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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you have unpacked your shopping and repacked?

262 replies

SweeetFemaleAttitude · 27/10/2023 18:53

Just did a huge weekly shop at Tesco and as I was leaving I was asked for my receipt, that was fine. Then after a pause the shop assistant and security explained they were doing random trolley checks, and asked to check the receipt against the shipping.

I wasn’t impressed, but calmly stood back and said ‘please ensure everything goes back in the correct bags, I’ve sorted it for a reason’.

They then said they expected ME to unpack items as they ticked it off the receipt.

I just laughed a bit inside at the idea. I’d just done a big shop and pissed around with a self service machine wasting a lot of time compared to a human scanner. Red lights for no reason, waiting for tag removal, waiting for another random fault, waiting to weigh my own bags and check them before I started. The idea of then standing there and unpacking for their pleasure was not something I was prepared to do! I’m talking a big trolley load of stuff, and a big job to stand there bending over it lifting. Not like a Costco check for the big items, loads and loads of tiny bits and cans.

I just calmly said ‘no’. I was told it was a policy to do random checks and I wasn’t suspected of theft. I said they may have a policy, but I didn’t work for Tesco and therefore they were unable to direct me to complete any tasks. I’d fulfilled my contract, paying for goods. If they had reason for concern then I’d wait for them to check it themselves, or go through cctv but I expected it to not delay me unreasonably or my shopping to be left unpacked or manhandled.

Ended up with ‘permission’ from a grumpy manager to leave, who had been watching from a distance and came over. I was honestly calm and kept my tone polite, I was quite annoyed by the self check out already and was making an effort to remain calm knowing I was a bit irate. Never been to this store before, not planning to go again! My usual store always has a open checkout to use with a person.

aibu- you’d have stood there and unpacked, it’s policy

yanbu- nope, you don’t work there and it’s not your job to facilitate their security checks.

OP posts:
HamstersAreMyLife · 27/10/2023 19:12

Sounds fine, I regularly get checked and they always do the searching and sorting!

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 27/10/2023 19:12

I'm surprised they wanted you involved at all. Whenever I've had a random check at tesco they need to scan 5/6 items to check they're all on the receipt. They don't let the customer choose the items, as if you were stealing you'd just choose ones you know you scanned!

But I've also never had them check post payment, it usually flashes up that it needs a check on the self check out screen.

I wonder if it's a local manager deciding to go over and above the normal policy. Surely if it was head office they'd just increase the frequency on the system.

I think you handled it very well - I wouldn't have had the balls to do it, but entirely reasonable to say 'do what you want, but I'm not doing it for you.' it's not like you refused the check!

rubyjan · 27/10/2023 19:13

Oh I've had this happen when I used the self scanner. I had beautifully packed shopping in bags for a reason

I had to get a quality check. When they realised I was not going to empty all my bags and repack with a screaming toddler, heavily pregnant and a 5 year old. They just let me leave lol

Original poster
SweeetFemaleAttitude · 27/10/2023 19:13

Well I was thinking ‘get to fuck!’ And other things like ‘you can shove your policy up your arse’ 🤷‍♀️
However, trying not to be a twat and take out my annoyance on staff maybe I over-compensated. I was reallllllly not in the mood, so maybe I sounded a bit clip-toned and repressed… but we’ve all been there trying to hold in an angry menopausal stereotype

OP posts:
itsmyp4rty · 27/10/2023 19:14

Bloody brilliant OP.

Fromage · 27/10/2023 19:15

I applaud your and the harnessing of your menopause for the lack of shit taking and shit giving. Awesome. 👏

dementedpixie · 27/10/2023 19:16

When I've had stuff checked I've stood back and let them get on with it. If they wish to check a trolley load then the onus is on them to unpack and repack it.

Tara24 · 27/10/2023 19:16

I've never had them empty the whole shop. They normally just check 25 items and do it themselves.

Original poster
SweeetFemaleAttitude · 27/10/2023 19:17

Btw- no, I have no general issue with self-service… if they work well. Though I prefer people as it’s easier on the back and quicker. This one really gave me the rage though, it was a horrible drawn out back breaking faff and annoying. Even timed me out and locked the screen whilst I dropped a tin that rolled away. Huge bank of trolley tills and another of basket ones being manned by a teenager who seemed to have lost the will to live and stared at the ceiling

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 27/10/2023 19:18

I think it’s entirely reasonable to politely insist that they do the work if they’re determined to make you redo your shopping. You’ve paid for your shopping and the onus is on them to demonstrate it if they think you haven’t. Random is all very well, but I’m never convinced these things are wholly random. Otherwise, why would random happen three times out of four.

