Stop Shoplifting-3 WC Blog 421
Checkpoint Security System-4
It Isn’t Rocket Science But A Properly Functioning Checkpoint System Can Stop Shoplifting
I am old enough to remember the launches of NASA spacecraft at Cape Canaveral Space Center and monitored from mission control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It was stirring to listen to the calm, cool and collected voices of the flight engineers and Mission Control technicians as they went through their checklists and you would hear the words, “All systems are go for launch”. The countdown would continue or stop depending on weather conditions or a warning signal on a control panel somewhere in Mission Control. It was really an intense experience even for a young boy in front of the television set. When all systems worked properly the technicians would go through their checklists and give a “Go” from their station. If something was not right such as a storm system moving to close to the launch pad the launch would be put on hold. The announcer would narrate what was happening and we would wait in suspense. If all systems were functioning as they should and weather issues were out of the way the rocket engines would ignite in a massive blast of flame and smoke and the spacecraft and astronauts would be carried into space on their mission. Though it doesn’t have all of the thrills and excitement of a NASA spacecraft system, a Checkpoint Security System has to have all parts functioning properly in order for it to fulfill the mission it was intended for. When one part is not “ready” the system does not do what it is intended to do, stop shoplifting.
A Checkpoint Security System is a complete retail anti-theft package that deters theft and can detect attempted shoplifting activity. Included in a package are electronic article surveillance pedestals usually installed near the entrance and exit points of a store. The pedestals sound the alarm when merchandise protected with Checkpoint tags is carried too close to the pedestals. That leads to the next piece in the package, the tags. Tags are attached to merchandise to ensure the item can’t get past the pedestals. Tags are available in a number of various styles from adhesive labels to hard tags that can be pinned to goods like softlines products. The Security System also requires de-activation pads that deactivate soft tags at the point of sale in order to prevent paid merchandise from creating unintentional alarm activations. Hard tags have to be removed from merchandise and require special detachment keys secured at the point of sale. The detachment key can be purchased with a lock that attaches to the counter and prevents a thief from being able to walk off with the detachment key. The failure of any piece of this system can result in a failure to stop shoplifting and even become a liability to a store.
When I was a Retail Loss Prevention Manager I remember an incident with a shopper when the Checkpoint Security System in our store failed. The customer made a purchase and as he exited the store the alarm pedestal sounded. He was approached by a supervisor who asked to see his receipt. The customer refused and raised his voice in an obvious attempt to cause a scene. An item he had purchased had not been deactivated at the register. I was called in and in order to de-escalate the situation I apologized for the inconvenience and told the customer he could leave. The customer told me he was a Loss Prevention Manager for another company and he was going to sue us. I told him that as a fellow L.P. Manager he was aware that mistakes happen and we still had a right to ask for a receipt but as a courtesy I was not going to do so. He muttered something and left the store. We never heard from him again. I also checked with some friends who worked for the company he had mentioned he worked for and each one told me what they thought of the inconsiderate oaf. After he was gone I checked our equipment and found that a morning test of the deactivation pads had not been completed and there was a faulty unit. Had the proper checklist been followed, we would have had a “Hold” on the L.P. end of things and the register would not have been used that day until I could get it repaired or replaced.
Just as NASA has to follow their procedures to ensure all systems are functioning for a “Go” for launch, a Checkpoint Security System has to properly function too. Broken equipment can cause a problem but when everything works properly it will stop shoplifting and reduce shortage. Why not shoot for the stars and watch profits soar with a retail anti-theft system from Checkpoint?
Need information on a Checkpoint Security System? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I am old enough to remember the launches of NASA spacecraft at Cape Canaveral Space Center and monitored from mission control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It was stirring to listen to the calm, cool and collected voices of the flight engineers and Mission Control technicians as they went through their checklists and you would hear the words, “All systems are go for launch”. The countdown would continue or stop depending on weather conditions or a warning signal on a control panel somewhere in Mission Control. It was really an intense experience even for a young boy in front of the television set. When all systems worked properly the technicians would go through their checklists and give a “Go” from their station. If something was not right such as a storm system moving to close to the launch pad the launch would be put on hold. The announcer would narrate what was happening and we would wait in suspense. If all systems were functioning as they should and weather issues were out of the way the rocket engines would ignite in a massive blast of flame and smoke and the spacecraft and astronauts would be carried into space on their mission. Though it doesn’t have all of the thrills and excitement of a NASA spacecraft system, a Checkpoint Security System has to have all parts functioning properly in order for it to fulfill the mission it was intended for. When one part is not “ready” the system does not do what it is intended to do, stop shoplifting.
A Checkpoint Security System is a complete retail anti-theft package that deters theft and can detect attempted shoplifting activity. Included in a package are electronic article surveillance pedestals usually installed near the entrance and exit points of a store. The pedestals sound the alarm when merchandise protected with Checkpoint tags is carried too close to the pedestals. That leads to the next piece in the package, the tags. Tags are attached to merchandise to ensure the item can’t get past the pedestals. Tags are available in a number of various styles from adhesive labels to hard tags that can be pinned to goods like softlines products. The Security System also requires de-activation pads that deactivate soft tags at the point of sale in order to prevent paid merchandise from creating unintentional alarm activations. Hard tags have to be removed from merchandise and require special detachment keys secured at the point of sale. The detachment key can be purchased with a lock that attaches to the counter and prevents a thief from being able to walk off with the detachment key. The failure of any piece of this system can result in a failure to stop shoplifting and even become a liability to a store.
When I was a Retail Loss Prevention Manager I remember an incident with a shopper when the Checkpoint Security System in our store failed. The customer made a purchase and as he exited the store the alarm pedestal sounded. He was approached by a supervisor who asked to see his receipt. The customer refused and raised his voice in an obvious attempt to cause a scene. An item he had purchased had not been deactivated at the register. I was called in and in order to de-escalate the situation I apologized for the inconvenience and told the customer he could leave. The customer told me he was a Loss Prevention Manager for another company and he was going to sue us. I told him that as a fellow L.P. Manager he was aware that mistakes happen and we still had a right to ask for a receipt but as a courtesy I was not going to do so. He muttered something and left the store. We never heard from him again. I also checked with some friends who worked for the company he had mentioned he worked for and each one told me what they thought of the inconsiderate oaf. After he was gone I checked our equipment and found that a morning test of the deactivation pads had not been completed and there was a faulty unit. Had the proper checklist been followed, we would have had a “Hold” on the L.P. end of things and the register would not have been used that day until I could get it repaired or replaced.
Just as NASA has to follow their procedures to ensure all systems are functioning for a “Go” for launch, a Checkpoint Security System has to properly function too. Broken equipment can cause a problem but when everything works properly it will stop shoplifting and reduce shortage. Why not shoot for the stars and watch profits soar with a retail anti-theft system from Checkpoint?
Need information on a Checkpoint Security System? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
