The many questions-not-worth-their-own-thread question thread XXI

[Flying Pig]

When you've paid for something and are leaving the store, if an employee demands to see a receipt, I'm pretty much within my rights to tell them to get the hell out of my way, right?

It does depend heavily on the scenario. If it's a regular store employee I'm probably going to show them the receipt or politely decline them. If it's one of these "store security" people in their halloween policeman costume I'm much more likely to respond defensively and tell them to get the hell out of my way.

They're just doing their job; as long as they're polite about it, they're not picking on you or being nasty; they're doing as they're told. Smiling and treating it as an inconvenience, but the fault of the management rather than of the person asked to watch the door, would be a much better reaction. Anyway, I cannot see a good reason not to show your receipt, unless you told the cashier that you didn't need one, in which case it might be worth going back to them and saying 'excuse me, can you vouch that I bought these things a minute ago?'. Politeness costs nothing, and does make a big difference for service sector employees - don't be one of these people

In the UK, most shops large enough to hire security have scanners on the door anyway, so this hasn't ever happened to me, personally: in the days before scanners, we were a far more trusting society.

 

[Borachio]

Politeness costs nothing, and does make a big difference for service sector employees - don't be one of these people

I heartily agree.

In the UK, most shops large enough to hire security have scanners on the door anyway, so this hasn't ever happened to me, personally: in the days before scanners, we were a far more trusting society.

B&Q have a thing about possibly asking for receipts as you leave, don't they? Or they did the last time I staggered through one of their stores. Though they never asked to see mine.

 

[Camikaze]

I've never seen that, and it's not a right they can legally reserve, it's functionally equivalent to putting up a sign at the entrance that they reserve the right to forcibly detain you for arbitrary amounts of time on your way out.

They absolutely can reserve that right here (unless you're specifically addressing 'search', as vaguely distinct from 'check'), and lots of stores have such signs. You enter a store under licence, after all, and that licence can prima facie have whatever conditions attached to it that the licensor wants. Canadian law is generally quite similar to Australian law, so are you sure what you say is right for Canada? I guess if you don't have those signs, it must be different, but it'd be a bit odd if there was some law preventing stores from applying any sort of bag check condition of entry.

 

[_random_]

I can't run very much. How do I change that?

 

[shadowplay]

Well, is it because you become out of breath quickly, or because your knees start to hurt, or what?

 

[_random_]

Both of those.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Start using an elliptical at the gym until you have built up your stamina and lost enoufh wright that it doesn't bother your knees to sun.

 

[shadowplay]

Cardiovascular exercise is extremely important. I recommend the stationary bike for heavier people or people with joint issues, there'll be less impact on your knees and ankles.

Also, stop chain smoking.

 

[_random_]

I haven't smoked since October, but I'll keep the rest in mind. I'm planning to join a rugby club, so I'd like to work on getting into better shape before practices start.

 

[DroopyTofu]

I can't run very much. How do I change that?

In addition to getting in better shape, drink tons and tons of water and cut soda/pop/coke out of your diet as much as possible. Try to eat healthier and don't eat alot of sugars. Take deep, measured breaths when you run and land on the balls of your foot not the heel. Do some research into proper running form and if you can get someone experienced to run with you and give you pointers on form. Good form is efficicient and reduces stress on joints. You use less energy and help your body long-term. Proper form can make all the difference.

 

[madviking]

Swimming is the best cardio you can do. Also helps with breath control n stuff.

 

[Grendeldef]

Cardiovascular exercise is extremely important. I recommend the stationary bike for heavier people or people with joint issues, there'll be less impact on your knees and ankles.

That might become boring after a while but roller skating/skiing with sticks is an excellent alternative or if climate permits skiing is one of the best overall exercises.
Unless one is familiar with skiing or skating beforehand the start might be a bit tricky but practicing will be worthwhile.

 

[Zelig]

That's actually a little different because you have an agreement with them consenting to that. I'm not talking about stores with which membership is required.

