Banned from penneys

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 6:46pm #1

Hey there just wanted a bit of advice really, myself and a relative recently did something very stupid and tried to take something in penneys without paying. This was our first time doing something like this, so was very out of character. Myself, I was made redundant, and my relatives business was liquidised. We both were in dire straits to say the least. Subsequently we were both banned from our local penneys store. The head of security was very hard on us but the guards dealing with us were very understanding and sympathetic. Our problem is now, because there is only one penneys in our town, its hard to find reasons to tell our family and friends why we won't be venturing in, and it's very tough on us, emotionally and of course, financially. The advice I'm looking for, I'm not sure as I don't know what to do, we would do anything to be let back in.

I understand we committed a crime, but the guards were very understanding so we're not looking for another dressing down.

What can we do to be allowed back in?
Can we be prosecuted if we were to venture back in sometime?

Any advice would be very appreciated

To say we regret our actions would be an understatement....

Wheety · 23-06-2019 6:49pm

Only thing you could do is leave it for a while, like a few months or even a year and then try. If it was me, then after the above break, my first few visits would be on my own. Don't want them kicking you out when you're with your family.

dudara · 23-06-2019 6:54pm

Your best bet is to contact Penney’s and plead leniency. It’s their store and their rules as to who they let in (once they are not discriminating of course). If you enter without permission you could be accused of trespassing.

Better to try and sort it all out with them directly.

Bunny Colvin · 23-06-2019 6:58pm

They're perfectly entitled not to want you around their store. Do them and yourself a favour and stay away from the place. You'll survive without it.

Danzy · 23-06-2019 7:00pm

Lucky that isn't a court job thank God for little mercies.

LegacyUser · 23-06-2019 7:02pm

I would agree with leaving it for a little while and then try to contact the main store manager directly to meet face to face.
Assure them it was an absolute one off and that it will never happen again and maybe suggest that you are happy for them to monitor you while in the store until you regain their trust.
You may have burnt that bridge already, but it's worth a try.

alan partridge aha · 23-06-2019 7:03pm

<SNIP>

Not up to standard.

Stephen15 · 23-06-2019 7:06pm

Well you should've thought about the consequences before you decided to rob from Penney's

dudara · 23-06-2019 7:09pm

stephen15 - please don’t post if you have nothing constructive to add. The poster has acknowledged what they did. We are not going to berate them further.

dudara

antix80 · 23-06-2019 7:14pm

I'd say stop associating with that relative.

zoe 3619 · 23-06-2019 7:26pm

Give it a couple of months,then seek out the store manage, be honest and apologetic and ask for another chance.
I appreciate it's awkward for you,but you've dodged a bullet if you don't have to explain a court appearance.

Tokyo · 23-06-2019 7:54pm

Mod:

A number of posts have been deleted for falling well below the standards expected in PI. Any further wisecracks, or digs at the OP will earn an infraction or ban.

Blueshoe · 23-06-2019 7:55pm

Can you not just come clean to your family. They know your situation.
Start telling lies and it's only a matter of time before you are caught out

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 8:03pm

Wheety wrote: »

Only thing you could do is leave it for a while, like a few months or even a year and then try. If it was me, then after the above break, my first few visits would be on my own. Don't want them kicking you out when you're with your family.

Thank you wheely, that might be a good idea, maybe the security personnel will have moved on by then

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 8:04pm

dudara wrote: »

Your best bet is to contact Penney’s and plead leniency. It’s their store and their rules as to who they let in (once they are not discriminating of course). If you enter without permission you could be accused of trespassing.

Better to try and sort it all out with them directly.

Thank you for your reply, it might be worth a shot, I will try and work up the courage

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 8:06pm

Abobyo wrote: »

I would agree with leaving it for a little while and then try to contact the main store manager directly to meet face to face.
Assure them it was an absolute one off and that it will never happen again and maybe suggest that you are happy for them to monitor you while in the store until you regain their trust.
You may have burnt that bridge already, but it's worth a try.

