Cheap-Ass stores... or is it just me?

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

I went to the mall today with my girls to get some candy (it was advertised that the stores were going to give candy from 5-8 PM) and play trick or treat; it was an entertaining afternoon, the stores had people in costumes giving away candy and the children loved it!.

But there were a few stores that decided not to play along (?) and the kids that went inside received the "bad news" with dissapointment. (Poor clerks, giving explanations to lots of children in costumes the whole afternoon!) I feel bad for them because it was not their call, it was a bad management call but they had to confront the "angry mob"

I was wondering why someone would do that; not giving candy to kids knowing that almost everyone was going to (I think it was just 6 or 7 stores) ... Is it just me or that is a sign of being CHEAP-as-hell???. I think those stores screwed up, but then again, it's just my opinion.

The most curious thing about it, was that the stores that were not giving candy were almost CHILDREN-ORIENTED stores.... ain't that crazy?

Disney Store, Godiva chocolates, a couple stores with clothing for children, Victoria's Secret and a costume shop.

Even Gap and Frederick's lingerie were giving candy!... SHAME ON YOU CHEAP-ASS STORES!!!!

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, those stores deserve all the PR they made for themselves. Remember to not shop wherever it was that a penny-pincher, and tell everybody what a cheap store it was.

[ViRaL1]

It's not always a purely financial decision. Sometimes it's just not worth the risk if some kid gets sick off candy that MIGHT have come from your store. Even if it turns out it wasn't, the damage is done if people hear it could have been you.

[Supreme2k]

By the same token, why would they sell anything at all, for fear of something bad happening? I know the Disney store in my mall sells candy, so wouldn't it be better that it's possible that it came from them, rather than it definitely came from them (receipt and all)?

In our "business" street celebrates Halloween every year. Most do not even sell anything (retail). There are banks, insurance agencies, realtors and the like, as well as Round Table and Starbucks. Events like that just show a sense of community, which is always good for business. Like ls said, let the non-participants wallow in their bad publicity.

[lordsmurf]

Exactly. I'd wager they are already covered under existing liability insurance. So it's still just bad form on their part, spoil-sports.

I didn't give anything out last night either. But the difference is that our street was not advertising candy giveaways like the mall was.