Why are people so uppity when it comes to putting their bags behind the counter?

[wagegoth]

I probably wouldn't shop at a store that had this policy, partially because I wouldn't like to be treated with the assumption that I was a thief, but mostly because I wouldn't want to worry about what might be stolen from my bag. I usually carry as my regular handbag this http://www.betterbackonline.com/servlet/Detail?no=132 .

The store is taking a huge risk assuming liability for any loss a customer may have or claim from the store taking custody of the customer's personal possessions while the customer is in the store.

[boringscreenname]

I rarely bring my bag into the store, so this isn't usually a problem for me. When I do bring in a bag it's usually my briefcase with my laptop and accessories in it. So when I'm asked to leave my bag at the counter I tell them no and leave. I also won't leave my bags unattended to at bus stations, train stations, airports, or in taxis.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

The last time I shopped in a store where they made you leave your bag behind, it was at the college bookstore. And a big reason for that was because the aisles were so narrow and turning around with a backpack strapped to your back would knock stuff all over the place.

I honestly can't say how I would react if I were asked to leave shopping bags behind before shopping in a store, because I can see both sides. Theft by employees and other customers is a concern, but on the other hand to me leaving the bag behind would beat having employees or LP following me around making me uncomfortable.

[RetailActress]

We have the opposite problem in our store (part of an open-air shopping center.) Customers stroll in and WANT to park their previous shopping bags behind our counter to disencumber themselves.


Often, they forget them. With no ID within. Days go by. What to do? Insitute a bag check system, I suppose <sigh> .... more work and responsibility for US.

Bleh.

[HereWeGo]

I consider myself understanding and tolerant of most store policies, but on this issue I'm with the person that said this is a lazy attempt to reduce theft that puts the burden on the customer. I've worked in stores that had bad theft problems, and I came to realize that sort of thing quickly enters the store itself. If that many customers are stealing, then it's likely that the employees are too. It is unreasonable to ask that someone leave their possessions with someone else that will not guarantee their safety.

[powerboy]

When I travel, I usually Take this bag(a travel bag like it) with me. If I have to leave my bag behind a counter, then I will walk out. I hate it when they assume that I am a theft, the second that I walk into the store

[GingerBiscuit]

We don't assume you're shoplifters, unfortunately we can't assume you AREN'T either. It's not a personal attack on you, just an attempt to stop assholes reaming us every chance they get.

[cinema guy]

I always wonder what would happen if you go to collect your bag and it has been taken by someone else. Or there is something missing from it.

[wagegoth]

I always wonder what would happen if you go to collect your bag and it has been taken by someone else. Or there is something missing from it.

That was my point. The company is assuming liability for the customer's possessions by requiring the customer to leave their bag(s) in the company's possession. I don't believe the owner realizes the position in which he's placing himself. He really should talk to his lawyer and insurer before making policies like this.

The safest thing would be to install a few lockers with keys that the customer could carry with them, similar to a train or bus station.

[Record Store Tough Guy]

Some stores (like a mall record store, f'r'instance) don't have LP. It's just the employees. So hiring more, or any at all, isn't an option.

Having said that, we were discretionary in our application of requesting to hold bags behind the counter, and it was largely due to professional shoplifters. Pros use "booster bags" to steal the vast majority of their merchandise. Made properly, it is a layer of tinfoil between two layers of duct tape, then placed inside another bag. If they're smart, they put it inside a bag from a store located in the mall they're targeting. If they're not, it could be inside anything from a garbage bag to a birthday gift bag.

So, yes, if i see you carrying a Lord and Taylor bag in my store, where we only have a Macy's, Sears, and Parisian's, then yes, I will ask you to let me put it behind the counter. If you refuse, I may ask you to leave. May. It depends on what kind of vibes I'm getting from you. A gift bag will certainly receive an invitation to leave, especially if I see merchandise that appears to have been recently purchased (why did the store not give you their bag?) and not prepared as a gift. If it's an empty trash bag that can stand up on it's own, the police are being called.

Shoplifters at one time or another tried all these tactics with us, and they were only the ones who got caught. I don't know how many would have been foiled if we'd had everyone put their bags behind the counter.

And yes, if someone refused and left, pissy or not, we assumed they were up to no good.

[theredbaron47]

And yes, if someone refused and left, pissy or not, we assumed they were up to no good.

Apparently this isn't the case, from the responses this thread has been getting.

Personally, I wouldn't leave a store if they asked me to leave my bag with them. I find it rude that they assume everyone to be shoplifters until proven otherwise, but as others have said, in this society and today's age, it's the truth.

I seem to remember another thread around here wherein a customer was offered a receipt for his purchases by the OP, to which he replied, "No, thank you. I don't accept receipts. They display a lack of trust."

Um, yes, they do display a lack of trust. And it's been that way as long as I can remember. We wouldn't need it if 1 out of every 4 people or so who walks through the doors weren't setting their sights on lifting as much as they could fit in their pockets. And it's probably going to remain that way.

I am on the other side of the fence on the issue of being the employee with the bags at my cubicle. The one register at the hardware store was by itself, facing the main street, and thus prone to lots of foot traffic. Many times a day, people would come in and ask to leave their bags with me, to disencumber themselves. I found myself feeling rather uncomfortable in said situation. Management (read: the owners) had a virtually unspoken and nigh-enforced policy where they wanted us to ask people upon entry into the store to leave their bags with us, even though we never did. My beef with this was that they never had any kind of liability thing for it, so if any of the customers claimed stuff was missing from their bag, or if someone would have made off with it when the cashier's back was turned... well... for myself, or whoever the unlucky cashier working that register at that time was.

[ShetenshiSenshi]

I trust no one with my stuff. I have no problem with telling the MOD that I will not set foot in his or her store or buy anything from the company as long as they want to take my bags from me. I've even gone back into these stores with receipts from other stores that carry the same merchandise to show the management the sale they missed.

[MonSqueek]

Im with the previous poster who wont leave their bag behind for medical reasons. I am diabetic and when Im unwell or changing medications or for many other various reasons my BSL can be all over the place. For this reason I carry glucose tablets and a blood glucose monitor. I cant check these items at the door. I may not need them, but heaven help me if I do and they are not well within reach.

[ThePhoneGoddess]

I've even gone back into these stores with receipts from other stores that carry the same merchandise to show the management the sale they missed.

I'm sorry but that is classic SC behavior. In fact we complain about that here from time to time. It's immature and unnecessary. You have the right to spend your money where you like, but there is no reason to go back into a store you've chosen not to frequent and try to rub it in the faces of the people behind the counter, who most likely didn't even make the policy in the first place.

I can understand people not wanting to leave their bags behind the counter, but this "you're accusing me of stealing" attitude doesn't fly with me. These types of policies are in place because of the exact same type of behavior that makes gas stations require prepay. Do you boycott gas stations because they require you to prepay first? Do you assume they are accusing you of stealing? Few gas stations used to require prepay 25 years ago. Now almost all of them do. This is entirely because of other people's behavior, and it is the same reason college bookstores and certain other businesses have these types of policies. If you don't trust leaving your bag with the employees, fine. You have the right to shop somewhere else, same as the store has the right to disallow large bags. But please don't try and tell me that you are offended because they are 'assuming you are stealing'. I find it to be a hypocritical position.

[marasbaras]

How is it hypocritical? When it comes to pre-pay at the gas station there is NO choice. You just have to to do it.

With stores, there is a choice. Apples and oranges.