Nazi-Mart: Wal-Mart's Stop 'n Search Policy
I know that some of you probably consider Wal-Mart to be the Great Satan of retail sales, but I've always found them convenient. It's not easy when you're a single dad with a toddler girl. I'd rather get all of my shopping done, quickly and efficiently, and then proceed on to the bazillion other things on my itinerary. My biggest problem was that I can never get out of there without spending $100 or more, even if I originally came for a couple of frozen dinners and a DVD. But tonight, I'm feeling a little disturbed about a policy I'm seeing used there. It relates to privacy rights, and unwarranted search. (and seizure?)
Today, I picked up a new DVD/VCR player, and a toy horse (rideable) for my daughter, some frozen dinners and other necessities. Today's total? A painful $200+. And you KNOW they don't keep a running total, so you only find out the bad news at the end, unless you've been keeping track along the way. I had to get "Kingdom of Heaven", it was on discount)
After checkout, as I rolled along, my daughter was being fussy, I was putting my card back in my wallet, and then --BLAMMO-- a little old lady suddenly stepped right in front of me. I would have ended up running her down with my shopping cart if I hadn't caught her in my peripheral vision.
Skid to a stop. "Yes?"
"I need to see your receipt."
"It's in my wallet. Why?"
"I need to see your receipt."
Briefest of pauses, and then I pulled it out. I guess I was completely taken by surprise, or else I might have considered it more. She ran down the list and told me I was free to go. Now wait a minute.
I asked her why she had stopped me, and why she was searching my stuff.
It was for ME that she was doing it.
How's that?
To prevent theft, and keep prices down.
Well, I'm afraid I don't feel real comfortable with being searched. What gave her probable cause to stop and search me?
Sir, it's not about you.
It's very much about me, Ma'am... you just detained me and went through my stuff. I'm not happy about this.
I rolled out, put my stuff, and my daughter, in the car... and then something -- the curmudgeonly crusader in me -- made me grab my daughter and march back in. I asked to see a manager about it. Here comes Dana, the Manager.
I told her about what happened, and asked, "So, when did you start searching your customers on the way out?"
No disagreement on the use of the word search. She told me that It was for my own good, yadda-yadda. I won't bore you by repeating that portion. But she did tell me that it has been a policy for about a year now, that it wasn't always enforced but Wal-Mart Corporate is now tightening the screws. Had they been impolite about it? They were supposed to be polite. No, they weren't swearing or spitting, if that's what she was asking, but I find being searched to be pretty rude behavior anyway.
I asked what would have happened if I had refused to allow the perusal of my receipt, and search of my belongings. She gave me a look, then changed the subject. What would have happened? She told me that they are not allowed to detain people. If I had refused, the employee would have to allow me to go. I told her I would not be allowing them to search me, ever again.
So... it's a complicated situation. I understand the need for security, and I understand the need to control theft. I even told her so. I've been a soldier before, so I KNOW about security. But this isn't the Red Zone in Baghdad. I just don't feel comfortable with Wal-Mart employees stopping and searching me. And I don't feel impressed that they're supposedly doing this for me.
Thoughts?
Update on 10/15/05: Wow, this really got some lively debate @ slclj!
(x-posted at different locations)
Today, I picked up a new DVD/VCR player, and a toy horse (rideable) for my daughter, some frozen dinners and other necessities. Today's total? A painful $200+. And you KNOW they don't keep a running total, so you only find out the bad news at the end, unless you've been keeping track along the way. I had to get "Kingdom of Heaven", it was on discount)
After checkout, as I rolled along, my daughter was being fussy, I was putting my card back in my wallet, and then --BLAMMO-- a little old lady suddenly stepped right in front of me. I would have ended up running her down with my shopping cart if I hadn't caught her in my peripheral vision.
Skid to a stop. "Yes?"
"I need to see your receipt."
"It's in my wallet. Why?"
"I need to see your receipt."
Briefest of pauses, and then I pulled it out. I guess I was completely taken by surprise, or else I might have considered it more. She ran down the list and told me I was free to go. Now wait a minute.
I asked her why she had stopped me, and why she was searching my stuff.
It was for ME that she was doing it.
How's that?
To prevent theft, and keep prices down.
Well, I'm afraid I don't feel real comfortable with being searched. What gave her probable cause to stop and search me?
Sir, it's not about you.
It's very much about me, Ma'am... you just detained me and went through my stuff. I'm not happy about this.
I rolled out, put my stuff, and my daughter, in the car... and then something -- the curmudgeonly crusader in me -- made me grab my daughter and march back in. I asked to see a manager about it. Here comes Dana, the Manager.
I told her about what happened, and asked, "So, when did you start searching your customers on the way out?"
No disagreement on the use of the word search. She told me that It was for my own good, yadda-yadda. I won't bore you by repeating that portion. But she did tell me that it has been a policy for about a year now, that it wasn't always enforced but Wal-Mart Corporate is now tightening the screws. Had they been impolite about it? They were supposed to be polite. No, they weren't swearing or spitting, if that's what she was asking, but I find being searched to be pretty rude behavior anyway.
I asked what would have happened if I had refused to allow the perusal of my receipt, and search of my belongings. She gave me a look, then changed the subject. What would have happened? She told me that they are not allowed to detain people. If I had refused, the employee would have to allow me to go. I told her I would not be allowing them to search me, ever again.
So... it's a complicated situation. I understand the need for security, and I understand the need to control theft. I even told her so. I've been a soldier before, so I KNOW about security. But this isn't the Red Zone in Baghdad. I just don't feel comfortable with Wal-Mart employees stopping and searching me. And I don't feel impressed that they're supposedly doing this for me.
Thoughts?
Update on 10/15/05: Wow, this really got some lively debate @ slclj!
(x-posted at different locations)