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.)