Thank you that's the second suggestion for sorting it out with them directly, definitely might be worth a shot, honesty might be the best policy

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 8:12pm

antix80 wrote: »

I'd say stop associating with that relative.

Why? Why would you assume my relative is any worse than I am for this happening? Stop associating with a relative over a silly mistake? Have you never done anything wrong in your life?

Big Bag of Chips · 23-06-2019 8:20pm

Security personnel moving on might not matter much. A lot of shops have a 'wall of fame' of photos (mostly from their CCTV) of people. Categorised into 'watch very closely' and 'do not let in'.

Your only chance is to approach the manager and plead your case. Penneys isn't exactly a "necessities" shop. I'd be inclined to think if you were really in dire straits that you'd be more likely to steal food. No?

If you go to the manager, don't give half arsed excuses. Especially if what you stole wasn't exactly an essential item that you absolutely couldn't survive without. Put your hands up and accept whatever decision they make.

mvt · 23-06-2019 9:27pm

What about going back to the guard & asking their advice?
Maybe they could put a word in for you.
We all do stupid things in life, hope it works out for you.

Abba987 · 23-06-2019 9:33pm

Would you not come clean to your family so it doesn't turn into a long term lie ? It's bound to be noticed eventually if you can never go in

Andrew00 · 23-06-2019 9:43pm

Why would ur family need to know about it? Just say you don't shop in penny's anymore. Simple really

Thelonious Monk · 23-06-2019 9:45pm

Sorry but it's bloody Penney's! Why are you so desperate to get in? There are plenty of other shops in Ireland that sell throwaway clothing and cheap tat.

SaltSweatSugar · 23-06-2019 9:51pm

mvt wrote: »

What about going back to the guard & asking their advice?
Maybe they could put a word in for you.
We all do stupid things in life, hope it works out for you.

No way would a Guard do that and rightly so. Management decide who is allowed in their shop.

eurokev · 23-06-2019 9:51pm

Don't worry bout it they'll hardly remember you.
<SNIP>

Mod: please keep posts on-topic. Thanks

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 10:01pm

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

Security personnel moving on might not matter much. A lot of shops have a 'wall of fame' of photos (mostly from their CCTV) of people. Categorised into 'watch very closely' and 'do not let in'.

Your only chance is to approach the manager and plead your case. Penneys isn't exactly a "necessities" shop. I'd be inclined to think if you were really in dire straits that you'd be more likely to steal food. No?

If you go to the manager, don't give half arsed excuses. Especially if what you stole wasn't exactly an essential item that you absolutely couldn't survive without. Put your hands up and accept whatever decision they make.

You're right. I will give it a go sure no harm in trying

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 10:05pm

SaltSweatSugar wrote: »

mvt wrote: »

What about going back to the guard & asking their advice?
Maybe they could put a word in for you.
We all do stupid things in life, hope it works out for you.

No way would a Guard do that and rightly so. Management decide who is allowed in their shop.

SaltSweatSugar we have actually been back to the garda involved in our incident at the time and both would be happy to put a word in for us. Not everyone has such a negative attitude.

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 10:10pm

eurokev wrote: »

Don't worry bout it they'll hardly remember you.

I saw your comment before it was edited and did a quick search, I saw what you're talking about but being outside with other people, they could have gone in for the person, would be too scared to risk it I'm easily recognisable I think

SaltSweatSugar · 23-06-2019 10:16pm

Delicate depression wrote: »

SaltSweatSugar we have actually been back to the garda involved in our incident at the time and both would be happy to put a word in for us. Not everyone has such a negative attitude.

Hardly a negative attitude. The Garda may say they are happy to do it, but they really have no say in it. You admit you shoplifted. You would do better to plead your own case with management rather than getting the investigating Garda to do it. It’s not their job. They’ve done their job.

Delicate depression · 23-06-2019 11:00pm

SaltSweatSugar wrote: »

Delicate depression wrote: »

SaltSweatSugar we have actually been back to the garda involved in our incident at the time and both would be happy to put a word in for us. Not everyone has such a negative attitude.

