topic Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting in Community Chat

Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Mersha — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:43:09 GMT

I received an email from a business in the midwest that I purchased from online. They also have a brick and mortar store. They indicated they are having a problem with shoplifting and need to institute something to prevent it.

They sell furniture, lamps, rugs, curtains, and assorted other pieces that are handmade. My opinion is it is on the "upscale" side.

The following is part of the email:

"Effective January 1,2024, we will no longer allow large to over-sized purses or backpacks, nothing larger than 9" x 7". To make it as convenient as possible we will be providing brand-new secure lockers with a key near the front counter. This will keep your belongings secure and convenient for you."

If I walked into the store with a "larger" handbag (which I usually do carry) and advised to turn it in for lockup, I would most likely leave the store with a definite negative vibe.

Would this policy work for you in order to visit this store or not?

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

BoopOMatic — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:45:45 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
I received an email from a business in the midwest that I purchased from online. They also have a brick and mortar store. They indicated they are having a problem with shoplifting and need to institute something to prevent it.

They sell furniture, lamps, rugs, curtains, and assorted other pieces that are handmade. My opinion is it is on the "upscale" side.

The following is part of the email:

"Effective January 1,2024, we will no longer allow large to over-sized purses or backpacks, nothing larger than 9" x 7". To make it as convenient as possible we will be providing brand-new secure lockers with a key near the front counter. This will keep your belongings secure and convenient for you."

If I walked into the store with a "larger" handbag (which I usually do carry) and advised to turn it in for lockup, I would most likely leave the store with a definite negative vibe.

Would this policy work for you in order to visit this store or not?

*************

Yes.

Shoplifting costs businesses millions of dollars, and is passed onto the consumer with higher prices.

I would welcome it.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Trinity11 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:49:34 GMT

No. I don't need anything that badly, I would shop in such a store. I shop in Tiffany's and Neiman's and I guarantee their merchandise is worth just as much and they don't lock up my handbag. The very idea is comical to me.🙃🤣

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

santorini — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:49:51 GMT

I would be fine with that policy. I have zero sympathy for criminals so anything they can do to deter illegal activity is welcomed by me.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Kachina624 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 23:34:50 GMT

I doubt their "solution" will be much of a deterrent to thieves as it sounds like most of their merchandise wouldn't fit in a handbag or backpack anyway. How are people stealing things like lamps and rugs?

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

SaveTheTurtles — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:51:43 GMT

@Mersha I once visited a large antique store in WI and I was carrying a larger sized purse. There was a sign up saying that you had to leave it at the front or don't bring it in. While I can see both sides to this and I am not a shoplifter I was taken aback when the clerk confronted me as I did not see the sign nor was I expecting that. Since my husband and I really wanted to walk thru the shop I returned to the car with my purse and put it in the trunk. This shop was in a rural town that we would not be returning to. We did not buy anything. I could have very easily opted to not go in at all.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Effie54 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:54:32 GMT

Shoplifting has become an epidemic, and consumers have to pay for it. I would wear a small crossbody purse, so it's not an issue. Though I can't imagine their policy is going to stop many shoplifters who are trying to steal large items, such as carpets, lamps, and furniture. I do believe steps have to be taken to stop shoplifters; maybe guards at the door.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

CelticCrafter — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:55:55 GMT

No, I would turn around and leave.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

AuntMame — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 20:13:25 GMT

When I was in college, more years ago than I care to admit, stores around campus had that policy, especially book stores. They required shoppers to leave backpacks and any shopping bags or totes at the front of the store. I still find an occasional store that requires that. Never bothered me. Shoplifting is a huge financial drain on stores, especially small ma-and-pop businesses.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Icegoddess — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 20:15:51 GMT

Last week, I went to my first concert in years. I had to walk through a metal detector and then the lady spied my purse. It wasn't that large, but it was larger than the venue allows, so my son-in-law took my purse back to the car, and it certainly was parked farther away than the parking lot of a stand-alone B&M store. I grabbed my wallet, my phone, and my glasses and put them in my coat pocket.

We've also changed how we pack things to travel by air. So, it's not a huge deal to me if it will stop stealing. I rather doubt it will though.

When I used to go to Market in Atlanta, everybody brought these rolling carts as a place to store their purchases as you walked around the market. However, if you decided to go up to the other floors into the stores, you had to leave your rolling cart outside the door.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

D Kay — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 20:16:10 GMT

I'd rather do that than have everything in the store locked up and you have to wait on a clerk to get it for you.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

On It — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 20:17:36 GMT

I would be glad to leave my bag in the car or in a locker. The antique mall type stores are especially hard hit by shoplifting. I know people who have had this policy for many, many years.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Nancy Drew — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 20:24:12 GMT

So now I have to lock up my handbag because others steal. I think we have had the remedy all along. Actual punishment as a deterrent to stop and prevent theft. Simple really.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

GingerHead — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 23:52:41 GMT

@Mersha

Like it or not, unfortunately this is the world we now live in......We have to be frisked and metal detected to go anywhere anymore it seems and I guess it's the price we have to pay to lessen crime and violence....so sadly, it's a necessary evil.

Another reason to become a hermit and just stay home!!!

Edited to say, I'm joking....I don't really advise becoming a hermit out of fear, unless you are one and enjoy your hermit-ness, like me( I'm really only a semi-hermit....not a complete one )

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

katie1859 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:04:26 GMT

Tell them to take a hike and take your business where reality is the defense against lawbreakers.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Mindy D — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 01:07:34 GMT

Yes, it would work for me with the advanced notice being given. I would shop there with a smaller purse. They are under attack from criminals and I'm not against doing a little extra to help them. If I had a large bag with me I'd only lock it up if the lockers were in a highly secure, visible place. I also might go back to the car and lock my larger bag up.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Franklinbell — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:08:29 GMT

If I wanted to shop there I would be fine with the policy. I have been subjected to things that are much worse in this life than that!

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

shoesnbags — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:21:28 GMT

The last few years I've mostly switched to smaller crossbody bags, so this policy probably wouldn't affect me. BUT if it did, I would be concerned about putting any valuables in a locker like this.

Store employees come and go and a dishonest one could copy a key or keys at some point. That would give him/her access to a locker. Since the whole point of this is to protect the store from thieves, why should I assume that all of the employees themselves are honest?

And the police will tell you that leaving your purse in your car, including the trunk, is not a safe thing to do. So I probably would not go in if I happened to be carrying a larger bag that day.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:24:48 GMT

I saw today that our local Meijers no longer has rooms to try on clothes. A sign said that they are permanently closed.

Re: Remedy To Prevent Shoplifting

SloopJohnB — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:33:22 GMT

Unfortunately, things like this are becoming the new normal. It's hard to catch and then prosecute shoplifters. They have to pass all points of sale before they can even be confronted. And then they boogie. And even if/when an employee attempts to stop them, they are reprimanded by their employer as that is becoming a no no. Meanwhile even if you witness them putting merchandise in their tote bags or pockets they can claim they were going to pay for it before they left the store.

Along the same lines, you can't carry a purse into an NFL game if it is over a certain size. Even if it is clear, there is a size limit. Same for most of our concert venues here. After Parkland, which is just a few miles from my house, things have changed in our world. Again, unfortunately. 😔