SharonEllis · 27/10/2023 19:21

Well said, damn right! If they won't pay for staff its not your problem.

Jem57 · 27/10/2023 19:21

Just the opposite in our local Morrisons,2 staff and 1 security guard stood chatting whilst the guy next to me scanned all his shopping and walked straight past them without paying,their problem.

Winter42 · 27/10/2023 19:22

You were perfectly within your rights. I don't think I would even let them check as aotnof the time I'm in a hurry. Intend to wizz round the supermarket while my son's at football or something and often am.onkynjustnoutnin time to collect him. What if you were running out of time in a car park somewhere? Surely they can't insist on this.

If they want to cut costs with self checkouts the price they pay is the odd but if extra shoplifting. I'd bet they are still quids in.

They can say we can't be bothered to serve you.... But don't trust you to do it yourself honestly.

TeaTurtle · 27/10/2023 19:22

This would have been the absolute end of me on many occasions. They can check all they like but I would be sitting down while they do it.

StrangePaintName · 27/10/2023 19:28

Theta are moments for pomposity and sententiousness!

WaltzingWaters · 27/10/2023 19:30

Divebar2021 · 27/10/2023 19:00

You don’t sound pompous AT ALL. These retailers have saved how much money installing self service tills which require the customer to provide all the labour. If you want to unpack it because you don’t trust my integrity then crack on but I’m not helping.

This! They’re bloody ridiculous. No I would not stay another ten+ minutes whilst they checked everything! Either open enough operated tills to accommodate customers or trust people to do it!

Nowherenew · 27/10/2023 19:30

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CranfordScones · 27/10/2023 19:31

Store: It's our policy.
Me: I wasn't informed of that and didn't consent to it. Am I free to go?
Keep repeating: Am I free to go??
<Get phone out and start recording>

The answer to the question is either 'Yes', in which case you calmly depart, or 'No' in which case they're detaining you. You then have potential grounds for legal action against them.

I have sympathy for supermarkets suffering shoplifting, but inconveniencing law-abiding customers isn't the solution.

missmollygreen · 27/10/2023 19:34

Good on you!
If they want to check, they should do it as you scan and bag, not after!

AllstarFacilier · 27/10/2023 19:35

They’ve done this with DH and he allowed it. I wouldn’t, and I’d want to see the policy in writing.

sep135 · 27/10/2023 19:35

I've had many random checks at the scan as you go desk at Tesco. They have never repacked my shopping.

I understand why they have to pick things near the bottom of the trolley, but you end up with your shopping everywhere and nowhere to pack it by the tiny self-scan machine. Keeping theft down is in everyone's interest but it is bloody annoying when you've just packed everything nicely in the trolley ready to leave.

WeWereInParis · 27/10/2023 19:35

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OP was fine to let them check, she just didn't want to get involved and help them do it.

I worked on checkouts for years at two supermarkets (and also in a high street shop for a bit) and we'd never have asked the customer to unpack all their shopping so we could check it. I've had my fair share of aggressive and horrible customers but OP wasn't either of those, she just wasn't putting up with a bullshit policy.

avocadotofu · 27/10/2023 19:36

You're AMAZING, I think you handled the situation perfectly.

PaminaMozart · 27/10/2023 19:37

ThinWomansBrain · 27/10/2023 19:06

I'd have asked for a full refund and left them with the shopping.

This!

Lavender14 · 27/10/2023 19:37

I think they're only doing their jobs. They don't make the policies. Plus once you've paid for the goods you then own them. So employees handling your belongings isn't ideal. Because what happens if they drop something breakable for example. So that's why they're asking you to unpack and repack.

It's extremely frustrating when you get selected for this but how else do they manage theft? Self service is definitely quicker and easier when you've a small shop or are nipping in for a few bits, I'd never go self service with a trolley load of that size in the first place, I'd go to a cashier. In which case I wouldn't be randomly selected.