Can a shop owner check ones bags when the customer has already left the shop and is quite far from the shop?

Question

Today we (my family) went to a Newspower shop and after we had left the shop and were at a considerable distance from the shop the lady from the shop came and checked our bag without asking us and even took out our library book.

We were stunned.

She did not apologise and when i went to ask her why she did that and if she thinks i was a thief her colleague said "We can not assume you are not a thief"

should i complain to the shopping centre management?

Answer 1

yeah definitly complain dude they have no right to search u for once, plus once u leave "their" property they have no right to touch. I complain and make a big deal out of it. I wouldnt stop 'til I get the b***h fired.

Answer 2

ofcourse you should complain! she wouldnt even have the right to check youre bag inside the store. the only person who has the right to check youre bag is a cop. further nobody

Answer 3

yes i think u should that was so not good bizzness like actions. and they should not have done that cuz theres nothing to prove so yea complain.

Answer 4

I wonder what country you are in? In the US that would be considered innappropriate behaviour. The only time, in my state, when a store worker should ever stop a customer is if they definitely saw you put something in your bag that belonged to the store and then, only after you walk out with it should they stop you. But really, you didn't have to let the person look in your bag, if you don't want to, tell her to call the cops and that you will wait for them to get here, she's not the proper authority on stopping and searching people.

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I just realized what category this is in, AU, so, to add to my response, I do not know what is acceptable in Australia but that would not be accepted in the US. Sorry I do not know more about Australia laws.

Answer 5

yes you can't do that

if your away from their area then they have no right to invade your privacy like that

Answer 6

I would complain.  They should have told you why they were coming so far from the shop to check your bag.  You deserved an explanation to why your bag was being checked.

Answer 7

Sounds like a retail n**i.  Only the police can actually put their hands into a bag.  Others can ask you to do it.

A complaint may stop her getting her jollies.

Answer 8

You should have complained

Answer 9

No. They are not supposed to do that unless they have solid proof that you stole something. Once you are on the parking lot they shouldn't come checking your bag. I would report it.