BabbanBura:


Hard luck on this, PM me to join my Lady and I for a treat to help you get over this quickly and more

Thanks a lot for the offer . I'm over it already.

You are lucky .

You are judging it poorly.

They actually treated you right. Your excuse of being absent minded is invalid as there is no machine to check whether or not you did it intentionally

LegitGirl:
Now, I don't know if anyone has ever had this experience. I had the most embarrassing and blood-curdling day ever!

After my CDS today, I decided to stop by at Blenco@Addo Road, Ajah to get an insulation cup. The section was upstairs. Now, I've never gone upstairs to get anything from Blenco Supermarket...the two times I ever shopped there, it was for provision and it was downstairs.

So, today I was directed upstairs to go check out the insulation cups (I need it for tea/coffee at work). I didn't carry a basket because I was getting just one item...a cup. Looking through the counters, I saw a highlighter and correction pen and I picked them, remembering that I need a highlighter for studying.

I was holding my purse at this time. When I got to the counter for cups, the attendant started showing me the various cups they had available...I needed to open one of them to to check out the depth and mouth tip. Absent-mindedly, I dropped both the purse and highlighter into my bag (it was a very big bag, those kind of canoe-shaped bags that only have a single magnet button, so I didn't even have to look into my bag to see what I was dropping)...simply needed to free my hands. The attendant was right there with me... we continued checking for cups. They didn't have the type I wanted. I picked a flask that was very small...it was manageable since I desperately needed the cup and I told the attendant same...she said I could go downstairs to check the household section also.

On my way downstairs, I realised there was a pay point upstairs, too...the cashier asked me to drop the flask with her and I obediently did. I got to the household section and there wasn't even a single insulation cup. The one I had dropped upstairs wasn't an insulation cup, it was a mini-flask. I decided at the spur of the moment that I'd check Ajah market first to see if I'd find what I want there.

I got to the entrance/security check-point... I paused for him to check my bag and spread my hands to indicate I didn't buy anything. He signalled that I could go. The very minute I stepped past the checkpoint, he called me back. I simply assumed he had just remembered to check my bag...I innocently followed him and opened my bag...voila, the tipex and highlighter were right there!+

Honestly, I felt shocked. That was the moment I remembered I had even picked those items in the first place. The security guy immediately went to call for mopol...a lady somewhere was already laughing that a thief had been caught.

The mopol came and was stating that they'd take me to the police station...went to get his handcuffs. See, I've never had a worse nightmare...theft accusation...tipex and highlighter...handcuffs and police station. I was trying to explain and no one was even listening! They said that's what "we" all say... That the alternative was that I was going to pay a sum of 5200(five times the original price)...for correction-pen and highlighter! They were already looking at me like a petty thief...no one was listening to my explanation...they were recounting incidents of how a guy stole a condom and a rich lady stole a 7k perfume! They were trying to suggest that I was a kleptomaniac! I'd never wished more for the ground to open up and swallow me.

The mopol dude was already agitating that I should be cuffed... I told them I was going to pay the 5200, but they should play the CCTV recording and see that what I was saying was correct. They refused to play the CCTV recording and was insisting instead that I follow them to the station. I paid the 5200.

It was a very unfortunate situation that I put the pen and highlighter in my bag... I dropped my two-week old phone once in a gutter because I thought I was putting it in my bag. Humans make mistakes, can be carried away or forget things. But Blenco management is very unfair!

A big supermarket like that should have made provision for a bag locker outside...And what's the point of a CCTV if not to mitigate against losses. The minute whoever was viewing the CCTV and the staff standing with me saw that I had accidentally put the pen and highlighter into my bag, they should have alerted me. For crying out loud, I was fully dressed in my khaki... even if I was a thief, would I be so conspicuously dressed? So that I'd end up on instablog9ja with the caption... "Corper Steals A Pen and Highlighter at Supermarket!" How much do those cost? 200 naira at best!
I walked to the security point and waited to be checked...they didn't check...but the second I stepped out, they called me back and was slamming theft on me! Or I pay the sum of what was taken times five (5)!

Also, there wasn't a rules and regulation notice posted anywhere to remind customers that all items picked upstairs must be paid upstairs and not downstairs ... or that an unpaid item found in the custody of a customer would amount to payment equivalent to five times the price of such item!

I know I shouldn't expect this, but seeing from the CCTV recording that it was an accidental situation, shouldn't they have been kind enough to just quietly ask me to pay for it...or return the items?

It's just more than obvious that Blenco's management is all out to get scapegoats...And they are very far from customer-friendly...

Today stands as the second worst day of my life!

