Being Stopped At The Door To Check Receipts

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.

In what state?

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Quoting longhungjohn33

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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.

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I'm laughing at this post.

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Quoting longhungjohn33

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Good luck in court. Most states have statutes similiar to this one.

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.

Michigan's statute, MCL 600.2917, provides,

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Quoting MCL 600.2917(1)

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(1) In a civil action against a library or merchant, an agent of the library or merchant, or an independent contractor providing security for the library or merchant for false imprisonment, unlawful arrest, assault, battery, libel, or slander, if the claim arises out of conduct involving a person suspected of removing or of attempting to remove, without right or permission, goods held for sale in a store from the store or library materials from a library, or of violating section 356c or 356d of the Michigan penal code, Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being sections 750.356c and 750.356d of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and if the merchant, library, agent, or independent contractor had probable cause for believing and did believe that the plaintiff had committed or aided or abetted in the larceny of goods held for sale in the store, or of library materials, or in the violation of section 356c or 356d of Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, damages for or resulting from mental anguish or punitive, exemplary, or aggravated damages shall not be allowed a plaintiff, unless it is proved that the merchant, library, agent, or independent contractor used unreasonable force, detained the plaintiff an unreasonable length of time, acted with unreasonable disregard of the plaintiff's rights or sensibilities, or acted with intent to injure the plaintiff.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Quoting longhungjohn33

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Humar error that takes place and is not my fault doesn't mean I should have to pay for it.

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yes, we can see that you make no errors yourself either.

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.

Sam's and Costco are member stores, meaning they charge you a fee to join. If you don't want to follow their policies and insist on being a butthead, don't join. I've known of members who did what you're sniveling about and were given their membership $$ back and told to go else where.

why not just whip out your spray painted water pistol? :rolleyes:


http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15558

sorry Aaron, couldn't resist.

John, it seems you have some anger management problems or at least some problems with interpersonal relationship skills.

You need to seek help before you get hurt. You might want to research antisocial personality disorder.