Manager win

[mattm04]

I was in a local store shopping. I went down one of the aisles, say 5, and while comparing product I couldn't help but over hear a manager, employee and angry customer. I took my sweet time to listen in.

Seems the employee caught the customer damaging or attempting to steal product and the manager was called over.

SC: But i've always opened product to inspect it before and buy a unopened one.
M: Really?
SC: Of course I always open mu *lists some items such as OTC cold meds, and other small items* to make sure they are not damaged and what I want.
M: *reaches for phone on waist, lifts presses buttons to make page* Mr. X and LP to aisle 5 for assistance, Mr. X and LP aisle 5.

Why do I have the feeling the SC found that "rude" and I found that awesome.

I felt it was time to leave after making my selection and walked by a few minutes later and saw the SC surround by two managers, the employee and someone who I would assume was a plain clothes LP guy.

[Gizmo]

Well done (SC) on confessing that you are responsible for shrinkage and fully aware of your actions.

I'm assuming they realise that the opened bottle that they put back before taking an unopen one is now not suitable for sale? Surely they aren't that stupid...

[Seshat]

Not to mention that the only one they've just proven undamaged is the one they opened!

[Catwoman2965]

I will admit I have opened a box when purchasing something, BUT only if the box can be opened and re-closed without any damage, and there isn't any tape, glue or staples holding it shut. Or taken the top off something to sniff it (I am very sensitive to fragrence). Somedtimes there's a plastic sealing it, so I leave that alone, but in some cases, like BBW, you can smell what's in the bottle (and i also only do this if there isn't any sample out) Esp if the box is a big dinged, if i can simply slide the tab out, and open the top, to see that what's inside is ok, I've done that, and then bought the item. But I've never opened meds or anything else that's sealed - i figure if there's an issue, I can always bring it back.

[Ironclad Alibi]

SC: Of course I always open mu *lists some items such as OTC cold meds, and other small items* to make sure they are not damaged and what I want.

Considering the number of product tampering cases that have happened in the past, I wonder if this guy also likes to talk about guns, bombs and explosions when he's at the airport?

[Merriweather]

Not to mention that the only one they've just proven undamaged is the one they opened!

That was my thought exactly. I can see being paranoid enough to want to make sure something hasn't been tampered with (not saying opening it is right, just that I understand the logic), but putting back the one you checked and buying one you haven't checked? Completely illogical.

[Kisa]

Cold meds??? Folks I think we have ourselves a potential Dextro junkie.

Emoplyee: What are you doing?
SC: Nothing! Nothin at all! Just...*glugluglugulp*ahh ohhh yeaahhh..sampling the cough syrup!

[sevendaysky]

I, too, have opened something to check condition. Cold medicine - generally the box that contains the bottle is not sealed, so you can open and close it without damaging it. I will check to be sure the seal on the bottle inside is intact, and purchase that box. On one occasion I took a box for a printer up to the counter at a Big Box Store and asked the employee there to open it for me. It had a bunch of packing tape on it, and I wanted to be sure that the item inside was what the box stated and all components were inside -- BEFORE I bought it. The employee opened it with me at the counter, confirmed that all was well, then taped it up and sold it to me right then and there. I've heard of other cases in which things like build-yourself furniture being checked in the company of an employee, so forth.

I HATE when people tear up packaging for something and then just pick up an unopened one and saunter off. I've told off a couple people when I caught them in the process of doing just that. One of them was a boy of about 10 years old, and I'm pretty sure he was just trying to steal the legos out of the box he was pulling open. The employee in the next aisle heard me exclaim "HEY! Don't open that!" and came rushing around, caught him in the act, and took the box from him, and then escorted him to his mother -- who was standing at the end of the aisle. ><

[Seshat]

Oh yes - I'll sometimes open a box that can be opened without damage to check the contents; and then purchase that one. Or, as you said, sevendaysky, have it opened by an employee in front of me and then purchase that box.

Because of my disabilities, it can be tough to have to come back and do an exchange. I'd rather get things right the first time. But that means taking the one you opened (or had opened for you).