Guess what happened to me two days ago

[Storm Eagle]

I got banned from going into a Best Buy store. Perhaps for nothing.

I've been going in there to see if they have the DVD I wanted, but they never did. Now I went there on Wednesday and they still didn't have it. So this guy that works there confronted me and told me not to go there anymore because he sees me coming into the store attempting to steal. He's wrong.

I mean sometimes when I'm around I'd go in to to browse around, and kill time, but that's about it. Anyway I guess he figured if I was coming into the store, and not buying anything, then I had to have been trying to steal or something. I think the fact that I had my hands in my jacket pocket most of the time might have also aroused his suspicions. Well, I needed to put my hands somewhere.

Okay see, they didn't have the DVD I wanted, so one guy there saw me looking and asked if I needed help. So I just figured I should let him check for me about the DVD, even if it's not on the shelf. So he went to check in their system to see if maybe they have it in their inventory or something. They didn't. So after that, I went to the video game section to get one of those cards that I can use to reserve Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Some guys ask me if I need help, and I just tell them I'm looking for one of those cards that I can use to reserve that game. They told me they were out of them.

After that, there's this guy who's probably a manager or something, started following me around the place. I went from one spot to another, and he just wouldn't leave me alone. So I just decided to leave. Then when I'm going back to my car, he calls me back to tell me I'm banned, and why I'm banned. I tried to explain to him that I've just been looking there for something, only to see that they didn't have it. He wasn't buying it though.

Now, like any good law-abiding man, I NEVER steal. Even before that, I went to Kohl's and got a new umbrella. I went to a drug store to get some deodorant and a pack of tissues. I went to The Vitamin Shoppe and got some vitamins. I paid for them all, I swear. So if that Best Buy had what I was looking for, I definitely would have paid for it. Anyway I guess the guy just saw me coming into Best Buy every other day, only to have bought nothing (AND I ALSO STOLE NOTHING). I guess he figured that was reason enough for him to be suspicious of me. Most of the times I'd just go in to look around, and kill time like I mentioned earlier.

Well, it sucks that this had to happen. I may have brought this on myself, but whatever. Even so, if that guy's going to be a jerk and wrongfully accuse me, then they don't deserve my business anyway.

[GameMaster]

That's not right and you need to do something about it. I think you need to talk with a police officer or something. You've been unfairly discriminated against. Since you never stole anything and they're judging you simply on suspisions, the ball is on your side of the court, man. Get justice.

[Storm Eagle]

Actually, I complained via e-mail at bestbuy.com. When I talked to one of my friends about this, he suggested I take it up with a district manager instead of reporting it to the store where the indicent happened. He said I should get more effective results if I take it up with the district manager, and I figured it should be safer that way. I was actually waiting later in the day yesterday to call the store at first, because I figured the guy might not be there, and I'd be least likely to end up on the phone with him. So I called the number for the district manager, and ended up speaking to a lady on the other end. I told her what happened, she gave me a case number, and said to file a complaint at bestbuy.com via e-mail. She apologized for what happened to me, so I guess she was sincere. Unfortunately, due to legal issues, I won't be allowed to know about what happened when the dispute gets settled. However, I might know if I can come back to the store or not.

[Perfect Stu]

you were eaten by giant hamsters?

*reads post*

damn...at least I was close



*on a serious note, it is unfortunate what happened. in what way are you 'banned' from the place, though? what's stopping you from walking back in there when the DVD comes out and buying it? you didnt commit a crime, it would be against the law to use force to get you out.

If it was me, I would go back and buy the DVD...and take my sweet-ass time. Look around casually, pick up the DVD, and then pay for it and leave. And I'd make sure to catch the eye of one of the asses that "banned" me, and smile. Sorta like a "oh, hello again". But that's me...I loathe jackholes on powertrips that take action on someone for no reason whatsoever.

[Swan]

What would happen to you if you went back there? What's the worst they could do?

I say you should go there more, and never buy anything. Go in clothes without pockets as well. SO they can't say you're attempting to steal something.

