Re: WalMart search

["Ronald O. Cunningham Jr." <rocapl@mail.gcsu.edu>]

Just to stir the pot a little more... About extended warranties, I may be
the only person who actually came out ahead on one.

I purchased a rather expensive portable radio scanner from Radio Shack
along with the three year extended warranty. About eight months after I
bought it, it got "sorta dropped a little bit" no external damage, but it
would no longer work.

Well according to the warranty if I brought it in they would fix or replace
it. Not only did they repair it at no charge they gave me a written
estimate of what it would have cost had I not had the warranty (about
$80.00; more than the purchase price of the warranty).

About a year and a half later the socket for the power adapter stopped
working and I didn't remember where I had stuck the receipt/warranty info
but I took it in anyway. Fortunately I had used my real name and mailing
address for their database (I usually tell them I live at 1060 West Addison
Street, Chicago, Ill.) ];) and they had the record of the warranty. Again
no charge to repair.

So I don't know about Best Buy and other places but if I buy another
scanner or radio or electronic widget that is a bit pricey from RS I will
get the extended warranty from them.

As for searching your bag in WalMart... I spent eight years in law
enforcement in South Florida so I know a little bit about this and there
are several factors concerning legal searches.

First off, if it is posted somewhere visible as you enter the store that
they can / will search bags, etc. then that is step one. This is also why
you see signs saying "electronic surveillance in use" (A) It's a deterrant
in itself; (B) Legally they have to inform you.

Step two is impartial consistency; do they search everyone or every third
person or every person during high traffic flow times.

If they have done both of these you will have a hard time fighting it. The
main thing is that, is the policy posted where everyone who enters the
store can see it or not.

If neither of these is in effect they had better have damn good probable
cause (ie. witness the theft) or they will open themselves up to a big time
lawsuit.

And yeah I don't particularly care to wait in an exit line to have my
receipt checked any more than anyone else, but unfortunately this is what
has happened to our society.

Ron

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                      Georgia College & State University
Ronald O Cunningham Jr                                        Campus Box 083
Systems Support Specialist                            Milledgeville GA 31061
Technical Support Services                          Help Line:(912) 445-5065
Office: Room #204 Chappell Hall                        Office:(912) 445-0502
E-MAIL: rocapl@mail.gcsu.edu                              FAX:(912) 445-1202

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