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Original poster

Aldi bag search

184 replies

tiger2691 · 04/03/2023 07:35

Motorcycle panniers, on the baggage hook on the trolley, not in the trolley, reasonable or unreasonable? I told the checkout operator that it was unacceptable, and he said it was company policy. Strangely enough my fairly big shoulder bag, which I was wearing, was ignored. I felt a bit sorry for the bloke tbh, I don't think he really wanted to do it.

I shop there weekly, it's not like I'm new. Anyway, I consented, but I wont necessarily do so if it happens too often. Profiling perhaps, because I bought a bottle of rum, ha!

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 04/03/2023 07:40

sorry I’m a little confused by your post. Was someone asked to do a bag search?

Swiftswatch · 04/03/2023 07:42

What was unacceptable, having your bag searched?

Its not really unacceptable if they had reason to believe there was shoplifting.

Not sure what being new would have to do with it.

WineCap · 04/03/2023 07:43

I have no idea what you're talking about.

rwalker · 04/03/2023 07:44

Not unheard you could of out anything in there
some shops make u leave shopping bag on wheels at the door same thing

Hiddenvoice · 04/03/2023 07:45

Ahh I’ve re read it and can now understand it. Lots of shops hold the right to search as they may have history of people with motorbike panniers shoplifting. You can always complain to head office but I reckon they will dismiss it as the staff were just following company policy.

AlwaysLatte · 04/03/2023 07:46

I think the op is saying that they had two motorcycle pannier bags hooked on to the trolley, and the shop wanted to search them (but not the backpack). I think because they were in the trolley and could be so easy to slip things they wanted to be sure. Annoying but annoyances in these budget supermarkets are all there to keep the cost down in general.

BadgerLovesMash · 04/03/2023 08:09

I dont see the issue. I've seen several instances of shoplifting in my local aldi recently. They now have signs by the till saying they will check bags/trolleys before scanning your items.

They aren't suggesting you were shoplifting, its a policy. It doesn't matter how long you have shopped somewhere, there's a cost of living crisis happening, anyone could be sneaking a block of cheese or pack of meat etc in their trolley just to get by and make sure their family is fed.

Original poster
tiger2691 · 04/03/2023 08:18

Panniers on the luggage hook, under the trolley handle, not in the trolley. My shopping was on the conveyor belt, the checkout operator insisted it was now company policy to search customers bags, obviously for suspected thievery/ shoplifting.

OP posts:
Dredel · 04/03/2023 08:21

I can totally understand why they've done this and I can imagine its policy. I would have been polite about it, having said that I'd have been irritated and would probably put me off shopping there unless I had no choice

ThreeKneeRepeater · 04/03/2023 08:21

It’s perfectly acceptable. Our bags are sometimes given a once over before we pack them up with shopping.
What are you concerned about?

gettingolderandgrumpier · 04/03/2023 08:22

AlwaysLatte · 04/03/2023 07:46

I think the op is saying that they had two motorcycle pannier bags hooked on to the trolley, and the shop wanted to search them (but not the backpack). I think because they were in the trolley and could be so easy to slip things they wanted to be sure. Annoying but annoyances in these budget supermarkets are all there to keep the cost down in general.

Ah that makes sense sorry had no idea what the op was saying . In the instance I can totally see why , I don’t understand the issue .

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 04/03/2023 08:23

In France last year they seemed to ask to look in everyone's carrier bags at the checkout.
Admittedly it appears to be quite normal to put your shopping into your own bags (rather than use a basket) whilst shopping and then decant them at the till.

Dredel · 04/03/2023 08:24

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 04/03/2023 08:23

In France last year they seemed to ask to look in everyone's carrier bags at the checkout.
Admittedly it appears to be quite normal to put your shopping into your own bags (rather than use a basket) whilst shopping and then decant them at the till.

I do this sometimes and am always prepared for a bag search.

