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KROGER has apologized to a customer who said they were treated “like a criminal” while leaving the store.
The shopper demanded to know why showing their receipt on the store’s app was deemed “not good enough” to get passed security.
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They went on to add that they were “done” with the company because of how they were treated.
“@kroger why can’t I use my receipt in your app to get past the ridiculous security guard?” the disgruntled customer wrote on X.
“Your stupid sign claims you can ask me for a receipt, why isn’t the one in your app good enough?
“Being treated like a criminal because I shopped is BS. F***ing done with your business.”
Kroger was quick to respond, writing, “We apologize for any inconvenience.
“Please send us a PM with your phone number, email address, and the zip code of store address you are referring to so we can forward your feedback to our leadership.”
The shopper, however, was unhappy with the response, writing back, “Not going to actually contact me back or do anything?
“Awesome. Good bit of meaningless PR response.”
In May, Kroger announced it would start checking receipts at six Cincinnati, Ohio, stores.
“At Kroger we are committed to providing access to fresh food and essentials. Safety is one of our core values, and it guides everything we do,” a Kroger spokesperson said.
“In response to increased incidents of theft, we recently deployed added safety measures at six Cincinnati-area stores, including periodic receipt checks.
“Although early in implementation, we have received positive feedback from associates and customers.”
The process is common practice at stores like Walmart and Target, but many customers refuse to shop in stores that carry out the policy.
The anti-theft measure is intended to stop thieves walking out of the store without paying for goods and some insist it goes to far.
But according to Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles attorney, “There’s seemingly nothing illegal about that.”
“You’re still on the company’s premises and their reason to do it is to prevent thefts,” he told The U.S. Sun.
However, if they are chasing you out of the store, that changes things, Dowlatshahi said.
“Location matters,” Dowlatshahi explained.
“If you’re outside of the store you’re in the parking lot and they come and start accusing you of theft and that you have to show your receipt, I think that’s a bit of a different situation because now you’re on your way.”
Top 5 receipt checking tips from a lawyer
Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles attorney, spoke to The U.S. Sun about receipt checks and customer’s rights and options when it came to being asked to show your receipt.
- There has been a lot of debate around the legality of a retailer asking to see your receipt, but if it is within the store, it is completely legal. “There’s seemingly nothing illegal about that. You’re still on the company’s premises and their reason to do it is to prevent thefts,” Dowlatshahi confirms.
- However, if they are chasing you out of the store, that changes things, Dowlatshahi said. “Location matters,” he explained. “If you’re outside of the store you’re in the parking lot and they come and start accusing you of theft and that you have to show your receipt, I think that’s a bit of a different situation because now you’re on your way.”
- While customers are allowed to say no to receipt checks, it may cause issues if you do and the store suspects you of stealing. “You can say no, maybe it creates an unnecessary hassle for yourself because now you may have the police come to your house and follow up,” said Dowlatshahi.
- If you are being barred from leaving a store because you refused a receipt check, you could have a legal case — but the store must have held you for a long time. “Let’s say it’s for hours, that’s certainly false imprisonment, and they didn’t have any impetus for doing so,” Dowlatshahi explained. “If a customer has been emotionally traumatized by being held for false imprisonment, I would definitely encourage [them] to sue.”
- “I would say, show your receipt,” he concluded. “It’s just a really simple thing to do. If you didn’t steal anything, it’s relatively simple to do,” the lawyer advised.
(According to Camron Dowlatshahi, a founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP)
