AIBU to object to being called a thief by a shopkeeper?

[toxic44]

I sew a lot and get whatever I can from the only fabric shop in town. Two weeks ago I chose some buttons for a shirt I'd made. Shopkeeper watched me put one button on the shirt to see if it was right. I counted out the extra ones I needed from the tube on the counter, put all six together, said I'd take them. 'What about the one in your hand?' I showed her my empty hands and she smiled and shrugged. I went again today with my DMC embroidery silks (which she doesn't sell) to match to fabric. When she'd measured what I wanted, she pointed to my DMC silks, said, 'Are they yours or ours?' There were two other customers at the counter who made a great show of not listening. I told her she'd called me a thief before but she won't do it again. I'd intended to buy an overlocker (£250) and told her that, too, saying I shan't bother now. She tried to make a joke of it, saying she hadn't meant anything.
As I was going out of the shop, I heard her say to the other women, 'Well you can't be too careful, can you, with some people.' AIBU to find this totally insulting?

I get this all the time. It has become a joke that I should hire myself out to a group of shop lifters so the security could follow me round whilst the shelves could be stripped.

One security guard was so close to me that when I kept stepping back from a shelf I stood on his feet several times.

In my local supermarket late in the evening their is one guy who follows me round. He was supposed to be on the self service tills but paying customers had to wait till I had got what I had come in for.

I have been stopped outside places and no longer go to these shops. Gradually the choice of places I go has been reduced.

I tend to shop on line now for a lot of things as I can't be bothered with the accompanying body guards.

DD had similar coming out of a clothing store. She was holding her purchase and the receipt.

Security guard asked to look in her bag.
She didn't have one. She showed him the dress and the receipt but he asked again to look in her bag. She pointed out she didn't have one.
After asking a few more times and getting the same response he threatened her with the police.

She even said if he could point to the bag he wanted opening she would gladly open it but there was just the continuing same question.

DD being DD asked if she should save him the trouble and she should ring the police herself.
Eventually shopping centre security arrived and pointed out to guard DD didn't have a bag on her and she was left to go on her way.

DD was very upset as a few people had stopped to watch.

Gradually the shops that haven't treated me or DD like criminals are getting fewer and fewer No wonder the high Street is dying

Given your update, I think she's miffed you turned down her offer to give classes. Clearly she knows who you are. Odd way to treat your customers though.

Years ago, I went I to New Look in Oxford Street to get a small gift for my neighbour's daughter. I went downstairs and bought her a watch. I paid for it and put it in my handbag, so I had no visible shopping bags. As I left the shop upstairs all the buzzers went off. I was approached a by security guard who said 'Sorry, someone has forgotten to take the tag off. Can you hand me what you have bought and I'll do it'. I gave him the watch from my handbag with the receipt still inside. He returned and apologised and wish me a good day. I think that was a great approach not accusing me of anything initially.

Cherry Write to them! Tell them what arseholes they are and how they've now lost your business! Bloody fools.

And no....I've never been asked in Coles or Woolies or anywhere for that matter aside from Kmart and JBHifi!

YANBU. I'd be offended by those remarks. I often do exactly what you did, and have never ever been challenged. So I suspect that it is because you are not 'white'.

I'd write a polite letter to the shop owner detailing what happened in the presence of two other customers who'd very likely go away and talk about it, and telling them you wouldn't be shopping there again.
Me too.

I get the same from time to time - eg when carrying a newspaper or drink that I’m not paying for as it’s mine and not the shops.

I don’t really see the problem.

Mind you, I would be hacked off with ostentatious shadowing by a security guard!