Have you been "watched" while shopping? - Blu-ray Forum

djluis2k6 · 09-19-2009, 05:50 AM

....and I'm not talkin' about on twitter. Who's got some good stories about being followed or "watched" while browsing in a store.

For me, nothing major, but I go into Best Buy a lot and 9 times out of 10 buy something, usually spend more than $50 per visit. But before I was dropping that much almost weekly, I would browse a lot cause I might buy something I wasn't planning on. I guess the hoodie threw up a red flag cause the associates would constantly be watching me and my friends around the store. Catching us at every corner with "is there something I can help you find?" Crazy, I really should have just told them straight up that I don't need to steal, I got plenty of money.

SlmShdy1 · 09-19-2009, 06:04 AM

I don't care if somebody does have tons of money. After working in retail, you learn not to trust any customer.

I was at a 24 hour Walmart and I was just walking around with my girlfriend. I noticed a lady near the front of the store and, about 10 minutes later, I saw her in the electronics department after we had just been in that department. I found it funny because that was part of my job at Walmart and here I am being watched. But it's nice to know they're watching because too many people steal.

mikejet · 09-19-2009, 01:19 PM

It's all about how you dress and act. If you look like a mature adult you will maybe be asked if you need help and be greeted when you come in. If you look like you might be trouble or might steal they will watch you.

Satans Puppet · 09-19-2009, 01:36 PM

lol not in an electronic store...

In a corner shop I usually go to... the little old lady, who must be the mother keeps following me around, one time I didn't have the hands to carry a basket as I had my niece in a push chair, so I put a bottle of coke on the rain hood, fully on view and she started having a go... Told her I was gonna pay but she continued to have a go.

So I handed the bottle back to her and left the store.

Thanks But no thanks....

With all the cameras about these days you can't get away with much... I work in a shopping centre office block and the security can be insane

although never quick enough for the grab n run gangs... seen a couple of DVD/Phone stores hit at various points during the year where youths are running out, alarms blaring with electronics under arm...

BLAH!!!

Bethany · 09-19-2009, 08:28 PM

My husband and got some Christmas money that we blew on blu-rays. As we were adding to the cart, several Best Buy guys were talking into their microphones and sneaking glances. They'd walk by, do a check and keep going.

Finally curiousity got the best of them and we had an audience. We paid for the blu-rays and walked out the door. Every time we walk in we get a cheerful "Hello" now.

Steve · 09-19-2009, 08:52 PM

My wife and I were being followed by a loss prevention guy in a Super Wal-Mart once. My wife used to do this for a living while she worked at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure so she spotted the guy immediately. After a few minutes we split up, and when the guy continued to follow me she came up behind him and called him on it. He was pretty embarrassed, but she offered him some tips on how to be less obvious in the future.

Lord_Stewie · 09-19-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

My wife and I were being followed by a loss prevention guy in a Super Wal-Mart once. My wife used to do this for a living while she worked at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure so she spotted the guy immediately. After a few minutes we split up, and when the guy continued to follow me she came up behind him and called him on it. He was pretty embarrassed, but she offered him some tips on how to be less obvious in the future.

lol.

anomynous · 09-19-2009, 09:25 PM

I suppose it isn't as bad as this:

Ghosting

But I don't think I've ever been followed

GGX · 09-19-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

It's all about how you dress and act. If you look like a mature adult you will maybe be asked if you need help and be greeted when you come in. If you look like you might be trouble or might steal they will watch you.

lol I'd rather not go around wearing polo's just so a few employees wont think I am not there to steal.

HiI'mBrian · 09-20-2009, 12:46 AM

I sadly have to stalk the BluRay aisle at my Target due to several theft rings that target them.

having worked in electronics for nearly five years, I can spot the thieves as they come down the main aisle.

red_5ive · 09-20-2009, 12:56 AM

Not sure if I've ever been watched, but when I'm asked if I need any help I like to say, "No thanks. I'm just touching stuff." They usually leave me alone after that.

Hammie · 09-20-2009, 02:54 AM

I've noticed being watched a few times. Usually, I start taking deep sniffs of what ever I'm holding -- Blu-rays, toothpaste, bread. Then I start talking to myself saying things like, "oh, the person who touched you before me had peanut butter on their hands. Didn't they?"

Wal-mart seems to be the place that does this a lot. Either that, or they have the least skilled people to do the watching/following.

Hi-Def Steve · 09-20-2009, 04:03 AM

A few years ago supermarket employees boycotted the stores for whatever the reason was. So the stores hired scabs. Apparently disgruntled employees would come in and cause some kind of commotion. That's what Ralph's thought my brother and I were doing. We were buying a ton of food that time, so I guess they thought we were up to something. Every single isle we went to the same Ralph scab would be there watching us with a nice smirk on his face. After about the 10th isle I couldn't take it anymore and asked him if there was a problem? He in turn called the manager right away and they threw us out of the store. We left our full cart and we could hear them talking to themselves "those damn employees again" as we left. I called that store the next day telling a higher up manager what happened. She profusely apologized and assured us she would investigate the matter with those who were involved that night. She called me later and offered me a $10 GC.

