I feel like I got robbed

[Yooper]

Today while working at the Retail Emporium, a 'customer' was looking at the expensive Kitchen Aid Mixers (right now on sale for $299 each, regularly $399). I asked him if he had any questions, he said no, I went to help another customer and in the meantime this 'customer' picks up TWO of them (they're heavy!) and walks past me, telling me he's going to 'show them to his wife.'

I was suspicious and saw him turn the corner and head up the escalator to the upper level. I immediately called Security and THEY DIDN'T ANSWER THE PHONE. I tried calling a Manager, and nobody answered those THREE calls, either.

Meanwhile, according to someone working on the second level, the dude walked right out the door!

I know I did my job, nobody else did theirs. But I'm still pissed.

Pretty ballsy to just waltz out the door, eh?

(OK, not so bad as being robbed...been there many years ago...but feels pretty lousy too.)

 

[martin6]

Wow, that store/mall/whatever security is reeeeeeeedic!

 

[BearBoi]

Sweet! I could use a mixer.

Okay, but seriously, that was fucked up. I'm sorry for your situation, but as you said: you did your job, nobody else did theirs. Now the store is out $600 (retail), but hopefully it will force some new changes to policy -- and how the other idiots do their jobs!

 

[Yooper]

By "retail emporium" you mean "department store," right?

It is big and we sell things at retail.

Was Security made aware of this? I hope so. Why didn't your coworker on the second level stop the guy? Why do items like that NOT have those little security tags IN the box that set off alarms at the door?

Yes, the boxes have the thingies in them but the sensor system in use at the store is too old to utilize the technology. So the only thing we have is the old giant tags and ink tags. And I have no idea why nobody upstairs said anything. And yes, I FINALLY got a hold of security an hour later (after he returned from lunch. )

If your store doesn't have decent security, then people are going to continue to walk out with more loot. The same guy will probably be back in a few days for some mixing bowls!

He's probably going to trade the mixers for Medical Marijuana. There's a 'dispensary' 50 yards out the door he left through.

 

[gsdx]

A few years ago, two guys in a sporting goods store somewhere here in Canada walked out of the store with a canoe over their heads (as if they were doing a portage).

They simply walked right out the door with it and strapped it to the roof of their car.

They got caught when one of the guys went back inside and tried to steal the paddles.

 

[Lukeee]

You should do the same.

 

[Beachguyj]

Today while working at the Retail Emporium, a 'customer' was looking at the expensive Kitchen Aid Mixers (right now on sale for $299 each, regularly $399). I asked him if he had any questions, he said no, I went to help another customer and in the meantime this 'customer' picks up TWO of them (they're heavy!) and walks past me, telling me he's going to 'show them to his wife.'

I was suspicious and saw him turn the corner and head up the escalator to the upper level. I immediately called Security and THEY DIDN'T ANSWER THE PHONE. I tried calling a Manager, and nobody answered those THREE calls, either.

Did you say "okay go show them to your wife"

Did you just stand there? Did you not yell at him, so that other employees would be made aware of this. Don't you have a policy for this?

Did you call the police. I he on a surveillance tape? $600 is not petty theft. You should have called the local news, they love this shit.

 

[grantt]

Considering the state of the economy, you may expect more of this. That was mighty bold.

 

[GL]

you shouldn't feel bad for this. you reported the theft to everyone you were supposed to.

 

[Spiff]

From the sound of it it was easy stealing expensive merchandise from this store. Hmmm. Where is this store, exactly? And what are your hours?

 

[Gamby6]

I think you did the best you can. It's not your job to physically restrain the thief. It's securities and you called them. Don't beat yourself up over this.

From the sound of it it was easy stealing expensive merchandise from this store. Hmmm. Where is this store, exactly? And what are your hours?

you and I, lets team up. I'll bring a trailer. You bring a car.

 

[Beachguyj]

From the sound of it it was easy stealing expensive merchandise from this store. Hmmm. Where is this store, exactly? And what are your hours?

And what time does the security guard take lunch?

 

[bluedragon4]

Can you imagine what he had in his pockets?! lol. Probably filled them with smaller stuff. He must have needed drugs to be so bold and take suck a risk. My friend use to get a cart from a store, walk-in, put a big TV in it from electronics and walk right up to returns and say she lost her receipt and they would give her money!!!

 

[Beachguyj]

next time follow the guy and write down his license plate number. And help him carry them, which you practically did.

 

[Beachguyj]

Well store security can't be everywhere and the cams don't cover it all. Thieves (some) are smart and know what areas aren't covered. Some even were/are!! in store security.... Imagine that...

The problem is that the security guard should be on call during his whole shift. If the phone rings, put down your sandwich and answer the call. Many people have jobs where they don't have the luxury of an uninterrupted lunch hour/half hour. I bet he sat around that day for 8 hours and did nothing.

 

[seven2go]

That store needs to learn a little lesson: Crooks don't TAKE breaks.......

 

[frankfrank]

A few years ago, two guys in a sporting goods store somewhere here in Canada walked out of the store with a canoe over their heads (as if they were doing a portage).

They simply walked right out the door with it and strapped it to the roof of their car.

They got caught when one of the guys went back inside and tried to steal the paddles.

Mr. Canoe Head!!! lol

 

[Yooper]

As a former Corporate Loss Prevention Manager, this incident really bothered me.

I talked to Management this morning and talked to Loss Prevention too.

As it turns out, I'm making a presentation to the entire store staff Sunday and Monday morning.

Too bad I'm not being paid extra for it, but I taught the store's LP team a couple of things about policies that aren't being enforced. Should be an interesting couple of mornings.

 

[Yooper]

Congratulations and thanks. I hope your boss or the store's owner recognizes your character.

That's the way I work. I actually like the job.

From the sound of it it was easy stealing expensive merchandise from this store. Hmmm. Where is this store, exactly? And what are your hours?

Not exactly a State Secret. But there are many others in worse shape out there.

Yooper, the store got what it deserved. That's what they get for cutting their help too much.

One security guard for an entire department store? Why, they're ripe for the pickin'.

Well, we've actually got three. And the one that was on duty at that time was out of the building. It happens. Payroll costs money.

The problem is that the security guard should be on call during his whole shift. If the phone rings, put down your sandwich and answer the call. Many people have jobs where they don't have the luxury of an uninterrupted lunch hour/half hour. I bet he sat around that day for 8 hours and did nothing.

The guy that was on that day is actually pretty good. I like him.

^I believe they just learned that when $600 walked out the door.

It is actually accounted for at full retail, so that's an $800 loss.

Oh and BTW, the dude knew what he was doing. He waited until I was busy with someone else before he nabbed the boxes.

 

[hotdog1846]

Yeah, that's pretty cool that you feel a sense of ownership toward your job and the success of the store! It makes all the difference to customers when we do business with people who are genuinely concerned. Makes my day a little brighter. And we're all customers at some time or another.