Family Dollar's Policy Lost Me as a Shopper

I have never understood why this business is called "Family Dollar"?
You think it's an actual "dollar store" until you go inside and see
that it's not. "Dollar Tree" where everything is actuslly a dollar, is
a much better store.

I live in a large city, and formerly lived in a college town, and I'm
familiar with stores that ask that bags be left in designated areas.
The locations that required this had signage to the affect of putting
bags in the area, and a staff member in uniform, to assist customers
and care for the belongings. I wouldn't dream of leaving my bags with
someone who didn't appear to be a store employee. Nor would I comply
to a demand that was rude. It is just as easy to say "Miss, Ma'am, or
Sir store policy requires leaving bags here." or something similar, as
it is to say "YOUR BAG!". Just my thoughts.

I might be a little out of my element here, because I've never lived
in a big city. . . but I won't go into a store where 1) I have to
leave a reasonably-sized bag somewhere that I don't feel is secure, or
2) I am not /politely/ asked to comply with the bag-surrendering
policy. I do live in a college town, and the university bookstore
won't allow backpacks inside. . . I don't have a problem with that,
because I can see that they enforce the policy with everyone, they
have attended cubbies with corresponding number tags for the customer,
and they ask politely. However, I will not just throw my purse at
anyone who asks for it, nor will I allow it to be kept anywhere that
isn't designated for the purpose (ie, behind a register would not be
acceptable). I keep valuable items with me, and, um, how am I to pay
for potential purchases if I hand over my purse?

My feelings on the matter haven't reduced my shopping options so far.
:-p I think your letter was reasonable, though I don't agree that the
employee's manner of dress was relevant.

That is a very common thing where I live, and if you stopped shopping
at stores that did that, you wouldn't have many places to shop at.

It isn't personal, and in a way it helps you. It cuts down on shop
lifting, and that helps keep prices down.

I don't live in a huge city but the local gas stations/convenience
stores always have the STUDENTS go in 1 at time and leave their
backpacks with the people staying outside.

It does seem strange to have this done with adults but I rarely shop
downtown so maybe it does happen there. The stores out here in the
burbs do not.

I live in NYC too and there are plenty of stores that make you leave
bags up front...they do give you a number for it...and in case anyone
is wondering..it's not purses thold, just shopping bags

I was not sure about the word "your bag". Did the customer just have a
handbag or another bag with merchandise in it from another store?
If the employee was asking for the handbag then definately not. But
bags from other stores I can see this being done. As I said keep your
receipt and ask to have someone go through the items before you leave
the store if you feel that uncomfortable. I am sure they would rather
do this than get blamed for something missing.

Such is life in NYC. My husband carries a backpack to work and he's
stopped everyday at the ferry terminal and Grand Central. They have
the dogs sniff his bag and let him go on his way. It's not
personal-they stop everyone with large bags or backpacks.

Even Greyhound searches carry on bags and runs a metal detector over
passengers before letting them board. It's just the times we live in.

I feel you on this one. I've never stolen anything in my lfie and I
really resent being treated like a thief when I walk into a store with
the intention of BUYING something. I know I look a lot younger than I
am and I can sometimes walk into a store ot dressed my best (I have a
dirty job and when I have my work clothes on I probably look like a
hobo LOL) but I don't like being judged on my appearance.

I don't shop at places that demand I leave my bag or backpack with a
stranger. I've certainly encountered more than my share of employee
theft and what's to stop a dishonest staff member from rooting through
my bag and helping themselves to MY belongings? If they aren't going
to trust me, I'm not going to trust them, either. I'll shop
elsewhere, thanks.

You certainly shouldn't shop there if this turns you off.

However, it sounds as if you're surprised by this.

I've lived and worked in and around major cities my entire life. This
is pretty common. I've well used to stores, of this caliber,
expecting me to turn in my bags, in exchange for a clothes pin or some
other tag.

Again, you should shop where you want. Especially when you get
cheaper prices and they don't require you to turn in your bag.

i run in to a similar situation everywhere, i take public busses
wherever i go, therefore i take everything i need with me in a
backback. I do comply with bag drop requests, however i make my trip
short as my laptop is in the bag. it does get annoying but as a
business they do have a right to enforce any policy they wish. since i
am a "Guest" on their property it is my RESPONSIBILITY to adhere to
their rules, it is my RIGHT to shop elsewhere.

Why walk out the store then without informing someone, IE a cashier
that some "thug" is trying to steal their customers bags?

in street clothes to blend in with shoppers to more easily catch
people stealing. If you see someone in a Family Dollar shirt you're
gonna walk away from them, but if you see regular Joe Shmoe, the thief
is more likely to think "oh he's just a customer" and then finds
himself being escorted out of the store by said customer.

Because he was checking in bags it's possible this is the case. It's
also possible he was just a guy who was trying to steal your bag.

I have a car but still carry my bags from one store to the next when
shopping in a mall. I have checked these packages/bags in at various
stores that require me to do so and have never had anything stolen out
of these. I do however make sure I have the receipt for said items in
my possesion and not leave it in the bag(s). Taht way if there is
something missing I can file a report. But again...this has never
happened.

I guess its a matter of choice and you made yours.
But remember one thing...just because the guy looked like a thug does
not make him one. He could be the person who would jump to your
defense should someone try to steal your bag(s).

Welcome to NYC Adam, get used to it. There are many stores that
require you check your bag and many buildings that will search your
bag if you want to go anywhere but the lobby. I've even had my
vehicle searched and sniffed for bombs at the Sheraton Manhattan
during presidential visits.

I would not agree to leave any personal items at the door while I
shopped. Locking something would not deter a thief from just taking
the whole bag, which is what they would probably do to begin with.
While stores have the right to implement a "leave your bags at the
door" policy, I have the right to find alternative shopping venues.

I wouldn't be comfortable leaving my bag unless they provided lockers
for it.

There is no sign asking you to leave your bag. Just a rude thug who
tells you to leave it.

There are many other ways to deal with theft. Family Dollar may want
to learn them or at the very least get a nice person to stand at the
door and ask for your bag.

I just choose not to shop there. No hard feelings but I think they
should know. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Sounds completely understandable to you that they would ask people to
leave bags up front. The end.

You say you understand the policy, but yet you don't want to follow
it. You can go other places, like you did, but what are you going to
do when THAT store adopts the same policy? Get a small lock for your
bag, lock it when you have to leave it. KEEP THE KEY WITH YOU! Then
you don't have to worry about anyone looking in the bag while you are
not watching it.

Oh, It is not just a NYC thing. While we don't have Family Dollar
here, (in Oregon) there are LOADS of stores where you have to leave
your bag at the door or desk.