give them my phone number, but of course they wouldn't know whether you were telling the truth or not. And for the 6 years we were full time RVers, I'd just say, "I don't have one." (Honest answer, since we didn't have cell phones then, just a "non-subscriber" AT&T credit card.) And I never had anyone question why I didn't have one or pursue the matter at all.

They are trying to ID you for marketing. I read an article on this not too long ago. By getting your phone number, it allows the data miners that the retailers employ to either positively or partially ID you. Partial ID information from unlisted numbers is married with other partial ID information to narrow it down. Pretty soon they can figure out exactly who is shopping at their stores, without resorting to those detestable loyalty cards that are required at some grocers to get the non-jacked up prices. Same thing for ZIP codes, which some stores ask for. Most people don't think twice about giving out their zip code and don't get put out about it, but they should if they value their privacy.

I now give phony information, whenever possible. One of my grocery cards has me living at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC. Hey, I wonder if they are going to start forwarding my grocery fliers to Crawford, TX now.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Wow, what a hot topic.

I've not been singled out for an inspection but I have given the possibility some prior thought.

The conversation would go something like this. Are you accusing me of theft? If you are, call the police, press charges and then you'll get to look in the bag. Be warned, if you are wrong, you will be explaining the false arrest charge to a judge. Also be aware that preventing me from my progress while the police come, could be seen as second degree kidnapping. How do you want to proceed?

(personally know of an incident between 2 kids where one was arrested and charged with 2nd degree kidnapping arising from one kid hanging on the handlebars of the other kids bike preventing him from leaving. There were other charges made as well.)

You need to give the other party something to think about. There could be repercussions from their tactics. Singling out a few individuals for a close inspection while most others don't get the same treatment will not fly in many courts.

Theft is a big problem for many businesses but their policies to try and control the theft needs to be applied to all. Presently the only store I shop at regulary that has a "take a look" policy and is applied to all, is Costco. I know Fry's has a similar policy. These places don't bother me. At Costco it's usually not more than a quick glance.

At the very least, you do need to contact Corp management and tell them of the incident, you feelings over the incident and put them on notice if it happens again, they will find legal action being taken against them. This does need to be done in a calm but firm manner.