Hi,
On 13th Sept,2011 at 7:00PM when I went to shop at Tesco Metro, I was asked to go out of the shop by the manger. He claimed that there is CCTV footage of me stealing some cream from Tesco Metro three weeks back.
I initially thought that he’s a mad person and tried to avoid him. But then realised that he’s a manager. I had to come of the store. He refused to give this in writing. He told that I was barred from entering Tesco before as well.
The fact is that I was out of station 3 weeks back. I have never been barred before. All his allegations are false. He has mistaken me for someone else. I have been shopping in Tesco for last 4 years and did not have any issues so far.
I called up the police. But they said this is a civil issue and they can’t get involved. I then went to the Tesco Extra shop. I talked to a manger named Dave. He said he had no idea of what happens in Tesco Metro.
I then went back to the store. Noted the name of the manger(Orlando Correia) and asked him the details of the incident. He refused to talk to me. I waited outside the shop for a long time. Then the security person came out for a smoke. He told me that the incident happened 3 weeks back. Cream name is Bonjela(I then searched in internet to understand what it is) and the manger was informed by a staff that I was barred earlier. Hence he asked me to go out. When I asked for a proof, the security told me that the statement by the staff can be considered a proof.
What can I do to prove my point? Can I request a third party to view the CCTV footages and verify the details. Can a Tesco manger refuse entry into the store and humiliate a person by calling him a thief just based on comments by a staff? On what basis can a staff say this? I am sure; the staff has mistaken me for someone else.
Please let me know, what a person can do in such situations. I am ready to fight a case against them. I am looking for a quick solution.
Thanks.
The obvious thing to do is to complain to their head office.
A false allegation of theft is probably actionable by law and damages due if proven. Possibly for defamation of character. A store should be very careful when they make allegations like that. But shop lifting is a very common problem for shops due to dishonest customers. If the manager thought that you had stolen anything you should have asked him to call the police and then he would have to provide the evidence !
But you sound a disorganised person who would not be able to take legal action against the store or personally against the store manager.