[Jason1]

What would happen to you if you went back there? What's the worst they could do?

I say you should go there more, and never buy anything. Go in clothes without pockets as well. SO they can't say you're attempting to steal something.


Yea, I was about to say something similar. Who cares what one store manager or whatever says to you. Its not like their going to have pictures up all over with your picture on it. Just forget the whole thing. Inless you hate the store now. Then really dont go back and tell all your friends and family never to go there again.

[Jonbo298]

Challenge the ban. You have the right to. Tell the district manager you would like to look over the video of the times you were there to prove you did not take anything.

Also, when the manager was there and you were told the ban, you shouldve told him to check you right there on the spot. Empty your pockets, look through the car, etc..and see what happens. Thats what I would do in that case.

[Perfect Stu]

they have no right to look through his car, though.

if they touch you, it's harrassment. I dont want to sound like a feminist soccermom, but dont conform, dude. exercise your rights.

[Ginkasa]

they have no right to look through his car, though.

if they touch you, it's harrassment.


Not if he requested it, though, to prove his innocense, right?


*shrugs and walks away*

[Storm Eagle]

What would happen to you if you went back there? What's the worst they could do?

I say you should go there more, and never buy anything. Go in clothes without pockets as well. SO they can't say you're attempting to steal something.

Well, the guy did say that if he ever sees me inside the store again, there's going to be trouble.

And then I pissed my pants. :rolleyes:

Challenge the ban. You have the right to. Tell the district manager you would like to look over the video of the times you were there to prove you did not take anything.

Also, when the manager was there and you were told the ban, you shouldve told him to check you right there on the spot. Empty your pockets, look through the car, etc..and see what happens. Thats what I would do in that case.

Yeah I didn't think to ask him what proof he even has that I was trying to steal. I regret that.


We seem to be in agreement that that dude was wrong to
ban me from the store solely on suspicion, yes? However, I was talking about this with someone a few minutes ago and she says he has a right to ban me and reject my business, even if I did just simply come off as a threat to the business, even though he may be a jerk for doing it.

Well sheesh, why even bother reporting it then? :rolleyes:

And to think I was considering taking it up with the Better Business Bureau as well. They probably won't be on my side now, if that guy does indeed have a right to even reject my business just on account of his own suspicions alone.

[Ginkasa]

You should still try. Just because "someone" says something doesn't mean that its true, or that there's nothing you can do. I'd still take it up with the BBB. Do what you can.


*shrugs and walks away*

[Perfect Stu]

Not if he requested it, though, to prove his innocense, right?


*shrugs and walks away*

Requesting to prove your innocence dignifies their accusation.

[Ginkasa]

How so?


*shrugs and walks away*

[Vampyr]

How so?


*shrugs and walks away*

Pride.

You shouldn't have to prove yourself to anyone, if you told them you didn't do it, they should have to believe you. Letting them search you to "prove" your innocence is just conforming to what they want. By letting them seach you, you would be giving in to them. It's your right NOT to be searched, and I wouldn't let some jerk-off search me just because he had the crazy idea I was a theif, even if it was to show I hadn't done anything. He had no right to think so in the first place.

I would see to it that he gets what's coming to him. Do everything you can within the law to make sure justice is achieved. I hope he gets fired for it or something, and he should have to pay you for the aggravation, time, and annoyance he has cost you.

[Joeiss]

challenge the manager to a duel.

[Happydude]

well that sucks...you should have punched him in the face and left...:p

[Perfect Stu]

Pride.

You shouldn't have to prove yourself to anyone, if you told them you didn't do it, they should have to believe you. Letting them search you to "prove" your innocence is just conforming to what they want. By letting them seach you, you would be giving in to them. It's your right NOT to be searched, and I wouldn't let some jerk-off search me just because he had the crazy idea I was a theif, even if it was to show I hadn't done anything. He had no right to think so in the first place.

I would see to it that he gets what's coming to him. Do everything you can within the law to make sure justice is achieved. I hope he gets fired for it or something, and he should have to pay you for the aggravation, time, and annoyance he has cost you.


w3rd.