Hardly a negative attitude. The Garda may say they are happy to do it, but they really have no say in it. You admit you shoplifted. You would do better to plead your own case with management rather than getting the investigating Garda to do it. It’s not their job. They’ve done their job.

Point taken thank you

SirChenjin · 23-06-2019 11:41pm

OP I remember reading a very similar thread previously on boards. If you search maybe under Legal Discussion, you might find something to help.

Bobtheman · 24-06-2019 4:53pm

I'd suggest to Penny's taking a year ban . If they say no I'd still leave it a year. Likely hood is security staff etc will have changed. Penny's not the centre of the universe

Stephen15 · 24-06-2019 4:57pm

If you decide to ask to allow you back in and they refuse your request then you might only be drawing attention to yourself by management. Whereas if you say nothing they may forget.

Hal3000 · 24-06-2019 5:02pm

Penny's are well within their rights to not let you back in, they're running a business. Ban me if you want mods, but it's not Penny's responsibility to understand the position of people who take things from their shops. Fair play for owing up and taking responsibility, but I suggest you might want to shop elsewhere.

Daisy78 · 24-06-2019 8:32pm

Not being funny but surely there are other shops in your town apart from Penney’s? There must be other options either nearby or a bigger town close by?

Abba987 · 24-06-2019 8:36pm

Our problem is now, because there is only one penneys in our town, its hard to find reasons to tell our family and friends why we won't be venturing in, and it's very tough on us, emotionally and of course, financially. The advice I'm looking for, I'm not sure as I don't know what to do, we would do anything to be let back in.

I understand we committed a crime, but the guards were very understanding so we're not looking for another dressing down.

What can we do to be allowed back in?
Can we be prosecuted if we were to venture back in sometime?

Any advice would be very appreciated

To say we regret our actions would be an understatement....[/quote]

First paragraph . That's why suggestions of telling family were posted. It's in the op

Stephen15 · 24-06-2019 8:51pm

Abba987 wrote: »

Our problem is now, because there is only one penneys in our town, its hard to find reasons to tell our family and friends why we won't be venturing in, and it's very tough on us, emotionally and of course, financially. The advice I'm looking for, I'm not sure as I don't know what to do, we would do anything to be let back in.

I understand we committed a crime, but the guards were very understanding so we're not looking for another dressing down.

What can we do to be allowed back in?
Can we be prosecuted if we were to venture back in sometime?

Any advice would be very appreciated

To say we regret our actions would be an understatement....

First paragraph . That's why suggestions of telling family were posted. It's in the op[/quote]

You should just come clean to your family. Your not a child I assume so they're hardly going to punish you surely if the Guards understand your situation family will understand too and understood it at the time. Is going to Penneys a social outing for you and your family and not a place you'd only go to if you were on your own because failing the above you could just not tell them or only tell them next time your with them and they want to go to Penneys.

tony1kenobi · 24-06-2019 9:43pm

You tell your family that your relative attempted to leave the store with something they hadn’t paid for. Your relative stood their ground believing the store were wrong. Guards were called and there was indeed an unpaid item in relatives bag. Don’t know how it got there, mortified. You both kicked up such a fuss that Penney’s said you’re both barred. Relative is so embarrassed. It’s not to be talked about. End of story.

Tell relative to tell their lot the same story in reverse.

Nobody mentions it again ever.

Don’t go back to the store. You’re both barred and you’ll only be humiliated if you go back because they are not going to let you back in.

Sunrise_Sunset · 24-06-2019 10:42pm

Wouldn't your family be aware that you were struggling financially at that particular time too? I'm sure they'd be understanding and forgiving of the shoplifting incident. You may as well come clean to them.

Security guards along main streets etc are usually able to communicate with one another on walkie talkies. I often hear them telling each other that someone they are watching/following is heading to the next security guards shop. So being banned from Penney's probably means that the security guards in other shops in the same area are aware of the incident too.

JustJoe7240 · 24-06-2019 11:01pm

I don’t understand why the op would need to explain to their family why they don’t shop in Penny’s?

Abba987 · 24-06-2019 11:06pm

JustJoe7240 wrote: »

I don’t understand why the op would need to explain to their family why they don’t shop in Penny’s?

