Ok, I went to my local mall today, where there is a best buy. I went into the Best Buy at 10:00 AM, I walked through the door, and next to the door, there is a customer service/ receipt checking stand. I walk maybe 5 feet into the store, and the guy at the stand called me over. He asked me "How old are you?" To which I replied "17". He then said "You cant be here, you have to leave, you can come back at 3:00", and he then followed me to the door. I was maybe in the store a total of 30 seconds. Keep in mind, there were other people shopping in the store. I was so dumbfounded that I didn't even reply. I just wanted to look at Pink Floyd Cd's, I didn't realize that there was an age limit.
Also, for the record, I have never stolen anything, and I buy alot of items from this Best Buy. I have never done anything that would promote them not to allow me into the store.
My Question is, is this legal? Can Best Buy do this?
2006-12-08 06:47:57 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
For the record of School hours. I go to a Catholic School, and today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, so I had no school today. Anyway, I get out of school at 1:21, and I have gone to best Buy after school in the past (before 3:00 on a weekday ).
2006-12-08 06:59:38 · update #1
Was this on a weekday? Bets it was. Sounds to me like it's not a discrimination issue, but a truancy issue. They have an obligation to ensure that they do not contribute to the delinquency of minors by allowing them to be somewhere they're not supposed to be during school hours.
2006-12-08 06:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Many stores and malls have age limits with preset times. For example, at a mall near my house if you are under 18, you have to be with someone 18 or older after 9 p.m. Granted, teenagers shouldn't be labeled as criminals because of their age...but you have to admit, a great deal of them are immature and out for a good time, whether it disturbs others or not. Which is why the age limit is usually set up. For the record, I'm a teenage too, so I'm not trying to say that teens are a bunch of idiots. Just some of them that ruin it for the rest. Also, I work at a Best Buy, and almost all of our theft is by teenages, at lease everything we catch is.
He might have just thought you were skipping school, you can't hold it against him for not knowing it was a holiday. Not everyone is Catholic.
I'm sure it had nothing to do with discrimination, and every store has the right to refuse service to someone as they see fit. He didn't ban you, he just said you could come back later. In my opinion, the biggest probability is that he just figured you were skipping school, and the store might have something set up with local schools about shopping times. The McDonalds next to our Junior High has one.
2006-12-12 01:02:07 · answer #2 · answered by nparris88 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have spoken with a manager if he wasn't one, if he was one you should call corporate offices and explain the case. In the end if you haven't done anything wrong and got kicked out of the store, it's money out of their pockets. Not really a good practice.
Was there a special event of some kind? If there was this may be the reason, like if a band was performing (not that i've heard of this at Best Buy) and there's explicit material in their songs....
*edit*
Ohhh you were there during school hours (read the answers after posting), that makes more sense now.
2006-12-08 14:54:25 · answer #3 · answered by π² 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah they can a lot of stores have rules about age...but I think maybe it had to do with it being a school day and most 17 year olds are still in school till about 3:00 well 2:45 in some places but you get it.
2006-12-08 14:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, yes they can. Your criminal record is not a factor.
As for their right to refuse to let you in, your age is not a factor either.
They could tell your father he can not come in until after 6:30 if they wanted, it is very much at their discretion as to who they let into their store.
Also the bottom line is this was not a discrimination case because of your age, it is because you are of school age and not in school. Any legal action you pursue their lawyer will just say "he was suppose to be in school. And they refuse to let kids cutting class into their store." Students who are not in class during school hours are not considered a protected class.
It is also not the store's responiblity to know what special holiday your school is having. If it is not a national holiday, summer, spring or winter breaker or the weekend the store has the right to assume you should be in school.
If you are really upset and fell it is unfair you should organize a boycott with you and your friends.
2006-12-08 14:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by The Teacher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You were at the mall during normal school hours. Usually kids who are skipping school are not there to buy, but only to either kill time or steal something.
You may be in the minority that are a good customer, but they save a lot of money by playing the odds.
A store can refuse entry to anyone for any reason. It is private property.
.
2006-12-08 14:53:55 · answer #6 · answered by Spanky 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would call the store and ask to speak with a store manager. That was uncalled for. Even if they have some rule about kids not being in school, they don't know your situation. I graduated high school at 17, and many kids are home schooled.
2006-12-08 14:58:14 · answer #7 · answered by catwoman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a very good question, I suggest you call the store and ask to speak to the manager. I don't think they can keep you out of the store based solely on your age. That sounds like discrimination to me.
By the way, you have excellent taste in music.
2006-12-08 14:50:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow!
Never heard of that happening before.
maybe the clerk was a jerk?
Call the store, be polite and ask to speak with the manager.
Kindly ask him/her what the store policy is on issues like this.
By the way, did you get the name of the clerk who told you this?
It helps to have some documentation.
If you don't get satisfaction, take it up a notch.
Note who you talked to and then contact the home office.
They should have a person who handles publicity and the media.
If you still don't get a good explanation, write your local newspaper a letter, telling them what happened and what you tried to do to resolve it.
This could get the attention of the local Best Buy.
2006-12-08 14:53:31 · answer #9 · answered by docscholl 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
many stores near schools have rules to keep school kids out during school hours. Best Buy is a private business and as such can set whatever rules it wishes. if this offends you shop at Circuit City
2006-12-08 14:51:00 · answer #10 · answered by kapute2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