With the cost of living crisis looming across households, many Australians have opted to shop around different stores for the best deals.

For those who go through their local supermarkets with a trolley of goods from another store, this encounter may puzzle you, and it's time to learn your rights in this situation.

An Aussie shopper shared their frustrating shopping experience online.

'I had a trolley full of items I had bought at ALDI and popped into Coles for a few bits," the shopper first explained.

'The lady at the self-checkout pointed at the 30-pack of Coke cans and demanded to see a receipt to prove I didn't steal it.'

The shopper took to social media to share their experience at a local Coles. Image Credit: Pexels/Anna Shvets

The shopper, who does not usually keep receipts unless it's for something expensive, was left confused.

The Coles staff member insisted that the shopper should keep receipts from other stores just in case they need to prove they had not stolen anything in their stores.

Do customers really have to show a receipt for items bought elsewhere?

What can supermarket staff actually do if customers refuse?

Criminal defence lawyer Jahan Kalantar explained that supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths have very limited power when it comes to demanding receipts for goods bought elsewhere.

'The law does not give private retailers like Coles and Woolworths any legal authority to compel you to produce proof of purchase for goods that you bought somewhere else,' Kalantar emphasised.

Customers carrying groceries from another shop should not be legally required to show a receipt when staff members ask for it.

If the store suspects a customer stole some items, staff members could inspect bags.

Yet, for customers who cannot show a receipt, staff cannot detain customers or force them to comply.

If staff members physically stop customers from leaving or keep them inside the store against their will, it could be considered false imprisonment.

While most people show their receipts to avoid a fuss, customers should still be entitled to their privacy.

'Just because you walk into a store and they have some assumption doesn't mean anything,' Kalantar pointed out.

'It's very different if they've seen you on camera pocketing something, but there is no fundamental legal authority that a security guard can compel you to provide a receipt from a different store.'

With the rise of retail theft, supermarkets have trained staff members to be vigilant.

Staff might ask for a receipt to cover their bases, but it's more about store policy than the law.

What should you do if you're stopped?

• Stay calm and polite. Most staff are just doing their job.
• Know your rights. You're not legally required to show a receipt for goods bought elsewhere.
• If you feel comfortable, show your receipt or proof of purchase to resolve the situation quickly.
• If you don't have a receipt, you can politely decline and explain your situation.
• If you feel you're being unfairly detained, ask to speak to a manager or request that the police be called.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper was asked by Coles staff to produce a receipt for a product they had bought from ALDI.
• According to a legal expert, private retailers like Coles and Woolworths have no legal authority to compel customers to show proof of purchase for goods bought elsewhere.
• If a store suspects theft, they could inspect customers' bags and may involve police, but they cannot detain customers.
• Customers should also be entitled to their privacy unless caught in the act of stealing.

Have you ever dealt with this situation at your local supermarket before? How did you handle it? Are supermarkets going too far, or are they just doing their job? Share your experiences and thoughts about this issue in the comments below.

 

[Jest]

I haven't got a car.

I was in the exact situation a few years ago when I bought half price K&B Prawn Cutlets from Coles. I proceeded to Woolworths, 50 metres away to complete my shopping. The dipship self serve checkout said "Do you have more articles in your trolley?", locking up the checkout, disabling my ability to pay.

I told the "assistant" that cutlets were bought from Coles but I was not believed. Then the security monkey came over to intervene. Then I stated in no uncertain terms "I AM NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED TO HAVE A RECEIPT FOR ANY PURCHASES MADE IN ANY OTHER SHOP!"

After a five minute argument and the potential for one sore and sorry security mug as he attempted to remove the cutlets from my trolley. He was told where to go and how to get there as he was technically committing assault (don't laugh - it's the law).

I walked out of Woolworths a seething bundle of anger! With my prawn cutlets!

if you go from one shop to the next, why would you not have your receipt? I always carry mine, plain common sense.

