A superstore claimed a laptop that I bought there two months ago as stolen. The police went to my classroom and made me go with them because I was using the laptop right there and they traced the signal and found me. I didn't steal anything. I proved it with the receipt. They told the police they made a mistake in their inventory. The police told me I should consider doing something but didn't tell me what can I do.
It was emotionally stressing as I had to get into a patrol's backseat as if I were a delinquent; I lost half of a college class, I lost gas and time from my cellphone trying to deal with the whole mess their mistake caused me.
What can I do? I haven't complained yet to the store because I have plenty of work to do for college as finals are next week, but I plan to do it tomorrow.
2006-11-28 13:44:31 · 26 answers · asked by Pancha Pistolas 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
@ Dash:
I am paying for my classes so I expect to attend every minute of them. I wouldn't so aprehensive if I wasn't two days away from my finals. I don't know about you but I like to get A's.
I also paid for that laptop a thousand dollars so I expect it to be recognized as mine. To answer one of your doubts, they traced it because of the wireless internet service.
Someone it's not doing their job well and they're paid to do so. Things like this shouldn't happen. I clearly was a victim of someone's lack of responsability.
2006-11-28 15:09:32 · update #1
They traced a signal .. so like your laptop is "bugged"? Never heard of anything like that EVER.
Moving on. Sitting in a backseat of a car was emotionally debilitating to you? Whoa! Were you in handcuffs?
Next. YOU lost half of a class? Like 30 minutes worth? Yeah .. that's interesting or nit-picky. Lost gas & time fom your cell phone? You mean that you had to drive somewhere to clear yourself? And you had to talk on your cell phone also? Nit-picky.
You are clearly playing the VICTIM. Send this mega-store a letter to their corporate headquarters outlining your "real" experience. I wouldn't mention all the nit-picky because they will laugh it off and you will never hear from them. Also file a complaint with the BBB. Expect an apology at best. To waste anytime thinking that you are gonna hit it big with a settlement is ridiculous and immature.
Good luck.
EDIT: "Actually a lot of "Superstores" install (and I'm not kidding) a software called Lo-Jack, which allows them to track the computer whenever it is on the internet via IP address."
Lo-Jack is a subscription/pay service. Its not free .. so yeah .. anyways! (rolling eyes)
EDIT: "responsability"? A's huh?
2006-11-28 14:08:24 · answer #1 · answered by Active Denial System™ 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Actually a lot of "Superstores" install (and I'm not kidding) a software called Lo-Jack, which allows them to track the computer whenever it is on the internet via IP address.
You should first off start by filling out a public report on the store on the BAD Business Bureau (see link below) and then hire an attorney to file damages relating to embarassment, your character and any negative impact due to the cops showing up.
It IS illegal to falsely accuse someone of a crime, and you have every right to be angry, and seek damages if any arise.
Good luck on the details, and tell everyone you know about your experience on the Bad Business Bureau. (The Better Business Bureau is a sham - they get paid by the stores they claim to "protect you from". All of their income is from businesses. How tough do you think they'll be on the companies that pay their salaries?)
EDITED TO ADD:
Dash - actually, many of the Superstores DO get free subscriptions for the laptops as part of negotiating carrying the product on the shelves. Just like Sirius Satellite gives away free subscriptions so people can demonstrate the products in the stores. I'd offer a link on THOSE subscription prices, but I think you get the point.
But I'm sure you know everything, so I won't bother trying to compete with your supreme arrogance.
