topic Re: What would you do IF ~ in Community Chat

What would you do IF ~

YorkieonmyPillow — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:23:01 GMT

Pop quiz, for those who care to play.

What would you do IF you were shopping, and saw another person shoplift something?

What if it was a teenager - vs. an elderly person - would your reaction be different?

Re: What would you do IF ~

fortune — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:28:47 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillow wrote:
Pop quiz, for those who care to play.

What would you do IF you were shopping, and saw another person shoplift something?

What if it was a teenager - vs. an elderly person - would your reaction be different?

@ YorkieonmyPillow

I'd report Anyone I see shoplifting!

Re: What would you do IF ~

bri20 — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:29:21 GMT

I've seen a couple of people shoplift in a grocery store. I've never seen anyone shoplift in a department store.

I did not say anything only because they either needed the food and were desperate; or they had other issues and I was not going to get involved.

I don't know if it would make a difference if it was a teen vs. an elderly person. It would really depend on the moment and what kind of "feeling" I got about the situation.

Re: What would you do IF ~

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:34:30 GMT

When I pointed out a shoplifter to a manager, he told me that the cost of the item I saw "lifted" did not amount to enough to alert the authorities. I don't know what the monetary threshold is for legal action against a shoplifter. Since I was ready to leave the store after reporting the incident, I don't know if the shoplifter was ever detained. The offender appeared to be middle-aged (40-50).

Re: What would you do IF ~

scotnovel — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:35:05 GMT

I would tell one of the clerks. It wouldn't matter to me whether it was a teenager or an older person - theft is theft and it costs all of us money. Just because someone is older doesn't mean they aren't capable of criminal behavior. A few years ago a retired woman living in the same retirement community that I live in robbed a bank here. She was convicted and went to jail. She had a nice car and house and there was no indication she was in any financial trouble (and if she was that wouldn't have been an excuse for criminal behavior). Who knows what other crimes she might have committedand not been caught.

Re: What would you do IF ~

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:39:43 GMT

I would MYOB ...... there are security cameras everywhere and hopefully there is a security person watching customers. It's up to them to do something about it, based on store policy and law enforcement regulations.

Re: What would you do IF ~

ECBG — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:41:48 GMT

I did cause a shoplifter to get caught. He had 16 warrents out on him. I had showed him a piece of $6,000 jewelry, I had a "feeling" and called security. I asked them to keep their eyes on me, I didn't have a good feeling. They realized who he was from a tatoo and came down around me. He took the ring and ran. They chased him and dropped him about twelve feet from me.

I absolutely would tell someone.

Re: What would you do IF ~

chickenbutt — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:42:50 GMT

I've reported it to store personnel in the past.

I think the only thing that would be different, for me, is if they are taking food. Not like a can of caviar or something, of course. But if it seemed like somebody needed to take food to feed themselves or their family, I'd just mind my own business.

If it were my store, I would welcome the help. They cannot catch everybody and the more stuff that's stolen, the more everything costs the rest of us.

Re: What would you do IF ~

ladyroxanne — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:46:06 GMT

i agree with @Tinkrbl44 and would myob. there are cameras everywhere as she said. i'm not out looking for trouble.

Re: What would you do IF ~

IamMrsG — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:53:13 GMT

I stood behind a woman in the checkout at the grocery. Her cart had the baby seat pulled open, but there was no apparent baby or child--no visible car seat, no legs showing, no movement or sound, etc. Whatever the large object that was in the seat was covered completely (enough to smother an infant) with a blanket.

The woman finished her small purchase and left. As I approached the cashier, I said to her, "You know she had a ham or turkey under that blanket, don't you?" She lowered he eyes, nodded and quietly answered, "Sure, but we're not allowed to say anything."

Re: What would you do IF ~

missy1 — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:00:02 GMT

One can tell an employee/manager, but the store employees would have to have proof with their own eyes/cameras to prosecute (not a customers). They have to be 100%. They can keep an eye on that person, and maybe they will put the item back.

Yes, I would tell an employee, doesn't matter the age.