That feeling can be very degrading, especially when you're sure your conscience is clear and nobody is buying your version of events. Nigerians can be very nasty people at times. Thank God you even had the money to pay, what if it panned out the other way round. We just have to be more conscious especially in public spaces like malls.
You'll get over it real quick. Stay Strong.

LegitGirl:


Stealing is a matter of intent. No, I'm not blaming anyone for my carelessness... the items were indeed in my bag and I put them there...And that certainly is pathetic.

My grouse is that things should be done with a human face...I've been to Blenco twice...never with a bag... I simply left my house to buy provision. Today, I had a bag because I carried a file in it...And I realised there weren't lockers to keep the bag in.
Having a human face means they should have understood they made no provision for lockers...having a human face means they should have seen from their recording that it was a purely accidental situation.
I stopped at the security point to be checked, because that's what I expected to happen...And dude told me to go. What's the duty of security at the entrance? He should have checked. When I was called back, I didn't hesitate even for a second...I didn't look guilty...I had not the faintest idea what was about to happen... Having a human face means they should have realised people make mistakes. When you were in school, didn't you ever accidentally pick your seat partner's textbook, put it in your bag and take it home? Didn't you ever get your clothes off the line only to realise you also packed your neighbour's clothes along?
Intent is the crux of the matter.
Blenco didn't put measures in place to guard against stealing... they put measures in place to get victims...deserving or undeserving.

But it's all good. I wasn't lynched...wasn't arrested... wasn't beaten. Only my feelings got hurt and I felt really unfortunate, but I'm fin,e now. Life gets funny at times.

If "intent is the crux of the matter" how can the security camera dictate the intention of someone who took goods into her handbag with her own hands? It is not difficult to imagine that countless number of petty thivies have been caught in the past whose excuse for pilfering is based ALARMINGLY on intent. In fact, I found it amazing that you are protesting that the security camera should be a mind reader, to ascertain and prove your good intentions and consequently declare you INNOCENT. This is a basic problem of the black race: we always seek a scapegoat; someone to blame for all our shortcomings and missteps.

This is a non-issue, and I think the supermarket did have a human face in the treatment metted out to you. If I am in your situation, although I will feel highly depressed and disappointed, but I won't go shopping for a culprit. The charge that lockers weren't provided to eliminate the possibility of moving in with handbags is not only shaky, but based on slender foundation. Stop attempting to pass the buck; it is not only puerile, it casts questions about yourself.

LegitGirl:
Now, I don't know if anyone has ever had this experience. I had the most embarrassing and blood-curdling day ever!

After my CDS today, I decided to stop by at Blenco@Addo Road, Ajah to get an insulation cup. The section was upstairs. Now, I've never gone upstairs to get anything from Blenco Supermarket...the two times I ever shopped there, it was for provision and it was downstairs.

So, today I was directed upstairs to go check out the insulation cups (I need it for tea/coffee at work). I didn't carry a basket because I was getting just one item...a cup. Looking through the counters, I saw a highlighter and correction pen and I picked them, remembering that I need a highlighter for studying.

I was holding my purse at this time. When I got to the counter for cups, the attendant started showing me the various cups they had available...I needed to open one of them to to check out the depth and mouth tip. Absent-mindedly, I dropped both the purse and highlighter into my bag (it was a very big bag, those kind of canoe-shaped bags that only have a single magnet button, so I didn't even have to look into my bag to see what I was dropping)...simply needed to free my hands. The attendant was right there with me... we continued checking for cups. They didn't have the type I wanted. I picked a flask that was very small...it was manageable since I desperately needed the cup and I told the attendant same...she said I could go downstairs to check the household section also.

On my way downstairs, I realised there was a pay point upstairs, too...the cashier asked me to drop the flask with her and I obediently did. I got to the household section and there wasn't even a single insulation cup. The one I had dropped upstairs wasn't an insulation cup, it was a mini-flask. I decided at the spur of the moment that I'd check Ajah market first to see if I'd find what I want there.

I got to the entrance/security check-point... I paused for him to check my bag and spread my hands to indicate I didn't buy anything. He signalled that I could go. The very minute I stepped past the checkpoint, he called me back. I simply assumed he had just remembered to check my bag...I innocently followed him and opened my bag...voila, the tipex and highlighter were right there!+

Honestly, I felt shocked. That was the moment I remembered I had even picked those items in the first place. The security guy immediately went to call for mopol...a lady somewhere was already laughing that a thief had been caught.

