Store Manager: Krista Henderson
Books A Million, Alabaster
March 26, 2022
Accusation of stealing, racial profiling.
We visit this location weekly with our daughter while we charge our car. This time we came again and with my father. My husband was paying for the books while me, my father and my daughter left the store and waited out front for him. As we walked out, the machine beeped. One of the staff came out and asked me, "Did you take something?"
Me and my father had no bags in our hands, nothing on our persons besides my daughter. The staff could've clearly seen we didn't have or take anything but she still asked me that question. I responded, "No we didn't, my husband is inside paying and we're waiting out here for him." She didn't seem satisfied with my response but she went back in.
A few seconds later my husband exits the store after paying and tells me he overheard the staff. He heard the lady checking him out notice the beep when me and my father exited and said to another staff "Oh, I think they took something. That didn't go off when they came in." She turned to the staff at the other counter and asked "You didnt check them out?" The other staff said, "No." Then the lady checking him out said "Oh yea, they definitely took something."
When he told me what they had said, I went in to tell the staff that I didn't appreciate their accusations. They denied what they said, and said they apologized if they offended me. And explained they have to check everyone if the machine beeps. I told them I understood being checked due to the beep, but that I don't appreciate being my accused of stealing when I literally was not carrying anything and you could clearly see I had nothing, but to not believe me when I said my husband was inside paying, and go back in and say I definitely took something in front of my husband.
My husband went back in and told the manager he definitely heard what they said. The manager then said the staff confessed that they had lied. And she said she will note in the log that the beep wasn't working. I reiterated the the problem was not about the beeping or being checked, but it was the accusation when you clearly saw I had nothing on me. I do not think the manager or staff fully comprehend what they did to me, and in front of a young child. I want to talk to management to make sure that this is adequately addressed.
I am in the process of submitting this complaint through various channels. read more