A funny thing happened at the bird store today...

[CaptMicha]

I was walking around, looking at everything in the store and I was in the midst of watching the small rodents in the rodent section when a woman came over and asked me what was in my pocket!

This has never happened to me before. Whenever I shop, the owners usually go back to whatever they were reading or keep their eyes on other customers. So I'm pretty sure I don't look like the "type", if there is even a type. But maybe it was b/c I had on a puffy jacket.

So, I reached into one pocket, pulling out my keys. "You mean my keys???"

"No, I saw a bag. What's in the other pocket."

So I reach into my other pocket and pull out my cell phone and again ask, "My cell phone...?"

So she pads down one of my pockets and barks "sorry" at me and storms away.

I wasn't angry. I was taken back but more than anything else I was amused.


People really steal from pet stores?? Is this a big problem going on @ pet stores all over the place? What do they steal??? And wouldn't it be embarrassing if you got caught?

Yeah, a bunch of rope intertwined with shiny plastic shouldn't cost upwards of $10.00 in my opinion but I just move on to cheaper toys.

[archer]

I admire your self-control. Sometimes they can be rude (at least that is how I read it)

Well... you know in these times... people can't help but be a little careful.

I think being with the birds increses patience :D because you are full of it! Congratulations! :)

[Keltoth]

Wow - MUCH nicer than I would have been. Had she violated my personal space and tried to pat me down, besides having her arm put behind her back she also would have been explaining to the police why she was so intent on what I had in my pockets, as it was none of her business. If she would have thought I was shoplifting, she can accuse me outright and call the police.

I'm sure the reason she did not outright accuse you is because if she did and was wrong (as she obviously was this time with you), you could sue the place of business. My wife works retail, and the first thing they tell them is "do not accuse ANYONE of shoplifting unless you saw the action and you have not removed your eyes from the person at any time between the action and the time security arrives on the scene", simply because of the lawsuit and bad press that can be incurred with a false or unprovable (if the person ditches the merchandise after concealing it) accusation.

I understand and respect a shop-owner's desire to protect their merchandise against shoplifters. Having said that, that desire in NO way gives them the right to violate my personal space and touch me without explaining themselves first and making an accusation if they were to think I was stealing from them. Shopowners who think it is acceptable to be blatantly rude and search someone without even an explination, ESPECIALLY when they are not positive someone is shoplifting, deserve to be sued and to be showcased in the local press.

I don't treat people rudely, and I expect to be treated the same. If a shopowner or employee disrespects me in the manner discussed in this thread, they can expect repayment of that rudeness, with interest. I am impressed with your measure of self-control, because I would not have reacted so pleasently to her.

Just my opinion; your mileage may vary.

- Eric

[linda040899]

People really steal from pet stores?? Is this a big problem going on @ pet stores all over the place? What do they steal???
Most definitely! Depending on the pet shop, yes, it can be a problem. That's one of the reasons that the public no longer has access to the pets that are for sale like they used to. It's very easy to pick up a young bird, put it in a pocket and walk out. Even larger parrots have been stolen and not recovered. Several weeks ago, a young, unweaned baby African Grey Parrot was taken from a shop. It was finally recovered but the people who took it didn't realize that it couldn't eat on its own. The baby would have died had a strange set of sequences not lead police to those who took it!

[Eliza]

People really steal from pet stores?? Is this a big problem going on @ pet stores all over the place? What do they steal???

At least once a year one of the large bird stores in my area hits the news b/c someone stole a bird, usually an unweaned baby.

There used to be a horrible place that sold puppies and kittens in my hometown. Some HS classmates of mine went there and actually STOLE A PUPPY. I think that they were under the mistaken impression that they were somehow liberating the animal...

And let's not forget all the pocketable items: toys, treats and food. You'd be surprised what people can walk out with.

I worked retail for many years. I never actually witnessed anyone stealing. When I worked for a family-owned saddle shop the owners told me to keep on eye on people's feet. Customers would come in with their nasty muck boots on and walk out, after we presumed they were browsing, with brand new paddock boots on. We'd find the empty box and crummy boots stashed behind a display...

Sorry this happened... I can't blame the owner/employee for being concerned but s/he certainly could have been nicer about it.

-e-

[CaptMicha]

I don't have to tell the other lovebird owners around here that I've learned patience the hard way with "love"birds.

I never knew that I had rights like that as the shopper. Good thing to know if it ever happens again.

That lady was really mean but I think she's one of those weird ones that only socialize with animals and locks out the rest of world and treats people hostilely. I've known people like that before. Or maybe she just was having a really bad day, even though that doesn't give her the right to take it out on me.

I know it's not the store. The owner supports this wildlife rehab I used to volunteer at and we've sat down and had some discussions. The owner's attitude is why I keep going back to that store even though it puts a dent in my wallet.

That's really appalling that some one would steal actual animals. They're not merchandise even though they're commonly portrayed as such.

[Eliza]

That lady was really mean but I think she's one of those weird ones that only socialize with animals and locks out the rest of world and treats people hostilely.

Oh, yes. I've known quite a few people like that in my life... And while I certainly admire anyone's dedication to animals, people have to remember that you to be kind to human animals, too.

The owner of the store sounds like a delightful person, though. I'm all for anyone who helps out wildlife rehab! I used to vol. at a wonderful refuge (www.cedarrun.org) -- I really should get back into that...

-e-