Re: What would you do IF ~

Mz iMac — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:05:46 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I would MYOB ...... there are security cameras everywhere and hopefully there is a security person watching customers. It's up to them to do something about it, based on store policy and law enforcement regulations.

What I have learned from serving on several "special grand juries"........

There are professional theives who specialize in stealing from drug & department stores & make a very good living at it. These folks are called "Boosters" & are in ALL age ranges.

The "professionals" know where every security camera is & know how to avoid them when "boosting." The "expert boosters" work alone. Most however, work in groups of 2-6 people depending on how large the stores are.

The ones that slip up (beginners) are usually caught in the act.

Re: What would you do IF ~

Goldengate8361 — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:06:48 GMT

It makes no difference if it looks like they "need" it or not (like food)!!! Stealing is stealing and should ALWAYS be reported. Always. Stealing for any reason is wrong and hurts everybody.

Re: What would you do IF ~

truffle — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:07:01 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I would MYOB ...... there are security cameras everywhere and hopefully there is a security person watching customers. It's up to them to do something about it, based on store policy and law enforcement regulations.

No one is watching customers. Those cameras are not live, they just record. If I see someone stealing food I look the other way for a couple reasons. One, hunger makes people do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. Two, a desperate person might be carrying a weapon. I go about my business.

Re: What would you do IF ~

missy1 — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:13:31 GMT

@truffle wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I would MYOB ...... there are security cameras everywhere and hopefully there is a security person watching customers. It's up to them to do something about it, based on store policy and law enforcement regulations.
No one is watching customers. Those cameras are not live, they just record. If I see someone stealing food I look the other way for a couple reasons. One, hunger makes people do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. Two, a desperate person might be carrying a weapon. I go about my business.

There's a way to report it, without the shoplifter knowing.

Re: What would you do IF ~

chickenbutt — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:16:05 GMT

I think that I can relate to taking food because I remember a time when I felt like I had to do it if I wanted to eat that day.

I was not treated very well and I didn't even get to have lunch money for school. If I felt the need to eat I had to take something. I was never greedy. I went through the line and would take just ONE thing so I could put something in my stomach for the day.

I didn't do it every day. I was absolutely scared snotless that 'she' would find out and I'd get beaten to within an inch of my life. Often my fear was bigger than my hunger.

In retrospect, I always wondered if the people working there actually knew it and just didn't say anything. Clearly, by looking at me, you could tell that I didn't get much to eat.

Anyway, by virtue of that, I do feel badly if somebody needs to take some food so that they can eat that day.

Re: What would you do IF ~

truffle — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:19:36 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
I think that I can relate to taking food because I remember a time when I felt like I had to do it if I wanted to eat that day.

I was not treated very well and I didn't even get to have lunch money for school. If I felt the need to eat I had to take something. I was never greedy. I went through the line and would take just ONE thing so I could put something in my stomach for the day.

I didn't do it every day. I was absolutely scared snotless that 'she' would find out and I'd get beaten to within an inch of my life. Often my fear was bigger than my hunger.

In retrospect, I always wondered if the people working there actually knew it and just didn't say anything. Clearly, by looking at me, you could tell that I didn't get much to eat.

Anyway, by virtue of that, I do feel badly if somebody needs to take some food so that they can eat that day.

I'm so sorry you had such a brutal childhood. I wish I could have been your childhood friend and had you come over my house all the time to eat and to have a safe refuge.

Re: What would you do IF ~

Sister Golden Hair — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:23:38 GMT

The person has to leave the store before they can do anything.

I have worked in retail and you can't say anything until they are out the door.

Re: What would you do IF ~

chickenbutt — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:30:49 GMT

Thanks, Truffle. That's very kind. I didn't really get to have friends (unless I was able to hide the fact) or do stuff. I was the Cinderella. Had to do all the cooking, cleaning, ironing (ugh!), and whatever there was that needed to be done. That took up a lot of time for a little kid and guess what - of course I never did it good enough. ha! witch

Re: What would you do IF ~

ladyroxanne — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:43:03 GMT

geesh, @chickenbutt i'm really sorry to hear about this. i had no idea. when they say life isn't fair they aren't kidding. i hope life is better for you now.