The mopol came and was stating that they'd take me to the police station...went to get his handcuffs. See, I've never had a worse nightmare...theft accusation...tipex and highlighter...handcuffs and police station. I was trying to explain and no one was even listening! They said that's what "we" all say... That the alternative was that I was going to pay a sum of 5200(five times the original price)...for correction-pen and highlighter! They were already looking at me like a petty thief...no one was listening to my explanation...they were recounting incidents of how a guy stole a condom and a rich lady stole a 7k perfume! They were trying to suggest that I was a kleptomaniac! I'd never wished more for the ground to open up and swallow me.

The mopol dude was already agitating that I should be cuffed... I told them I was going to pay the 5200, but they should play the CCTV recording and see that what I was saying was correct. They refused to play the CCTV recording and was insisting instead that I follow them to the station. I paid the 5200.

It was a very unfortunate situation that I put the pen and highlighter in my bag... I dropped my two-week old phone once in a gutter because I thought I was putting it in my bag. Humans make mistakes, can be carried away or forget things. But Blenco management is very unfair!

A big supermarket like that should have made provision for a bag locker outside...And what's the point of a CCTV if not to mitigate against losses. The minute whoever was viewing the CCTV and the staff standing with me saw that I had accidentally put the pen and highlighter into my bag, they should have alerted me. For crying out loud, I was fully dressed in my khaki... even if I was a thief, would I be so conspicuously dressed? So that I'd end up on instablog9ja with the caption... "Corper Steals A Pen and Highlighter at Supermarket!" How much do those cost? 200 naira at best!
I walked to the security point and waited to be checked...they didn't check...but the second I stepped out, they called me back and was slamming theft on me! Or I pay the sum of what was taken times five (5)!

Also, there wasn't a rules and regulation notice posted anywhere to remind customers that all items picked upstairs must be paid upstairs and not downstairs ... or that an unpaid item found in the custody of a customer would amount to payment equivalent to five times the price of such item!

I know I shouldn't expect this, but seeing from the CCTV recording that it was an accidental situation, shouldn't they have been kind enough to just quietly ask me to pay for it...or return the items?

It's just more than obvious that Blenco's management is all out to get scapegoats...And they are very far from customer-friendly...

Today stands as the second worst day of my life!

I think your suggestions are rubbish. if you run a business you would certainly do worse. I think you should even Appreciate them for collecting that paltry sum from you to die the case.
I am not happy about your situation because it can happen to anyone. But as an adult, it's not every time they would be warning people like you to be careful? Take the good side of your situation and move on. You leant being meticulous at a price. This will save you paying bigger price going forward.

LegitGirl:
Now, I don't know if anyone has ever had this experience. I had the most embarrassing and blood curdling day ever.
Today stands as the second worst day of my life!

Lessons learnt... Second worst day you said? Kindly let's know about the worst... It must be a very "ghastly" experience

Akious2k2:

Lessons learnt... Second worst you said? Kindly let's know about the worst... It must be a very "ghastly" experience

Mum's demise...

You yielded to their demands for a fine, and then suggested that they look into the CCTV recording to prove your innocence, but they refused. This shows that they were much more interested in the money, than even taking justice the right way. You knew there was a CCTV camera there, and they also knew you did, so why would they not consider your pleas for a review?
That aside, you need to put it all behind you. Things like this happen often, we may not know why when it's still fresh, but time tells. At least they considered a fine, and you were not apprehended by an always "angry" mob. Forget the embarrassment. You're going to be fine, and this would go a long way to giving a part of you a new shape, if you handle it positively.

skillzbae:
Sorry darling, they should have checked the CCTV or call the person that attended to u but at the same time, u can't fully blame them, bad people has spoilt good people. I once threw half of my moms salary that she gave me to the market in a burning fire thinking it was paper just to read a flier.

I did just that with my elder bro money he gave to get him something from the store down my street in 2004..the mark of the beating I received from him still in my shoulder

LegitGirl:


I kept telling them to check the CCTV...And that I was standing with their staff. They refused... they were just shouting handcuffs or you pay five times the item. I felt very helpless.

And yes, truthfully, I know I can't blame them too much. People steal and make them run at a loss... but to steal a correction pen and highlighter? Moreso, they had a CCTV camera to see how it happened. They just didn't care...simply looking for scapegoats!

I cried, ehn! Never for once in my liife have I stolen a thing nor been accused of such.

I've learnt something from the situation... first, to always carry a basket even if I'm only buying toothpick... two...to never go into Blenco or expect kindness from people.

