The guy who was arrested at a Circuit City because he refused to show his driver’s license to a police officer (because he refused to show his receipt to the front door goon) successfully fought City Hall. That is to say, in order to save itself from the headaches of a civil suit, the city of Brooklyn, Ohio worked out a settlement. Michael Righi was arrested two weeks ago because, after refusing to show his receipt—he felt he didn’t have to by law—to a Circuit City employee and the police were called, he refused to show his drivers license to a police officer. He actually brought up a number of good points re: showing photo ID. What if I don’t have a driver’s license? What do you show then when the police demand to see photo ID? Do any state laws require citizens to get photo ID? I honestly don’t know.
Back to Righi. He settled, ultimately, for an unknown family reason. There would have been little societal benefit to him fighting the charges since Ohio already has legal precedents in place that prevent, you know, being arrested for not showing a driver’s license.
I know this much: I have family members in law enforcement and the stories I hear all point to one thing: cops are jerks. They will arrest you at the drop of a hat, so don’t act fresh. Is that right? No, clearly, but when is life ever fair, especially to the little guy?
Just another reason to never leave the house and buy all your stuff online. No taxes, no goons and no over zealous police officers.
What frikin reason would the guy have for not showing his receipt?
The dipshit could have had a shopping bag full of ripped off stuff.
Bestbuy and CompUSA does the same thing.
I hate having to show my receipt.
I just stood in line to spend my money. Now I have to stand in line to prove I just bought it five minutes ago?!
Kiss my butt, big box stores.
For what its worth, I never show my receipt to the Best Buy, Circuit City people. There’s no law that says I have to. As soon as I paid at the register-big box store was out of the picture.
I don’t think I look intimidating or anything, maybe just old and harmless.
Now, I do stand in line at Costco to show my receipt. The difference being is that I’m a member there and I have to adhere to their policies otherwise they can cancel my membership – or I can choose not to be a member. (I’m buying diapers and baby wipes by the mini-van full. I need Costco more than they need me.)
I’m surprised CC called the cops in the above story. Suspicion of stealing?? Inability to prove innocence? What the heck could the cops have called him on.
What the guy should have done was show his ID and receipt to the cop and then the cop would have had to club the CC employee over the head for wasting his time. Either way, Mr. No ID could have sued CC for whatever the Ohio equivalent of unlawful imprisonment is.
Having said that, when I was…I mean…I heard that kids who have friends as cashiers can get them to swipe the UPC code for the lesser expensive items and casually miss the more expensive items so that they aren’t charged. Or print out their own UPC codes and slap them over the real codes so that they buy a 32 inch LCD for the price of a Van Halen CD.
So, the stores aren’t being unreasonable in asking to see the receipt…just a pain in the ass.
@d: Two reasons for not showing your receipt. First, it’s not an effective loss prevention technique. When’s the last time the receipt nazis actually compared your receipt with what’s in the bag? Besides, retail fraud amounts to only 1.86% of total revenues. So why harass all your customers?
Second, it’s all part of that “guilty-until-proven-innocent” mentality that’s become more and more pervasive in our society since 9-11. Only one alleged shoebomber, but we all have to take our shoes off. And the liquids past airport security thing. Your library records, phone taps, etc. All in the name of improved security. They’re your rights—why give them up?
@Alex: Please go read Michael Righi’s story of his arrest. He was apparently unlawfully detained by Circuit City’s agents (their employees) so he called the police. The police then proceeded to add insult to injury when he asserted his next right, to not show his driver license. So he was arrested on the trumped up charge of obstructing official business. That’s why the city settled.
As for employees being involved in retail fraud, experts believe they account for about 80% of store losses. Since receipt checking is only superficial at best, it is ineffective at stopping this kind of collusion. Since it doesn’t even work for the one element of theft it even stands a chance with, what’s the point besides harassing the rule followers?
Receipt checking is ill-advised and bad customer relations at best. At worst, its part of what makes most people willing to comply with the dictates of authority whether they make sense or not. Government’s gotten away from the “by the people” concept and does what it needs to in order to protect itself and it’s plushy perks. That’s why we need to take action where we can and decline the Invasion of the Receipt Snatchers.
d: “The dipshit could have had a shopping bag full of ripped off stuff.”
-Your trunk could be full of drugs. The cops should pull you over and take a look.
-Your computer could be full of child porn. The FBI should check.
-Your bank account may contain undeclared interest. The IRS should have free access.
Actually, you ARE required to pay taxes on goods purchased over the Internet out of state. Check your next state tax return, there’s a line-item for anything you bought where you didn’t pay sales tax. If yo don’t pay this tax, you’re breaking the law. :)
I have no sympathy for the guy: I read his story, and he was being a jerk. He did all this to prove a point, and only succeeded in proving that he is more stubborn than a store manager. whee.
And as to the argument about receipts at the door: imagine the shoplifting rate if they WEREN’T checked!
Old thread but I’m posting anyway.
THE CUSTOMER WAS COMPLETELY IN THE RIGHT. It is unlawful to detain someone against their will. If you stopped someone in the same Circuit City parking lot and did not allow them to proceed to their car, you have commited a crime. You can/will be arrested for unlawful detainment. Police need probable cause to detain someone. Private citizens are held to the same standard. Any “doofus at the door” has NO RIGHT to detain people, much less customers who spent money, UNLESS they have reason to believe you’ve commited a crime – (in their store, or anywhere else for that matter) That “doofus at the door” can even be held liable in a civil court if that detainment causes a loss.
You legally can (and should) walk right out of the store.
My god people, stand up for yourselves…