To hate shops that don’t allow people not buying anything making it difficult to leave

[Ifo]

I get it- shoplifting. But there are reasons why people enter shops for something but the shop does not sell it, sold out or not in the size/colour, then leave empty handed.

I had it before where customers at tills don’t move when I ask excuse me. Then try to leave at entrance. Security guard says go out the exit. Explain that people are refusing to move. Or the door is switched on to open from the outside so have to wait for someone to enter to leave.

Many more supermarkets used to do this sort of thing. In the 80s there were frequently turnstiles at the entrance so nobody could leave except by going through the checkouts. I've not idea how wheelchair users were supposed to deal with them!

Lidls near me ( Kent) don’t require receipts to get out

Whats going on ?

Our local B&M is the worst for this 🫠 about a year ago I had my then 3yo son in there with me when he told me that his “tummy felt sicky” 🫠 so I picked him up and attempted to make a speedy exit but I couldn’t get out 🙈😂 There was only one checkout open and it was busy and people just wouldn’t let me pass 🙈 The checkout operator was telling me I had to go back the other way.

He was sick all over the checkout area 🫠🫠

The other day I popped into the local Co-Op to use the cash machine and walked out again. A man I held the door open for on the way out said “Nothing take your fancy, no?!” His tone seemed a bit sarcastic. I nervously laughed and said “No, I only needed the cash machine!” and carried on walking.

I spent the whole walk home half confused - was he accusing me of stealing or just making an excuse to talk to a woman - probably the former as I looked like shit - and half worried and annoyed that I’d just let on I had a pocket full of cash.

I hate the scan-to-get-out barriers. I hate feeling trapped. I won’t do scan and pay as you go because I don’t want my trolley checked at the end by an obvious security guard while all the other shoppers stare to see if I’m a criminal.

I used to take a backpack to shop because we don't have a car and my DP is disabled - I would carry what felt like a small child worth of shopping home in that thing. Can’t use it anymore as security guards keep watch on me. It took me a while to realise that was happening and what they were thinking. I’ve had that trusty bag for years, I didn’t think anything of it 😅

Aren't there exits for customers that aren't buying anything? All the big shops here in France have 'sortie sans achat' exits (exit without buying).

They do.
Either you walk through the checkouts (sometimes having to say "excuse me I'm just going through") or you go out the same door you came in (sometimes having to ask security to open it).
It's no issue.

Yeah, I was thinking about my supermarkets in Spain, "salida sin compra" (exit with no shopping).

I no longer go to B&M or Hone Bargains for this reason. I do have complex PTSD though and being trapped terrifies me.

The large Poundland which closed last month had the same issue. Very narrow area for people to queue for tills. The entrance is only open by people entering. Though a barrier which I crawled through to get to the exit. As you approached PL, the entrance was straight ahead and exit was on the left.

Never had this issue when it was Wilko

I would have just asked to be let out - no chat! They can check the CCTV if they think I’ve been lifting! 😂

I've done that loads of times with supermarkets - just popped in to use the loo.
All I've ever had to say to security is
"Can you let me through back the barrier please, I just came in to use the loo. Thanks".
I either get a "ok" or they just open it and don't say anything.
No big deal at all.

I think it’s because I did that apologetic British thing of so sorry but barrier isn’t opening so opened myself up but yes less chat.

It’s like this on some shops in Central London (Tesco Express!)

I agree. Poundshop/ Home Bargins/B&M are the worst for it.

They've put barriers in my local Lidl. You have to scan your receipt to exit.
Now, I have an incredibly painful physical disability. I don't go round the supermarket very often, DH goes round with a list, but sometimes I like to have a look around. (Especially now the Christmas stuff is coming out) I lean on/push the trolley which helps, but after a couple of aisles I'm done and need to sit down.
So this week, I'd left DH half way round, went to leave, and couldn't get out. Had to find a staff member, then explain why I needed to leave. Staff member asked loads of questions, which caused me to be stood around way longer than necessary, causing me an increase in pain, which 3 days later I'm still suffering with.
So no more lidl for me.

@ZestyDog that does sound bad for you 🙁 but what on earth were they asking you?
Seems very odd from their side.

It went like this:
Can you let me out please?
You need a receipt to open the gate
I don't have one
Just go back and get it from the till
I haven't been to a till
Why?
I'm just leaving I've not got anything
Why not?
My husband is still in here with the trolley
Can you wait for him?
No
Why?
I need to go back to my car
Ummm, do you have a bag with you?
waves arms, in a clearly I do not have a bag motion, can you just open the gate?
You've not got a bag?
No, I've not got a bag, I just want to leave.
You need a receipt to open the gate
I need to get out
Ummm, If you could wait for your husband...
I've got (painful condition) I need to go and sit down
We normally expect customers to scan their receipt to leave the store. No one usually leaves without buying anything
New character appears, random woman "jeez, just scan your card and let her out"
Guy walks at glacial speed to the barrier and scans his card so I can leave.

@ZestyDog that does sound very weird behaviour from them.
I've never had any problems so hopefully that was a one off and you won't have any issues another time 🙂

Like what they are now doing in Lidl’s here 🤦‍♀️

I’m realising that either I’m less polite than I thought or there’s something about my face that makes people decide not to mess with me, because whenever I’ve needed to get out without buying anything I just leave and if the door/gate needs opening by a staff member I look at them as I’m approaching the door/gate and they open it. So it’s either something about me or it’s just not an issue in the shops round here.

I had this today I home bargains! Got to the tills with one item, long queues of people with trollies (Impossible to squeeze past) and I was already short on time so I rushed back through the entire maze shop only to get to the 'in' door that wouldn't open, had to wait for someone to come in!

I had this exact issue once, so I went out the entrance only for a loud automated voice to bellow, “please use the exit!” Put me off ever going in there again!

Blame the shoplifters. They often get apologists on here. ‘They must be desperate’ etc.
I hope we don’t get to the situation they have in some places in the US. We went to California on holiday and a couple of shops (trainers and clothes) made us leave any bags with security before we could enter.

I mean a dedicated exit for people who aren’t buying anything. So only one exit to be controlled, and anyone trying to leave any other way stands out.

scanning your receipt to leave is also standard here, not sure why it’s a big deal in the UK? It’s usually only on the self serve till area.

I was in one of these yesterday, the till points were so narrow you had to wait for the customers to be served. It's ridiculous.