Do you object to BAG INSPECTIONS at stores

[nero_bolt]

?

Do you object to BAG INSPECTIONS at stores?

Do you object to staff asking to inspect your bag? (they are only doing their job) 

Will you shop at a  store that asks to inspect your bag or will you go elsewhere? 

Do bag inspections and security checks help to stop shop lifting and keep prices down?

If you object WHY?

Do you think that objecting to a bag inspection makes a person look guilty or they are guilty? 

Rememer that its a condition of entry at just about every major /medium/small store in Australia 

[purple_haize]

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@am*3 wrote:

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@purple_haize wrote:

Anytime I have been in JB Hi Fi they just say *have a nice day* and they have those security gate things to walk through that go off if you have an item

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They tend to 'target' young people. As my daughter was only in the store for a minute or so, I guess that aroused suspicion. Enough time to snatch something stick it in your tiny handbag and get out of there quick!.

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well I am old, well into my 60's, so they would target me........anyway, I live  in the hills, and I rarely go down to the big shopping centres preferring to shop locally, where everyone knows everyone, and no one asks to see in your bags, no matter what the size.

[cherry*135]

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@purple_haize wrote:

Anyway, here in Melbourne the majority of shops have those electronic bars that you walk through, and if you have something that you havent paid for they go off.....

It is basically only the supermarkets that dont have them........

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I have seen empty packets in shops. Where the customer/shoplifter has removed the item from the packet  or box and shoplifts just the item. The security tag is left behind on the packet/box. Shoplifters are sneaky.

Woolies has the electronic security bars here.. they went off when the lady in front of me went out from the self serve the other day, then for me following.. must have been playing up... neither of us had stolen anything!

[purple_haize]

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@am*3 wrote:

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@purple_haize wrote:

Anyway, here in Melbourne the majority of shops have those electronic bars that you walk through, and if you have something that you havent paid for they go off.....

It is basically only the supermarkets that dont have them........

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I have seen empty packets in shops. Where the customer/shoplifter has removed the item from the packet  or box and shoplifts just the item. The security tag is left behind on the packet/box. Shoplifters are sneaky.

Woolies has the electronic security bars here.. they went off when the lady in front of me went out from the self serve the other day, then for me following.. must have been playing up... neither of us had stolen anything!

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Alot of mothers open packets of biscuits etc to feed their yelling kids and the majority of them pay for the item at checkout.........school kids are the main culprits for going into supermarkets and eating lollies, choclates you name it, and walking out without paying.

[cherry*135]

Here is the Bag Search policies for Victoria. Pretty basic and not as comprehensive as NSW ones. 

Bag Search Policies  - VIC   

You have accepted the conditions of entry into a store if a notice asking you to display the contents of your shopping bag is:

• clearly displayed
• visible before you enter the store.

If you say ‘no’ to a bag search, the store manager may:

• ask you to leave. A store is private property, not a public place, so if the manager wants you to leave, for whatever reason, you must go
• refuse to sell you any products
• call the police, if they believe you have committed an offence such as shoplifting.

Bag search policies are not covered by the Australian Consumer Law or other Victorian legislation.

If you want to dispute the store’s claim, you should seek independent legal advice.

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/refunds-and-returns/store-policies/bag-search

[**meep**]

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@acacia_pycnantha wrote:

meep. I comply . .  to the letter with the requirements of the shops. I read the notices very carefully and I am careful to comply, but I won't go any further than what their signs ask me to do.

Like I said, I have asked many shop assistants about this and they all tell me that they don't have the legal right to even touch my bag, let alone open it and look through it.

How many people on this thread (besides me) has asked any shop assistant about this?

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I didn't think they would need to ask.  I assumed (again) that it was common knowledge. 

I also assumed that the The Conditions of Entry were written in a way that customers were able to understand that they entered under the agreement they would make their bags available for inspection.   I am very curious now, as to what they say to make you believe "bag check" or "bag inspection" didn't actually mean that.   I think it has to be inadequate staff training.  A shopkeeper has to right to ask you to open your bag and do a visual search.  You have the right to refuse, but as I asked before, why would you put yourself in that situation understanding the consequences?  Do you rely on every shopkeeper to either not understand their rights or that they will probably not bother terminating the licence agreement?

[**meep**]

A store is private property, not a public place, so if the manager wants you to leave, for whatever reason, you must go

it is the same in NSW.   A shop owner can ask you to leave and the only way you can dispute this is to take legal action and you would need to prove that you were being discriminated against.

[mugssy65]

Here in WA I have never seen a sign saying what size bag they can and can't search, I can't imagine what you would keep in your handbag that was sooooo personal that you would mind someone taking a peep?

[cherry*135]

I haven't seen a sign in NSW either, mugs, that states what size bag they can inspect. But I do know that info from reading the NSW Fair Trading site.

It is a rule that would differ from state to state. The size of the bag is not mentioned in VIC's bag searching policy I posted above.

[**meep**]

i will take a pic next time i'm shopping

[acacia_pycnantha]

Meep . . . I also assumed that the The Conditions of Entry were written in a way that customers were able to understand that they entered under the agreement they would make their bags available for inspection.

That's right. The signs are very clear and concise.

I comply with the requirements of the shops displaying these signs and i make my bags available for inspection on request.

What I refuse to do is to go any further than the requirements as stated on the signs.

I won't open my bags and nor will I allow any shop assistant to look throught them.

I'm done with this thread now, having explained my position quite as clearly and concisely as is done in those signs in the shops. 😉