Grancey

Sometimes I think about things that happened when I was a kid and if and how those incidents shaped who I am today. Once when I was very young I was sitting in our car outside of a small town department store. The owner of the store was at the front near the door talking to two young men, one who was directly in front of the owner and the other(cohort) who was directly behind the one talking to the owner. As I watched, the one who was directly in front of the owner put his hand behind his back and the cohort took what looked like a pair of socks or a tie out of the hand and slipped it into his pocket. The owner was involved in the conversation and never noticed what was happening. At the time I'm not sure I really knew what was happening, but I knew that something was not right. Whomever I was with came back to the car and we were on our way. I never said anything. Who knows why.

I know we have a lot of shoplifting in this area now, because of the numerous police reports. However, people must be a lot better at it now because I never see anyone trying to lift anything or maybe I'm in too much of a hurry to notice. But if I did I'm not sure what I would do. Would I say something? Should I say something or is it best to mind my own business? Is "not wanting to get involved" the best way to go. What would you do? Have you been in this situation, and how did it turn out? I know shoplifting results in higher prices for consumers, but is it worth the trouble to get involved?

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jewels

Unfortunately, it's the responsibility of the business owner to take care of security. As a consumer and supporter of the small business, there's a part of me that would want to alert the owner, but there's also a part of me that feels for the shoplifter. Maybe he's been unemployed and finally had a job interview and no clean tie/socks.

If there was a risk of someone being hurt, I'm confident that I'd open my mouth. For your scenario, I'd probably do what you did.

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snowy

Depends on the situation. I've sat through trainings on shrink provided by retailers I've worked for. One of our security guys at one of the stores I worked at--a store that sold a variety of goods including groceries--basically said, "If you see someone shoplifting Levis, call me. If you see someone taking a candy bar, don't waste my time." At my old place of business, catching a shoplifter stealing Levis paid a $15 bonus per pair the thief tried to make off with. By contrast, the profit margin on food was so low that the retailer couldn't care less about people stealing it, and the loss protection guy shared that he thought if people were stealing food, they were probably taking it because they needed it, unlike a pair of Levis. But at a store like the one I used to work at, I probably wouldn't notice a shoplifter before the loss protection person--they have cameras everywhere.

Were it a local business, I'd probably saunter over to the counter, give a clerk a heads-up, and let them deal with the situation. It's not my call as a consumer to deal with a business's shrink or not--it's up to the business.

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Leto

Reminds me of Les Miserables...

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StanT

Theft is theft, it might be understandable; but it is always wrong.

I'd say something to the clerk. There is nothing they can do about it if they don't witness it themselves; but they may be able to prevent it from happening again. Under no circumstance would I get involved, directly.

AquaFox

as long as it isn't someone bigger than me and it's a small item, i would likely say something like... "hey, i see that..." If it's something big, i would likely go tip off the front desk.


It's not really something worth a possible confrontation over.

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...AquaFox...

Redlemon

I've never seen someone shoplift. Considering the scenario above, I think I would tell the shopkeeper, but out of earshot of the shoplifters. I wouldn't want them to seek retribution on me when I leave the store.

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MSD

If I saw it, I'd tell them "If I saw you take that, chances are someone else will see you." In my experience, that kind of wake-up call might motivate someone to change their behavior while getting caught will just make them angry at authority figures.

filtherton

I'd totally rat them out and while the clerk was busy dealing with the situation, I'd steal a bunch of watermelon flavored bubblegum.

Fremen

When I was in my early teens I saw two classmates of mine shoplifting make-up at a local mom-and-pop department store.

I ended up not telling anybody because I was embarrassed for them.
I didn't respect them much after that.

Today, I would probably say something.

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Jove

I probably would observe the shoplifters and follow them around the store from a distance to see if their skills improve, if not, I would be disappointed and go about my business.

bagatelle

We have a small romani population in the country and unfortunately they have a bad reputation when it comes to shoplifting. The women traditionally wear big dresses, where it's easy to hide the stolen goods.

My dad was at a shop when a romani family came in and watched how the father was apparently trying to lead on the shop owner by talking to him wanting to use the phone, while the rest of the family was operating between the shelves. They were gone in a few minutes and my dad asked the owner, if he was aware, that they probably took stuff with them. The owner said, he knows they did, but it's less trouble to let them take a little once in a while than start getting difficult with them.

I tend to keep better watch on my bag or purse, when I see romani people around. I haven't really seen anything happen, other than some kids eating candy at the store. If it's a big market, I tend to let their own surveillance take care of the suspects - mirrors, cameras, guards...

flat5

Make a movie. Call it "Arthur".

