Is it legal to search shopping bags?
“It is very understandable that some people feel very insulted to be treated like a potential criminal after they have potentially been loyal shoppers at the store for many years,” said Ridout.
So fine with it or not, here’s the question: can the stores do that?
“They can certainly ask your permission to see the receipt in the bag, but that is all they are doing; asking your permission,” said Golden Gate University Professor Rachel Van Cleave.
“So you can say ‘no’,?” asked Finney.
“Yes,” said Van Cleave.
If a shopkeeper has reason to believe you stole something, he has the right to detain you until the authorities get there. But here’s the rub: They have to suspect you not everyone who walks into their store.
We asked the stores about their receipt check policies.
Did the following stores lie?
Costco says the receipt check does work to reduce loss, while protecting both the store and customer. Wal-Mart told me it focuses its checks only on items not in a bag, a TV for instance and on items that set off the electronic alarm. Best Buy says its policy is to randomly check receipts and at times focus on particular items.
She paid for the merchandise that she took out of the store. So the loss prevention protocol doesn't apply. If she chose to, the lawsuit would make her rich.
57 different states - 57 different laws.