"they can make you leave. but they CANNOT prevent you from coming back"

that's completely untrue. i have worked a LOT of retail, from my first job all the way thru college as a matter of fact. so here are a few times i've been involved in the completely legal act of banning or refusing customers. these had NOTHING to do with the persons sex, age, race, etc. it's all about what the customers action.

example 1: working at walmart we had a customer that was proven to have pulled a rack down on himself (we had security camera footage) and then tried to claim it was faulty store equipment that was at fault and that he was going to sue the store. he was removed from the store and refused service.

example 2: again walmart. there was a customer that repeatly brought back merchandise that he would use the hell out of then demand a refund on for it 'not working', things such as lawn mowers, power tools, grills, etc. after 9-10 items being returned like this he was refused service for a set amount of time.

example 3: as asst. manager at a bath and body works store i was appalled by some customers demands. B&BW has a VERY liberal return policy they will take back nearly anything, including used items. we had a woman that would bring in used bottles of lotion and perfume she bought back in the early 90's (you could tell by the label designs and dates) claiming she didn't like the scent (but some how she couldn't be troubled to bring the items back 6 yrs ago when she actually bought them). after another month of her exploiting the return system (and 20 returned products later) and her getting caught stealing $100+ worth of makeup, she got banned from further service.

example 4: as asst manager at a hotel i had to ban a couple that had been to our location before and had caused problems their entire visit. they distrupted the fellow guests and trashed their room 2 visits prior. so when they came in rip-roaring drunk and threatening me, i didn't hesitate to refuse them service. the hotel owners, and the manager supported my actions.

and my last example (sorry for being so long winded): a couple i am friends with got banned from a large shopping mall here for making out in their car, both of them were in the front seats, fully dressed, and it was the malls closing time, like 9-10 pm i think. but the security guards came up, hassled them for a bit, gave out 'Public Indecency' tickets and then banned them from coming back to the mall for 6 months.

stores, malls, etc. they all provide a service, and we have rights to use their services IF we abide by their rules. and as long as their rules are legal (no discrimation, etc) then they have every right to refuse service to someone not following the rules.

Message edited on: 08/19/2004 10:32