[krazykid90]

I was inspired to post this because of a discussion on the makeuptalk forum that I was kind of causing to go off topic. Basically they were talkingn about being suspected (not necessarily acused) of shop lifting when they weren't. Here are a few things retail associates are trained to look out for and why.

Here are a few things we are trained to look out for and why. Maybe some people are acting 'suspicious' when doing regular shopping.

-People who are handling lots of items (especially small ones). It is easy to palm them or slip them into their pockets.
-People who dress out of season. This would be some one wearing a big coat when it is hot outside.
-Anyone who puts up a fight about the number of items they are allowed to bring into the fitting room. These people often wear unpaid for merchandise under their clothes they wore in.
-When some one hounds the associate with questions. This will cause the LPO and other associates think that they are distracting the associate from a shoplifter. If that person came in with any friends, they will all be monitored closely.
-People with strollers, big bags, back packs etc. Sadly enough I've seen more people stash stolen merchandise in their babies’ stroller then in a backpack.
-When some one opens a box or package, that person is automatically a suspect. Many people open boxes of perfumes, cosmetics etc. and take the merchandise out from the inside and put the box back on the shelf.
-People who want to look at many items from a lock up at once. Lots of times they ask for lots of watches, razors, perfumes etc. from the lock up then will distract the associate and steal one.
-Anyone who refuses help from associates or seems uncomfortable with associates in the same aisle. This isn't somebody saying, "I'm just looking, thanks anyways." This is somebody who snaps at an associate when asked if they need help. This is also somebody who keeps looking at the associate, doesn't make eye contact etc.
-Somebody who frequently returns merchandise, especially without a receipt. Some people will take items from the store and then return it at the courtesy desk without a receipt. Or they will buy something, then come in the next day with the receipt and take the same item from the floor and return it.
-Some one who tries to return merchandise that common sense shouldn't be returned. This includes books, magazines, opened cd's, opened video games, opened dvd's etc. This also includes the idiots who tried to return the bones from a turkey they ate on thanksgiving claiming 'it didn't taste right.' (yeah, it didn't taste right so you had to make sure by eating the whole thing)
-Lots of people park in the fire lane and then run in to grab a few things. Associates or a loss prevention officer will most likely follow around these people because it looks like they want to make a quick get away. Chances are if certain greeters or managers notice, they’ll also go outside to find a nice ticket on their car.


Also, as long as associates are around you, you’re not really being accused of shoplifting. They are just being cautious. It’s once they disappear to a phone and then the aisle you are in clears out that you should be offended. That means that they have contacted loss prevention, who have told them to leave you alone. They want you to feel safe enough to steal so you can get caught on camera.

[luxotika]

Thanks for posting!

[Tony-admin]

Closed so that she can repost it in the articles section