It so obvious they do this for chop chop...
They had every right to check the video n apply psychology to deduce that d moment u dropped it in d bag... It was a slight moment of forgetfulness...
Its obvious she did see u put it in d bag n must have alerted d security....
I understand ur reason for paying to avoid embarrassing situations but I would have said u let d case become a police Case.. But we all know Nigerian police are compromised and they must even have officers working hand in hand with d store n secondly there is no excuse in d court of law.. I understand ur pains....
As I have worked in stores here in south Africa as a security n when we catch thiefs.... Even call police they won't come ooo...
I remember a case back when I was working at cash n carry vryburg,northwest province..
We caught these guy who stole liquor and d liquor n we had to handcuff him... Police no gree come ooo.. When we were closing..
Manager flog this guy baton for yansh... We had to let him go....
ATTENTION:
if u are competent in physics and maths n u re damn sure of it....
I suggest u move to south Africa.. You be hot cake oooo
There is a high demand for science teachers..
You won't hear this online as the govt are protecting jobs for south Africans..
Truth is there is shortage of maths n physics n chemistry teachers in s.a..

@LegitGirl..
Inbox me WhatsApp
+27737839889

LegitGirl:


I won't forget it in a very long time... My heart was wounded.
The painful part was that I didn't want to go to Blenco in the first place...wanted to go to Shoprite, so I'd also see a movie. But the bus I boarded wasn't going to Shoprite, so I just decided to check Blenco then go home... See what happened!

I so much wished something happened to teach them empathy...

See why i hate all those big designer bags.
Give that Bag a break, your Village people must have laced a tracker on it.
Sorry.
I hate those instashiit blog writers.
Too much meddling and poking their Nose around.

ghettochild:

It so obvious they do this for chop chop...
They had every right to check the video n apply psychology to deduce that d moment u dropped it in d bag... It was a slight moment of forgetfulness...
Its obvious she did see u put it in d bag n must have alerted d security....
I understand ur reason for paying to avoid embarrassing situations but I would have said u let d case become a police Case.. But we all know Nigerian police are compromised and they must even have officers working hand in hand with d store n secondly there is no excuse in d court of law.. I understand ur pains....
As I have worked in stores here in south Africa as a security n when we catch thiefs.... Even call police they won't come ooo...
I remember a case back when I was working at cash n carry vryburg,northwest province..
We caught these guy who stole liquor and d liquor n we had to handcuff him... Police no gree come ooo.. When we were closing..
Manager flog this guy baton for yansh... We had to let him go....
ATTENTION:
if u are competent in physics and maths n u re damn sure of it....
I suggest u move to south Africa.. You be hot cake oooo
There is a high demand for science teachers..
You won't hear this online as the govt are protecting jobs for south Africans..
Truth is there is shortage of maths n physics n chemistry teachers in s.a..

Thanks, dear. I'm totally over it.

javaRookie:

See why i hate all those big designer bags.
Give that Bag a break, your Village people must have laced a tracker on it.
Sorry.
I hate those instashiit blog writers.
Too much meddling and poking their Nose around.

Lol. It's the biggest bag I have... very convenient for carrying files and over-stuffing!

mrblessed:
If "intent is the crux of the matter" how can the security camera dictate the intention of someone who took goods into her handbag with her own hands? It is not difficult to imagine that countless number of petty thivies have been caught in the past whose excuse for pilfering is based ALARMINGLY on intent. In fact, I found it amazing that you are protesting that the security camera should be a mind reader, to ascertain and prove your good intentions and consequently declare you INNOCENT. This is a basic problem of the black race: we always seek a scapegoat; someone to blame for all our shortcomings and missteps.

This is a non-issue, and I think the supermarket did have a human face in the treatment metted out to you. If I am in your situation, although I will feel highly depressed and disappointed, but I won't go shopping for a culprit. The charge that lockers weren't provided to eliminate the possibility of moving in with handbags is not only shaky, but based on slender foundation. Stop attempting to pass the buck; it is not only puerile, it casts questions about yourself.

Oga go and sit down somewhere or better still fond somewhere to sleep.

The OP didn't intentionally steal those items and I believe she put up this write up to get thjings off her mind and also to call people's attention to issues like this.

Do not make the healing process more difficult for her please.

She already knew and accepted her mistake.

In a sane environment, the cctv would be played to really ascertain what happened and the events that led to the items in her bag.

What if the items were purposely dropped in her bag by someone else without her consent?

What if she claimed the items were hers, wouldn't they play the Cctv to counter her claim?

Like she said, they just wanted a scapegoat and I hope they didn't take a video of her sha.

This actually taught me a lesson. Not to be too lackadaisical and absent minded especially in public places.

If u loose anytin in life, thankGod u did not loose everytin. Ur life is still intact so don't worry u ll get ur
money back and even more. I undstd #that feeling of been cheated, but just let go.

LegitGirl:


When I was younger, I burnt my dad's 70k...this was sometime in 2003. He hid the money in the refuse bin...I burnt the refuse at night...didn't know there was money in there.

WTF!

Are you still alive?

Eiyah.... sorry ohhhh