When your merchandise sets off a security alarm at a store what are you supposed to do?

If you pay for merchandise and they don't deactivate security tags; what are you required to do. I think if you pay them your contract with them is fulfilled. Once I bought something at Radio Shack and no alarms went off until I left Walgreen's. Every head in the store snapped around to look at me, it was embarrasing. I have seen some footage where peoples progress was stopped by security. I am not certain that this was not fiction though. Once you make a valid purchase, I think your obligation to the merchant is over. Theirs is just begining. They owe you satisfaction guaranteed, maybe other guarantee's explicit or implied. You do not owe them anything. Transaction over. You could take the merchandise to the nearest dumpster and throw it away. So why do the think they can (arrest?) you?

It's happen to me a few time, and just once I'd like to take off running to my truck and let them tackle me, push me to the ground force me back to the store, just so I could sue them. After all I paid for the goods and I am under no obligation to stop, because they didn't do their job, and let them check my receipt to prove I paid for it.

Yes, I understand about shrinkage, and that stores need to do something to stop it, but I think they are leaving themselves open to a bunch of law suits. And not even by the way I described. Imagine someone bought something, the store forgot or the machine malfunctioned, the customer starts to leave. the alarm goes off, they decide not to stop, after all they paid for everything so it couldn't be them who set the alarm off. The store security runs after them forces them back into the store. They can't leave because security won't let them. Now security searches them and finds nothing. Everything the person has, is paid for, doesn't that leave the store open to a law suit? Think about it. Even if it doesn't, the person sues, it would be cheaper to settle for 5k to 10k just to keep it out of court.

Something to think about.

Anyway just stop let the nice lady check and you'll be on your way.

Thank you Report It

No one can arrest you for making a legal purchase that the store forgot to deactivate. What ever gave you that idea?

If the store forgets to deactivate the security tag and the alarm goes off, just return to the front counter and have them rectify the problem.

If you have a receipt validating you purchased the merchandise, there really shouldn't be an issue when the alarm goes off. If they arrest you, despite the fact you have shown them a valid receipt, that is a wrongful arrest. The Judge would probably throw that case out of Court if you produce your receipt.

I have had a security alarm go off on me in Walgreen's and WalMart. I just stop and produce my receipt if I am asked too. Sometimes the store personal just says don't worry about it.

Either way, I agree it can be embarrassing.

Take Care

in some stores you will be immediately mobbed by security, don't try to leave the store. turn and talk to nearest store employee. you are right it is no longer your responsibility, however to avoid police contact cooperate with store security. if you just bought the product you should have proof (receipt).

I just keep walking unless someone asks me to stop.

I will allow them to check my cart against my reciept but that is it.

Of course it has never been more than that. but if you don't want to stop, they have the choice to either place you under arrest, and detain you. or let you go.

If they falsely arrest you, you can sue them.

** may not be valid in all states depending on individual state laws

You're not supposed to do anything, although you will probably want to turn around and have the tag or whatever removed because you won't be able to do it yourself, and if you do it may damage your clothes. Once you've made the purchase it's yours.

naturally i would take an about face and return to the counter to DE-activate or DE-magnitize my purchase, and if needs be, show receipt as proof. LOL, once i was at a record store, walked out with paid item, POW! a loud alarm went off-i was for a moment the subject of ridicule..i beleive in being truthful and law abiding..and not going rogue-IMHO