Membership doesn't change anything, you can choose to cancel your membership rather than submit to an illegal search, or the store can cancel your membership when you refuse to submit to an illegal search.

They absolutely can reserve that right here (unless you're specifically addressing 'search', as vaguely distinct from 'check'), and lots of stores have such signs. You enter a store under licence, after all, and that licence can prima facie have whatever conditions attached to it that the licensor wants. Canadian law is generally quite similar to Australian law, so are you sure what you say is right for Canada? I guess if you don't have those signs, it must be different, but it'd be a bit odd if there was some law preventing stores from applying any sort of bag check condition of entry.

That law is insane, it certainly doesn't work like that anywhere in North America.

Stores certainly cannot attach whatever conditions they want to entry and since their only recourse to enforce any store policies is to ban you from the store if the policy isn't followed (barring an event in which a crime is committed and forcible detainment in the form of an arrest is justified), a policy that takes effect only when you leave the store is pointless.

Edit: Actually, that law (is it even a law, it looks just like a set of guidelines from a retail group?) is fine, but pointless.

If you refuse to allow shop staff to check your bags you can be asked to leave the shop and not return.

So the situation is the same as here, all they can do is ask you to leave the store, they can't forcibly search you.


Edit2:

From an Australian legal aid website: http://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/lega...nsumerrights/Pages/Tradersrights.aspx#inspect

You have the right to refuse to allow a bag inspection. You may be asked to leave the store, refused right to buy goods or refused reentry to the store. Police may be called if you were shoplifting.

Traders do not have the right to forcibly search your bags or detain you in order to search them. If the trader, or an employee, asks you to do either of these, you should ask to speak to the store manager or request that they call the police.

 

[Mango Elephant]

Both of those.

which knee? Your left knee, your right knee, or your wee-nee?

 

[Gamemaster77]

Just got some LED's in the mail today. So if anyone knows anything about electronics, that would help me out. It says it takes 12v DC connection so I found an old power supply from some other thing that outputs that. If I cut it in half, should the second power supply also be 12v DC. How does amperage and wattage fit into this?

 

[Camikaze]

@Zelig - well yeah, it's not like you'll have committed a crime if you refuse, and you definitely can't be forcibly searched. You'll just have breached the licence under which you entered. So it's still a 'right' that the store has, even if a kinda useless one, and it's not like they only have recourse if there's some membership scheme. Being banned from a store you frequently go to could be quite an inconvenience. Preventing stores from applying such a licence condition would seem a kinda strange imposition on freedom of contract.

 

[shadowplay]

That might become boring after a while

Yes, if you choose the stationary bike, you will need entertainment handy. Music, movies and television all work nicely.

 

[Zelig]

@Zelig - well yeah, it's not like you'll have committed a crime if you refuse, and you definitely can't be forcibly searched. You'll just have breached the licence under which you entered. So it's still a 'right' that the store has, even if a kinda useless one, and it's not like they only have recourse if there's some membership scheme. Being banned from a store you frequently go to could be quite an inconvenience. Preventing stores from applying such a licence condition would seem a kinda strange imposition on freedom of contract.

Well you can be banned from a store for no cause at all, so it's generally in your best interest to not be dickish towards people in stores you frequently go to.

FWIW, I've been "banned" from a store for ignoring a receipt-checking person, but I don't think they've got any proper ban-enforcement policies in place, I've been back without any problems.

 

[shadowplay]

Well you can be banned from a store for no cause at all, so it's generally in your best interest to not be dickish towards people in stores you frequently go to.

FWIW, I've been "banned" from a store for ignoring a receipt-checking person, but I don't think they've got any proper ban-enforcement policies in place, I've been back without any problems.

Let me guess... FutureShop?

 

[Grendeldef]

Yes, if you choose the stationary bike, you will need entertainment handy. Music, movies and television all work nicely.

Quite so, all highly recommended. I used to watch documentaries etc, something that wasn't too visually intensive while pedaling but still outdoors is preferable. Might have something to do with my heavy preference of roller skating/skiing over cycling anyway. Nicer for one with a bad back.