TechnoWeenie
Regular Member
imported post
I was in the Lakewood store for all of 2 mins, looking at some dress slacks when I was approached by someone who appeared curious, then came to my weak side, obviously leaning in to peek at the logo on my chest (company embroidered dress/casual button up). She was not wearing any ID, or any indication that she worked for the store, although her demeanor indicated that she worked there. One she started asking what was on my side I got the impression that she was fishing for something. When I responded it was my sidearm, she again asked, 'what is it'. She wanted to see a police ID, and let me know that unless I was a police officer, in uniform, on duty, that they wouldn't allow me to carry in their stores. I politely informed her that I had contacted corporate a number of years ago (about 2, actually) and had been told that they follow laws of the state... She insisted that she was correct, appearing visibly agitated that I would counter her statement. She abruptly stated that she would get a copy of the policy, I informed her that I would be bringing my purchases up front.
As I was checking out, she showed me an EMPLOYEE policy stating that EMPLOYEES may not carry unless they're police officers working for Burlington as security, and in uniform. It was obviously a form for employees to sign when they were employed, as it had a spot labelled 'employee signature' along with a line.. (DUH!)
I pointed out to her the fact that it was in reference to employees, and told her I had a letter from corporate (email, long since deleted). I asked her how long they had the policy in effect, thinking maybe they changed it in the meantime, and she responded that it had been at least 5 years.
I responded that if I had an email from corporate if she would let me carry, she said 'it's not allowed', and said that I can call corporate and they'll tell me it's not allowed. When I told her I already had an email, she said it wasn't allowed, then said I should bring it in any time I wanted to shop there, then said she didn't want to argue with me, and that she had 'the same conversation with another customer not too long ago'...
She was obviously agitated, but not overtly agressive, borderline rude and disrespectful but nothing over the top. More like a 'I know I'm right and you'll do as I say' kind of attitude. She cut me off a number of times, and it was apparent that she did not want to discuss the matter.
I was never asked to leave, oddly enough.
I have another email off to burlington as we speak.
ETA: Before anyone starts calling me an ass, I was extremely polite, firm but non-confrontational, saying ma'am,etc etc. I do have proof of this as well.
I was in the Lakewood store for all of 2 mins, looking at some dress slacks when I was approached by someone who appeared curious, then came to my weak side, obviously leaning in to peek at the logo on my chest (company embroidered dress/casual button up). She was not wearing any ID, or any indication that she worked for the store, although her demeanor indicated that she worked there. One she started asking what was on my side I got the impression that she was fishing for something. When I responded it was my sidearm, she again asked, 'what is it'. She wanted to see a police ID, and let me know that unless I was a police officer, in uniform, on duty, that they wouldn't allow me to carry in their stores. I politely informed her that I had contacted corporate a number of years ago (about 2, actually) and had been told that they follow laws of the state... She insisted that she was correct, appearing visibly agitated that I would counter her statement. She abruptly stated that she would get a copy of the policy, I informed her that I would be bringing my purchases up front.
As I was checking out, she showed me an EMPLOYEE policy stating that EMPLOYEES may not carry unless they're police officers working for Burlington as security, and in uniform. It was obviously a form for employees to sign when they were employed, as it had a spot labelled 'employee signature' along with a line.. (DUH!)
I pointed out to her the fact that it was in reference to employees, and told her I had a letter from corporate (email, long since deleted). I asked her how long they had the policy in effect, thinking maybe they changed it in the meantime, and she responded that it had been at least 5 years.
I responded that if I had an email from corporate if she would let me carry, she said 'it's not allowed', and said that I can call corporate and they'll tell me it's not allowed. When I told her I already had an email, she said it wasn't allowed, then said I should bring it in any time I wanted to shop there, then said she didn't want to argue with me, and that she had 'the same conversation with another customer not too long ago'...
She was obviously agitated, but not overtly agressive, borderline rude and disrespectful but nothing over the top. More like a 'I know I'm right and you'll do as I say' kind of attitude. She cut me off a number of times, and it was apparent that she did not want to discuss the matter.
I was never asked to leave, oddly enough.
I have another email off to burlington as we speak.
ETA: Before anyone starts calling me an ass, I was extremely polite, firm but non-confrontational, saying ma'am,etc etc. I do have proof of this as well.