2006-11-28 23:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by asshat.mcpoop 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok, I'm not a lawyer but I've been in law enforcement for 24 years and worked in loss prevention for a major retailer for 4 years so I can speak from experience. First of all, no matter if you paid $1 or $40,000 it's yours!!! Second, assuming you were working inside a college classroom with your computer using wireless service there is NO WAY the signal could be traced to you exactly. The tracing mechanism would track to a certain area. Third, if the police indeed traced the signal emitted by your wireless transmitter they would need a search warrant to trace the signal and if they had a search warrant they had to have probable cause to get it which leads me to believe the store gave them some type of information. Fourth, if the store did indeed give the information which led to a search warrant then there is a record of such information in the Police Officers investigative file which can be subpoenaed. Fifth, if you indeed have a receipt for said computer and the police came to class, removed you, and questioned you only to later release you then you have definite grounds for a suit against the complainant (retailer who made the accusation). There would be no recourse against the police department, city, or officer who handled the case as he/she was acting under the color of law and proceeding with the investigation with the evidence which was given him/her. (acting in good faith). I would get an attorney, most will do it for 30% if they win, and sue the so and so's. Unlawful detainment, violation of your civil rights, defamation of character etc etc etc........they will settle as they don't want you to go in front of a jury with that one. Nothing worse than a young woman who is trying to do her best in college only to be snatched out of class by the police only to be found later to have been in the right. Oh yeah, I'd get 'em just because it was extremely irresponsible and negiligent not to mention just plain STUPID!!!!
2006-11-29 07:39:46 · answer #3 · answered by Leigh P 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take your case to a lawyer who specializes in Criminal Law. The Superstore's conduct was outrageous. A false arrest consists of unlawful restraint of a person’s liberty without proper legal authority. The key words here are “without proper legal authority”. The burden is on you, the person complaining they have been falsely arrested, to persuade a court or jury that the officer acted without legal authority. The police will have notes in their reports regarding the incident to enhance and help your case. If you can show the store was malicious you may be entitled to more money or what is referred to as “punitive” damages. A common example of a false arrest situation is where an officer arrests a kid for shoplifting, with no real suspicion that the person did anything wrong, but rather just because the kid had spiked green hair.
An attorney would also cover other issues of emotional distress, compensation for lost time, etc. I wouldn't bother dealing with the Superstore execs, but rather let your attorney do this so as to give them a wake-up call on customer service and wrongful accusations and wreckless inventory practices that result in harm to the consuming/public - customers like you. Wouldn't be surprising for them to offer settlement out of court to avoid public confrontation/attention, and keep the matter quiet to preserve any reputation of "good-will".
2006-11-28 23:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by JFAD 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can file a lawsuit for emotional distress, harrassment, false arrest and slander against the store. They should know better than to make an accusation without proof. Knowing that you said this was a superstore means they probably are worth a lot of money. I'm sure there will be an attorney who would be willing to take the case on contingency.
2006-11-28 21:51:04 · answer #5 · answered by foxfire 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a Criminal lawyer to advise you how you can sue them, lost of wages and emotional stress can be some of the things you can sue them for, I'm sure the lawyer will come up with more things to add to the lawsuit. Don't go to the store get the lawyer first. Good luck and don't wait too long.
2006-11-28 21:49:36 · answer #6 · answered by woodtigerdp 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
File a formal complaint and claim to executives in writing.
File a written complaint to the Better Business Bureau in their area.
Get a free consultation from a reputable attorney on your right to file suit for wrongful conduct, malice and harassment.
2006-11-28 21:52:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would write a letter of complaint to the store headquarters and explain what you were put through and ask them for some kind of apology and possible reimbursement for your lost time and gas. If you don't get a satisfactory answer from the headquarters, then you can contact a lawyer, usually the first consultation is free, and ask him/her what they would suggest you do to get reimbursed in some way for what they put you through. Good Luck to you.
2006-11-28 22:01:50 · answer #8 · answered by robotchic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Choose not to shop there again. There isn't a legal recourse you can feasibly take. Besides, in the grand scheme of your life, this is a blip on the radar. Don't gum up the court system, just choose to not give them anymore of your money.
2006-11-28 21:50:56 · answer #9 · answered by J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sue the store.
Get an attorney and sue them for false arrest, or malicious prosecution.
Go after them for punitive damages plus everything it cost you, including attorney's fees.
You don't have to complain to the store. Get an attorney and let him/her do the talking.
The store will settle before it goes to trial. They don't want a jury hearing your story.
2006-11-29 00:56:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