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| - First of all, I want to state that I am a professional male in his mid-forties with a disposable income, and not a teenager: consequently, I can spend a large amount of my income on music, as opposed to just buying the odd CD or LP every once in a while. Having said that, often - after work on a Friday afternoon - I will purchase new music at a number of places in the Toronto area (depending on where I am working that particular day). Until recently, one of those establishments was Sonic Boom.
Over the years I have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars at Sonic Boom, ever since it first opened its doors. So often have I purchased material from them, that many - if not all - of its employees clearly recognize me as a steady, paying customer. So much so, that it was a big surprise to me when I recently entered the store, and was pursued, harassed, and insulted, all because I carried a large bag.
Employees told me that the owner has established a new rule that people with large bags must check them in at the front counter due to a recent and higher level of theft from their LP section, implying that I am now a potential thief.
Normally, I might not have a problem with this policy if it were at least applied consistently and respectfully without prejudice. However, one look around and I could see women with large bags freely roaming the store. Apparently, they were exempt at the time because, according to the employees, they carried valuables in their purses (meanwhile, my bag had my wallet, 160 GB iPod, a Playbook, my cell phone, CD player, work papers, keys, personal and irreplaceable items, etc.). So, instead of being applied fairly, their policy seems to be a very arbitrary one, perhaps even, as in this case, based on gender.
Later, when I tried to retrieve my bag, another employee refused to return my valuables until I produced a playing card from a deck (the 3 of clubs to be specific) that they had given me moments earlier, and which I forgot that I had in the subsequent confiscation and turmoil, and now had trouble finding in my pocket.
This employee was abrasive and rude. When I tried to calmly speak with him about my earlier treatment (remember I am a middle-aged man), and voice some concern about the application of their new policy, he then asked me to "get out of his face," before handing me a card, and telling me to call the owner about "my problem."
Approximately, a month or so later, I was in the process of introducing my nephew (a DJ), who was new to Toronto, around to all of the record stores at his request. During our trip around the city, we both overheard customers in other record stores complaining about Sonic Boom's new policy, and about its harassing nature to even regular customers.
Upon walking by Sonic Boom with my nephew, I once again observed people walking around inside the store with large bags and left to their own devices (in one case, an older gentleman). With no intention of going inside, I changed my mind when I saw a Manager/Owner behind the counter. At this point, I entered and tried to talk reasonably with him about the prior incident and their policy, but instead found him also to be very condescending in his dismissive attitude. When I mention the fact that other long-time customers seemed concerned as well, he said that such people were "Sad" and pathetic, implying that I could include myself in his assessment.
It would seem to me that for him, and the store, there is not only a presumption that every potential customer is a thief (by placing the onus of the store's security squarely on the customer's shoulders) - but also even proven, clearly loyal, and recognizable customers - totally defying any use of common sense (of course, the problem with so-called "common sense" is that - and as Sonic Boom so clearly demonstrates in this case - it is not too common).
Now, I will state that I have chosen to exercise my right as a consumer and show my dissatisfaction by boycotting the store, and posting this review. I see no reason to give Sonic Boom my hard earned money any longer, and frankly they don't seem to care. However, if I am to go by what I am hearing at other stores, they should start to care, because I will certainly not be alone.
Finally, I find it very "sad" that Sonic Boom has sunk so low as to - as another Yelp reviewer once put it - "perpetuate the stereotype that record store workers are a bunch of wannabe rock stars and disillusioned DJ's who hide behind a pompous veil of sarcasm and exclusivity to mask their unfulfilled dreams..."
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