Anyone get stopped leaving stores?

[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.