So last night I made the trip to Wal-Mart and you know I couldn't leave without someone ticking me off. I haven't gone there for groceries in a while because quite frankly it's closer to just go to Food World. I also don't like going to Wal-Mart after dark...but, as long as the Mexicans aren't biting, I'm ok. For those of you who don't know, I am pretty terrified of Mexicans. They freak my freak. It's because on my first trip to Mexico, back when I was 16, one tried to "take me home with him". Not kidding. And they always follow me around Wal-Mart...one of them once told me it is because of my blue eyes, they think they are sacred or something. Weirdos. One time I had to actually call Josh and he had to stay on the phone with me while I left because one had followed me the whole time I was there and I was SCARED! Anywho, we got way off track there. So, I managed to get all the groceries and other random stuff and I made my way to the check out. Check out girl was super nice and friendly. My Viva paper towels(and I know they are WAY too expensive, but I am addicted to them so it's a little sacrifice) and Josh's DIET Green Tea(only diet, don't buy regular) were not in grocery bags. They have the "greeters" at the door to stop people from stealing. Apparently the greeter lady thought that I was trying to steal the paper towels and tea so she stopped me at the door. Not that I had just bought $300 worth of groceries that were in bags and she saw me checking out...but whatever. I handed her my receipt. Then this is what she said, "Ok, I see the tea, now I just need to find the Cottonale Toilet Paper." WHAT?!?!? I didn't buy any freakin toilet paper lady! I looked at her like the idiot she was and said,"ummm, I didn't buy any toilet paper. Are you talking about the paper towels?" She said, "Oh, yea...where are they on the receipt?" Keep in mind that the receipt is 4 feet long. I'm like, "Lady, I don't know." She finally found it and I was on my merry way. Gotta love Wal-Mart!
Disclaimer: I don't dislike all Mexicans. Some are REALLY nice, like Wally Aguilar who does ALL of our roofing. He's cool. But, the scary ones give the nice ones a bad name and Wally will be the first one to tell you that! :)
1 comment :
Retail receipt and bag checks are voluntary. If you don't appreciate being treated like a criminal suspect, you can politely decline the greeter's request and continue on your merry way.
Once you've paid for your merchandise, it becomes your personal property, and stores don't have the right to inspect that property unless they are prepared to offer proof that you have stolen. It may be store policy for greeters to ask for your receipt, but they can't make you participate in this security farce by blocking the exits.
Merchants must have enough evidence to meet the established legal standard of "probable cause" or "reasonable suspicion" (depending on your state) in order to detain someone suspected of shoplifting. Refusing a receipt check meets neither standard.
If you decline the door checker and are prevented from leaving in any way (someone obstructs you or tells you to wait while a manager or security guard is summonned) the store is guilty of false imprisonment and, in some states, kidnapping.
Confrontations will rarely escalate to this point, but if the store employees forcibly block your path and insist that you show your receipt, you should call the police and press charges, because your rights are being violated.
Corey Friedman
Gastonia, N.C.
www.indieregister.com
Post a Comment