This weekend I was helping my mother with groceries.
On my way out of the grocery, just outside the entrance I noticed a minor altercation with some other shoppers and a guy in a sports jacket. I didn't give it much attention. I was parked at the far end of the lot.
So I got to my car, have the trunk open and start to load up. A stranger approaches me. He did not have a shopping cart, so not another shopper.
Quick aside/PSA: your car is not a safe place. Being distracted with keys or loading groceries is a great moment to be blind-sided by a potential attacker. Even if it isn't an attacker, I don't see anything good coming from a stranger approaching you at your car.
So right away I was on guard. The stranger reached out for one of my grocery bags.
Me: "Excuse me WTF do you think you're doing?"
(I didn't actually say WTF, but I'm quite sure my tone conveyed that message)
Stanger: "Uh I was helping you load your groceries."
Me: "I don't need your help."
Stranger backed off. But I'm still on guard, as he was still standing there.
Me: "Was there something else you wanted?"
Stranger: "I was going to carry your shopping cart back."
(***More alerts sound off in my head)
Me "That's fine I can do it myself."
Stranger: "Are you sure?"
Me "Yes."
Stranger: "But it's a long way back."
Me: "No, thank you."
Finally he got the hint and moved on. I went about my business returning my cart. Then two things hit me. First I didn't think to make sure my car was locked up. Second I realized the Stranger was the same guy I witnessed getting into an altercation with other shoppers earlier. He had followed me all the way to the back of the parking lot, and I hadn't noticed. Not minding my surroundings, Ra's al Ghul would not be pleased.
***I've encountered this scam before years ago. Shopping carts are locked up, and you have to insert a dollar to unlock them. Soon as I was done loading, I'm positive this guy was going to run off with my shopping cart, and pocket the dollar. He was far too persistent for me to think otherwise. Well better luck next time Mr. Shopping Cart Vulture. I saw him still loitering around the parking lot as I drove out.
As scams go, this one's pretty minor. It doesn't appear new, but I've found no mention of it on the internets. Has anyone else encountered this? And always remember to mind your surroundings.
On my way out of the grocery, just outside the entrance I noticed a minor altercation with some other shoppers and a guy in a sports jacket. I didn't give it much attention. I was parked at the far end of the lot.
So I got to my car, have the trunk open and start to load up. A stranger approaches me. He did not have a shopping cart, so not another shopper.
Quick aside/PSA: your car is not a safe place. Being distracted with keys or loading groceries is a great moment to be blind-sided by a potential attacker. Even if it isn't an attacker, I don't see anything good coming from a stranger approaching you at your car.
So right away I was on guard. The stranger reached out for one of my grocery bags.
Me: "Excuse me WTF do you think you're doing?"
(I didn't actually say WTF, but I'm quite sure my tone conveyed that message)
Stanger: "Uh I was helping you load your groceries."
Me: "I don't need your help."
Stranger backed off. But I'm still on guard, as he was still standing there.
Me: "Was there something else you wanted?"
Stranger: "I was going to carry your shopping cart back."
(***More alerts sound off in my head)
Me "That's fine I can do it myself."
Stranger: "Are you sure?"
Me "Yes."
Stranger: "But it's a long way back."
Me: "No, thank you."
Finally he got the hint and moved on. I went about my business returning my cart. Then two things hit me. First I didn't think to make sure my car was locked up. Second I realized the Stranger was the same guy I witnessed getting into an altercation with other shoppers earlier. He had followed me all the way to the back of the parking lot, and I hadn't noticed. Not minding my surroundings, Ra's al Ghul would not be pleased.
***I've encountered this scam before years ago. Shopping carts are locked up, and you have to insert a dollar to unlock them. Soon as I was done loading, I'm positive this guy was going to run off with my shopping cart, and pocket the dollar. He was far too persistent for me to think otherwise. Well better luck next time Mr. Shopping Cart Vulture. I saw him still loitering around the parking lot as I drove out.
As scams go, this one's pretty minor. It doesn't appear new, but I've found no mention of it on the internets. Has anyone else encountered this? And always remember to mind your surroundings.
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