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11-26-2001, 04:44 PM

They do it at Best Buy too, but they seem to be much more lax there. Read: there is no line. So I don't mind flashing them a receipt 'cause no harm, no foul. If it saves me 2 minutes of arguing then hey, I'm down with that.

It's places like CompUSA and MarketPro computer shows that really bug me. You don't need to look at every fucking item on my receipt and match it to the items in my bag. I have not the time to waste. I am not a criminal (unless you count occasional jaywalking and probably a small handful of other minor offenses that I'm not even aware of), and I don't need to be treated like one. Like I said, if it's a minor nuisance (keeping the receipt out until I get past the security staff), then no big deal. If it doesn't take but more than a second or two, I have no problem with flashing my receipt. But it's when the lines are ridiculously long and the people at the door are matching everything up and writing down the big items in a register that really bug me.

That's not a bad rehearsed speech, and I thought of using it before, but I prefer the one I referenced because when you deliver it how I do, it just reeks of helpfullness. "Sure, no problem - just show me your search warrant and I'll get it right out." End with a smile. Like I said, they generally stand there perplexed, completely unsure of what to do. I try not to escalate the situation whenever possible. I ask myself "What exactly is it that I want in this situation?" and the answer is usually "to get home and watch my dvd / put this video card in / take a damn nap." So I try and be as pleasant as possible. If you piss 'em off, they're more likely to actually go get some of their cronies and try and hunt you down - and that just takes more time to sort out.

One time, I have threatened real action like that. I was dealing with Bank of America over a completely bogus claim of theirs against Jenni and they were trying to charge her $90 in fees for *one* bounced check (I'll explain later how you could be charged $300 or more for a single over-withdrawal, if there's interest). I told the manager, after much hassle, "Look. It's in your best interest to make me leave here with good feelings, because if I leave here with bad feelings, I might have to start a letter to the editor campaign about this theft you're perpetrating, and I would think it's easier for you to refund these fees instead of cleaning up that mess." Needless to say, the money was refunded, and I sure am glad that I don't do regular business with Bank of America.

11-26-2001, 04:44 PM	#7
dave Guest Posts: n/a	They do it at Best Buy too, but they seem to be much more lax there. Read: there is no line. So I don't mind flashing them a receipt 'cause no harm, no foul. If it saves me 2 minutes of arguing then hey, I'm down with that. It's places like CompUSA and MarketPro computer shows that really bug me. You don't need to look at every fucking item on my receipt and match it to the items in my bag. I have not the time to waste. I am not a criminal (unless you count occasional jaywalking and probably a small handful of other minor offenses that I'm not even aware of), and I don't need to be treated like one. Like I said, if it's a minor nuisance (keeping the receipt out until I get past the security staff), then no big deal. If it doesn't take but more than a second or two, I have no problem with flashing my receipt. But it's when the lines are ridiculously long and the people at the door are matching everything up and writing down the big items in a register that really bug me. That's not a bad rehearsed speech, and I thought of using it before, but I prefer the one I referenced because when you deliver it how I do, it just reeks of helpfullness. "Sure, no problem - just show me your search warrant and I'll get it right out." End with a smile. Like I said, they generally stand there perplexed, completely unsure of what to do. I try not to escalate the situation whenever possible. I ask myself "What exactly is it that I want in this situation?" and the answer is usually "to get home and watch my dvd / put this video card in / take a damn nap." So I try and be as pleasant as possible. If you piss 'em off, they're more likely to actually go get some of their cronies and try and hunt you down - and that just takes more time to sort out. One time, I have threatened real action like that. I was dealing with Bank of America over a completely bogus claim of theirs against Jenni and they were trying to charge her $90 in fees for one bounced check (I'll explain later how you could be charged $300 or more for a single over-withdrawal, if there's interest). I told the manager, after much hassle, "Look. It's in your best interest to make me leave here with good feelings, because if I leave here with bad feelings, I might have to start a letter to the editor campaign about this theft you're perpetrating, and I would think it's easier for you to refund these fees instead of cleaning up that mess." Needless to say, the money was refunded, and I sure am glad that I don't do regular business with Bank of America.