I work at a store in Michigan. I was at work Wednesday this week and watched as a woman was detained by our loss preventioN. She had beem shopping inside and had s stuff in her cart and then went out the front door, and that's where she was stopped. However, she said she was just taking the cart outside, which we allow, to get some merchandise from outside. The thing is, I feel like a piece of total crap. I see her there all the time. And I know her and her family (just from the checkout lane, not personally) but I see her do this all the time. And not once has she left without paying. She always comes back in and buys the stuff. i should have stood up for her but i was afraid I'd get in trouble. I'd been yelled at just earlier that day For something menial. Anal manager.
anyway, we have no sign that says you can't take certain stuff outside and I know that they're allowed. Why did this happen? She was so upset I saw her crying and I know she wasn't shoplifting. It's too bad but I'm thinking of quitting. Maybe I should just say something. Would any of you?
So many people steal from Kroger that it doesn't surprise me she was detained.
People should use common sense. If you want to buy stuff outside, then get that stuff first and then come inside and do the rest of your shopping. Don't shop inside first and then walk out the door with a shopping cart of unpaid merchandise to browse/pick up other stuff. What is management/loss prevention supposed to think when they see a shopping cart of unpaid merchandise leave the store? Hope for the best? With the kind of people that Kroger attracts when it comes to scheming and cheating extreme couponers and people that outright steal? Not a chance.
I get what you're saying and agree, so please don't get me wrong...
I suppose I should rephrase my question(s):
(1). Can a shopper take a shopping cart with merchandise from inside to get merchandise from outside and then come back in to pay for it all?
(2). Is there any policy in your stores in regards to the rules about this scenario?
(3). Does anyone know of any similar situations?
** I am asking all this in hopes for a quick response BC I've decided to tell my manager 2moro everything I wrote in the beginning. Don't get me wrong, it may have "looked bad" on her end, but "looking bad" and "intent to steal" are 2 VERY different things. And I was hoping there was some Kroger Rule in regards to this situation I can quote 2moro when I approach my manager - so I don't look like a total fool! Other than just saying, "I've seen her go outside before and she's never left without paying..." I'm hoping I will also be able to add, "And this is our policy, see [section 1a. states...blah blah]." Or something like that.
I want to do the right thing, and I heard from a friend/coworker who worked later than me Wednesday that she wouldnt sign our trespassing paper, so the manager called the police. That is so wrong, especially when I see REAL thieves (m of whom I work with) steal from Kroger all the time, every single day! I want to stick up for this lady because it will bug me to death if I don't. So, guys, any help is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!
I don't understand why she wouldn't just leave the cart inside, near the door, go outside, grab something, then come back in. It makes no sense to take an entire cart full of stuff outside at the last minute. Unless she were getting something heavy. I can see why she was detained too.
What you do is get your stuff outside BEFORE coming in to shop. Then come inside the store. Not get your items first then go outside. Let's hope she learns her lesson
If you try and stick up for this person, be prepared for it to come back and bite you. Management may believe you're some kind of accomplice and watch all of your actions more closely. Management may also tell you to keep your nose out of where it doesn't belong. Management has already made it clear she is no longer welcomed in the store. If management wouldn't even take her word (as a customer - and we all know how much more value management places on customers over employees), what makes you think management will take the word of a lowly employee?
Just remember that no good deed goes unpunished - especially at Kroger! Be prepared to be yelled at even more by the managers if you decide to try and get involved in a situation that, as far as management is concerned, is over and settled.
So, I never got a straight answer on any policy anyone knows about. I thank you for the replies but I wasn't looking for opinions, just a black and white yes or no in regards to any policy. And I guess I feel so strongly about this Bc the manager who dealt with it is a total sexist pig who has even called me a B**** before under his breath. If anyone should be in trouble it should be him. So, I also got a bit more of the story - she had just been to the pharmacy right before that and had to use her ID to pick up meds. So, it doesn't seem to me with a record of who she is and where she lives that she'd then go and steal after giving all that info leading right to her.
Whether there is an official policy or not is pretty much irrelevant at this point. The customer is banned from the store, per management's decision. You just have to accept that and move on. It's highly unlikely anything you say will cause a reversal in the decision.
If you're that curious as to whether or not there is an official policy pertaining to this situation, then a review of the Kroger Contact Us page pulls up this:
"Policy Inquiry - Inquiries about our company policies, please call 1-800-576-4377"
Just don't identify yourself as an employee. You could instead identify yourself simply as a "friend" of the woman that was banned from the store and explain what happened. Ask the CSR if management was following company policy and see what kind of response you get.
I could be wrong but i always thought the policy stated that they can't detain you until after you go out the door... which would imply that you are not supposed to take unpaid merchandise out the door and that the moment you do, they can (And will) detain you.
Sorry this happened but she sounds like she's not too bright, what did she think would happen if you take a cart full of stuff out the door without paying?
Contrary to the way Kroger's management trains our customers in most interactions, you can't get away with everything. Use some damn common sense and make sure you get anything from outside before you get any items from inside.
