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 Wrongfully Accused
Posted Tue July 31, 2007 11:50 am, by Lucy S. written to Wal-Mart
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Living in a small town, I found myself shopping in the local Wal-Mart frequently. Usually, I had no real problems with the service there - except for one particular employee. In retrospect, I wish I had spoken up sooner rather than allow this matter to escalate.
One day, I walked casually into Wal-Mart when I noticed that the new worker at the doors was watching me rather closely. I thought nothing of it, until I began to browse through the store. Everywhere I went, she followed. Literally, I would turn around and bump into her. I found my mother, who was also shopping in the store, and told her what was happening. My mother started to say that it was probably my imagination until she turned down and aisle and ran into the same woman.
We left the store, and I didn't complain about this incident at the time. I figured that for whatever reason the woman must have thought I was a shoplifter. While it was very uncomfortable, I thought that this was a one time incident.
Unfortunately, I was wrong. For the next month, every moment I spent in the store I was scrutinized. I begin to dread shopping or I would purposely go to other stores. I just couldn't figure out why this employee was doing this.
Then, near Christmas, I went into the same Wal-Mart to buy presents. My mind was filled with plans of what I was going to buy and such, so I didn't even notice the woman as I made my way through the store. I'm sure she was around. I just didn't see her. Anyway, I finally found what I was looking for and I headed to the checkout line. As the cashier as rining up the items, I noticed that the woman who had been following me was standing by the doors, staring at my intently. I did my best to ignore her as I paid for my items and headed for the exit.
Just as I was starting out the doors, she stopped me and asked to see my receipt. I was so surprised it, I initially forgotten that I had stuck the receipt in my purse with the change. As I was digging out my receipt, another customer stepped up. She had been behind me in line, and she asked if the employee if she needed to present her receipt. What the employee was both shocking and an outrage.
"No. I know YOU didn't steal anything."
I was simultaneously embarrassed and angered. I found my receipt and after she carefully examined it, I demanded to speak with the manager. She seemed reluctant to call him, but I said I had to speak to him.
I told him about what had just happened and how this woman had treated me for some time, but he was less than apologetic. He stated that their employees had the right to ask to see receipts and watch customers who acted 'suspiciously.' However, both he and the employee couldn't state in what manner I had acted suspicious. I've since moved, and I haven't gone into that particular Wal-Mart again.
All I would really like is an apology from both the manager and the employee. I understand that shoplifting is a real problem at stores (oddly enough, I used to work at Wal-Mart), but that doesn't mean that honest customers should be treated so discourteously. I especially want an apology for basically calling me a shoplifter to another customer.
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by Ken V Posted Sat August 11, 2007 @ 5:02 AM
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"He stated that their employees had the right to ask to see
receipts..."
That depends on which state you're in. In many states they don't have
the "right".
In those states you have the right to tell them that if they suspect
you of shoplifting call the police. You would be happy to show them
your receipt.
A fellow message boarder put it best:
Wal-Mart's unspoken policy: If you're not a criminal, you shouldn't
mind being treated like one.
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an apology.
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Just another note...
I just thought of this, but since I did work at Wal-Mart I know some
of the things that will peg you as the suspicious type. Of course this
isn't foolproof as I was doing none of these things when this woman
targeted me.
1) Women who aren't carrying purses or are carrying oversized purses.
The oversized purses are obvious, but many are surprised by the no
purses part since so many of us use credit cards and such. Basically,
if they can't tell you're carrying money, then they will watch you
more closely.
2) Oversized and bulky clothes in inappropriate weather.
3) Frequent trips to the restroom.
Some people will carry a few item into the restroom to hide on their
person or to remove security tags. They will usually only take one or
two items at a time, so someone who keeps going to the bathroom is
watched.
4) Groups of people
People are more likely to steal in groups. Those with kids are
basically ignored, but groups are watched very closely - especially
teenagers.
5) Someone poorly dressed in expensive section (i.e. Electronics,
Jewelery).
This one is so annoying, but you know it happens. In fact someone
dressed in a manner that indicates they might not have much money is
watched in general, but especially those in jewlery.
Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Other
times someone will just decide you have that 'look' (whatever that
look is).
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Many years ago, I had something similar happen in a Walmart.
Someone that I figure was security was on my tail the entire time I
was shopping the men's clothing section. He was being very obvious
about it since we were the only two people in the area and he brushed
past me TWICE, not to mention stared me down from the get-go.
I have no idea why he pegged me as a target. Maybe I just had a
criminal gleam in my eye that day; who knows?
I ended up just leaving for another department and wasn't followed,
but I saw the same person at the checkouts later talking with a
cashier.
He didn't seem to notice me, so I don't know what the deal was.
It only happened the one time and I never saw that person at that
Walmart again, so he might have gotten fired if that was his way of
handling 'suspicious' individuals.
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by Gino Posted Wed August 1, 2007 @ 12:22 AM
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I can relate totally, but first I want to pay you a complement. I read
your letter and was waiting for the "race" or "ethnicity" issue to
appear, and to my surprise and extreme relief it wasn't. A lot of
times people take this behavior much more personally and elevate it to
the wrong level. You didn't do that.
The reason I can relate is it happened to me a few times. I know I'm
not doing anything wrong so it didn't bother me until it was escalated
much like your situation, but short of the accusation. She checked off
every item against the reciept while highlighting everyone else that
passed by. I did speak to the manager, who handled it perfectly.
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by BellaSera Posted Tue July 31, 2007 @ 12:41 PM
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Last summer, my sister and I went shopping at a local upscale boutique
in our area. I stopped to look at and try on some bracelets sitting
in their jewelry section. A few seconds later, a saleswoman came up to
me and asked if she could help me, in a tone of voice that told me she
didn't trust me. I just told her no and went about my merry way.
However, I noticed that she became like my Visa card - everywhere I
wanted to be. It wasn't like the store was slow either; she clearly
had other customers. I then went to the shoe section, and I saw this
saleswoman pull over the shoe salesperson and say something that was
definitely about me, since they both were looking at me. Then the shoe
salesperson started following me around. I didn't say anything to the
manager, but I've been reluctant to give this business my money ever
since.
So what's my point? I guess it's that I understand your anger.
However, with theft being what it is these days, I also understand
that managers and employees have the right to target a customer who
acts suspiciously, and unfortunately, honest customers sometimes get
in the crosswebs of this.
I do think you were right to speak to a manger, and I do think they
should have had a better definition of what suspicious behavior you
were exhibiting. But I'm wondering why you chose to write this letter
NOW. It sounds like this happened awhile ago.
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