[Jonbo298]

they have no right to look through his car, though.

if they touch you, it's harrassment. I dont want to sound like a feminist soccermom, but dont conform, dude. exercise your rights.

I didn't mean the Manager touching him. I was talking about him emptying his pockets, taking off a coat if necessary and proving there is nothing stolen.

[Storm Eagle]

I didn't mean the Manager touching him. I was talking about him emptying his pockets, taking off a coat if necessary and proving there is nothing stolen.

If the manager fondled me, I would have definitely reported him. I guess emptying my pockets is fine though. I stole nothing and I know it, so I've got nothing to worry about.

[Dyne]

challenge the manager to a duel.

With rocket launchers and katanas!

[Perfect Stu]

With rocket launchers and katanas!

I personally prefer a slap to the face with a leather glove and then the 10-step pace off with 19th century rifles.


BUT YOURS SOUNDS FUN TOO

[KillerGremlin]

I just want to say that Best Buy is an over rated crap hole full of uneducated sales personnel and managers with their heads so far up their ass that it’s almost unbearable. I’ve had trouble with Best Buy before, for numerous reasons, all of which I think warrant boycotting certain products from their store. The first issue I have is with their video game policy. You need to be 18 to purchase Mature rated video games at Best Buy. Now, I’m not 100% sure where Illinois law stands, but I’m fairly sure the Bill was not passed that prohibited the sale of Mature rated video games to minors. Furthermore, I’ve purchased R rated movies from Best Buy with absolutely no problems – when I was 15. Best Buy has also started asking customers for their phone number every time you make a purchase. You are not required to give Best Buy your phone number, but every time I go there, the customers seem pressured to do so by the cashiers. The one customer, aside from myself, who didn’t give his phone number, had to have a considerable argument with the cashier to not give up his phone number.

I try to avoid using Best Buy for video games. My store of choice is Gamestop. Gamestop only cards for A-rated games, or they will card you if you look like you are 12 years old and you are trying to buy Vice City. I’ve talked to several Gamestop employees and managers, and they all agree that laws that decide who should be able to play certain video games are bull****. Talk about rape of the first amendment. The ESRB is a guideline system, not a limitation.

My second complaint is similar to your story. I enjoy browsing stores too. I like to see what is the latest stuff out there, and I've done my fair share of just browsing. I have had managers and employees follow me around, and it is very uncomfortable. I’m a fairly defensive individual, however, so if an employee did approach me and tell me that I am banned from the store for theft………let’s just say I would go jihad on his ass, regardless of the consequences. The managers of Best Buy manage the store. They don’t own it. So, I don’t know how much power they have or on what grounds they can ban you. But one day a manager or employee did follow me around, till I left, and it was awkward as hell.

I’m not going to lie. Best Buy is a disappointing store. I just discovered Fry’s Electronics, this massive electronic store, and wow. They have everything. Hundreds of motherboards, processors, cases, monitors – it’s an amazing store. And while I doubt I will be able to boycott Best Buy for everything, I have cut my shopping there. I try to use amazon for music now, Gamestop for video games, and Fry’s for everything else. So, okay, maybe I don’t need Best Buy any more.

But dude, you got to stick up for yourself! If you back away, it makes you look like a thief. If Best Buy is going to label you something that you are not, especially after being a loyal customer to their store for so long, I’d be super pissed. If I was you, I’d continue to peruse this complaint thing, and see if you can get some action filed against the guy that banned you from the store.

[Joeiss]

I personally prefer a slap to the face with a leather glove and then the 10-step pace off with 19th century rifles.


BUT YOURS SOUNDS FUN TOO


I'd rather use old school hand guns than rifles...


But then again, rifles are pretty crazy, haha.

[Swan]

Also, don't almost all stores have those electric gate things that beep if you walk through them with something that hasn't been paid for? Couldn't they just have someone stand at the exits and wait for it to go off.

[jeepnut]

Also, don't almost all stores have those electric gate things that beep if you walk through them with something that hasn't been paid for? Couldn't they just have someone stand at the exits and wait for it to go off.

