eBay

nero_bolt · ‎08-01-2014

?

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

acacia_pycnantha · ‎08-01-2014

The shops buy insurance against theft. Shoplifting is not something I lose sleep at night worrying about.

If the prices rise too much then I take my business elsewhere.

acacia_pycnantha · ‎08-01-2014

@am*3 wrote:
Shoplifting is not a concern of mine, but rather the concern of the shop owner.

It becomes a concern of the customer because the stores increase the cost of their products to cover the losses from shoplifters.

Around $290 per person per year it costs consumers.

The retali assistants have the right to ask you to open your bag and take items out of it, so they can see what is in there.
They do not have the right to touch your bag or inspect it themselves.

The shop assistants DO NOT have the legal right to open your bags and search them. I have asked the shop assistants about this. I suggest you do the same.

patchoo78 · ‎08-01-2014

@nero_wulf wrote:
?

Do you object to BAG INSPECTIONS at stores?
No

Do you object to staff asking to inspect your bag? (they are only doing their job)
No I expect it will happen due to a sign usually present in the store informing me my bag will be checked.

Will you shop at a store that asks to inspect your bag or will you go elsewhere?
I would (and do) shop at any store that has a policy of bag checking. They're only supposed to ask to inspect your bag if it is bigger than an A4 piece of paper.. Even though the usual bag I take shopping is smaller, I always show my bag on the way out.

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

If you object WHY?

Do you think that objecting to a bag inspection makes a person look guilty or they are guilty?
Somewhat, if you have nothing to hide then what's the big deal about opening your bag?

Rememer that its a condition of entry at just about every major /medium/small store in Australia
I know, I studied retail at TAFE

_____________________________________________________________

You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means

cherry*135 · ‎08-01-2014

@acacia_pycnantha wrote:
@am*3 wrote:
Shoplifting is not a concern of mine, but rather the concern of the shop owner.

It becomes a concern of the customer because the stores increase the cost of their products to cover the losses from shoplifters.

Around $290 per person per year it costs consumers.

The retali assistants have the right to ask you to open your bag and take items out of it, so they can see what is in there.
They do not have the right to touch your bag or inspect it themselves.

The shop assistants DO NOT have the legal right to open your bags and search them. I have asked the shop assistants about this. I suggest you do the same.

I didn't claim that. They ask the customer to open their own bag, if it is jam packed full they may ask the customer to take out some of the items in it so they can what else is in the bag. That doesn't mean the shop assistant can touch your bag or the items in it.

That is consistent with stores bag check policy - which is lawful (NSW).

As I don't shoplift and don't mind opening my bags in stores.. I don't need to ask anyone anything.

acacia_pycnantha · ‎08-01-2014

Ok, so they have the right to ask you . . but they don't have the right to search them. I refuse to allow a search, but i do comply with their notices and i make my bags available for inspection . . so far, no shop assistant has searched my bags since i decided to refuse to allow them to search.

What other people do is their concern, I just stated what I do.

nero_bolt · ‎08-01-2014

@donnashuggy wrote:
Well that is as humiliating as it gets, I feel the same way if someone looks in my bag, my children are not allowed to go to my purse.

WOW what in the bag/purse that even your kids cant have a look in there....... secret stuff.........

Seems that there is one set of rules for all of us and we all comply and are honest about opening our bags in stores and then thee one set for you and you wont open your bag and object to staff doing their job..

Has to make you wonder why now doesnt it.

@margomeoz wrote:
I object not that it is likely to happen to me, I don't carry a handbag I put everything in my pockets.

But I believe the majority of people are not theives so why search everyone for a minority of people.

I have a b&m store and never even thought to ask to look in people bags these shops should hire more staff, you can actually tell who is trying to steal from you anyway, even then I don't ask to search, I just make sure they don't have the chance to pinch.

Yepo right on cue margo and in total support of the only person really making an objection and you are saying the same lines and words.....

You never fail to disappoint when there is a discussion like this margo and that person isnt winning and I do hope your faithful support is well rewarded....

cherry*135 · ‎08-01-2014

NSW FAIR TRADING

Bag checks are often carried out by retailers in an attempt to control theft. In fact, if they choose to, retailers can make bag checking a condition of entry to their shops.

Your rights as a customer

As a customer entering a shop, you have rights when it comes to bag checking. They are:

You have the right to know before entry that a shop conducts bag checks. Signage must be clearly displayed at the entrance/s to the shop.
Store personnel are only allowed to look in your bag; they are not allowed to touch the contents of your bag. However, if you are asked to remove an object in your bag so they can see inside properly you are expected to cooperate.
Personal handbags the size of a sheet of A4 paper or smaller should not be checked, unless the shopkeeper is certain the handbag contains goods from that shop which have not been paid for.
A shopkeeper is only allowed to detain you and call the police in situations where they are sure an offence has been committed.
If shop staff forcibly detain or search you and you have not committed an offence, you are entitled to make a complaint to the police, the store management or Privacy NSW.

Your responsibilities as a customer

Although you have rights as a customer, you must also be aware of the guidelines that exist to protect the shopkeeper. They are:

By entering a shop which has clearly displayed signs that bag checks are conducted, you accept the shopkeeper’s right to ask you to open your bags for checking.
The shopkeeper’s right to check your bags also includes checking cartons, parcels or any other container you are carrying that could reasonably conceal goods.
If you refuse to allow shop staff to check your bags you can be asked to leave the shop and not return.

purple_haize · ‎08-01-2014

I dont mind them looking in shopping bags...........but I draw the line at them looking in my handbag at my personal things.......and I dont think they are allowed to look into handbags......

**meep** · ‎08-01-2014

I will ask the same question that I asked Hawk.

As a customer, you enter a store under licence. Retailers are legally able to set conditions of entry. Those conditions need to be displayed in a way that are clearly visible. They should state that bags over certain size that could reasonably be expected to conceal goods, may be checked.

Why do you feel the conditions do not apply to you?

Why would you put yourself in a position where a shopkeeper could terminate the licence agreement as a consequence of your non-compliance?

I have worked in a position where I have had to handle such disputes and I know retailers are within their rights to refuse future entries. It is such a minor inconvenience to comply and such strong objectionable attitudes are so unnecessary IMO.

acacia_pycnantha · ‎08-01-2014

I accept their right to ask me. I persist with my right to refuse. it's as simple as that.

The signs say "please make your bags available for inspection" or "Please present your bags for inspection" . . and I do. . . I do just that but nothing more.

It's my solution to the humiliating circumstance of standing at the checkout while a shop assistant looks into or rifles through my bag.

If they try to detain me (no one has tried this yet) I will just walk away, telling them that I am going to go about my lawful business.

If they lay hands on me or otherwise try to unlawfully imprison me then my lawyer and my bank manager will just both rub their hands in glee. 😉