Well they could be with the wife and 3 kids and little Johnny needs new shorts and all of a sudden he's hiding in the toilet so security dont see him

I wouldn't need to tell the aunts and uncles but the close family probably

leggo · 24-06-2019 11:55pm

Worked as a security guard for years. Tbh if someone that wasn’t an absolute mouldy scumbag (that I’d have probably watched anyway) stole and came back a few months later, I’d tend to give them a second chance but watch them closely. There’s no hard and fast rule tbh. I’d always try see the human side personally and not be a dickhead, some officers take their job overly serious and take it personally, some are forgetful with faces and lazy, it depends. So there’s no way to tell if going back in and holding your hands up will work for or against you without knowing the people involved. I definitely wouldn’t try go above the security’s head and straight to the manager, managers employ security to do this stuff for them (especially in big stores like Penney’s) and any good manager will leave all decisions at their guard’s discretion. So you’d only piss off the person who’ll likely make the final decision anyway. Best case scenario you create a dispute and the manager is going to default to the person they work with every day over someone who stole from them.

It can also depends on how much of a back and forth happened. If I caught someone and it was relatively straightforward, I may have forgotten their face within a month because you see so many every day, whereas if they kicked up blue murder I could see them ten years later and cop them straight away.

Your best bet, honestly, is staying away for a while then trying to go back in and seeing if you get clocked. Chances are you won’t, unless you made a serious scene. Penney’s would arrest multiple people every day so only the repeat offenders and people who left a mark because of how they acted (or if they were super sneaky or remarkable in some way) would register immediately.

Stephen15 · 25-06-2019 12:45am

leggo wrote: »

Worked as a security guard for years. Tbh if someone that wasn’t an absolute mouldy scumbag (that I’d have probably watched anyway) stole and came back a few months later, I’d tend to give them a second chance but watch them closely. There’s no hard and fast rule tbh. I’d always try see the human side personally and not be a dickhead, some officers take their job overly serious and take it personally, some are forgetful with faces and lazy, it depends. So there’s no way to tell if going back in and holding your hands up will work for or against you without knowing the people involved. I definitely wouldn’t try go above the security’s head and straight to the manager, managers employ security to do this stuff for them (especially in big stores like Penney’s) and any good manager will leave all decisions at their guard’s discretion. So you’d only piss off the person who’ll likely make the final decision anyway. Best case scenario you create a dispute and the manager is going to default to the person they work with every day over someone who stole from them.

It can also depends on how much of a back and forth happened. If I caught someone and it was relatively straightforward, I may have forgotten their face within a month because you see so many every day, whereas if they kicked up blue murder I could see them ten years later and cop them straight away.

Your best bet, honestly, is staying away for a while then trying to go back in and seeing if you get clocked. Chances are you won’t, unless you made a serious scene. Penney’s would arrest multiple people every day so only the repeat offenders and people who left a mark because of how they acted (or if they were super sneaky or remarkable in some way) would register immediately.

Interesting insight sort of surprised to hear how common it as I've only ever witnessed people being caught shoplifting on one or two occasions

Bobtheman · 25-06-2019 12:04pm

Sunrise_Sunset wrote: »

Wouldn't your family be aware that you were struggling financially at that particular time too? I'm sure they'd be understanding and forgiving of the shoplifting incident. You may as well come clean to them.

Security guards along main streets etc are usually able to communicate with one another on walkie talkies. I often hear them telling each other that someone they are watching/following is heading to the next security guards shop. So being banned from Penney's probably means that the security guards in other shops in the same area are aware of the incident too.

Ah for the love of Jesus.. that won't happen. They are too lazy. Trust me in a year you can stroll back in.

Rubberchikken · 25-06-2019 3:36pm

if you're truly regretful and have learned a lesson then let it go and do without penneys for a while.

i find it hard to believe that security could remember every person they eject from a store.

leave it for a while then go back yourself.
being short of money is hard, cutting back on thibgs is part of that and while hard its necessary.