LaLa1

I saw someone shoplifting last night. I was meandering through the men's section which is always at the back of the store and the racks are all squished together. (I guess they figure women shop more and cater to us as far as space and layout go) Anyway, meandering... look over and see a man bent over next to a cart moving things around in a shopping bag. It was a larger bag from a store other than the one we were in. He shoved some things down inside it and stood up and started walking away leaving the cart behind with just a scarf hanging off the side of it. I think he noticed me noticing him and decided to just take what he had and go.

So, I thought of this thread and thought what do I do? I walked towards the electronics section thinking I would find a worker quicker there because after all, that is usually the busiest part of the store this time of year. Nope, not one worker to be found. Turned around to the toy section, saw a couple of store workers at the end of one isle but it was blocked by shoppers so I went around. By the time I got around they were gone. So I said forget it and moved along.

A few minutes later I ran into someone working and told them of the incident I witnessed. She asked me for descriptions and such and said thanks and radioed in to the loss prevention people. Who would not respond... I stood there looking at items for a few minutes while she tried and then she said "Oh well, we tried, their loss".

So, it did me no good to report it but I felt better by doing so. I don't think I'd ever step in though unless someone was being physically harmed in the process.

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Willravel

I use my Jack Donaghy voice and say, "Excuse me, sir, I don't believe that belongs to you."

Wilhelm

I would follow the person (kid, old man, lady) staring at the product and then memorising that face to avoid being stolen in the future. Not a word more.

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TheCrimsonGhost

Chuckle and ask politely for them to get you one or some too, and then meet out back for your five finger discounted goods.

Baraka_Guru

I would likely quietly report it to someone.

In a perfect world, I would saunter up to the culprit and would say in a loud cheery voice—despite what they look like or what gender they are—"Hey! Has anyone ever told you that you look exactly like Winona Ryder?!"

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TheCrimsonGhost

That's a good one, if I'm ever in such situation, I might have to use that one. But in all seriousness, I probably wouldn't consider it my concern or business, and would just go about my shopping like I had seen nothing. Let the store and their security figure it out.

amonkie

When I worked in retail during the holiday seasons in high school, we were posted in stations throughout the store to help act as a deterrent. For me it was helpful to make direct eye contact as people came into the store - I didn't say the whole schpeel of "hi, can i help you find anything". I just said "Hi. Merry christmas!" and would look up from time to time and smile at anyone I made eye contact with.

I never personally saw a theft but I know that part of the act is staying under the radar. If I was making eye contact and communicating with someone, its much more likely that I'm going to remember them and be paying attention to what they are doing.

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TheCrimsonGhost

What I would be curious to find out is just how many minimum wage employees actually care enough to stop people if they see them, or even say something to their manager since I know a lot of stores have a do not confront, but report to security or management policy. I am under the impression that a lot of these kid or even young adults working at wal-mart (or the grocery stores or any other store that employees youthful minimum wage employees) are not going to be very inclined to stop people or even report it, just because the younger generation seems to have the attitude that if something isn't hurting or effecting them then there is no reason for them to do anything about it. They certainly don't get paid enough to be play security guard also, and who knows, I doubt many shoplifters carry guns, but they might be likely to have a knife and people like that who are cornered are known to lash out in anyway possible just to make their escape. Damn I ramble, but yeah, I would be interested to hear from others who work in lower paid retail situations and how they feel about getting involved.

snowy

CrimsonGhost, it depends. A lot of big retailers offer bonuses if you report a theft, so there is an incentive to do so, even if you make minimum wage.

I should note that not all retailers pay minimum wage to floor personnel. None of the retail jobs I've held paid minimum wage--they paid at least 50 cents more, or in one case, a couple dollars over minimum. Even the box boys at the grocery store I worked at were making more than minimum.

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bagatelle

I never have and never would do shoplifting. However, seeing a shop guard or possibly a sales employee taking many glimpses at my direction or the feeling of having them follow me, when I'm just looking around, makes me nervous. It's like, do they really think I'm the kind of person likely to steal!

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SSJTWIZTA

i frown upon stealing from homes.

take anything you desire from a place like wal*mart. i could care less.

mom and pop stores are kind of a toss up with me. how desperate are you for that water?

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zenda

I've been vigilante due to having felt very bad inside on those occasions when I have witnessed but done nothing. That's my direct answer. For what I personally consider to be right, I have learnt that getting my hands dirty is the only way I can live.

