Store Institutes $5 'Just Looking' Fee

'I'm not here to dispense a charity service for Coles and Woolworths'
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 26, 2013 9:08 AM CDT
Updated Mar 30, 2013 7:00 PM CDT
Store Slaps Showroomers With $5 'Just Looking' Fee
The store is sick of people who just browse.   (Shutterstock)

Attention, showroomers: An Australia specialty food store has implemented a $5 fee for "just looking." Two Reddit users brought attention to the Celiac Supplies store, posting photos of a sign out front explaining the policy, which promises to deduct the $5 when customers buy something. "There has been high volume of people who use this store as a reference and then purchase goods elsewhere," the sign explains, claiming that "many" stores have similar policies.

"I've had a gut full of working and not getting paid," the store's owner says. "I'm not here to dispense a charity service for Coles and Woolworths." But retail experts are dubious about the strategy. "My immediate reaction would be to leave," one says. It's probably safe to say "many" stores don't do this, but Daily Finance recalls one similar example, in which a shoe store charged a $20 fitting fee. (More retail sales stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X