 

[elaine41]

I had to go to my local Woolies recently after I had been at the Food Bank. Unfortunately when I went to leave the Food Bank my car refused to start. Got it to the mechanic where it had to stay & I had to take my groceries with me. I had to go to Woolies for a few extra items so I spoke to the lady at the self-serve checkout as I didn't want to be accused of stealing & she kept my bags at the self-serve until I finished my other shopping. Not a problem. Sometimes we need to use our brains a bit more & ask the staff for assistance in times when we have to take groceries from one store to another

 

[Macarj]

common courtesy would be keeping the receipts and showing them if asked. Come on people where has common sense gone

I think it left about 20 years ago

 

[7777]

When entering another store with purchased items from a previous store, I would always go up to the first stop attendant at the entrance and say I am coming here to do some shopping and these items here in my trolly, that I have a receipt for, are from another store. I would always get a polite, sure, no problem, answer. When ready to pay the cashier for my new items, I just say to the cashier that I already showed my previously purchased tems and receipt to the store attendant at the front entrance upon entering the store, and always, I am told politely, that's fine. I would encourage anyone experiencing issues with their pre purchased items when entering another store, to say to the shop attendant, check your cameras to see that I did infact walk in with these pre purchased items. The cameras always show the truth.
The next situation tells one to be also vidualent when receiving change from the cashier. I was once short changed for a substantial sum of change only because I was attending to my baby crying in the pram. Upon checking my change I realised this is not the right change from a $100 note. When I confronted the cashier regarding my incorrect change I was told that I definitely got the right change and to kindly move on because there were more customers waiting in line to attend. Wow. What now. I then said can I talk to your manager. After waiting for a while the manager came and I said, please check your cameras, this is not the right change. With this change in my hand I did not open my purse nor did I put my hand in my pockets, the change that the cashier gave me is still here in my hand as your camera will show. I have been short changed by $50 dollars, check and see on your cameras that I gave $100 note and check how much change the çashier quickly placed into my hand whilst making a compliment about the beautiful weather we are having that day. The manager after a short time came back and said I am sorry, yes she did not give you the right change, she is new here, the manager then gave me my correct change and once again apologized.
So you see the camera can show how you honestly came in with your pre purchased items from a previous store as well as show that you have been sadly short changed by a cashier. Yes it doesn't happen always but it pays to check your change always especially when you may be distracted by your child or a mobile call.

 

[7777]

When entering another store with purchased items from a previous store, I would always go up to the first stop attendant at the entrance and say I am coming here to do some shopping and these items here in my trolly, that I have a receipt for, are from another store. I would always get a polite, sure, no problem, answer. When ready to pay the cashier for my new items, I just say to the cashier that I already showed my previously purchased tems and receipt to the store attendant at the front entrance upon entering the store, and always, I am told politely, that's fine. I would encourage anyone experiencing issues with their pre purchased items when entering another store, to say to the shop attendant, check your cameras to see that I did infact walk in with these pre purchased items. The cameras always show the truth.
The next situation tells one to be also vidualent when receiving change from the cashier. I was once short changed for a substantial sum of change only because I was attending to my baby crying in the pram. Upon checking my change I realised this is not the right change from a $100 note. When I confronted the cashier regarding my incorrect change I was told that I definitely got the right change and to kindly move on because there were more customers waiting in line to attend. Wow. What now. I then said can I talk your manager. After waiting for a while the manager came and I said, please check your cameras, this is not the right change. With this change in my hand I did not open my purse nor did I put my hand in my pockets, the change that the cashier gave me is still here in my hand as your camera will show. I have been short changed by $50 dollars, check and see on your cameras that I gave $100 note and check how much change the çashier quickly placed into my hand whilst making a compliment about the beautiful weather we are having that day. The manager after a short time came back and said I am sorry, yes she did not give you the right change, she is new here, the manager then gave me my correct change and once again apologized.
So you see the camera can show how you honestly came in with your pre purchased items from a previous store as well as show that you have been sadly short changed by a cashier. Yes it doesn't happen always but it pays to check your change always especially when you may be distracted by your child or a mobile call.

 

[7777]

I have had that problem with the Woolworths in the shopping Centre I go for my shopping bought grocers at Coles went into Woolworths for some grocers that Coles didnt have I went through the self serve and the staff member just about had me unload my trolley even though I had the docket this staff member does it to me every time I go into that particular Woolworths if I go during the week so I wait until the weekend to get what what I want as that is when she is not on

Hi dear member CemisugO. Report the shop attendant to the manager, tell the manager to tell his shop attendant to stop taking out all your items as you have proof of purchase. Second report the shop attendant to main management of Woolworths and tell them they need to retrain their shop attendant as she is creating inconvenience and waisting peoples time. I can assure you, she will never again take all your paid for items out of your trolly again. She is obviously trying to be super efficient and step into the manager's position. Don't stress, just speak with management and reclaim your consumer rights. Good Karma to you always.