Handcuffs deployed successfully

by Brandon Mayer

It surprises me how many people don’t realize that they don’t need to submit to a receipt check in a retail store. Why not? I’ll answer with a question. Would you let a store employee unlock your cellphone to verify that it’s actually yours and not a stolen display model? Would you let a store employee inspect your wedding ring for

It’s your choice, choose local an engraving to make sure it’s not from the store’s jewelry department? What about your sunglasses? Your purse or wallet? Would you let someone check the clothes you’re wearing for tags? No – because it’s YOUR stuff, right? A lot of people forget that once you pay for something, it’s yours. Which means that all that stuff in your shopping bag belongs to you as well, and no store employee has the right to

40th Anniversary Celebration

South Nation Archery Supply/Club invites you to join Kathleen and Larry to celebrate 40 years serving the needs of archers and bowhunters in eastern Ontario, western Quebec and northern New York State. On Saturday, August 26, 2023, there will be cake for everyone, national and provincial medal presentations to our indoor target archers, and 5% off in-store items. Drop in any time between 9am and 4pm to help us celebrate.

We look forward to seeing you.

11667 Holmes Road, Winchester search your possessions without a warrant or consent.

I haven’t been asked to present a receipt in quite a long time, but I am firm in my decision that the next time it happens, I am going to simply keep walking and wish the store employee a nice day. If stores are paranoid about theft, they should ditch the self-checkouts. It already takes me longer to shop fumbling with those awful machines – I don’t have time to stop and be searched like a criminal, too. One quip I read online recently was “I never signed up for the cashier’s job so if I did it badly… oh well!”

There are so many stores – good, local stores – that don’t use self-checkout and still provide great customer service. Yes, big box retailers that treat us like criminals will always be less expensive, and for some families, there is no choice but to shop where the prices are low. This is understandable, and no judgement here. Those who can afford to spend their dollars at smaller, locally owned stores should do so to take a stand against the decline of customer service (and get a great shopping experience!).

This situation is either going to come full circle, with a return to real customer service when retailers realize it is cheaper in the long run, or more technology is going to be deployed to make customers’ lives even more miserable in the name of loss prevention. Perhaps soon, it won’t be “thank you for using self-checkout” that we hear in a robotic tone reverberating around the store, but rather “handcuffs deployed successfully” as the self-checkout detains a suspected shoplifter. Heck, maybe they could even be loaded with tasers and pepper spray. Anything to make big bucks for big corporations, all while utterly humiliating customers and violating their rights. Enough is enough. Shop small, shop local.

Kibble 4 Paws: A way to help those who help animals

goats and more.”

Other beneficiaries of the Kibble 4 Paws program include wildlife centres, foodbanks, women's shelters, Streetfriends and community hubs.

How does an idea like Kibble 4 Paws get started?