JB Hi Fi draconian door security policy

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Quidam

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#59838 13-Apr-2010 12:39

So I wandered through JB here in Wellington during my lunchbreak, browsed through the bluray section and noted a couple of titles I'd like to buy next payday.

When leaving, the door security guy demands I show him the contents of my bag. Embarrassing and insulting, especially given I've spent (conservatively estimated) around a grand at the place since they opened. As annoyed as I am, I'm not focusing it on the guy just doing his job. I'm focusing it on an organisation that is willing to treat previous customers like criminals because they don't like the way you look.

I have no idea how much they loose to shoplifting, but I can tell you they have lost me as a future customer.

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

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#317737 13-Apr-2010 12:50

I had to have my bag searched once.

It contained all my sweaty clothes and shoes from a day of hard work, and it smelled really bad.

I lol'd heartily on my way out.

magu

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#317738 13-Apr-2010 12:53

Would you rather be asked to leave your bag at the door before walking in?

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

alasta

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#317742 13-Apr-2010 12:58

I always thought this was common practice. Personally I just don't go into shops with a bag if I can avoid it.

The amount that retailers typically stand to lose from shoplifting is enormous, and I would personally rather have the 'draconian' security than have to pay much higher prices to cover the cost of the shoplifting.

NonprayingMantis

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#317743 13-Apr-2010 12:59

Embarrassing and insulting, especially given I've spent (conservatively estimated) around a grand at the place since they opened.

I'm focusing it on an organisation that is willing to treat previous customers like criminals because they don't like the way you look.

Yes, what they should do is issue security guards with photo IDs of every single person that has spent more than $1000 there. That way the guard will treat you with the reverence you so richly deserve.
:rolls eyes:

Quidam

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#317762 13-Apr-2010 13:10

The point is, I got searched for no good reason other than they didn't like the look of me. They didn't search the woman in front of me. If they are willing to risk offending customers who have previously spent money at their store based on their current policy, they are not getting any more of my money because in my view that's not customer service.

There are other ways to improve security without offending customers.

Big finger to JB HiFi

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

Quidam

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Ultimate Geek

#317765 13-Apr-2010 13:13

NonprayingMantis: Yes, what they should do is issue security guards with photo IDs of every single person that has spent more than $1000 there. That way the guard will treat you with the reverence you so richly deserve.
:rolls eyes:

Yeah, I expect to be treated like I'm not a criminal but a paying customer. What the hell was I thinking

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

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magu

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#317767 13-Apr-2010 13:16

Quidam: The point is, I got searched for no good reason other than they didn't like the look of me. They didn't search the woman in front of me. If they are willing to risk offending customers who have previously spent money at their store based on their current policy, they are not getting any more of my money because in my view that's not customer service.

There are other ways to improve security without offending customers.

Big finger to JB HiFi

You can only passively improve security so much before it becomes ineffective. The security guard had a suspicion, and most likely politely asked to check your bag. This happens to a lot of customers and non-customers all around the world. As long as they are being respectful, they have the right to do so (if there's a sign outside mentioning that, of course).

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

magu

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#317769 13-Apr-2010 13:18

Quidam:
NonprayingMantis: Yes, what they should do is issue security guards with photo IDs of every single person that has spent more than $1000 there. That way the guard will treat you with the reverence you so richly deserve.
:rolls eyes:

Yeah, I expect to be treated like I'm not a criminal but a paying customer. What the hell was I thinking

You think you were treated like a criminal just because they asked to search your bag? Don't EVER fly to the US, then.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

Quidam

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Ultimate Geek

#317771 13-Apr-2010 13:20

magu:
Quidam: The point is, I got searched for no good reason other than they didn't like the look of me. They didn't search the woman in front of me. If they are willing to risk offending customers who have previously spent money at their store based on their current policy, they are not getting any more of my money because in my view that's not customer service.

There are other ways to improve security without offending customers.

Big finger to JB HiFi

You can only passively improve security so much before it becomes ineffective. The security guard had a suspicion, and most likely politely asked to check your bag. This happens to a lot of customers and non-customers all around the world. As long as they are being respectful, they have the right to do so (if there's a sign outside mentioning that, of course).

Yes, they have a right to behave however they want to, and loose or gain custom as a result.

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

k14

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#317773 13-Apr-2010 13:24

magu:
You can only passively improve security so much before it becomes ineffective. The security guard had a suspicion, and most likely politely asked to check your bag. This happens to a lot of customers and non-customers all around the world. As long as they are being respectful, they have the right to do so (if there's a sign outside mentioning that, of course).

