I went to Walmart today and got CornPops, 2 packs of thank you cards, & provolone cheese. Since I didn't have my grocery bags with me, I told the cashier that I'd just carry them out without a bag. WHOA NELLY was that the wrong thing to say. She got very upset and informed me quite rudely that I'd have to show the Walmart welcomer (is that their official title?) my receipt as I left. I politely informed her that that was fine with me. She then yelled across the way to the welcomer that I would be leaving without a bag *gasp* and that she would need to check my receipt on the way out. The cashier then, with attitude mind you, tried to let me know that I would need to push...oh wait, I'VE ALREADY DONE IT YOU IDIOT! She tried to get all snotty when I didn't push no cash back, but alas, I had already done everything...just waiting on you to push your little 'Debit' button Miss Walmart Meanie. Sorry, she really perturbed me.
Final vindication: I started to stop by the welcomer and the lady waved me on and said, "Oh, you're fine...go on." Take that you silly cashier!
While it was the cashier's attitude and not the prospect of a receipt check that upset you, I think it's worth noting that you don't have to show your receipt to any store employee at any time.
ReplyDeleteMany Wal-Marts require their greeters to ask to inspect customers' receipts and search their shopping bags and carts, but this is simply a request to search your personal property. Store employees can't search you against your will, and they can't detain you (prevent you from leaving the store) without probable cause to suspect shoplifting. PC requires eyewitness evidence that you've stolen...not even an alarm gives them permission to hold you or search you. (See http://www.crimedoctor.com/loss_prevention_3.htm )
As a fellow North Carolinian who insists on good customer service, I encourage you to continue out the door with a polite "No, thank you" the next time a store greeter or security guard asks to paw through your purchases.
Wow...
ReplyDeleteI love it when the alarm goes off. I doesn't fase me a bit & by the time they realize what the noise is, I'm already in the parking lot. I'm always tempted to run, just to see what they'll do... hahaha.
ReplyDeleteWhen interactions like that go beyond all logic, I try to invent some sort of backstory that would explain the person's mood. Perhaps her three year old superglued the clock radio to the toilet seat that morning.
ReplyDeletepeople can get really weird when you don't wanna bag.
ReplyDeleteI had a lady say, well I will give you one anyway- after I told her I don't need a bag.
Side note, thinking about driving through Asheville in August. Wanna meet up for beers?
:)