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So, which should I do? Never shop at my local Fred Meyer* again, or write a politely snippy letter to the manager? Because I'm getting tired of having store security follow me around the store. It apparently never crosses their tiny little brains that the person most likely to steal things is NOT the person dressed in elaborate, difficult-not-to-notice clothing.
I used to be amused by this when it happened. But my patience has worn a bit thin. Plus, since I used to work for the dratted company, I know how store security is supposed to be, which is subtle. The ones at the local store? Not subtle. Not at all.
So. Never set foot in the store again, or write letter? Decisions, decisions ...
*For my not-local friends: Fred Meyer is a local chain of 'variety' stores, much like Target. Target is by FAR the better store. But the local Fred Meyer is 2 blocks from my house, unlike the local Target.
I used to be amused by this when it happened. But my patience has worn a bit thin. Plus, since I used to work for the dratted company, I know how store security is supposed to be, which is subtle. The ones at the local store? Not subtle. Not at all.
So. Never set foot in the store again, or write letter? Decisions, decisions ...
*For my not-local friends: Fred Meyer is a local chain of 'variety' stores, much like Target. Target is by FAR the better store. But the local Fred Meyer is 2 blocks from my house, unlike the local Target.
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But even better would be asking to speak to the manager in person, while they're trailing you.
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Also, contact the store manager. Either by phone or in person or by letter.
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VERY snippy letter to the manager, at the very least.
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Now I'm sad. I never get followed around my local FM. :(
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Or conversely, if your job is to prevent theft, you may see it as "elaborate, easy-to-hide-things-in clothing".
I get the same store security peeps following me around in QFC. I assumed they were bored, thought I was smuggling stuff out in my coat, etc.
I neither wrote a letter nor stopped shopping there. I just walked to the frozen isle and picked up whatever flavor of Haagen Daas I was after.
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And then, you know, column.
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Of course, a scary leather wearing, long haired, steel plated/buckled boot wearing hoodlum like myself is obviously a criminal!
It always amused me that they'd trail me all the way to the bill paying area on the third floor, up the escalators, through the lingerie...
It got to the point that I'd turn and wave at them and watch them suddenly be busy looking through the women's undies!
Ah, the good old days, when I acquired a Nordy's card for the sole purpose of establishing a line of credit by buying their mochas...
Anyway, I'd suggest not only writing a letter, but speaking directly to the manager himself, explaining politely the situation...
You are obviously not a person that needs to be bothered!
The smallest item in your wardrobe probably costs more than you are likely to spend in their store on a given day anyway!
(Remember when you and your roomie swapped styles for a day, you being punk ,and she being goth? Ah, what fun!)
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Seriously though, letter writing, along with personally delivering it, might do the trick.
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That said, are you sure they weren't just gawking? If not, boy howdy, are they dumb.
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I had a customer service issue with them and did this. They acted upon my complaint and sent me a $50 gift card.
I'll send you the story and a copy of the letter if you're curious.
Scott
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And HQ is an excellent place to CC on this type of complaint.
and YAY $50 gift card. :D
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I would recommend that she ask to see the store manager. Not the manager on duty or the person in charge, but the Store Manager. Explain her concerns in a calm and rational manner and ask to be left alone. I would also look at her shopping style. A security officer or team that looks just at appearance are amateurs at best.
Does she shop without a cart or basket? Does she shop quickly without looking at prices? Is her hand bag excessively large or have many visible pockets? Does she avoid contact with employees? For fear of sounding sexist, "Does she shop like a man?" Women who shop like men and men who shop like women are almost always in the store with an agenda other than a straight forward shopping trip.
These are all indicators that security teams look at. One or two of these things does not a shoplifter make, however they do raise eyebrows.
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But yes, I think I will be talking to the store manager in the next few days. Tell your friend "thank you" for me!
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Letters are good. As has already been mentioned, hand-delivered letters are better.
-Victoria
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By the way, I tried out your ginger cookie recipe the other day and they were delicious. Thanks so much for sharing. ♥
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I'm still angry at Vons in San Diego on University Avenue for harassing my late mother, and wish I'd known how to stand up for her without upsetting her, too. Part of the problem in her case was they thought she was a bag lady, and their more upscale clientele didn't approve of that element. Here in Arcata it isn't a crime to shuffle along on crutches or dress badly unless you start *behaving* badly in the store. (And she was *clean* and well-behaved, just fashion-impaired with an old granny cart.)
Until Target opened in Eureka last year, the Fred Meyer in Brookings was the closest variety store. Recently I decided it might not be such a good idea to shop Target when it was pointed out how much they contribute to political candidates whose beliefs scare me. I love a bargain, but do I really want to help pay for the Governator's campaigns against firefighters, teachers, and nurses?
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