Injunctions against 'taking the law into your own hands' exist hand in hand with the notion of 'Citizen's arrest'. When in someone else's domain, then reporting to the owner of that domain seems to be a viable middle way. It would then be the responsibility of the owner's security system and I would have done my duty.

Simple.

Now, what, if any, is the difference between my noticing the thief lifting from a shelf .... and lifting from the private bag of one of the other shoppers?

Now what, if any, is the difference between my noticing the thief lifting from the shopper's private bag .... a loaf of bread OR a tin of Caviar?

What are the differences if I am witnessing the above scenarios and .... It's MY shop?

These issues are already being wrestled with in this thread, and it's my pleasure to join in, because, in my opinion, when you've "Seen Something," the choice of when to say that it Is or is Not "My Problem" is a crucial one.



Getting my hands dirty does not make me feel any cleaner

Zeraph

Funny. I've been contemplating the more minor laws like shoplifting and what might be right or wrong.

I'd say it depends on the store. I don't believe in good and evil but stores like walmart make me want to believe in evil....

In other words I wouldn't get involved if I saw someone shoplifting at a target/walmart/etc.

I have however, witnessed a con artist in the parking lot and I did everything I could to mess up her life, including calling security.

In other words, personally, I see a big difference in "stealing" from big corporations and stealing directly from a person. (think I'll make a philosophy discussion similar to this)

MSD

We have a small black population in my town and unfortunately they have a bad reputation when it comes to shoplifting. The women traditionally wear big dresses, where it's easy to hide the stolen goods.

My dad was at a shop when a black family came in and watched how the father was apparently trying to lead on the shop owner by talking to him wanting to use the phone, while the rest of the family was operating between the shelves. They were gone in a few minutes and my dad asked the owner, if he was aware, that they probably took stuff with them. The owner said, he knows they did, but it's less trouble to let them take a little once in a while than start getting difficult with them.

I tend to keep better watch on my bag or purse, when I see black people around. I haven't really seen anything happen, other than some kids eating candy at the store. If it's a big market, I tend to let their own surveillance take care of the suspects - mirrors, cameras, guards...

Strange Famous

I wouldnt do anything, it isnt any of my business if someone steals something from a shop that is nothing to do with me. Why would I care?

In my own, limited, experience, I have found that white people steal things as well as black people and those somewhere inbetween one colour or the other.

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bagatelle

It probably is a primitive reaction to take care of my own purse more tightly and feel suspicious as a precaution. I'm also cautious of any door-to-door salesmen, whether they be from minority population or not, and don't let them in further than the doorstep. There are especially salesmen, who try to get into homes of old people living alone. Too many cases reported of missing cash after the visits.

Our country has not been multicultural that long. Romanis have been in the minority long before other ethnicities have been growing their part in the population, it's a fact that they haven't been well accepted in the society in the past, and the 'threat' of them visiting in your house in the times of my childhood involved a real fear of getting robbed. One could argue, how much of this is due to their own preferred style of living - which often has included selling from door to door and getting their living out of deal-making rather than accepting a regular job - and how much of the fault is in the society or our culture.

Regarding shops I never leave my purse unattended no matter, who visits them.

This probably would merit own thread, I've been warned before, my opinions sound prejudiced, when I'm merely reflecting what I see around.

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keymaker

My wife works in retail and if someone reports it they have to review a camera tape and see if they can spot it. If not then they cannot stop the person unless it is apparent in some other way. But I would report it since we all pay for the stolen items.

EventHorizon

nothing because psychologically i believe that someone else will step in instead of me even though logically i know that nobody is gonna stop the guy because everyone feels the same way

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Quote:

Originally Posted by canuckguy Pretty simple really, do your own thing as long as it does not fuck with anyone's enjoyment of life.

badwill

This.

animosity

I have never said anything, but that is generally because I prefer not to get involved. Last year I saw a little girl steal a candy bar at the register of a big box store. She could not have been over 10. She was actually very sly about it and I am sure it was not her first time. I wish I had said something now, but at the time I was in a rush. I felt it was not my responsibility. I now wonder if I could have set the girl straight... probably not.

I see a lot of people implying that someone might need the stolen goods; so this makes it okay. There also seems to be an attitude that it is worse to steal from mom&pop shops. While I do believe more harm is caused to a mom&pop shop by theft; I do not believe theft from a big box store is morally superior. I think these attitudes are what breeds the kind of behavior that makes people steal without remorse.