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Monday, June 11, 2007Okay, Tell Me If I'm OverreactingThis is one of those posts-that-need-reader-comments, so I'm counting on you. The other night, my fifteen-year-old mentioned that the lady at the Walgreen's counter had annoyed him earlier that day. When I asked him the reason, he told me the following: Jonathan rode his bike to Walgreens like he often does. After shopping around for a little while, he didn't find what he wanted. As he was walking toward the exit, which is right next to the check-out counter, the woman behind the counter (we'll call her Suki) called out to him, "Not buying anything today?" "No, not today," Jonathan answered. Not satisfied, Suki called Jonathan back into the store. Perplexed, Jonathan came back. "Empty your pockets," Suki said. Jonathan pulled his cell phone out of his front pocket and showed it to Suki. There wasn't anything else in his pockets, so Suki told him he could leave. So I ask you: Is this right?? I find myself feeling fairly irate over this. Weren't his rights just trampled on? Wasn't he just profiled? Jonathan spends a lot of his pocket money at Walgreens. You could call him a "regular customer." The way he was treated the other day is, in my opinion, a slap in the face. There was no evidence that my son had taken something without having paid for it. Frankly, that's something he'd never do. He's not The Perfect Kid, but he has a strong sense of justice, and stealing something from a store wouldn't cross his mind. He's a good boy. And he was practically accused of having stolen something simply because.....well, because why? Because he didn't buy anything? Because he's a boy? Because he's a teenager? Because he wears his hair a little long? I'm annoyed. And I'm not sure if I should do something or let it go. So if I'm responding out of the raging storm of Pregnancy Hormones, please tell me. If Suki was well within her rights to ask my son to empty his pockets before leaving the store, tell me so. I need to hear it. Shoot it to me straight. Because I'm ready to march down there and smile sweetly while asking to see the manager. And I don't want to embarrass myself. My son has already been embarrassed enough for the two of us. Grrr. |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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17of my readers are feeling chatty:
i definately would march down there, speak to the manager & embarrass her! who knows, maybe she's done this to others...its not pregnancy hormones, she was not within her rights...i leave stores all the time if they dont have what i need and i've never been questioned...isnt that what they have the security buzzer thingers for?
I would go down with an open mind and ask to see the manager. Then, inquire if this is common practice when customer's don't purchase something or if it is only common practice with younger ppl. In many states, unless there is record (someone seeing it), they have no right to make you turn out your pockets, purse, etc... ESPECIALLY a clerk.
I don't believe it was justified and would personally make at least a small odor. Better yet, have son do it with mom backing him up.
You have every right, I believe, to talk to the manager of that store and express your concerns. And if you don't get satisfaction there, I would go higher up the ladder. I would not be afraid to make a little noise. What "Suki" did was basically accuse your son of something which was very embarrassing for him. I also think "Suki" needs some better customer service training.
Hey Jill, I agree with what the others have said. For no reason should a *floor associate* ask that of a customer, regardless of appearance or whatnot. Definetly not pregnancy hormones, you should talk to a manager. Managers...loss prevention...those people handle situations of suspected theft. Even if a floor associate suspects someone of stealing, they don't have the authority to handle the situation. Period.
I agree, go down there with your son and question whether this is common practice or what!!
I would be very irritated with Suki!
I agree, that her actions were inappropriate. Having 2 teens has opened a whole new world up to me in regards to how they are treated. You are not over reacting and I'm proud of your son for maintaining his composure despite the behavior of the "adult" in that situation.
Jill, I don't think there is anything that you can do legally, however,there are some things you could do to let management know that this practice is hurting business. (Speak their language)
Here's the thing that your son can learn from this. He didn't do ANYthing wrong. He didn't have to go back into the store. He didn't have to empty his pockets. It probably would have been a bigger scene if he didn't, but he does have the right to walk away from that type of treatment/accusation. At that point, it would have been up to the clerk to call the police, management, etc.
IF IT WERE ME, (this is only what I would do, not suggesting you do this), I would politely call the 800 number for Walgreens, speak to a manager, give them the details (names included) and let them know EXACTLY what happened. I think I would throw in there something about how it hurts their business. I would ask if this is a practice supported/encouraged by Walgreens or if it's just the act of an individual employee. If they planned on keeping me as a customer, I would probably ask them how they would like to compensate my son for the false accusation. THEN, I would go to the store to talk to the manager and let them know what happened and that you have already talked to a manager.
I would definately give them the opportunity to "clean up their mess." If they back pedal, lie, or dismiss it, I would not shop there. JMO.
I agree with what the other people are saying. I dont think they had any right to do that unless they really thought he took something. Talk to managers and go for it momma!
I think its a case of horrible customer service. I would talk to the manager, so that he/she knows how this employee is treating customers.
I would throw a fit--in the nicest most godly way, of course. :)
(( Jill ))
I unfortunately don't know whether or not what she did was illegal. But I don't think it was appropriate.
I would probably contact a manager. Maybe find somewhere else for your son to spend his pocket money? And tell them why they are not receiving any more of your business.
I think it was wrong for the cashier to have done that. It is NOT her job to force someone to empty their pockets. Every store has a security person who is trained and has the authority to do that. I would talk to the manager. Really if he already left the store and she really thought he took something she should have contacted her manager and/or the police to invesitgate, not herself. Sorry your son had to deal with that
I work in retail, and to be honest I see both sides here bc teens perhaps are the biggest shoplifting offenders. That said, the clerk's behavior was inappropriate and YES, I too would be ticked. I probably wouldn't bother with the manager at the store level. Copy your blog and forward it to the Walgreens Corp. Ask them to contact you for more specifics if they are interested in resolving this with you. If they contact you, you're a valued customer. If not, you decide what next.
I worked in retail for many years. It is a sad thing that all teenagers kind of get lumped together in situations like this. He definatly didn't have to empty his pockets, but it probably would have caused a bigger uproar if he didn't.
There are SO many bad kids out there, and they are ruining things for all the good ones.
FYI, we weren't allowed to search pockets or purses unless one of our security people or management had actually seen someone put something in. Even then, it was a really touchy situation.
I am impressed with how Jonathan handled the situation so maturely. Even with this ridiculous situation, you must be quite proud of your son. I am!
If she suspected he took something then a manager should have been called. I am pretty sure she shouldn't have done anything herself.
My mom works as a manager of a grocery store and at least 1 manager and 1 other employee (usually the person who witnessed the act) have to be present for a search. That way noone can say there was anything inappropriate about it.
I think you should contact the store and let them know what Suki is doing.
Pat yourself on the back for raising a son who handled the situation so well.
Since Jonathan is a "regular customer" in that particular Walgreens, what happened was unfair. Perhaps Suki was new and didn't know Jonathan was a regular customer? But if Suki is not new... Suki sucks.
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