Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel manager called security in store on me or coincidence?

48 replies

coffeefirstwinelater · 28/01/2026 14:52

Hi I’m posting this as I’m feeling a little upset at how I was treated this morning in a higher end designer store and wondering if I should let it go or make a complaint. There was no one in the store bar the manager. They had a lot of sale clothing right of the door but I was in the store browsing for a few minutes before I went to the sale rack. I picked up a top it set off the door alarm despite me being at least 1.5 metres from the door and alarm barriers.
I didn’t think anything of it and placed the top back as it wouldn’t suit on closer inspection and continued browsing. The manager came over to ask could she help and I explained I was looking for a gift and asked if she had another top in a certain size to which she said no and walked off. I stayed for a few more minutes browsing but couldn’t find anything suitable within budget. The minute I left the store I noticed security waiting by the door watching me and coincidentally left the minute I left. I completely understand that the store has a duty of care to its staff and stock but I feel the fact I spoke to the manager explained I was looking for a gift I gave her an opportunity to help me instead she walked off and I feel treated me like a criminal. I’m more posting this to get it off my chest. Just to add I had no bags with me, I had my very small purse and phone because like I mentioned I was just running in to pick up a gift.

OP posts:
Eightdayz · 28/01/2026 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Camerich · 28/01/2026 14:54

A complaint????

FGS. They had suspicions. So they kept an eye on you.

The End.

Camerich · 28/01/2026 14:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oh it’s not that one is it?? The one obsessed see with testers

coffeefirstwinelater · 28/01/2026 14:56

Actually no I haven’t posted this before

OP posts:
ColdAsAWitches · 28/01/2026 14:56

You set off an alarm! Of course they were going to check.

It's like getting annoyed because there was a cashier there when you went to pay.

steff13 · 28/01/2026 14:56

You set off the alarm, so security kept an eye on you. That's not unreasonable.

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 28/01/2026 14:57

The alarm went off

Security came to check

The manager may have called them before speaking to you, they may have heard it themselves

You're massively overreacting

coffeefirstwinelater · 28/01/2026 14:59

I’ve no problem with them checking to see why the alarm went off, but why put the stock so close to the door and alarm barriers if it’s going to go off. I was happy for the manager to assist me look for a gift when she asked too whereas I’ve been in some stores before just browsing and agree that can look suspicious

OP posts:
Eightdayz · 28/01/2026 14:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MidWayThruJanuary · 28/01/2026 15:00

Who would you complain to? And what would you complain about? That the staff were doing their job?

coffeefirstwinelater · 28/01/2026 15:00

Please do report and I’m sure the team at Mumsnet will see my previous posts which aren’t connected. Happy for it to be disclosed too

OP posts:
SingedSoul · 28/01/2026 15:01

I think you are being overly sensitive, but I also really want to see the draft of the complaint that you may write.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 28/01/2026 15:02
Cj Perry Television GIF by VH1

Did you really get barred from boots? How so? 👀🤭🤭🤭🤭

Daytimenighttime · 28/01/2026 15:02

Actually OP if it had been me i would have mentioned the alarm going off when she came over to speak to me. If you had introduced it into your conversation then perhaps it would have stopped her being suspicious.

Just forget about the incident OP. Honestly they were only doing their job.

CremeEggThief · 28/01/2026 15:04

Are you for real? You think you have the right to complain after setting off an alarm? 🙄😆

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 28/01/2026 15:05

Your complaint was about security watching you and the manager calling them, you've been told this is Unreasonable so now it's actually about the stock?

The area the sensors pick up can sometimes be a bit random, I've had it happen in shops and then the same place, same shop another day not. Sometimes the sensitivity is a bit wacky

steff13 · 28/01/2026 15:06

Just forget about the incident OP. Honestly they were only doing their job.

Ultimately, this. The manager may have notified security that you set off the alarm and asked him to watch you. He may have heard it himself and decided to watch you. Either way, they were doing their jobs. No harm was done.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 28/01/2026 15:08

Is this the perfumes in aldi poster?

tartyflette · 28/01/2026 15:09

I browse in shops quite a lot, like lots of people. Never had security or anyone else following me or approaching me.
Now, they may be keeping an eye on me and I haven’t noticed but i might well pick something up, change my mind and put it back, even carry it around for a bit. Same story.
No judgement but it may be that they think they know or recognise the OP, who may of course be entirely innocent.

The alarm going off is probably significant.

trappedCatAsleepOnMe · 28/01/2026 15:12

DH used to get followed round - he looked different - I did when kids were young. We didn't even set alarms off.

Though one time I did in a supermarket they'd seen me pay and come from a manned till - they'd missed a tag reasons I went to a manned till and were very off with me - insite derything be emptyed in doorway and ticked off from till recipt- I shrugged and avoided that shop for a while.

If you set alarm off they will be more aware - the manger could have been more helpful when you asked for help but may have thought it a ploy - security staff being aware of you after that seems normal to me TBH.

I thought the Boots woman was a well know non name changing poster - one who usually posts about social housing.

JH0404 · 28/01/2026 15:18

How do you know the manager called security? Don’t they usually stand by the door? Could you be reading this wrong because you set the alarm off? However if you found the manager unhelpful with your request to find a gift by all means contact the store.

BuckChuckets · 28/01/2026 15:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

That's exactly what I thought when I read it 🤦🏼‍♀️

Knitterofcrap · 28/01/2026 15:20

I don’t understand how this non event has warranted a thread?

Camerich · 28/01/2026 15:21

coffeefirstwinelater · 28/01/2026 15:00

Please do report and I’m sure the team at Mumsnet will see my previous posts which aren’t connected. Happy for it to be disclosed too

What’s your other username then if you’re happy for it to be disclosed?

Camerich · 28/01/2026 15:22

Make a complaint
Give the staff a chuckle for the day