I've heard stories that stores such as Best Buy and Sams Club, who regularly check receipts upon exiting the building, are not technically allowed to do this because once at item has been purchased, it is now yours and not theirs.
Do stores have the legal right to detain me if I do not present my receipt when trying to exit the building? Example: I'm leaving Best Buy and they ask to see my receipt after I buy something, I politely tell them no and continue to exit and they step out and say "Sir I need to see your receipt before you can leave." The only way they can detain me is if they are accusing me of shoplifting, and they better have a good reason to be accusing me of such a thing. If they aren't accusing me of shoplifting, then they are detaining me against my will which is false imprisonment.
Also, do stores have the legal right to check my receipt if I set off the alarms when walking out the door. Again, it is not my fault the cashier forgot to deactivate my $5.99 dvd movie, so why should I have to stop; again, unless they are going to accuse me of shoplifting.
Pretty much what I am asking is this: whether or not I set off the alarm or not, do stores have the legal right to check my receipt before allowing me to leave their building? Because if they do, the first thing I'm going to ask them is if they are accusing me of shoplifting, because if they do and I'm innocent, I'm going to sue the hell out of them for false accusations, and if they detain without accustations of stealing, it's false imprisonment and again I'm going to sue the hell out of them.
Being Stopped At The Door To Check Receipts
Printable View
-
10-19-2006, 09:02 PMlonghungjohn33Being Stopped At The Door To Check Receipts
-
10-19-2006, 09:39 PMaaronRe: Stopping at door to check receipt
In what state?
-
10-20-2006, 06:02 AMbam!Re: Stopping at door to check receiptI'm laughing at this post.Quote:
Quoting longhungjohn33
-
10-20-2006, 06:04 AMbam!Re: Stopping at door to check receiptQuote:
Quoting longhungjohn33
Not going to hold up. Sorry.
Here is an piece from our code:
8.01-226.9. Exemption from civil liability in connection with arrest or detention of person suspected of shoplifting.
Quote:
The activation of an electronic article surveillance device as a result of a person exiting the premises or an area within the premises of a merchant where an electronic article surveillance device is located shall constitute probable cause for the detention of such person by such merchant, his agent or employee, provided such person is detained only in a reasonable manner and only for such time as is necessary for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the activation of the device, and provided that clear and visible notice is posted at each exit and location within the premises where such a device is located indicating the presence of an antishoplifting or inventory control device.
Good luck in court. Most states have statutes similiar to this one. -
10-20-2006, 01:08 PMlonghungjohn33Re: Stopping at door to check receipt
I live in Michigan. Ok, so I guess then maybe they can search you if the alarm sounds; however can they actually search me completely or only check the items that are in my basket/bag.
The other question I had is can they legally hold you if the alarm doesn't go off. Example: Best Buy checks all receipts of big ticket items to make sure the cashier didn't make a mistake. -
10-20-2006, 03:30 PMaaronRe: Stopping at door to check receipt
Michigan's statute, MCL 600.2917, provides,
Standard practice in Michigan is for a (sensible) merchant to let you leave without further hassle if you decline to have your bags checked at the door. Stopping somebody on the basis of the alarm of itself is a bit iffy, given that some stores have very significant numbers of false alarms.Quote:
Quoting MCL 600.2917(1)
-
10-20-2006, 08:51 PMFrankieFigsRe: Stopping at door to check receipt
A simple receipt check for exposed merchandise, or you setting off the alarm is not detention for an unreasonable amount of time or anything else that might result in a lawsuit. I don't understand the big deal. Show your receipt. It's people that are a pain in the ass, like you, that cause merchants to raise prices and show too much concern about stopping shoplifters. Stop trying to get a free buck.
-
10-20-2006, 10:40 PMPaulERe: Stopping at door to check receipt
Some stores like Sam's and Costco check receipts to be sure everything was properly rung to both your and THIER advantage. You may have accidently been double charged for an item and you didn't catch it, the door associate did. In the same respect the associate will find you weren't charged for maybe something on the bottom of the basket....called B.O.B. It helps reduce shrinkage and keeps you from coming back for an adjustment on an over charge. Don't be so thinned skinned, show the receipt and get over it.
-
10-20-2006, 11:16 PMlonghungjohn33Re: Stopping at door to check receipt
Thanks for all the info. The fact of the matter is this, I as a consumer, have the right to not show my receipt. Once I purchase the goods from the store, they are no longer the property of that store, they are MY property and if I don't have to show my receipt, then I'm not going to show my receipt because of the simple fact that I don't have to. Checking receipts is just a waste of time and waste of money by the company. If they would just correctly train their associates and put in place stiffer penalities and corrective actions for mistakes, these kinds of things wouldn't have to happen. Humar error that takes place and is not my fault doesn't mean I should have to pay for it.
-
10-21-2006, 02:07 AMjkRe: Stopping at door to check receiptyes, we can see that you make no errors yourself either.Quote:
Quoting longhungjohn33
Just don't stop if you do not wish. Chances are the store will not physically restrain you unless they have actual belief you did steal something.
Also be aware that you can be banned from ever returing to that store again if they desire.