Could you be accused of stealing at your local supermarket? Here's how to defend yourself
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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, 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?
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.
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.
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