ANGELES CITY --- A businessman has urged malls and grocery stores to stop the practice of "excessive"
checking of receipts and goods the people purchase from their respective stores.
Rene Romero, president and chairman of the Romac Group, described this practice by shopping centers
as "excessive."
In other countries, Romero said stores do not practice this as it inconvenience shoppers.
For security purposes, shopping centers and grocery stores are equipped with closed circuit televisions or
CCTVs, he said.
Romero said commercial complex managements can always and easily check if there are individuals trying to
steal commodities with the help of these monitors.
The businessman shared his experience at a big multi-national store, located at SM City Clark, which sells
outdoor and sports equipment.
Romero admitted that he felt a bit emabarassed when the establishment's security guard checked his receipt
and the items he bought.
"Imagine, the cashier already checked the items I bought then the bagger at the counter even made
a double-checking before we placed the goods inside the paper bags. When we were about to go out, the store's
guard standing near the counter checked again the items and my receipts. Checking the items for three
consecutive times is to much," the businessman said in the vernacular.
This unnecessary procedure by malls and supermarket managements cause delay to the consumers and affects in
terms of time busy persons like government officials and businessmen, according to Romero.
"There are long queues when going out of these establishments especially during peak hours. We are customers
and they should not cause inconveneience to us," the trader added.
Security officers may conduct random checking if there are suspicious looking shoppers but not a standard
procedure, Romero said.
The businessman added that he is sure that security guards can tell how thieves act and look like. (RGN)