Report or not Dilemma ?

[silverclaws]

Yesterday I had the misfortune to visit a local branch of B & Q, searching for something I thought they would of had, but i the end didn't. Now whilst in the store looking for ideas for my current flat redecoration, I was walking around the displays. A glance in the wrong direction perhaps, but I became aware that myself and my driver were being followed around the store by one of the oppos that worked there, he seeing me spot him, he ducked behind a shelf and made himself look busy. Too obvious, we were being treated as thieves and that annoyed me, but what's new, shop service in B & Q was never that good anyway.

Now whilst in the lighting department, I happened to notice a single male crouched down, clearly pinching light bulbs, the bugger was blatantly taking I assume duff bulbs out of a bag and putting new bulbs in .Well, he noticed me and stopped, so I walked off around the corner and told my pal, we came past the isle, and my pal saw it and nodded, thievery was in progress. Now my initial reaction was to inform a member of staff, as I don't like that kind of thing, but then I remembered I was being followed by an oppo, who had not seen the light bulb thief, so I thought, stuff them they can take a loss for their bad behaviour.

Anyway eventually the oppo got up the courage to approach us and there asked if there was anything in particular we were looking for, which to me indicates they or he thought we were criminals up to no good. I asked why it was he appeared to be following us and ducking when I looked in his direction, what was he trying to imply by his actions. Anyway, he did not like my tone apparently, I was being considered wrong for complaining about shoddy treatment.

So was I wrong in not reporting the thief given the circumstances, or right, and what would you do in that situation ?

Also, I am finding service in shops to be sadly lacking these days, a feeling, that they want you in there, so they can abuse you unless you buy something, it seems browsing is not allowed anymore. Now I understand pilfering is a problem, but shops need to learn how to differentiate between thieves and people who are not thieves and if it is appearance, it means nothing, it is not an indicator of a possible law breaker, but all they are doing, is destroying their customer base, for every shop that offends me, is one I don't visit again.

 

[hesdownagain]

You are 100% IMO..You were lucky to see a staff member at B&Q because they all seem to vanish when you wan't one, if you do find one and ask them something they have that ''bloody hell i don't have to move do i ''' attitude. i thought it was only myself who noticed this kind of thing as my partner thinks i'm to quick to jump at things. at one shop i left a pile of stuff on the conter and walked out because it appeared no one wanted to serve me...

 

[cyfa2809]

hmmm an odd one that

i think you were right to leave rather than report that guy as you were being followed anyway i dont think they wouldve cared, maybe you wouldve been passed the blame!

start un-recommending them, word of mouth does get around. the customer IS always right after all (although it wouldnt seem that way anymore)

 

[pigman]

are you sure it wasnt dom joly - the trigger happy scene where the tannoy asks the security guy to keep an on the dodgy looking suspect in the white jacket and he follows, only to look the other way when the punter turns round.

I wouldnt blame him for keeping an eye on me if he thought I looked iffy. I am what I am, and I guess the more I returned his looks, the iffier I'd appear. Where he failed was not to respond to you in a courteous manner just cos you caught him out.

Depending how much time/how much it annoys it you, I'd write to the store manager, telling him that whilst the ape was giving you grief, you noticed a theft going on right under his nose and also that you accept certain security measures, but his manner was inappropriate. This would highlight his incompetency also.

Personally, I'd just let it go, better things to do

 

[silverclaws]

I am not going to bother with it, apart from now shop at their competitors, I mean, I had £2800 in my pocket, out buying stuff for my major house over haul, so, yeah, I was a bit scruffy,old mismatching non fashionable clothes and covered in paint and dust, just like many tradesmen I suppose.

But, I do detect an increasing authoritarian mentality out there in Britain, not a pride in the job, but an attitude that seems to go to a persons head, when they get some responsibility, or get to wear a civilian uniform, or company work place attire.

How often is it heard, 'I don't like your tone, or attitude ', when one dares to speak back to a man with a hat in defending oneself against another's opinion of one, the Police notably in this, one is what they say you are and you have no defence, just proving common courtesy and respect for others are words and ideals from the past. I do not like the way this country is degrading.

 

[pigman]

But, I do detect an increasing authoritarian mentality out there in Britain, not a pride in the job, but an attitude that seems to go to a persons head, when they get some responsibility, or get to wear a civilian uniform, or company work place attire.

How often is it heard, 'I don't like your tone, or attitude ', when one dares to speak back to a man with a hat in defending oneself against another's opinion of one, the Police notably in this, one is what they say you are and you have no defence, just proving common courtesy and respect for others are words and ideals from the past.

yep, totally agree, not prepared to reason or listen to logic
I once had my 2 kids with me and some copper had a go at me. I'm not going to relay the story (it was parking related), but I wasnt actually doing anything illegal, I'd used common sense to get round a problem. The copper came along in the manner you describe. I eventually left, knowing that I was never gonna win, and guess what, further up the street an unmarked police car was doing what I'd done. My kids left feeling (a) that copper had spoilt their day (b) they couldnt be reasoned with (c) they were hypocrites. Not a good way to endear future generations of adults methinks. Then we wonder why teenagers call em pigs. But I guess I was an easy target, nothing illegal, welfare of kids at heart, not a ranter/shouter/likely to be arrested. A small victory for him to make his day.

 

[cchris2lou]

Of course you should report it .

I know B and Q are a big company but that thief might steal from you next time .

And I find that B and Q offer the best service , never been let down in the store .

 

[IDB1]

Why would anyone care that someone with so little to do would tail them around a shop where, presumably, a lot of things go awol..

How was 'oppo' to know you weren't a perp?
And also, how would he know that since you have never broken the law, you would be offended by being followed for a bit?

That is, imo, a gross overreaction on your part.

Whether or not I would report someone thieving would depend solely on my mood at the time..

I go into large shops as little as possible but, when I do, find the staff very helpful and friendly.

And the small retailers round here are even better.

 

[tintin40]

As we live in a Capitalist society. you did the correct thing. The days of a caring society are dyeing.

So F**K every body else and look after number 1. Ever since the 1980's that's how it's been going.

Don't worry big business will look after us (and the planet) it does every thing better than the public sector.

By the way this is all bull and the world is shit.

 

[marin man]

You have a "driver"......why...you can ride a bike I thought.....

People who enter my shop are always watched,you can not trust anyone on looks alone and by the same statement you cant judge people by what they look like,best to be safe than sorry.......

Thief is a thief :twisted: I would have reported him no questions asked :twisted:

thieves are another example of freeloaders,if you want something buy it