Question regarding bag checking at stores...

[shuan24]

I was at Walmart the other day buying some tp and stuff, and when I was walking out, the exit was backed up with people waiting in line to have their bags checked. I thought that was ridiculous so I decided to leave without having my bags checked. Well, I was carrying a 24-pack of tp in one hand and a bag of stuff in the other.

The guy says, "Sir, I need to see your reciept" (as usual). I replied, "No, thats ok, I know I don't have to." Then the guy says, "I need to see your reciept for unbagged items."

So in this situation, do I have to stop if its not in a bag? I didn't feel like arguing so I just gave him my receipt. I tried googling but all the articles I've read were about items that are in a bag.

 

[TranceNation]

are you black?

 

[iamwiz82]

No, you do not have to stop and I never do. Fscking nazis :frown:

 

[CPA]

I'm getting sick and tired of this practice. Under contract law, our contract is complete. I should not have to show a receipt for something that I offered value for, it was accepted and consideration given. It's a crock and a violation of my rights. And the right I am speaking of is unnecessary search of my property, especially by someone who does not have the legal authority to do so.

 

[shuan24]

hmm thats interesting, because I came across an article saying that one way to prevent any hassle is to be sure that the checker bags all your items...basically implying that they have a right to check if it's not bagged....

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: CPA
I'm getting sick and tired of this practice. Under contract law, our contract is complete. I should not have to show a receipt for something that I offered value for, it was accepted and consideration given. It's a crock and a violation of my rights. And the right I am speaking of is unnecessary search of my property, especially by someone who does not have the legal authority to do so.

Do you have an legal/linkable information? I HATE this practice, but I sure would like to know how far an ass I can be (retuning the favor) and still have solid ground to stand on.

Specifically I want to know their limits on this, how far can they take it.

Thanks.

 

[dullard]

Legally, no they can't stop you. However, places like Sam's club (which have members), have the legal right to cancel your membership without a refund if you refuse.

Skoorb's thread with links if I remember.

 

[shuan24]

Originally posted by: dullard
Legally, no they can't stop you. However, places like Sam's club (which have members), have the legal right to cancel your membership without a refund if you refuse.

Yes, I realize all of that. I'm specifically asking about the case where you are carrying an item that is not bagged. I guess even so far as having a tv in your cart.

 

[StageLeft]

I almost came to blows over this a few months ago.

I've once walked out and had a walmart guy scream at me. I kept going. He capitulated.

A second time a woman lazily asked, and I kept going. She said again, and I ignored. No problems.

Another time (last time) the guy threatened to call security and was making a whole big fvcking deal out of it. I said fine, get the manager, which he did. They said it was policy to check in the case of an unmarked item. I capitulated this time, because I was tired of the lemmings around me watching and saying things like "Just let him check!", as if that act of courage makes up for the fact they don't deserve to breath the same air I do. In any case I meant to call that store afterwards and tell them, but I was rather sickened by the entire thing and, until now, repressed it. You see, I was _pretty sure_ that I could have kept on going, but only 95%, and the last thing I needed was to be wrong and have security try and grab me and po-po come, etc. Now, if I knew with total certainty that I was in the right, I'd have gone on out just to make a point with this guy running after me and people watching, but I was not unequivocally certain.

Ah, I see above somebody mentioned my first encounter. I did call that store and the manager (I think I probably said that in the thread) said I did not have to submit. But, in that case all of my stuff was bagged, so the only question is, do you have to submit for unbagged items? I have no doubt that the guy stopping me this last time was about to go and get security, and they would have come, after calling 911 for the cops. So, even if I was in the right, the po-po would have come and probably said I can go, but why the hassle?

 

[shuan24]

why the hassle?

SO you're telling me that you're willing to give up your civil liberties because "its a hassle" otherwise? Some things just aren't right, even if it is a mere inconvienance.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Unless I'm in a hurry, they'd have to call the cops or empty their pockets and everything for me.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: shuan24
why the hassle?

SO you're telling me that you're willing to give up your civil liberties because "its a hassle" otherwise? Some things just aren't right, even if it is a mere inconvienance.

When I have places to be, yes it can be a hassle. I went further that 99% of people would, as it was. I wasn't going to go all the way without totally know that I was right.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: shuan24
why the hassle?

SO you're telling me that you're willing to give up your civil liberties because "its a hassle" otherwise? Some things just aren't right, even if it is a mere inconvienance.

When I have places to be, yes it can be a hassle. I went further that 99% of people would, as it was. I wasn't going to go all the way without totally know that I was right.

Not a gamblin' man?

The way I see it: They want to look through my personal items (the things I just paid for). I wouldn't empty my pockets for anyone without proper authority, so why would I show them a receipt?

 

[Perknose]

There was this guy outside the Pa. State (Liquor) Store the other day trying to make everyone take his organic field breathalyzer test before they got in their cars, but I don't think he actually worked for them.

 

[Jack Ryan]

While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

Oh and I don't mean checking your purse or pockets, I mean checking the receipt against what is in your bag/cart.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

If the government cannot search you for no reason, why would a private citizen or business owner?

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

So the store's rights trump your personal rights? Cool....I'm opening a store and I want you to come. I have to warn you though, part of my business practice is to hit every customer over the head with a baseball bat.

 

[shuan24]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

good point, but that only encourages all stores to implement the "take off all your clothes while shopping" policy.

Its a store, for gods sake, not a seperate country with their own laws!

 

[Jack Ryan]

See my edit

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

Well I will admit there is a certain hypocrisy. I know that Walmart does that, and yet I continue to shop at them, and that is why I am not QUITE so dead-set against it. But, in defense of my hypocrisy walmart is nearing monopoly status anyway, so it's becoming less and less that I have a choice, so in this regard one can still shop there and yet abhor what they do to people leaving, without being hypocritical about it.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

Law shouldn't govern how someone runs thier business?!? LMAO. I'm sorry, but you seem very ignorant to the thousands, if not millions of laws on the books that affect how a company runs a business.

Besides, didn't the company already check me when I went through the check-out, generally located right in front of the exits?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
See my edit

Oh and I don't mean checking your purse or pockets, I mean checking the receipt against what is in your bag/cart.

That's about the same as checking my pockets. They have no right to look into _my_ personal property.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
See my edit

Oh and I don't mean checking your purse or pockets, I mean checking the receipt against what is in your bag/cart.

That's about the same as checking my pockets. They have no right to look into _my_ personal property.

I disagree, you want to do business there, they can check your receipt on the way out.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
See my edit

Oh and I don't mean checking your purse or pockets, I mean checking the receipt against what is in your bag/cart.

That's about the same as checking my pockets. They have no right to look into _my_ personal property.

It's not about the same, it IS the same. You already paid for the goods.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
While I agree it is a stupid business practice, I also believe that the store should have every right to do that if they choose to. Law should not govern how someone runs their business. If they piss off customers, it should reflect on their bottom line anyway.

Law shouldn't govern how someone runs thier business?!? LMAO. I'm sorry, but you seem very ignorant to the thousands, if not millions of laws on the books that affect how a company runs a business.

Besides, didn't the company already check me when I went through the check-out, generally located right in front of the exits?

Sorry I am not a democrat.