Trayon described the transaction, saying he had browsed the store before and new just what he wanted. He walked into the store, picked up the belt, handed the cashier his debit card, who asked for ID, and the transaction was complete.
But he didn't get a block away from the store before the police accosted him and arrested him for buying a belt he shouldn't have been able to afford.
A block from the flagship Madison Avenue store he was stopped by plainclothes detectives. "They said my card wasn't real, it was fake. They said someone at Barneys called to report it."
Christian said he was handcuffed and taken to the 19th Precinct. “The detectives were asking me, ‘How could you afford a belt like this? Where did you get this money from?’” He says two hours later, police released him and apologized.
So even though the original cashier didn't notice it, supposedly someone else from Barney's called to report it? Report what? I bet they thought he had shoplifted and were surprised when he was able to produce a receipt.
The NYPD disputes Trayon's version of the story, saying
NYPD spokeswoman Kim Royster disputed Christian's account: “Mr. Christian was held in police custody for approximately 42 minutes and as soon as we determined that the card was authentic, he was immediately released."
completely missing what the problem is here. So the fuck what if you released him 'only' 42 minutes after he was arrested? Minute irrelevant detail much? Has she ever been arrested for buying something costing $350? I'm gonna guess no.
Screw you Barney's, you've lost a young customer who is going to be an engineer with a $90K salary and lots of disposable income to spend in 3 years. Shockingly, the Daily News posted this cover story headline today:
Sounds like the NYPD has had to redirect its racist efforts now that stop-and-frisk has been discredited by a federal judge.
9:11 PM PT: Thanks to commenters for some great ones:
ExpatGirl
Contact information for Barney's: Email: webservices@barneys.com
Customer Service: 1.888.222.7639
Madison Avenue store: (212) 826-8900
Broadway/Upper West Side store: (646) 335-0978
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BarneysNY
And Tara the Anti-Social Social Worker for coining the very appropriate new phrase "shop and frisk".
Thu Oct 24, 2013 at 1:43 PM PT: How sweet would it be if Barney's lost Jay Z as a vendor and business partner? Change.org Petition to boycott Barney's as well as recommend Jay Z find another business partner.
www.change.org/petitions/boycott-barneys-jay-z-barneys-partnership
Petition
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