As a disclaimer I do not live in the US, and I have never been asked to show the content of my bags when leaving a store.
However, if someone in the name of 'loss prevention' wanted to see the content of ym bags upon leaving a store, then I would do 2 things.
First I would explain to them that a loss is not just people shoplifting but a loss is also when people like me take my business elsewhere because of the treatment I get.
Then I would provide the person in question with 2 options, he can either
a) Let me leave the store without obstructing me further, and in return I might forget about this incident or
b) Search my bags, but in return also provide me with a full refund for anything I bought so that I can for now and in the future take my money elsewhere.
However I would require his manager to oversee the 'search' so that he cannot take anything from or put anything into my bag.
If neither of the options are acceptable to them then I would do as the person in the article did, call the police.
Why call the police before any bags are opened?.. because the police is a neutral 3. party, lets play with the thought that the 'loss prevention' guy is only going to keep his job if he every now and again catches someone, and its been a good month since he caught someone, well, then he might just see it fit to slip something into your bag and now it is his word against yours (a case he will likely win), so if any bags are to be checked it should be by the police, from the very start.
Slashdot Mirror
As a disclaimer I do not live in the US, and I have never been asked to show the content of my bags when leaving a store. However, if someone in the name of 'loss prevention' wanted to see the content of ym bags upon leaving a store, then I would do 2 things. First I would explain to them that a loss is not just people shoplifting but a loss is also when people like me take my business elsewhere because of the treatment I get. Then I would provide the person in question with 2 options, he can either a) Let me leave the store without obstructing me further, and in return I might forget about this incident or b) Search my bags, but in return also provide me with a full refund for anything I bought so that I can for now and in the future take my money elsewhere. However I would require his manager to oversee the 'search' so that he cannot take anything from or put anything into my bag. If neither of the options are acceptable to them then I would do as the person in the article did, call the police. Why call the police before any bags are opened? .. because the police is a neutral 3. party, lets play with the thought that the 'loss prevention' guy is only going to keep his job if he every now and again catches someone, and its been a good month since he caught someone, well, then he might just see it fit to slip something into your bag and now it is his word against yours (a case he will likely win), so if any bags are to be checked it should be by the police, from the very start.