Those things don't catch real theifs. They know how to remove and/or disable the security tags that set those off.

[KillerGremlin]

I work at a Jewel, so I've learned a little about those tag things, and from what I can tell some do work and some don't. The ones that do work tend to be on the more expensive items, and basically everything in a Best Buy is going to cost something. Best Buy has those protective cases on their video games, making it nearly impossible to remove the actual game in the store without being noticed. CDs are wrapped in plastic and stored in the inside of the CD case, but you would be retarded to steal a CD from the store.....because you can do it online with no worry......regarding CDs and Videogames, if you where to steal them, the magnetic seal is located on the inside of the Case, so chances are you would trigger the alarm if you went out with one of them. The magnet seals, from what I recall, transmit some sort of frequency or something, and can be picked up by censor.

I do remove the seal from items I purchase, because I like just having the game case or whatever. The magnetic seals are usually hidden, making it even harder on the thief. Now, hypothetically, if you were going to steal from Best Buy, you'd want to keep the seal from going off: so you'd either have to remove the seal, remove the product from the box with the seal, find a way to deactivate the seal on the floor, or find some sort of casing that you could encase the prodcut in that would keep the seal from being detected. Clothing does not keep the object from beeping. I've had objects beep on me, after I paid for them, because they didn't have the strip properly disable, so hiding it in a coat wouldn't be very affective.

The thing is, I think Best Buy keeps better tabs on their merchandise. At Jewel, tons of items don't work, and it's very easy for a customer to make with product. Sometimes it will beep, but not very often. (During the summer, an ex-con came into our store, loaded up a cart with groceries, and ran out. The thing never beeped, someone caught a glimpse of him as he ran out. That's how we caught him.....not by alarm).

Regardless, unless they have proof that you are a thief, I would challenge their ban.

[Storm Eagle]

Oh hey, you know how Best Buy employees were blue and yellow shirts? He was wearing a yellow shirt, and it turns out he's not even a manager at all. Yellow shirts mean that they're security guards. He's actually a SECURITY GUARD. Anyway I called the store and spoke to the manager, and he's setting up an appointment for me to come in and get it all sorted out.

[Jonbo298]

Cool. At least there is a possible light at the end of all this

[Canyarion]

Yeah I didn't think to ask him what proof he even has that I was trying to steal. I regret that.
That's actually not a good response...
"You stole something!"
"Oh yeah? PROVE IT!"

:D

I sometimes feel like they think I'm stealing. I walk around in a black coat (or is it a jacket?) and don't buy much.

I hate putting my hands in and out of my pockets. Makes me feel they think I'm pocketing something. :(

Yesterday I bought a bread in 1 supermarket, then went into another for bio-organic apples. I put the bread in a plastic bag, even though the name of the other supermarket was on the bread. :p

[MasterMind]

I used to work there. You're right, yellow shirt means he's not the manager of the store. The people with the yellow shirts are the loss prevention crew. They're supposed to do exactly what happened to you. Ask you questions and kick you out if need be. The way they have the store set up, you'd think it be kind of hard to steal stuff, but people are crazy. When I was still there you would find open cd cases opened boxes and whatnot. We even had a car TV monitor(ones that flip down) stolen. It was a pretty big item to steal too.

I think it was wrong for what they did though. I go to Best Buy to do what you do, kill time and browse around. Everytime I'm there doesn't mean I'm going to buy something.

[Storm Eagle]

I used to work there. You're right, yellow shirt means he's not the manager of the store. The people with the yellow shirts are the loss prevention crew. They're supposed to do exactly what happened to you. Ask you questions and kick you out if need be. The way they have the store set up, you'd think it be kind of hard to steal stuff, but people are crazy. When I was still there you would find open cd cases opened boxes and whatnot. We even had a car TV monitor(ones that flip down) stolen. It was a pretty big item to steal too.

I think it was wrong for what they did though. I go to Best Buy to do what you do, kill time and browse around. Everytime I'm there doesn't mean I'm going to buy something.

Right. Even the manager said they don't tolerate that at the store.