Neyite · 25-06-2019 4:35pm

I would tell family that me and relative had a bet to see who could stay away from buying unnecessary stuff in Pennys for a year. You can say that you read about Fast Fashion and how bad it can be for the environment which spurred the bet. You are allowed, as part of the bet to shop any other store, ebay, facebook pages, charity shops or borrow what you need. You just can't set foot in any Pennys for a year.

And since you are massively competitive you are determined to win.

Then it will go down in family tales as that time Delicate and Delicate's cousin had that mad Pennys bet and be an amusing anecdote akin to when Dave went Vegetarian, or that daft hairstyle Maura had when she was 16.

Hector Savage · 28-06-2019 11:54am

As said I would leave it for a few weeks/months and then go in *alone* and buy something.
Then you are a paying customer, should make it easier if on subsequent occasions you are stopped you can see "I bought something here last week ... etc" - Gives some insurance - my 2c anyway!

antix80 · 28-06-2019 12:01pm

Neyite wrote: »

I would tell family that me and relative had a bet to see who could stay away from buying unnecessary stuff in Pennys for a year.

What the op needs is more honesty. Bad enough being a thief without spinning an elaborate bs story to friends and family.

Neyite · 28-06-2019 12:24pm

antix80 wrote: »

What the op needs is more honesty. Bad enough being a thief without spinning an elaborate bs story to friends and family.

It's pretty obvious from the op and subsequent posts that the OP won't tell her family. And that's her right whether you or I disagree with it. She has every right to not tell friends and family that she was caught shoplifting. It's the kind of thing that always sticks with you and that other family members can throw back in your face for all eternity. Maybe you have a kind, discreet and forgiving family who would never mention your transgressions again but not everyone does. FWIW, I was caught shoplifting when I was a kid, and I did tell my folks, but this thread isn't about me.

Some posters think that telling an OP what they would do in a similar situation counts as advice but really the best way the thread can help an OP is to give them advice that suits them, rather than what suits you. What I've suggested may not suit, what you have might not either. But the point is to give the OP a range of options to consider and apply the one that they feel is best.

mea_k · 03-07-2019 2:45am

Worked in retail store for 10+ years as employee, still remember every face that was banned. I wouldn't suggest just strolling in.
Staff know, security know, and manager knows.
You are far better to speak to manager directly of the span of the ban.
However none of those people that where banned, ever returned to store....

ongarboy · 03-07-2019 11:21am

Why does OP so desperately want to shop in a place where she was banned from? It's the last place on earth I'd want to go back to as it would bring back all the unpleasantness. It's not like Penneys is the only clothes shop in the town. If the town is big enough to support a Penneys, then there surely are other shops.

OP - if your friends or family are going there and ask why you are not joining them, just say you encountered a very rude manager there once or that you were refused a refund and that you are boycotting the place. You could also just say that you are sick of their clothes falling apart after one or two washes so you refuse to buy their clothes anymore (I think we can all attest to an inferior quality Penneys purchase at some stage so that would be a credible excuse). You may be considered a little stubborn or overly principled on the matter but that is one way of getting out of the situation without having to declare the truth (which I appreciate is something you wouldn't want to share).

Sorry if this sounds tough or if I come across a bit judgmental here (for which the millennial snowflakes will no doubt lambaste me for ) but you're being a little precious here (even though I appreciate that you are completely remorseful). Ever heard of the phrase "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time". You are asking for zero consequences to your negative (criminal in fact) actions. Unfortunately, life doesn't work like that and rightfully so otherwise we'd all potentially be blissfully reckless if we knew there were no consequences.

JustAThought · 19-07-2019 12:56pm

They have 2 years to press charges. You stole from their shop. Stay well clear of the place and don't push your luck. Afaik penneys have a prosecute all crimes policy - you might meet a manager or find it on the desk of an area manager -one not as 'nice' as the one who didnt press charges and then you would have a ban and criminal conviction to explain to your family. You shoplifted and were caught. Take your free ride punishment and stay away from the place - they have been very clear and the police are involved. You don't want them to change their mind the way you have changed yours . It is a 2 way street .

Banned from penneys

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