So, I told one after I came in and they demanded my daughter’s expensive camera case and my handbag that I doubt I would be handing over my bag to anyone with so much identity theft in society going on. The store owner had a FIT! She came over and harangued me about how people have stolen stuff from her etc. etc. and she DEMANDED that it was her right to take our bags. I don’t think so. She wants me to believe that she has the right to demand my bag just because I stepped into her store and I haven’t got a right to say no? She can mistrust me all she wants but I can’t mistrust her? She can then act the bitch and pretend I’m OFFENDING her by insinuating she might use the policy to do identity theft? What’s good for the goose is good for gander. You never seen anyone so po’d like her and she was the one that started it! I wasn’t going to say anything, I was just leaving. She made sure to come up to my face to demand my bag. I left and determined that I would boycott all stores from now on that demand my bag.

They can stop being so cheap and put up cameras for God’s sake. Why should I be responsible for other people stealing from her? Get a grip!

Thanks for the comments so far. As far as my experiment went, I didnt get asked by any checkout chick all week. It was really strange. When i was finally asked again, i forgot for a second about this post. bummer.

As others have said, they can’t search your person.

Depending upon the state (Not sure about VIC, fairly sure about NSW) you’re in, If they have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed an offence, or intend to (i.e by shoplifting): They can require you to remain present until the police arrive. If you refuse, they may be able to perform a citizens arrest and use ‘reasonable force’ to restrain you until the police arrive.
Of course, if the police officer finds you’ve committed no offence, you may have a case against unlawful arrest and possibly harassment.

They can also ban you from returning to their store, and if it’s a chain/multiple outlet store (eg: Coles/Woolies), they can ban you from all stores. They’ll generally only do this if you really piss them off though.

Mum had a penchant for refusing to have her bags searched at supermarkets when I was a teen - and once or twice has been told not to return. They never enforced it though. It’s really embarassing having your mother argue it out with a series of different managers as to whether they could search her bag.
You’re likely to piss off the people behind you too

For me, when I’ve got a backpack it’s usually pretty full, and weighs about 10KG (Laptop + DSLR Camera + Lenses + Flash + PDA + etc.). So I drag it off my back, and heave it up the counter - then open the zippers just enough so that they can see it’s full of electronic equipment.

I usually try and pre-empt them though, especially when I know I’ll have a lot of shopping to carry, and get it out of the way before I have to pick stuff up. The ones that get me annoyed are those that initially say “No, thanks” (or ignore me), then when I’m organising my shopping into carryable sections they say “Can I see your bag”. A sarcastic comment like “Yeah, it’s heavy, and it’s on my back now - too late” usually stops them for long enough for me to get out.

So… how did you experiment go?

I have said no you cant before… but please call the police.. I am happy to wait for them to come and check my bag. Check out chicks normally just fold and let me on my way.

as a social expirement, i’m going to simply and politely say “no” for the next week and see what happens..

“No warrent, no search”.

Sure they can ask you not to return to the store. It is private property, they can deny entry. That’s it.