I was in my local Smyths toy store today getting some presents for Christmas.
I have three Nephews who all want a particular action figure so their Mum told me to get them one each for Christmas.
I put three of those figures in my basket and once I went to the checkout the manager was on and when he was about to scan the items he stopped and rudely accused me of buying three of the same thing to resell.
I was rather upset over the accusation and asked him why he thought I would sell them and tried to explain that they were for three Nephews but he was having none it and told me that the particular action figure sells for big money online and that I was obviously buying them to resell.
Now there was a queue and I was very embarrassed so just walked out and went to another Smyths store where I was able to buy the same action figures no problem and without a query.
Despite getting the action figure I was very hurt over being humiliated infront of many people over nothing and when I told my sister she said that unless there is a sign in the shop it's against the law for a shopkeeper to refuse to sell someone an item that is free to lift.
Now my question is. Was that managers actions illegal and have any of you experienced something like this before?
I have three Nephews who all want a particular action figure so their Mum told me to get them one each for Christmas.
I put three of those figures in my basket and once I went to the checkout the manager was on and when he was about to scan the items he stopped and rudely accused me of buying three of the same thing to resell.
I was rather upset over the accusation and asked him why he thought I would sell them and tried to explain that they were for three Nephews but he was having none it and told me that the particular action figure sells for big money online and that I was obviously buying them to resell.
Now there was a queue and I was very embarrassed so just walked out and went to another Smyths store where I was able to buy the same action figures no problem and without a query.
Despite getting the action figure I was very hurt over being humiliated infront of many people over nothing and when I told my sister she said that unless there is a sign in the shop it's against the law for a shopkeeper to refuse to sell someone an item that is free to lift.
Now my question is. Was that managers actions illegal and have any of you experienced something like this before?




They offered to go and get me another pack with a shorter sell by date as that would (more than likely) go through the till. I politely declined.