What’s the legality on this at a grocery store?

[Anonymous]

Was grocery shopping. Spent $200 on groceries, had them bagged and was making my way out the store when the greeter shouted for me to stop. I didn’t make the correlation that he was speaking to me, so he ran and followed me into the vestibule of the store where he demanded to see my receipt, said he had to see my receipt to prove I paid for the soda at the bottom of my cart. I couldn’t remember in which bad I stuffed the receipt, but he made me stand there until I found it, then scanned the receipt for the sodas. It was so bizarre. I had a $30lb roast and a weeks worth of other meats in my cart valuing so much more, yet I was accosted over $16 worth of soda.

I had to run to pick up my kids, but I so badly wanted to speak to a manager (I’m not a Karen, but this was a little humiliating.) I’m over it now but I’m wondering the legalities of forcing me to stand there and search my bags for a receipt? It seems like an odd practice.

[Anonymous]

It's legal. They did not force you to stand there. You could have just gone about your way

[Anonymous]

Once you pay, you own those items. Him attempting to stop you or stopping you could be deemed false imprisonment. If they think you stole something, they chose call the police. He should have asked the cashier first whether she rang them up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's legal. They did not force you to stand there. You could have just gone about your way

Only he did. He kept his hand on my cart and blocked me exiting. I’m sure he was assigned this task but I wonder if he took it too far.

[Anonymous]

You tell them to F*&k off and leave. If they try to detain you, you call one of the 800 number lawyers and get a very nice settlement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once you pay, you own those items. Him attempting to stop you or stopping you could be deemed false imprisonment. If they think you stole something, they chose call the police. He should have asked the cashier first whether she rang them up.

agree. except at costco, b/c its a memership situation so you kind of chose their system.

at the regular store? nope, I am giving them a litle wave and sailing right by.

[Anonymous]

He was really rude, he should have said he needed to check if the soda had been rung up, not if you had paid for it (which makes you sound suspect).

I don't think it is illegal (you are on their property) but it was handled badly by the employee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's legal. They did not force you to stand there. You could have just gone about your way

Only he did. He kept his hand on my cart and blocked me exiting. I’m sure he was assigned this task but I wonder if he took it too far.

Wow. Definitely took it to far. That's crazy behavior and quite rude. I would write to the stores head office.

[Anonymous]

I would have told him if he didn't move I'd call the cops. There is a reason that no retailers go after shoplifters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you pay, you own those items. Him attempting to stop you or stopping you could be deemed false imprisonment. If they think you stole something, they chose call the police. He should have asked the cashier first whether she rang them up.

agree. except at costco, b/c its a memership situation so you kind of chose their system.

at the regular store? nope, I am giving them a litle wave and sailing right by.

This. Every time the target guy asks to see my receipt, I decline. If they ever lay a hand on me, I'm calling 911 and pressing charges

[Anonymous]

I’d be tempted to shoot them an email. He may have been tasked with the assignment of checking receipts when he spots soda in carts, but it’s definitely not legal to detain someone once they have paid and are leaving. They should know he’s doing this.

[Anonymous]

You can talk to the manager but, other than losing a customer, there's nothing wrong from legal standpoint.

[Anonymous]

Costco and Sam’s stop every cart on the way out the door so I definitely think it’s legal. But if I were in a store that didn’t routinely do this, I might feel like I was being profiled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can talk to the manager but, other than losing a customer, there's nothing wrong from legal standpoint.

If the employee is forcibly detaining someone, then they are committing a crime. If this is in VA, OP could got to a police station and swear out a warrant today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costco and Sam’s stop every cart on the way out the door so I definitely think it’s legal. But if I were in a store that didn’t routinely do this, I might feel like I was being profiled.

Those are private clubs. When you sign up, you agree to the searches