Comments on: Circuit City needs to stop insulting customers

By: Czytelnia

Czytelnia — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:02:45 +0000

I’ve had almost the same situation. I have a veryyyyy short hair. I’ve walked thru the store for about 30 mins and when I was heading to the exit, they stopped my without a good reason and started to goin’ thru my stuff me, like I was a thief.

I was angry because that electronic gate haven’t beeped at all, so why did they stop me?

I’m sure they think when someone is bold and tall, ain’t handsome and have a rucksack is a bully or whatever.

By: Laurent Blondeau (Evidencesx)

Laurent Blondeau (Evidencesx) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:07:54 +0000

Well in France, you find the two. Some trust you, others don’t. But you are the customer…and have the money. Brands and companies must definitely understand that. And, we can ear anything, but there’s a way to say it…Be care of consumer today, build business of tomorrow.
Bye Tom.

By: Chad Richards

Chad Richards — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:35:26 +0000

My brother just had the worst experience with CC. He took his laptop in because it stopped recognizing wireless Internet. They took his computer, said he’s have it back in 4 days. Well, 4 WEEKS later he had it back. When he went to pick it up he told him they didn’t give him his power adapter back. They accused him of lying about dropping of the power adapter when he dropped his computer off weeks earlier. They even went back and checked the freaking surveilence camera - sure enough, he had given them the adapter. They then conveniently “found” it and gave it back to him.

By: Lar

Lar — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:29:36 +0000

Would all you anti-theft apologists have a problem with a full cavity search in an airport. Why? Just to prevent drug smuggling.

The only policy a store should have is “an amazing customer experience policy”.

By: AnaiD

AnaiD — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:09:00 +0000

I do not consider it insulting. As it was said earlier, it’s common practice for most retail stores. The level of theft in such stores is high and such measure is just a way to prevent theft. And not only to prevent theft, it’s a security measure, which also helps to prevent acts of terror. If you are unwilling to leave you bag, in some stores you can take your bag with you sealed in a transparent bag. Unfortunately, not all stores offer such service, but still it’s available in some.

By: Rostyslav

Rostyslav — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:51:47 +0000

Today i went to circuit city too. But it didn’t happen to me. But, it is a different store.

By: J

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:50:43 +0000

Considering the fact that even if a shoplifter gets caught; if you involved the police in a busy city (or anywhere in the UK) then the store would probably have to wait an hour for a police officer to turn up. Then they ‘may’ be taken to the police station, where someone would give them a caution. Doesn’t really deter shoplifters does it..

Anyway stores should have a policy; where there are lockers at every store front. If someone does not want to use that, then they should be told there bag will be searched on leaving..

How about Circuit City follows the Iranian way? Cut the hands off of all thieves?? Just a suggestion of course.. not that I welcome such barbaric treatment

By: Ontario Emperor

Ontario Emperor — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:38:32 +0000

I suspect that many of these policies are either enforced or not enforced depending upon the whims of the manager, or perhaps of the employee on duty. I hope you thanked the Best Buy people as you left their store.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:40:07 +0000

I think I’ll be shopping in Circuit City from now on…

By: Richard Jeffries

Richard Jeffries — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:40:00 +0000

I do contract IT work for Circuit City stores for the last 10 years. That is usually a level 3 store with a lot of theft. Some stores ask to check your bag and some just let you go into the store with out any interaction. There problem is that they have cut staff to the point that there are very few associates on the sales floor to interact with customers. When I leave the stores, being a contractor, They completely go through my laptop bag and tool bag. They also go through the employee’s purses and bags.

By: AJ

AJ — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:24:57 +0000

Its common in Poland when you go to stores to have any of your bags sealed in a transparent bag. But you can walk around with it no problem then. I have seen this in France too.

By: red mum

red mum — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:36:46 +0000

Not related to your experience with that store, but I remember being asked to leave my daughter who was a baby in a pram outside a shop, no buggies allowed. I just left and never spent money there again. But I don’t think they would have given two hoots, after all, young looking mum, baby in a pram, obviously shop lifters or so they would have you believe…

By: Ash

Ash — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:56:47 +0000

I am sorry that you felt insulted by that experience. I actually do some work with Circuit City, and I encourage you to contact them at consumer_affairs@circuitcity.com. They are focusing on improving customer service, and you can usually get a response pretty quickly.

By: johnmryan

johnmryan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:56:25 +0000

Yup, it happens a bit, never in Ireland, but on a number of shops in france, it feels a bit insulting but its common practice

By: Liam Noonan

Liam Noonan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:56:53 +0000

In portugal they staple or seal your shopping bags when you enter a store.

Liam

By: hostyle

hostyle — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:23:45 +0000

I’ve only ever had it happen in Spain - 3 different shops in and around the Orihuela area, but I’ve not been outside Europe Very annoying.

By: Gareth

Gareth — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:38:57 +0000

After reading your post I agree. If stores in Ireland started doing this my immediate reaction is an about turn out the door. They are not getting my business. That’s not even getting me started on the annoying CC and BB stafffollowing you around the store. If I want help I will ask thanks.

By: Michael Koby

Michael Koby — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:16:38 +0000

I used to work for MARS Music and occasionally had to work security where upon I would have to ask people to leave their bags with me. Having been in that position, I can say it’s not really fun to be the guy who has to make that request of customers.

That being said, I couldn’t begin to tell you how much it doesn’t really detour theft. We constant had guitar strings, cables, and other somewhat small objects “lifted” from the store. One guy even tried to make it out with an entire guitar.

I get the loss prevention argument, but if someone is going to steal, they’ll steal.

By: Bernie Goldbach

Bernie Goldbach — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:30:16 +0000

On my most recent trip into NYC, some electronics boutique wanted me to check my Bihn bag up front. I asked for a security tag instead and they clipped it onto my bag which meant I had to stop to have my bag opened for the tag to be removed before I left the shop.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:11:20 +0000

Best not ever do any shopping in China. All department stores force you to use their lockers for your bags or tie plastic bag with security ribbon.