Accused of Shoplifting Outside by My Car Right After I Paid

If you're serious about giving the remainder of the gift card away, may I suggest that you consider donating it to your local domestic violence shelter - they never have enough socks and underwear for the kids who end up in there, and not only would they really appreciate it, it would also be a nice tax deduction for you =)

Or you can send to us and write MAINE on a note so we'll know what state you wish it to benefit (be sure to include your return address so you can receive the receipt letter for your tax records).

Thanks!

"Why would anyone refuse to show the receipt? Makes no sense if you paid?"

If you do a quick search of the forums you'll see this comes up quite a bit here. For some reason, people 'lose' their receipts before walking out the door, and become very upset when they are detained and accused of stealing.

When people on the boards ask them why they don't want to show their receipt, they say that they don't have to. When asked why they wouldn't anyway, they state they were in a hurry, (which is a bit counter-intuitive considering it takes longer to talk to security and/or the police, then to just show your receipt.)

I know that wasn't the situation in your case; and I *do* understand how you feel. There is a certain CVS here in town that almost every time I leave I set off the alarm. I do that with a couple other stores as well. I still haven't figured out the problem. And it is embarassing. I try to avoid going there as much as possible. *lol*

~Christina

Quote:

---

Quoting wronglyaccusedinpublic

---

..... At this point I'm embarrassed... I was never so embarrassed in all of my life. So I went inside with this girl and looked at the customer service woman (I know she's the one who said it) and I said loud enough for all the customers to hear, See I am not a theif. Then I finished up shopping.......

---

So, you are vehemently embarrassed! Embarrassed to the point of re-entering the store and loudly proclaiming to a crowd of total strangers that you're "not a thief", then continue shopping? At what point did you think that was a good idea? Why not handle it quietly, then go on about your business? Why needlessly draw attention to yourself and your dreadful embarrassment?

Obviously it did not bother you all that too much to be the center of attention because you remained on premisis and finished up your shopping.

Soooooo, what's your point?

Idk, Dave,

I can tell you this; every time I set off the stupid CVS alarm (still have no reason why) I am SO embarrassed. People DO look at you as if you have been proven guilty. I WANT to chase them all down and tell them "look, I don't know why, but almost every time I come to this store, I set off the alarm..."

Of course, I haven't, but, I still see the OP's point.

You just feel as if you have been painted with the theif brush...

~Christina

Then what was the OP attempting to accomplish by re-entering the store and loudly exclaiming "See, I am not a thief!"? If the embarassment was that unbearable, then why make it worse?

After all, it was (quietly) handled out on the lot.....the OP's actions pursuant to that worsened the embarassment factor, plain and simple. Then the OP was so mortified that she remained and continued shopping.....I'm wonderin' when the embarassment really got to her? Obviously not right after she made a spectacle of herself!

Quote:

---

Quoting redtoy92

---

I do not understand why you are making a big deal out of this. Some one told a K-Mart Associate that someone is stealing plants. THey just had someone last week do that. SO they go out and ask for your receipt. You assume it was a associate who said that but it could have been any customer. Also if you have ever worked in retail you would know communication is not very good. So the fact the girl who asked did not know you had bought them is no surprise.

So why again are you so upset? I know it may not be the best customer service but they did not mistreat you by law. It was just a simple request to see your receipt.

---

Funny you ask as everyone I've spoken to was shocked that they'd think I was stealing. Note they thought I was stealing. People inside knew that they thought I was stealing.

The employee and I quote "They said I might want to go outside as someone was stealing."

What if you were leaving a hotel and they made you open a bag to prove you didn't take the towels. You might be a bit embarrassed if you were in public.

Quote:

---

Quoting souperdave

---

Then what was the OP attempting to accomplish by re-entering the store and loudly exclaiming "See, I am not a thief!"? If the embarassment was that unbearable, then why make it worse?

After all, it was (quietly) handled out on the lot.....the OP's actions pursuant to that worsened the embarassment factor, plain and simple. Then the OP was so mortified that she remained and continued shopping.....I'm wonderin' when the embarassment really got to her? Obviously not right after she made a spectacle of herself!

