Is it just me being put off from shopping in the highstreet because of the constant high alert for shoplifters ??

[TheThreeCheesesOfTheApocalypse44]

Took dd shopping earlier this week, wasn't looking for anything specific but having a browse in Mac.....the security guard was very blatantly watching us as well as the shop assistants pouncing on us as we walked through the door asking if we wanted any help. My reply was no thank you, we're just looking which seemed to be an indicator we were on the rob !

Felt so uncomfortable we ended up walking out. Went into Charlotte Tilbury. Same experience, again we weren't looking for anything specific but DD would usually con me into buying some overpriced thing. Instead they lost a sale.

Things came to a head in Lush, we'd said no thanks to a basket as we always get the same bath bomb and didn't intend to buy anything else.......I actually caught the shop assistant over my shoulder having a good old squint into my hotel chocolate bag to see what was in there. (( looked her square in the eye and said what ARE you doing ?? )) As I went downstairs to pay I ended up saying to the girl on the till that 'there's a fine line between protecting stock and making customers feel so uncomfortable they lose business' and pointed out the girl who'd followed us downstairs. And explained what had happened.

I get it, I work in retail myself and this was probably sparked by the radio system alerting other shops of a frumpy looking mum and her dd but we'd literally done looking wrong. They lost sales as a result, they lost sales for other shops as I couldn't be arsed after that and we went home and they lost a sale for the pub we were going to go to for lunch.

I'm still pissed off about it. Hell I don't even like shopping. Is anyone else feeling like this ? It's just so off putting......I'll be sticking to online and small business owners in future who don't make me feel on edge !

Never happened to me, but I mostly shop online I can't bear window shopping or think of much worse this time of year. I did go to Sainsbury's a few weeks ago and was shocked at the amount of people putting stuff in shopping bags and then leaving the store. I've not shopped in-person since about 2018 and it made me feel really uncomfortable.

Also for what it's worth we actually spend a lot of money in Lush as dd and I like their hair stuff and soap bars. On this occasion she wanted one item for her friends Christmas present she gets her one every year.....usually we'd be lucky to have much change out of £100.

Used to. When the products I have are used up I'll be going elsewhere.

TBH I just wouldn't let this bother me, I don't think I'd even notice if shop staff were following me or suspicious as I'd be too focused on shopping and DD. I also often refuse assistance in shops unless I actually need help

Yes - I did.
The brass neck of some folk is unbelievable.
And, the Cash and Carry chap with his cut price toiletries and a nice sideline in sham marriages and dodgy visas.

If I answer that, I'm in big trouble 😉

Happens to me all the time. Drives me mad. I now take my phone out and take selfies with them covertly watching me, they tend to stop.

I have had this when I am wearing certain stuff. It is weird and predudice and annoying. I got stopped by security outside boots this summer as I rushed in in a tracksuit and muddy trainers to buy a clarins foundation but they didnt have my colour and i walked out and they searched my bag. Some shop assistant was followijng me and alerted security. Two days later I turned up in my finest and bought 300 quid of stuff and asked for her not to serve me. The look on her face was priceless.

I used to get followed too when I had a buggy, I'm guessing people use them to hide stuff in the basket. Like you, I used to deliberately take my time, the real shoplifters were probably having a ball while the grumpy arsed security guard was watching me. It wasn't even a nice shop, it was bloody Poundland.

Tetchy

I've completely stopped going to Aldi because security at my local store was so intrusive, staring and following me around the store, especially when I had my babies pram with me. I've never experienced it anywhere else though.

Couldn't get wound up about it. I know I've not nicked anything so if they're intent on watching me then they're wasting their own time (and their own stock probably, which is likely being nicked by someone else while they're watching me).

As for the 'do you need any help?' as you walk in that's usually coaching by Head Office and done religiously for fear of missing the mystery shopper. It certainly was when I was in retail many years ago.

Thanks for the laugh. I only wish I was cheeky enough to do this.

Tetchy and entitled 🤣🤣🤣

This together with your other replies is very dispiriting. Do vote with your feet! I do

Bizarre remark

I was banned from our corner shop as I had a pushchair and matched the description of someone who'd been stealing there putting items under the baby's blanket. The owner's dad who was there at the time told me to leave and not come back. He didn't even say why at the time just that they reserve the right to refuse service. I went back later to speak to the owner, more to find out what was going on than anything and he apologised and said there had been a mix up and his dad thought I was a shoplifter he'd been asked to look out for. It's horrible to be on the wrong end of security vigilance but I guess you can see why it happens too.

What's entitled about not wanting to be watched constantly? Are we supposed to be content as customers with being suspected of something in advance? When did Britain become so complacent and timid that people are happy to be considered guilty the moment they want to do their shopping?

YABVU for saying “on the rob” like a scally

Apparently if anyone still insists on not being watched, monitored and controlled, they're entitled.

Interesting that you mention your daughter's autistic. I'm ND and this happens to me a lot. I think I must act in a way that's slightly 'off' and security/shop assistants think I must be shifty.

It's really off-putting and stressful!

I experienced this recently in the big boots in my local town. Decided to have some fun with the two people following me by waving the eyeliner I was buying high in the air as I browsed, then waving at them and smiling as I paid at the self check out.

It wasn't relaxing though and, as someone who likes a good potter about, I won't go in again if I can help it.

Really? Happens all the time. And Lush is well known for pouncing on people as soon as they walk in the door (though I don't think it was originally about shoplifting).

See also rail companies doing revenue blocks even though they check on trains and you put your ricket through barriers "oh well, so many people evade fares" Yes but most don't.

And also the whole WFH thing - oh well one of our employees takes the mick so everyone has to come back to the office.

Can organisations perhaps get better at dealing with troublemakers and leave the rest of us alone?

People are so conditioned to being treated like rubbish by people they give money or time to.

YANBU.
Who wants to trundle around shops at this time, anyway?
Online is the answer for most.

I've had this once or twice, but I know I'm not stealing stuff, so they can crack on.

I have seen people running out of the local Tesco express with armloads of chocolate and steaks!!! So it must be a big problem.