RiseDarthVader · 09-20-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I've noticed being watched a few times. Usually, I start taking deep sniffs of what ever I'm holding -- Blu-rays, toothpaste, bread. Then I start talking to myself saying things like, "oh, the person who touched you before me had peanut butter on their hands. Didn't they?"

Wal-mart seems to be the place that does this a lot. Either that, or they have the least skilled people to do the watching/following.

Haha the looks on their faces must be priceless!

Yautja · 09-20-2009, 08:29 AM

When I worked at K-mart many years ago, security would also keep an eye on the staff or employees, one day would be allocated to a certain staff 7 believe it or not they did catch a few of them stealing, sad but true!

Sylin · 09-20-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

It's all about how you dress and act. If you look like a mature adult you will maybe be asked if you need help and be greeted when you come in. If you look like you might be trouble or might steal they will watch you.

Have to agree with this. I've never been followed or watched in a retail store--actually, I get left alone or ignored in most cases, unless I proactively ask for help.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I readily make eye contact with others and smile, from the moment I walk in the door.

Plus, the stores I tend to visit, I visit regularly. They "know" me.

The closest I've ever come to employee scrutiny was when my brother-in-law, who was 15 at the time, came to visit, and we went to this new grocery store. Part of my purchase included beer, and the cashier called a manager over to make sure I wasn't buying it for him. The answer was no, but it was a ridiculous question. Only an imbecile would say yes.

MaCruz · 09-20-2009, 04:29 PM

I don't think I've been followed or watched when I'm shopping. I'm too fast for them.

I know what I want, go in there, pay, and get out.

350gt · 09-20-2009, 05:17 PM

One time at BB I think I was being followed by this one guy and I stopped and stared at him in the isle. Not with a friendly smile either, but I watched him back and he played it off and started looking at Wii games and even picked up a cooking mama disk and pretend to read it.

I really get a kick out of going to a high end retail store and browsing. It just sucks cause I am Hispanic and I know I am just getting stereotyped. I have even bought something just so I didnt look like all the others who walk in and dont buy shit.

ThereWillBeBud · 09-21-2009, 08:44 PM

I just witnessed shoplifting in progress earlier today. I was arriving at the mall and I saw two teenagers book it out of Macy's with their arms full of clothes. Two security officers quickly ran out into the parking lot after them, at first they were only a few feet behind them when they came out the doors, but both of the officers were a little overweight and ended up losing them. It looked like they were only holding one shirt each when they hopped a fence into the woods around the mall, the rest of the clothes were scattered across the parking lot.

mikejet · 09-21-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGX

lol I'd rather not go around wearing polo's just so a few employees wont think I am not there to steal.

Not saying you have to dress up but don't go into a store with a baggy t-shirt and baggy pants.

09-19-2009, 05:50 AM	#1
djluis2k6 Power Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2007	Have you been "watched" while shopping? ....and I'm not talkin' about on twitter. Who's got some good stories about being followed or "watched" while browsing in a store. For me, nothing major, but I go into Best Buy a lot and 9 times out of 10 buy something, usually spend more than $50 per visit. But before I was dropping that much almost weekly, I would browse a lot cause I might buy something I wasn't planning on. I guess the hoodie threw up a red flag cause the associates would constantly be watching me and my friends around the store. Catching us at every corner with "is there something I can help you find?" Crazy, I really should have just told them straight up that I don't need to steal, I got plenty of money. Last edited by djluis2k6; 09-19-2009 at 05:51 AM. Reason: thread title change

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09-19-2009, 06:04 AM	#2
SlmShdy1 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Honolulu, HI PlayStation® PSN: SlmShdy1 Home Theater Gallery:39 Blu-ray collection:292	I don't care if somebody does have tons of money. After working in retail, you learn not to trust any customer. I was at a 24 hour Walmart and I was just walking around with my girlfriend. I noticed a lady near the front of the store and, about 10 minutes later, I saw her in the electronics department after we had just been in that department. I found it funny because that was part of my job at Walmart and here I am being watched. But it's nice to know they're watching because too many people steal.

09-19-2009, 01:19 PM	#3
mikejet Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:29	It's all about how you dress and act. If you look like a mature adult you will maybe be asked if you need help and be greeted when you come in. If you look like you might be trouble or might steal they will watch you.

09-19-2009, 01:36 PM	#4
Satans Puppet Active Member Member since:Jul 2009 Blu-ray collection:166	lol not in an electronic store... In a corner shop I usually go to... the little old lady, who must be the mother keeps following me around, one time I didn't have the hands to carry a basket as I had my niece in a push chair, so I put a bottle of coke on the rain hood, fully on view and she started having a go... Told her I was gonna pay but she continued to have a go. So I handed the bottle back to her and left the store. Thanks But no thanks.... With all the cameras about these days you can't get away with much... I work in a shopping centre office block and the security can be insane although never quick enough for the grab n run gangs... seen a couple of DVD/Phone stores hit at various points during the year where youths are running out, alarms blaring with electronics under arm... BLAH!!!