Incorrect, they have no right to look into your bag if you refuse. A sign at the entrance is no way to waive your rights either. Even a police officer has no legal right to see inside your bag (unless he/she suspects you of being in possession of drugs). It hasn't happened to me but I would respectfully tell them that they cannot look in my bag and be on my merry way. They can't detain you against your will either. If they think that you have stolen anything they have to call the cops and wait for them to show up, then the cops can question/arrest you if they believe you have done anything illegal.

Quidam

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#317774 13-Apr-2010 13:25

magu:
Quidam:
NonprayingMantis: Yes, what they should do is issue security guards with photo IDs of every single person that has spent more than $1000 there. That way the guard will treat you with the reverence you so richly deserve.
:rolls eyes:

Yeah, I expect to be treated like I'm not a criminal but a paying customer. What the hell was I thinking

You think you were treated like a criminal just because they asked to search your bag? Don't EVER fly to the US, then.

I have flown to the U.S. and suffered the same delays everyone else did, including bag searches and even taking shoes off etc. Difference is I was expecting it, everyone was.

I repeat, this guy had no grounds except some sort of stereo-type/prejudice for singling me out. That will teach me not to bother shaving in the morning

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

Quidam

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Ultimate Geek

#317775 13-Apr-2010 13:26

k14:
magu:
You can only passively improve security so much before it becomes ineffective. The security guard had a suspicion, and most likely politely asked to check your bag. This happens to a lot of customers and non-customers all around the world. As long as they are being respectful, they have the right to do so (if there's a sign outside mentioning that, of course).

Incorrect, they have no right to look into your bag if you refuse. A sign at the entrance is no way to waive your rights either. Even a police officer has no legal right to see inside your bag (unless he/she suspects you of being in possession of drugs). It hasn't happened to me but I would respectfully tell them that they cannot look in my bag and be on my merry way. They can't detain you against your will either. If they think that you have stolen anything they have to call the cops and wait for them to show up, then the cops can question/arrest you if they believe you have done anything illegal.

Exactly, that's what I wondered afterwards, what if I'd just said no? But that would have made it even more awkward, I didn't know my rights.

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

vinnieg

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#317776 13-Apr-2010 13:27

k14:
magu:
You can only passively improve security so much before it becomes ineffective. The security guard had a suspicion, and most likely politely asked to check your bag. This happens to a lot of customers and non-customers all around the world. As long as they are being respectful, they have the right to do so (if there's a sign outside mentioning that, of course).

Incorrect, they have no right to look into your bag if you refuse. A sign at the entrance is no way to waive your rights either. Even a police officer has no legal right to see inside your bag (unless he/she suspects you of being in possession of drugs). It hasn't happened to me but I would respectfully tell them that they cannot look in my bag and be on my merry way. They can't detain you against your will either. If they think that you have stolen anything they have to call the cops and wait for them to show up, then the cops can question/arrest you if they believe you have done anything illegal.

That is correct, you can have a security guard up for assault if they attempt to obtain you against your will, through force or threats. The correct procedure which isn't followed that well, is to match a description of the offender and follow them, till the police catch up.

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

magu

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#317777 13-Apr-2010 13:27

k14:
magu:
You can only passively improve security so much before it becomes ineffective. The security guard had a suspicion, and most likely politely asked to check your bag. This happens to a lot of customers and non-customers all around the world. As long as they are being respectful, they have the right to do so (if there's a sign outside mentioning that, of course).

Incorrect, they have no right to look into your bag if you refuse. A sign at the entrance is no way to waive your rights either. Even a police officer has no legal right to see inside your bag (unless he/she suspects you of being in possession of drugs). It hasn't happened to me but I would respectfully tell them that they cannot look in my bag and be on my merry way. They can't detain you against your will either. If they think that you have stolen anything they have to call the cops and wait for them to show up, then the cops can question/arrest you if they believe you have done anything illegal.

That clears it for me then. You could have said 'no'. Thanks for clearing it up k14. Do they have the right to refuse entry if you say no?

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

magu

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#317780 13-Apr-2010 13:28

Quidam:
magu:
Quidam:
NonprayingMantis: Yes, what they should do is issue security guards with photo IDs of every single person that has spent more than $1000 there. That way the guard will treat you with the reverence you so richly deserve.
:rolls eyes:

Yeah, I expect to be treated like I'm not a criminal but a paying customer. What the hell was I thinking

You think you were treated like a criminal just because they asked to search your bag? Don't EVER fly to the US, then.

I have flown to the U.S. and suffered the same delays everyone else did, including bag searches and even taking shoes off etc. Difference is I was expecting it, everyone was.

I repeat, this guy had no grounds except some sort of stereo-type/prejudice for singling me out. That will teach me not to bother shaving in the morning

If you think you were discriminated, go and complain. But if you're just ranting because they asked to check your bags, then I don't see the issue.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

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