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Hobby Lobby Complaint - Rude managers
Complaint
TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI -- I took some guests from a different counntry to Hobby Lobby store in Tupelo, MS. My guests found some funny masks and they took turns putting the mask up to their face and took some pictures of the girls being silly. The manager came up to them and told them to stop taking pictures of "their products", they did and explained that they were for personal use for her photo album. He said just don't take pictures of "their products". I was embarrassed as an American that someone would tell them to stop taking pictures. I went home and did some investagating on whether it was legal to take pictures in a public place. According to the "Legal Rights of Photographers" it is legal to take pictures in a public place or private place. If you see it you can take a photo of it. I called the manager, Sue, and told her of what happened in a calm voice just to inform her that it was legal. The items that were in the photo's are not produced by Hobby Lobby only items made in China, Japan and other countries and there were no copyright laws violated and it was perfectly legal to do so. In a rude tone, Sue said "You don't call me and complain about it, you can't go to the mall and take pictures". I replied, "Yes I can", just check on the legalities before you tell someone they can't do it. She told me to call the corperate office and complain about it that she could do nothing about Hobby Lobby's policies. I said that I was not aware that Hobby Lobby was now setting the laws and rights of citizens in a public place. But yes I would call them and tell them. I don't think I will every shop in that store again unless they have a different manager, one who knows how to except customers dissatisfaction. Hobby Lobby prides itself in running their stores in a Christian mannor, I think the managers ought to also.
Comments:
Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2006-10-04:
You were on private property when you were in their store. While I would say they handled it poorly, they were within their rights to ban flash photography in their stores. I would imagine they have people that come in to get ideas and then go make the items on their own without spending any money at their store.
Posted by rhondam718732 on 2006-10-04:
Think about it from the store's view...your guests are "trying" on masks that they don't plan to buy and photos are being snapped. I presonally would be embarassed to do that at a store. You should browse or buy, not try on masks and snap pictures.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2006-10-04:
I have to agree with Hugh on this one...you were not in a public place, and they are within their rights to ask you not to do it.
Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-10-04:
You are obviously in the wrong here. Why not just buy the products, then do as you wish at home?
Posted by glc on 2006-10-04:
I read the "Legal Rights of Photographers" by Andrew Kantor and he does state that "except in special circumstances (ie gov't buildings) there are no laws prohibiting the taking of photographs on public or private property" BUT, when the photographer is asked to stop shooting and he does not comply, he is considered trespassing! So..the store had EVERY RIGHT to ask your guests to stop shooting.
Posted by Lidman on 2006-10-04:
Hey! Don't feel bad I was in a mall in front of, not inside, of Victoria’s Secrete and the girl came out and told us we could not take pictures. The guy that was with me was visiting from Taiwan he ask her if she would stand next to him and be in his picture? She did it, go figure...
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