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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to object to this dreadful Primark changing room policy?

58 replies

Jonbb · 08/05/2018 20:25

I needed some shorts and Manchester Primark is handy, however at the fitting room the staff were searching every item. So they took the items off people at the entrance, and item by item the staff shook them and felt inside them, then counted them out loud to another staff member who checked and you then had a ticket with the number of items on and could enter. I was gobsmacked. The queue was horrendous. On the way out I'm afraid I didn't want to play so just dumped the items on the member of staff who shouted at me 'wait a moment I haven't checked these'. Aibu to just walking out vowing to never return? They made me feel like a thief and there are other value shops who don't treat their customers this way. Apparently it's a new policy introduced 3 weeks ago . . ..

OP posts:
PleaseDontGoadTheToad · 08/05/2018 20:27

Perhaps you should take this up with the people who do shoplift?

Idontdowindows · 08/05/2018 20:27

There's one place around here that started doing that a few years ago. Many people walked out because they felt they were being treated like thieves. It lasted about 3 months.

Phosphorus · 08/05/2018 20:27

I think k it's perfectly fine, as long as they do it to everyone.

They must lose thousands of pounds worth of stock every week.

lizzlebizzle33 · 08/05/2018 20:29

YANBU it does sound a little OTT. I'm sure they have their reasons for doing I this way but its not nice to be made to feel like that, I doubt I would return either.

Fruitcorner123 · 08/05/2018 20:29

yes it's bloody ridiculous. aren't their clothes security tagged anyway? they'd be better off having an extra member of staff on the door.

Fruitcorner123 · 08/05/2018 20:30

They must lose thousands of pounds worth of stock every week.

serves them right for exploiting their factory workers.

fuzzywuzzy · 08/05/2018 20:31

Primark clothing isn’t usually security tagged.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 08/05/2018 20:32

It's not their (staffs fault).
Theyre only on the NMW doing as they're told.

Also to pharaphase pp it's not like it was just done to you. I'd understand your contemp if it was.

SharronNeedles · 08/05/2018 20:32

I used to work at primark about 12 years ago. I'd say about 6/10 customers stole something proven by CCTV, witnessing them do if, stock takes etc.
I'm not surprised in the slightest. Had a similar policy when I worked for AllSaints too except we were taught how to be discrete

RomeoBunny · 08/05/2018 20:33

Thats what they do in every changing room I've ever been in. It's standard policy in most stores, not just primark, to count and give a number card. Where the heck do you live where it's not?

Original poster
Jonbb · 08/05/2018 20:35

I know it isn't the fault of the staff, which is why I asked and was told it's a new policy. Perhaps they should tag their clothes but I guess that might impact on profit as presumably staff have to attach tags or maybe its done at the factories? I know I'm not going back.

OP posts:
SequinsOnEverything · 08/05/2018 20:35

sharron where was your Primark? I can't believe 6 in 10 customers shoplifted!

I know stealing is a problem in ours, but I wouldn't have thought it was anywhere near that bad!

RedForFilth · 08/05/2018 20:37

RomeoBunny same! It really only takes a few seconds longer as well. Primark always has massive queues due to being so popular so I doubt the queue was due to the policy.

FusRoDah · 08/05/2018 20:37

I worked in a department store years ago - as part of the induction the store security demonstrated to us just how many things people can smuggle into changing rooms by hanging them inside other garments. I was staggered, the losses to stores must be huge. So YABU I'm afraid.

Pinkshowerpuff · 08/05/2018 20:39

I used to have to do this in tkmaxx when I worked there, the security guy would sometimes watch on camera and you would get in trouble for not doing it right. Also was an audit fail apparently. This was years ago so not sure if they do it now.

Beamur · 08/05/2018 20:39

Unless you've worked in retail, you would be really surprised at how much people steal. Happens all the time.

Original poster
Jonbb · 08/05/2018 20:41

They weren't just counting, most shops do that. They were feeling inside every item, both legs of jeans, inside shirt sleeves, inside tops and so on. That's why there was an horrendous queue.

OP posts:
RoomOfRequirement · 08/05/2018 20:42

Im afraid I didn't want to play so just dumped the items on the member of staff

You sound nice Hmm

WingsOnMyBoots · 08/05/2018 20:48

SIX out of TEN customers steal something in Primark?????
Crikey!!!

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/05/2018 20:48

6 in 10 customers shoplifted, Shock

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/05/2018 20:50

No I wouldn’t object to that policy based on the the number of people, who apparently shoplift.

Ohyesiam · 08/05/2018 20:50

If I was going to shoplift, it wouldn’t be from Primark.

Lovemusic33 · 08/05/2018 20:51

Primark don’t use security tags, I bet they get lots of stuff pinched, the layout of most of their shops is perfect for shop lifting, our local one looks like a jumble sale by the end of the day. I can see why they are doing checks but it is a pain if it means waiting for ages.

Iwannasnack · 08/05/2018 20:51

That is what I was taught to do when I worked at New Look 18 years ago! YABU and being rude to retail staff is uncalled for

lljkk · 08/05/2018 20:51

Primark Q is from Hell.