Von's doing bag checks on customers, is that legal?

Question

The other day i went shopping in Rite Aid when i finished i put my items in a recycled green bag and continued to Von's, when i finished shopping there i went to the checker and gave him my green bag to put my items in after he'd finished ringing them up, but to my horror he began rummaging through my personal items and when i asked him what the h**l he thought he was doing he got an attitude and said"i assume you brought these?" i told him "yes in Rite aid !" and did he wanna see the receipt ....he said no with a snappy attitude and said he was just asking and was that ok with me !! ...infuriated with his bad behavior and bad attitude i decided to speak to the manager and he did absolutely nothing.

I won't shop there again after 12 years of doing so....but surely that cannot be legal right?...anyone know?

Answer 1

Shoplifting is a multi billion dollar industry and if you dont like being suspected of shoplifting, dont bring your own bags into the store.

period.  they have every right to check your bags.  100% absolutely every right.

Answer 2

YOU went into a 2nd store, carrying a bag with merchandise from another store, which was clearly visible to the clerk when you went to check out.

Flat out.. you are the one with an attitude.  ANY CLERK in his right mind, would have done the same exact thing. And it is totally legal.

As MUCH shoplifting as there is out there today.. seeing a person in a store with a bag of merchandise, that clearly has not been through the register, is completely suspicious.

How about using some common sense? If you have merchandise from another store, PUT IT IN YOUR CAR before going into the next store. If you (for some weird reason) don't have a car to put it in, tie the bag closed, with the receipt from the other store, and don't be insulted by businesses that have the legitimate need to be sure that persons are not shoplifting.

Taking the bag into Von's in the first place was your own lack of thinking.  

Answer 3

It's not legal if he didn't suspect you of stealing something from the store.

Answer 4

You should have checked the bag with the store before shopping. How is a cashier supposed to know if you did or didn't put items into the bag? You are the type person who forces everyone else to be inconvenienced with your attitude. Walmart checks bags you just paid for 15' from the doors. It is legal.

Answer 5

Completely illegal. AG's office of consumer protection can help.

He was "messing with your stuff" which any first-year law student would tell you is "trespass to chattels," and "invasion of privacy, " and possibly "negligent infliction of emotional distress."  Without adequate "excuse or justification", they could be sued for injuries and damages, which could include any and all inconvenience if they delayed you, embarrassed you, caused you to faint (or worse).   This is also true if their automatic alarm (EAS) goes off when you haven't done anything wrong.  If they're going to accuse you of being a thief (slander), you get the option to sue them for being wrong.

However:

If you entered beneath a huge sign saying "all personal belongings beyond this point are subject to search," then you may have given them permission to search your bag. Otherwise, walk right past anyone who wants to see your receipt or your bag, and tell them they had better have probable cause before they stop you.  Just the fact that you're in someone's store gives them absolutely no right to search you or your possessions.

Try to shop in places where thieves are less prevalent and you might not be treated like one.