How do we stand with shop law?

[Peach]

Just to put an opposing view to some of the earlier posters:

 

Shoplifting costs stores millions every year--and those costs are passed onto the rest of us through higher prices. More power to them to do anything to minimise this problem. I rarely carry a bag into a store but, if I do, I'm happy to let them see inside.

 

Bob

 

IMHO the shops (well certainly the big chains) just charge the maximum they think can get away with, as opposed to a fix percentage above whatever their actual costs are.

 

To be honest, it hasn't happened enough to me to bother me. Besides when I go shoplifting, I always stuff my spoil down my trousers or into my coat - I imagine the canny shoplifters of Australia behave similarly and thus avoid the bag issue.. :jiggy:

[Peach]

Then again...

 

 

Terms and conditions

 

 

Just the same if one goes on an aeroplane...You are agreeing to their terms and conditions.

 

 

Cheers, Bobj.

 

But by Australian law sticking a sign up that says "All underpants must be warn over your trousers" on the wall isn't a legally binding way of making sure your customers agree to your terms and conditions. They can huff and puff and ask you to leave the store - that is within their rights - but unless you've signed a piece of paper they have no legal basis to look into your bag. :goofy:

[Guest siamsusie]

Just to put an opposing view to some of the earlier posters:

 

Shoplifting costs stores millions every year--and those costs are passed onto the rest of us through higher prices. More power to them to do anything to minimise this problem. I rarely carry a bag into a store but, if I do, I'm happy to let them see inside.

 

Bob

 

 

Exactly, cant understand the fuss at all!:biggrin::goofy:

[ali]

Have to say I agree with the view of it does not bother me and to be honest I open my bag before they ask now, as Janine says it is never a dive in your bag and push things about, just a quick glance! I have just started work at one of the big chains and was stunned to discover what poeple steal!!! Even taking of the wrapper of a tin can opener!!! Also just eating 1 grape as you are shopping is theft....how many times have I see mums pushing kids through the aisles with a bag of grapes being eaten to keep them quiet!!

 

 

Me too, espcially if i've been in the shop and not bought anything, they always say thank you. Doesn't bother me in the slightest

[Guest AndyH78]

This seems like the National ID card debate to me, if you have nothing to hide then what's the problem?

[Happy Lass]

This seems like the National ID card debate to me, if you have nothing to hide then what's the problem?

Completely different subject and argument. One involves a database that would be horribly mismanaged by people apt to lose vital data in the post and the other just involves opening your bag for a shop worker to have a quick look inside.

[Que Sera Sera]

But by Australian law sticking a sign up that says "All underpants must be warn over your trousers" on the wall isn't a legally binding way of making sure your customers agree to your terms and conditions. They can huff and puff and ask you to leave the store - that is within their rights - but unless you've signed a piece of paper they have no legal basis to look into your bag. :goofy:

 

 

But why make someone just doing their job have to huff and puff? they are doing a job. Why would anyone want to makes someones job harder for them. If you have an issue with it take it up with the management dont get at the poor person trying to earn a days pay!

[Peach]

Nowhere did I say I had an issue with being asked.. I just stated what the legal facts were. :sad:

[Guest Toomers]

what if you just went to the porn-shop? Or you bought heaps of alcohol? what if you keep some other personal stuff in there? What about illegal stuff, like a weapon?:shocked:

I can imagine plenty of things I do not want others to just see, especially the big mess I tend to have and all the dirt. SOOOOO embarrassing. Not sharing that with anyone.

 

 

Your Scarry.... :shocked:

[Phil & Vikki]

Nowhere did I say I had an issue with being asked.. I just stated what the legal facts were. :sad:

 

That is the point of this post that we put up.We do not have an issue with showing bags, prams or anything else that we are carrying as like said, people are just doing their jobs. If that then makes the place safer then all well and good. We do not want to take our kids to a place where people may be carrying weapons.The issue is that lots of shops use signs and notices to make people think it is the law and that they do not have an option, when really they do. It is a case of standing up for your individual rights and not being walked over.

[ali]

I guess for me it would be about choosing my battles when I stand up for my individual rights - showing my bag on my way out of the shop wouldn't be something I'd make a stand on. I show my bag when I go to the WACA/NIB/Burswood ..... you even have to show your bag in Disneyland. I just want to get in or out of the place ... and don't feel that showing my bag for them to have a look inside (they never go in it) is a big deal or that i'm being walked over.

[Que Sera Sera]

I guess for me it would be about choosing my battles when I stand up for my individual rights - showing my bag on my way out of the shop wouldn't be something I'd make a stand on. I show my bag when I go to the WACA/NIB/Burswood ..... you even have to show your bag in Disneyland. I just want to get in or out of the place ... and don't feel that showing my bag for them to have a look inside (they never go in it) is a big deal or that i'm being walked over.

 

 

Brilliantly well put :notworthy:

[wakeboard1980]

I know why they insist on looking in our bags. We all came from convicts remember????????? At least thats what all the poms used to say to me when I lived and worked in the UK, most of them thought that one of my grandparents must have been a thief and sent out here. So if thats the case they check our bags due to our grandparents stealing a loaf of bread over 200 year ago.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

My view is who cares if they want to look in your bag, I'm sure if you owned a shop and lost stock due to shoplifting you would do the same.

 

Just another little issue that some people on here don't like about Aus. :wink:

 

They day we have to give into everyones dislikes is the day this country ends up stuffed like the rest of the politically correct countries, and then we will all have something really worth whinging about.

 

Just my 2 cents worth :biggrin:

[Que Sera Sera]

That is the point of this post that we put up.We do not have an issue with showing bags, prams or anything else that we are carrying as like said, people are just doing their jobs. If that then makes the place safer then all well and good. We do not want to take our kids to a place where people may be carrying weapons.The issue is that lots of shops use signs and notices to make people think it is the law and that they do not have an option, when really they do. It is a case of standing up for your individual rights and not being walked over.

 

 

Why? whos walking over you? if you dont have a problem with it whats the issue?

I think as my dear old Mum used to say, I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree. I will continue to respect this lovely country and if it and others, I did it all the time in America and I also did it on an evening out in central Bristol, want to nosey into my bag to make sure I am not breaking any laws, then I really couldnt give a flying fig. Horses for courses I suppose:biggrin:

[Phil & Vikki]

Why? whos walking over you? if you dont have a problem with it whats the issue?

I think as my dear old Mum used to say, I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree. I will continue to respect this lovely country and if it and others, I did it all the time in America and I also did it on an evening out in central Bristol, want to nosey into my bag to make sure I am not breaking any laws, then I really couldnt give a flying fig. Horses for courses I suppose:biggrin:

 

Once again this post was NOT to ask who agrees or disagrees with bag/pram searches, as like it has already been put, we don't give a flying fig either. It is everyone’s individual rights to have their own point of view, which we respect. The whole point was to see where we legally stand! Our view is that if consumers do not stand up for their rights, then this is a downwards path to being walked over.So once again, this was NOT meant to ask people their thoughts on searches, it was to find out consumers legal rights. That was answered within the first few post, so thank you to those who did answer about the topic.

[ali]

so now you know there's no legal right - will you continue to show your bag or refuse?