---

First of all for the record, each person reacts to situations in a different way. Just because YOU may not be embarrassed does not mean I may not be embarrassed.

I don't recall saying it was unbearable I said I was embarrassed. LOL trust me it takes a lot more for someone to make things unbearable.

No it was not quietly handle on the lot. It started in the store "You might want to check that woman I think she is stealing" is what was said.

No actually I was not embarrassed to tell anyone and everyone that I am not a thief. A spectacle of myself you say? I'm not sure if I did that but I guarantee I made a lasting impression. And I've repeated that same line several times and told the story to everyone and anyone that would listen.

I am not embarrassed to let the world know I am not a thief. I'm embarrassed when people think I'm a thief. Big difference.

It is one thing to state your opinions and have other people read and or reply. However in this case it appears you are quite argumentative. While I don't mind replying to opinions, I do mind replying to people who make it a point to argue. Believe it or not, your thoughts or beliefs are not the truth, they are just that opinions. Others are entitled to their own opinions as well. Sometimes we learn a thing or two when we entertain a thought even if we decide not to accept it.

Since I don't like to argue, I am going to graciously bow out now and stop responding to your argumentative posts.

Quote:

---

Quoting mmmagique

---

"Why would anyone refuse to show the receipt? Makes no sense if you paid?"

If you do a quick search of the forums you'll see this comes up quite a bit here. For some reason, people 'lose' their receipts before walking out the door, and become very upset when they are detained and accused of stealing.

When people on the boards ask them why they don't want to show their receipt, they say that they don't have to. When asked why they wouldn't anyway, they state they were in a hurry, (which is a bit counter-intuitive considering it takes longer to talk to security and/or the police, then to just show your receipt.)

I know that wasn't the situation in your case; and I *do* understand how you feel. There is a certain CVS here in town that almost every time I leave I set off the alarm. I do that with a couple other stores as well. I still haven't figured out the problem. And it is embarassing. I try to avoid going there as much as possible. *lol*

~Christina

---

Thanks! Yes I know how you feel about the alarms. You are right it's embarrassing. I've seen a lot of people turn around looking embarrassed, with their bags wide open waiting for someone to check them after they set off an alarm. Usually it's because the cashier doesn't know how or doesn't want to demagnetize them. Perhaps telling the store manager and or district manager about this situation would fix the problem. I am sure the last thing a retail business wants is to lose customers and money, especially during this economy.

Thanks for your reply :)

Quote:

---

Quoting wronglyaccusedinpublic

---

Funny you ask as everyone I've spoken to was shocked that they'd think I was stealing. Note they thought I was stealing. People inside knew that they thought I was stealing.

The employee and I quote "They said I might want to go outside as someone was stealing."

What if you were leaving a hotel and they made you open a bag to prove you didn't take the towels. You might be a bit embarrassed if you were in public.

---

Well I have learned to NEVER BE SURPRISED as to whom may steal. THere are a million reasons someone might steal, so that means it could be anyone. If I was seen outside of the hotel with the towels in my hands or in view then I would have no issue with them asking me about it. You had plants that are outside you were taking to your car. SO it is not really like leaving a hotel and asking for a bag check to be done.

I do understand it does not feel good. I also hate it when I leave somewhere and the door sensor alarm goes off becasue of the cashier did not do his/her job. But that is part of the chance we take shopping at retail stores.

Good luck and I hope you have moved on.

Merchants can detain and ask for a receipt. Whether or not it is a good business practice is still TBD.


If you are constantly alarming at CVS or other retailers it is because you have something which is disrupting the frequency (IE you have a live EAS tag on you). It is not your keys, steel toe boots or anything else. CVS uses checkpoint so look for a tag inside your clothes (it will say remove before washing) or purse. If you shop at J Crew, Banana Republic, Gap or any other non department store retailer, turn your clothes inside out and find the tag.

Since you set it off "everytime" and you are a woman, it is more than likely your purse. Look for a rectangle of cloth sewn into your inside of your purse and remove it.

Or just keep setting the alarm off.

To the OP, keep on keeping on and forget about this incident, it is NBG.