10 Things Shoplifters Don’t Want You to Know

Podcast Time Stamps:

[2:50] – I don’t like being greeted when I enter your store.
[3:18] – I don’t like excessive customer service.
[3:42] – I don’t like neatly organized aisles and displays.
[4:15] – I don’t like undercover loss prevention agents.
[4:52] – I don’t like video surveillance cameras.
[5:25] – I don’t like stores that prosecute shoplifters.
[6:01] – I don’t like locked or monitored fitting rooms.
[6:28] – I don’t like locked or monitored restrooms.
[7:04] – I don’t like security cables or electronic sensor tags.
[7:34] – I don’t like exit bag checks or door security guards.

Shoplifters account for billions in retail store losses every year

1. I don’t like being greeted when I enter your store

Shoplifters want to feel anonymous. I don’t want your store employees to notice me, make eye contact, or even speak to me. I’m already nervous. I ready don’t like it when you post a large male door greeter that might detain me on the way out of your store.

2. I don’t like excessive customer service

Shoplifters need opportunity and privacy to steal your stuff. I’m not buying anything, so leave me alone to browse your store. The more times I refuse an offer of assistance the worse it is for my comfort level.

3. I don’t like neatly organized aisles and displays

Shoplifters like to see cluttered aisles, disorganized shelves, damaged packaging, empty hangers, and crowded, over-stocked conditions. It gives me more cover to steal things and hides the fact that something is missing. It also tells me that the store manager and employees don’t really care about shoplifters. I like that.

4. I don’t like undercover loss prevention agents

Shoplifters call them Narcs. I’m on the lookout for anyone who might be an undercover store detective. I look for people focused on watching me instead of their work. I avoid stores and national chains that actively use plain-clothes LP Agents because their job is to arrest me. Once an LP agent spots me, follows me, or speaks to me, that store is dead to me.

5. I don’t like video surveillance cameras

Shoplifters don’t like seeing themselves displayed on a large video monitor when I enter your store. This proves that your camera system works and you have now captured my image. Those video camera domes in the ceiling bother me. I can’t tell if they’re real or fake or if my actions are being recorded. I don’t like those two-way security mirrors mounted on the ceiling either.

6. I don’t like stores that prosecute shoplifters

Shoplifter’s greatest fear is getting arrested. I search the Internet to find out which store chains apprehend and prosecute shoplifters. I prefer passive stores with a policy against detaining or prosecuting shoplifters. Although I’m too careful to ever get caught, I don’t like taking an unnecessary risk of being arrested by aggressive store security.

7. I don’t like locked or monitored fitting-rooms

Shoplifters need privacy to steal your stuff. I know fitting rooms won’t have surveillance cameras. I like my fitting rooms unlocked with no attendant to count my items in and out. It’s a bonus for me if there are items I like abandoned in the fitting room for me to steal.

8. I don’t like locked or monitored restrooms

Shoplifters want to take merchandise inside without being observed, I’m guaranteed privacy in the restroom stall. I don’t like asking for a restroom key. When I exit, I’ll watch for anyone coming in after me to look for discarded items. Even if spotted, the store staff won’t approach me until after I exit the store. I still have time to dump the concealed items before exiting.

9. I don’t like security cables or sensor tags

You’ll force me to carry tools to cut the security cable or pry off those electronic sensor tags. If arrested, Shoplifters know that carrying these burglar tools will add an extra felony charge to their case. I’d rather pick a store that doesn’t have these protective devices attached to their merchandise.

10. I don’t like exit bag checks or door security guards

Shoplifters don’t like being funneled to a single exit-only door, especially if manned by a large male security guard. I don’t like being asked to show my receipt or have my bag inspected. It makes me wonder if you know that I just shoplifted and you’re waiting to grab me as I exit your store.

Footnote:  [8:00]

• This list is based on actual remarks made by chatty shoplifters while waiting for the police to arrive to process them.

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