09-19-2009, 08:28 PM	#5
Bethany Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:Middle of Nowhere, NE Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:62 Blu-ray collection:2576 Blu-ray reviews:2	My husband and got some Christmas money that we blew on blu-rays. As we were adding to the cart, several Best Buy guys were talking into their microphones and sneaking glances. They'd walk by, do a check and keep going. Finally curiousity got the best of them and we had an audience. We paid for the blu-rays and walked out the door. Every time we walk in we get a cheerful "Hello" now.

09-19-2009, 08:52 PM	#6
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	My wife and I were being followed by a loss prevention guy in a Super Wal-Mart once. My wife used to do this for a living while she worked at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure so she spotted the guy immediately. After a few minutes we split up, and when the guy continued to follow me she came up behind him and called him on it. He was pretty embarrassed, but she offered him some tips on how to be less obvious in the future.

09-19-2009, 09:25 PM	#8
anomynous Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray collection:185 Trading Score:40	I suppose it isn't as bad as this: Ghosting But I don't think I've ever been followed

09-20-2009, 12:46 AM	#10
HiI'mBrian Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Radville	I sadly have to stalk the BluRay aisle at my Target due to several theft rings that target them. having worked in electronics for nearly five years, I can spot the thieves as they come down the main aisle.

09-20-2009, 12:56 AM	#11
red_5ive Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The 'state' of Southern California Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:364 Blu-ray collection:996 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	Not sure if I've ever been watched, but when I'm asked if I need any help I like to say, "No thanks. I'm just touching stuff." They usually leave me alone after that.

09-20-2009, 02:54 AM	#12
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	I've noticed being watched a few times. Usually, I start taking deep sniffs of what ever I'm holding -- Blu-rays, toothpaste, bread. Then I start talking to myself saying things like, "oh, the person who touched you before me had peanut butter on their hands. Didn't they?" Wal-mart seems to be the place that does this a lot. Either that, or they have the least skilled people to do the watching/following.

09-20-2009, 04:03 AM	#13
Hi-Def Steve Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Pasadena, CA 4K collection:264 Blu-ray collection:315 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:187	A few years ago supermarket employees boycotted the stores for whatever the reason was. So the stores hired scabs. Apparently disgruntled employees would come in and cause some kind of commotion. That's what Ralph's thought my brother and I were doing. We were buying a ton of food that time, so I guess they thought we were up to something. Every single isle we went to the same Ralph scab would be there watching us with a nice smirk on his face. After about the 10th isle I couldn't take it anymore and asked him if there was a problem? He in turn called the manager right away and they threw us out of the store. We left our full cart and we could hear them talking to themselves "those damn employees again" as we left. I called that store the next day telling a higher up manager what happened. She profusely apologized and assured us she would investigate the matter with those who were involved that night. She called me later and offered me a $10 GC.

09-20-2009, 08:29 AM	#15
Yautja Power Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:AUSTRALIA Home Theater Gallery:29 Trading Score:6	When I worked at K-mart many years ago, security would also keep an eye on the staff or employees, one day would be allocated to a certain staff 7 believe it or not they did catch a few of them stealing, sad but true!

09-20-2009, 04:29 PM	#17
MaCruz Community Gaming Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Jacksonville, FL Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:104 Blu-ray collection:958 DVD collection:18 MA collection:394 Digital collection:570 iTunes collection:527 Prime collection:192 Blu-ray reviews: 23 Trading Score:139	I don't think I've been followed or watched when I'm shopping. I'm too fast for them. I know what I want, go in there, pay, and get out.

09-20-2009, 05:17 PM	#18
350gt Active Member Member since:May 2009 Location:teXASS.. Home Theater Gallery:24 Blu-ray collection:20	One time at BB I think I was being followed by this one guy and I stopped and stared at him in the isle. Not with a friendly smile either, but I watched him back and he played it off and started looking at Wii games and even picked up a cooking mama disk and pretend to read it. I really get a kick out of going to a high end retail store and browsing. It just sucks cause I am Hispanic and I know I am just getting stereotyped. I have even bought something just so I didnt look like all the others who walk in and dont buy shit.

09-21-2009, 08:44 PM	#19
ThereWillBeBud Senior Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:SU Blu-ray collection:393 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:31	I just witnessed shoplifting in progress earlier today. I was arriving at the mall and I saw two teenagers book it out of Macy's with their arms full of clothes. Two security officers quickly ran out into the parking lot after them, at first they were only a few feet behind them when they came out the doors, but both of the officers were a little overweight and ended up losing them. It looked like they were only holding one shirt each when they hopped a fence into the woods around the mall, the rest of the clothes were scattered across the parking lot.

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