ozduffs

Hi all,

1 I know that there are signs when you enter the shop,

2 I know that it is nothing personal,

and

3 I know that if it reduces shoplifting, it will benefit honest shoppers,

but when my wife told me today that while she was in a clothes shop, that an assistant asked her to open her bag, I was livid.

I am surprised that Australians put up with this. If this ever happens to me, I am not sure that I will be able to keep my composure.

It may not be 'personal', but if someone doubts my honesty, I can't help but take it personally.

Has anyone else had an experience of this?

Mike

Julie Martin

I was a bit suprised when i was asked if i minded having my bag searched when i first went to oz. I assumed it was because i was a skint back packer who looked like they would probably risk deportation for a free packet of Maggi noodles. However, i asked some local Aussie friends who said it was the norm. I must say it never really bothered me as if youve nothing to hide then youve nothing to worry about. In fact im not sure why they dont do it in england maybe things would be a little cheaper!

julie

Wheres our TRA!

Pookin

Yes, in Big W a lot.

Try carrying a huge handbag with handcuffs, huge vibrator, fake hand-grenades etc !

Haven't tried it but imagine the fun!

WBB

lol


that would give them something to talk about.

ozduffs

I don't go by that "If you've got nothing to hide......"philosophy.

I expect to be given the benefit of the doubt. Do you think that this is good customer service?

"Excuse me sir, but you may have stolen something. Don't mind if I check, do you?"

Why don't you try it at work? Ask one of your colleagues to empty their draw. I am sure that if they have nothing to hide, they won't mind at all.

PeteY

My wife had a bumper pack of tampons in her bag once Got a bit of a giggle, seeing as it was a bloke who was checking the bags.

I have to admit, its somthing that REALLY annoys me. The only shop i've had it done in was k-mart, and they do it to everyone. I wonder how much money it actually does save? They have someone there full time (in mt gambier), and that persons salary has got to be about 35k. Do they really stop 35ks worth of shoplifting every year?

On our way out once, i was asked. I just said no way and carried on going! They did'nt actually do anything anyway......

Pookin

I do see your point. The first time it happened to me I was carrying a tiny handbag and had walked out because I couldn't find what I wanted in the shop.

I was stopped and my bag searched (luckily they missed the 54cm TV stuffed in my knickers!), got used to it now. It's not personal - just red-tape.

Jirrupin

I have only been asked once that was in Target, where there was a woman posted to look in bags as people entered the store. I wasn't checked after I had left the store.

I haven't been stopped since but I am much more aware of knowing where my receipts are in case I am asked especially if I have carrier bags from another store where I have already been shopping.

But don't other people have that look you give, the 'don't look at me as if I am a thief' look, it seems to keep the bag searchers at bay

PeteY

LOL

"Excuse me madam, would i be able to inspect your angular bulge?"

tennisoz

Yeah, believe it or not shoplifting is common in Australia. When you are brought up with it you offer to show your bag first - and they usually say that's OK. Then you can walk out with the items Pookin mentioned which you have shoplifted Only joking! I read a report that prices in either UK or Australia were 10% higher solely due to the losses sustained by shoplifting.

Seriously, don't anyone take the request to search your bags personally. The flip side of the coin is that I am amazed they don't do it here in the UK. Here's a question for everyone. I was in a well known store at the weekend which sells electrical goods and I saw a guy shoplift. What would you do? I must add at this point that he was very big and for all intents and purposes looked like he was 'on something' at the time. Just to balance it (lest anyone think I'm accusing the Brits of being shoplifters), when we were in Oz in August we saw an old guy shoplifting in the $2 shop. He got caught by the assistant who was watching on the security camera screens so there was no moral dilemma on this one. And I don't mean Aussie store assistants are more vigilant - I'm getting to know this forum aren't I!

TennisOz

PeteY

I've seen somone shoplifting before; I just walked up to the nearest assistant and told her what was "going down". Then i paid for my bits and left...

jandjuk

often they do it to every single person exiting the store with a large bag.

Usually you can volunteer your bag on the way in, and they will check it and tape it or something to prove you're legit.

Badge

Pookin - so that is the platform your husband puts his beer on, eh?

(see Bums thread)

badgers
;-)

tennisoz

Ditto, don't tackle the shoplifter point it out to the assistant and let them get on with it.

This is an aside, I chuckle at my mother's story of how she was shopping in the supermarket with her friend. She took a jar of coffee off the shelf and put it into her friend's trolley with the words 'there's that jar of coffee I owe you'. (think about it)

TennisOz

Pookin

Nah, he just hitches a ride.