MaggieFS · 04/03/2023 08:26

It's fine. And quite normal. Most people shop with bags that are obviously empty before being packed at the checkout. A pannier hanging from the trolley hook sounds a prime location to just slide in a few nicked items as you're going round.

And even if you've shopped there for ages, there has been a significant rise in shoplifting as inflation has hit so stores are increasing their checks.

saraclara · 04/03/2023 08:28

A pannier hanging from the trolley hook sounds a prime location to just slide in a few nicked items as you're going round.

Yep. I'd say that's clearly the reason. Your backpack is on your back, so it'd be close to impossible to shop lift into it.

MumOf2workOptions · 04/03/2023 08:30

tiger2691 · 04/03/2023 08:18

Panniers on the luggage hook, under the trolley handle, not in the trolley. My shopping was on the conveyor belt, the checkout operator insisted it was now company policy to search customers bags, obviously for suspected thievery/ shoplifting.

They're only doing their jobs
If you have nothing to hide I'd let them crack on to be honest!

Original poster
tiger2691 · 04/03/2023 08:30

BadgerLovesMash · 04/03/2023 08:09

I dont see the issue. I've seen several instances of shoplifting in my local aldi recently. They now have signs by the till saying they will check bags/trolleys before scanning your items.

They aren't suggesting you were shoplifting, its a policy. It doesn't matter how long you have shopped somewhere, there's a cost of living crisis happening, anyone could be sneaking a block of cheese or pack of meat etc in their trolley just to get by and make sure their family is fed.

It might be company policy but company policy is not law. Shops are entitled to ask to search customers bags if they have good reason, but this should be performed discreetly out of public view and the customer has the right to refuse.

OP posts:
Roystonv · 04/03/2023 08:37

Very occasionally I use my own bag to put shopping in on the way round and always offer to show them I have placed all items on the conveyor belt. How sad that they now feel they have to make it a rule.

Brefugee · 04/03/2023 08:38

it's perfectly acceptable. Don't be That Customer.

Dredel · 04/03/2023 08:39

MaggieFS · 04/03/2023 08:26

It's fine. And quite normal. Most people shop with bags that are obviously empty before being packed at the checkout. A pannier hanging from the trolley hook sounds a prime location to just slide in a few nicked items as you're going round.

And even if you've shopped there for ages, there has been a significant rise in shoplifting as inflation has hit so stores are increasing their checks.

It isn't at all normal.

Skyeheather · 04/03/2023 08:42

I was in ASDA last week and the women on the self service till asked to search my pram basket as she believed I had items in there which I had not scanned - I told her to crack on and have a look if she wanted, I knew I had nothing in there except my changing bag and some random toddler stuff. Then I enjoyed smirking at her when she found nothing.

You are allowed to refuse but if you do that you'd look like you have something to hide so they'd probably call the police..... I did think about refusing and telling her to call the police if she believed me to be stealing something but decided better of it - it would have been a waste of everyone's time.

Soontobe60 · 04/03/2023 08:45

Am I the only one who is wondering how you could hang not 1 but 2 motorcycle panniers on the hook at the back of the trolley? Why would you take them into the supermarket in the first place?
OP, you’ll know next time to either leave the panniers attached to your bike or have them open at the checkout so they can clearly seen to be empty. (unless you’re trying to hide a couple of steaks in there in which case next time hide the steaks down your knicker leg!!!)

321gogogo · 04/03/2023 08:46

Our Aldi ask to check we haven't left anything in our reusable carriers before they start scanning

Nottelling15 · 04/03/2023 08:47

I'm a bit confused as to why you took the panniers in if using a trolley?
Surely it's easier to leave them on the bike then take the trolley out to the bike
The fact you took them in would raise suspicion

I totally understand why the shop would ask to have a look.
And no it shouldn't be done out of. View

Andanotherone01 · 04/03/2023 08:49

On a different note, my local Aldi is trying to reduce printing receipts, so now ask you if you want one. All fine, except when you get to the door a security guard wants to check your bags and look at your receipt. Absolutely batshit.