So I am pretty sure I got ripped off of a pocketbook while we were in Florida. We don't have those tags or a security system that sets off a buzzer or any of that jazz. We have pocketbooks and jewelry all over the store and the only way we can keep track of it is by eye. So when I see a lot of people in the store I stand out there in get in the face of people and engage them in conversation. So they know I am watching.
But while we were away we were watching on the in house camera over the internet, it seemed that everyone was very interest in what they were doing at the counter and stood with their back to the store and the people in it. They needed to pay attention. So I would call them up and say "Hey stupid turn around and pay attention....whatever you are doing can wait a minute while you pay attention to what is going on in the store." But we weren't looking on camera 24/7 so we must have missed this.
What someone had to do was put the handbag on her shoulder as though she was trying it on, tucked in the tag and when no one was paying attention just walked out the door wearing it like it was hers. And we are out about $300 because of course they picked the most expensive hand bag in the store to rip off.
Attention must be paid.
6 comments:
That sucks, Troop.
We had a couple of flutes stolen a few years ago worth about $30,000. We have smaller thefts and disputes over damage more often, but this stood out, because it was a shipment of two gold flutes.
Turns out it was the UPS driver, which is totally strange and stupid. Of course a lot more people who drive trucks are totally strange and stupid than they used to be.
The big problem was that when we got the flutes back, they were pretty trashed, which meant basically rebuilding them. The insurance only covered the direct monetary loss. When you're a manufacturer, there are other costs that are hard to quantify, such as the opportunity costs of tying up expensive craftsmen when they could be working on other stuff that has to go out the door yesterday. Which, of course, pisses off the dealers, who lose sales, and don't order so many instruments next time, etc., etc.
Makes you sick.
When I was reading Moll Flanders, they said that new businesses would be prime targets of shoplifters because everyone knew the people who ran them wouldn't have the skills to catch thieves. Looks like the people in your store would have problems if they tried starting their own retail outlet.
It's something to think about if you try expanding. Shoplifting will be a big problem if you don't pick the right people.
I wonder if the shoplifter reads this blog and knew Trooper was out of town?
The biggest problems always happen now and in the spring. You see we leave the front doors open to attract passerby's and it really works well.
But normally when the door is closed a buzzer goes off when someone enters or leaves. When it goes off you automaticlly look at the door. So if the door had been closed there was a much better chance that they would have been caught.
Hey, Troop, you ever shoplift as a kid?
It was all the rage when I was 4 or 5. (I couldn't. Felt guilty just thinking about it.)
Nip that in the bud or you will be so broke you can't even pay attention. Heh.
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