Signs of the times?

"For your security, you are being videotaped."

"Three items at a time in the fitting rooms."

"No cash returns. Credit only."

Retailers and others have a responsibility to protect their inventories, of course. There are bad apples out there who will take advantage of fitting rooms and return policies, so retailers must make an effort to protect themselves and, ultimately, their customers. But have these business owners gone overboard with their customer "service" policies? Are they punishing the many for the sins of the few?

Think about this: Your "brand"--what a customer thinks about when they think of you--is determined by the customer's overall experience. Good pricing helps, as does great service and several other factors including convenience, ease of parking, hours of operation, and the quality of the merchandise that is offered.

So, a customer walks into your store and the first thing she sees is a sign that indicates she is being videotaped and that she will not get her money back if she isn't satisfied. Oh, and please leave that bag at the front, if you don't mind.

Yes, you will have "shrinkage" and you have to watch that. But from a marketing perspective, what signals are these "policies" sending?

"Please check your bags at the front."

"Absolutely, positively no returns without a receipt."

Are these signs of the times? Or just signs of an overcautious business owner?