Intimidated @ Boots, Batuta Mall | ExpatWoman.com
 

Intimidated @ Boots, Batuta Mall

88
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 23:24

I was in Batuta two days ago and passed by Boots and of course, didn't resist and went inside to scan around my favourite brands. Checked Soap&Glory, make up sections and N0 7 as well as their 10AED and 20AED promotions. I was just looking and barely touched anything but the whole time felt awkward to have the security guard so close following me. It put we off of hanging in the shop and so I left. When I was 20 steps away came the manager and 2 security guards calling me and the manager had an opened box of Soap & Glory missing the content and he straight said that I have taken the product and the security wanted to check my bag. God, what a pain! I showed them everything I had, opened all zips from my bag, they went through all brands in my make-up bag and surely couldn't find anything. Then they insisted for me to go back to the shop to be searched by a woman assistant, which I surely refused. I dindt feel angry neither offended, actually, but I was more scared and intimidated. I told them firmly that I didnt have anything to hide and would only accept to be searched by an police officer and with my lawyer (imaginary, just you know - lol!). They them let me go ....

2 days later, it is still in my head this story and I just wont go back to Boots. But my feelings are:
- could they accuse me like that, without any proof? and have an employee searching me, really?
- could it have had a bad end ... I dindt steal anything but I was very concerned they could mess it up and incriminated me?
- and what if it was a brand I had in my bag coincidently, like bourjois, nivea etc? Lucky me they don't sell MAC, Chanel, YSL and Inglot because THAT is what I carry in my bag - lol

Mind you, I hand only my small hand bag with me, no extra shopping bags or anything else in my hands, and I was wearing a dress with no pocket and a thin cardigan with small pocket (where you dont put anything inside anyway).

Anyway, ladies be aware, they a re looking to blame someone I guess. Since this experience I cannot relax in the shops any more, I feel like they are all checking on me. And I probably look more suspicious than ever!!!!

341
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 13:55
I hate going to Boots since they keep following me like I am a thief, now, even more reasons.
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 13:53
wow that could happen to any of us! Had intended to go there tomorrow to buy something will have second thoughts now.
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 12:16
yes write an email to the manager of the shop, i am having issues with magrudys and i have written to the manager and hopefully it will get sorted out but this is really to do with the admin/management procedures etc as well as informing them in the shop itself i always believe that you should tell a shop etc if they are doing good but also if they are doing bad, as they will never be able to change and improve their customer service in this country unless they are aware of it.
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 12:12
Boots is a Uk shop? Perhaps write to their headquarters as I'm sure they could use this as a training opportunity for their staff. Customer Service is a vital component of every franchise. its only a franchise
88
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 11:03
Thanks ladies, it feels much better after reading your posts. Ill write to both Alshaya and Boots UK [double tpa of nose - lol'> but I probably will do it online, I cannot bother to go there to deliver it in person. I can totally foresee the confused faces, starring, not-to-me pass-to-the-next reactions. <em>edited by dxb_dxb on 20/04/2011</em>
88
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 10:55
You could have refused to even open you bag - they don't have the authority to do it. Had you said 'I will not, I took nothing' - all they could have done was call the police. I realised it afterwards, but my first reaction was to cooperate in order to get out of it as fast as possible. I had nothing to hide. But probably would do it different after thinking it over.
596
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 10:10
In writing is always best and get a signed stamped copy when it is delivered so you know it has been received and if no follow up from company within a reasonable time contact them and you have your signed copy if for some reason the correct person never received the letter of complaint and you need to reissue it to them. Alshaya own the boots franchise in the middle east. Seriously ring them.[taps nose'>
596
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 10:07
If you are upset, angry , then deal with the situation. You write it was the manager of the store, if you are sure as sometimes staff say they are a supervisors. Go back and get the manager to tell you his name ( go with a friend) but remain calm and do not get into discussion. If it was a supervisor then contact the store manager in writing. If you are confident it was the store manager you need to contact the head office of the company in the U A E and see how they respond before taking further action. I hope you follow up otherwise it will make you very bitter, remember most of these people in security are badly paid and probably not well trained. Take positive action and good luck. I was in Batuta two days ago and passed by Boots and of course, didn't resist and went inside to scan around my favourite brands. Checked Soap&Glory, make up sections and N0 7 as well as their 10AED and 20AED promotions. I was just looking and barely touched anything but the whole time felt awkward to have the security guard so close following me. It put we off of hanging in the shop and so I left. When I was 20 steps away came the manager and 2 security guards calling me and the manager had an opened box of Soap & Glory missing the content and he straight said that I have taken the product and the security wanted to check my bag. God, what a pain! I showed them everything I had, opened all zips from my bag, they went through all brands in my make-up bag and surely couldn't find anything. Then they insisted for me to go back to the shop to be searched by a woman assistant, which I surely refused. I dindt feel angry neither offended, actually, but I was more scared and intimidated. I told them firmly that I didnt have anything to hide and would only accept to be searched by an police officer and with my lawyer (imaginary, just you know - lol!). They them let me go .... 2 days later, it is still in my head this story and I just wont go back to Boots. But my feelings are: - could they accuse me like that, without any proof? and have an employee searching me, really? - could it have had a bad end ... I dindt steal anything but I was very concerned they could mess it up and incriminated me? - and what if it was a brand I had in my bag coincidently, like bourjois, nivea etc? Lucky me they don't sell MAC, Chanel, YSL and Inglot because THAT is what I carry in my bag - lol Mind you, I hand only my small hand bag with me, no extra shopping bags or anything else in my hands, and I was wearing a dress with no pocket and a thin cardigan with small pocket (where you dont put anything inside anyway). Anyway, ladies be aware, they a re looking to blame someone I guess. Since this experience I cannot relax in the shops any more, I feel like they are all checking on me. And I probably look more suspicious than ever!!!!
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:39
Alshaya own the boots franchise in the middle east. Seriously ring them.[taps nose'>
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:34
Boots is a Uk shop? Perhaps write to their headquarters as I'm sure they could use this as a training opportunity for their staff. Customer Service is a vital component of every franchise.
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:31
Complain to Alshaya -they will have something to say about this I am sure.
876
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 07:34
I would file a case against them....for....well...for something....this is wrong.
88
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 23:46
What an awful experience. No they can't get a member of staff to search you, only security or the police can do that. yeah, that I knew and it has to be a woman security to search another woman.
88
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 23:45
And did they at least apologise for the "misunderstanding" - of course not!
3804
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 23:35
What an awful experience. No they can't get a member of staff to search you, only security or the police can do that.
 
 

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