[PointA2B]

He could've closed the door in their faces and there would be nothing they could do about it. The company relied on theatrics and false threats to get back a legitimately purchased product.

[midjji]

Perhaps, but they could have broken it down, assaulted them, then claimed that they were violent. They get away with that kind of crap all the time, because mostly, they do this to criminals, and are friends with the local police. Sometimes they get caught, usually for things like shooting a dog that was chained and far out of reach, or because someone had it on video, but these thugs are the kind of people who got rejected from or fired from the police, so however incompetent, cowardly, and violent the cops are, these thugs are worse.

[OkayPhysicist]

>> but they could have broken it down

In the US, that would be an exceedingly bad idea on the part of the Pinkertons. They don't have the same protections law enforcement has: they are treated legally the same as anybody else, which means that in 38 US states they'd be justifying the homeowners use of deadly force.

[WillPostForFood]

They get away with that kind of crap all the time

That's a big claim, can you cite an example or two of Pinkerton kicking down doors an assaulting the residents?

[oliwarner]

> then claimed that they were violent

If you're assaulted at somebody's house but you overpower them, you don't get to loot them. This isn't D&D.

[CobrastanJorji]

Could've, but theatrics are used because it's effective. A surprise morning visit by professional intimidators arguing that you "do what we say or you might spend the next decade in jail" can override a lot of logical reasoning.

[jjoonathan]

That's why it needs to be a crime to impersonate law enforcement.

I thought it was already, but here we are.

[psychlops]

It can, but it's probably a good reminder that people should know their rights. Those who don't will follow along.

[George83728]

Particularly when your SO is becoming upset about it. What's more important, some cards that you hadn't intended to purchase in the first place, or the mental well-being of your wife?

[JohnFen]

That's exactly what I would have done. "Tell the cops to come with a warrant, and I'll open the door for them."

[olyjohn]

Yep, would have told those dummy mall cops to fuck right off.

[Workaccount2]

*Closed the door and then called the police to report trespassing.