Return Fraud-5                                                                                                                           WC blog 29
Alpha Shark tags-4
Alpha Shark Tags Can Help You Avoid Holiday Return Fraud
     Well, the holidays are coming to a close and a New Year is fast approaching.  Did you receive the gifts you were hoping for this Christmas?  Perhaps you celebrate another holiday with the exchange of gifts. Did you like everything you were given? We all hope that we make the right selections, especially when it comes to clothing.  We want to make family and friends happy, but clothing is one of those things that can be tricky to purchase.  In any case, not everyone will be happy with all of the gifts they receive and the return rush is going to happen.  You as the retailer are going to have mostly legitimate returns, but what about the attempts at return fraud that people are going to attempt to slip by on you?  In all those returns how do you pick the good from the bad?  It isn’t easy, but if you are using Alpha Shark Tags you will make it a little less difficult for your employees and managers to make those determinations.
     When applied to merchandise, primarily clothing, Alpha Shark Tags provide protection to the retailer against return fraud.  The tag is secured to clothing and unlike electronic article surveillance hard tags, it is not alarmed.  This tag works because it is NOT removed at the point of sale when purchased. Alpha Shark Tags remain on the article of clothing and is removed when the buyer gets the item home.   Stores should make clear to customers that if the tag is removed they will not be able to return the merchandise.  The customer can always try on the clothing in the store or at home with the tag on the garment to be sure it fits.  If the article of clothing does not fit, the store can allow a full credit return on the condition the tag is still intact.  
     There are several methods that those committing return fraud will use to try to make a fast buck.  One to be concerned with during the holidays is the attempt to return merchandise that doesn’t even come from that particular store.  In many instances this is an innocent attempt at returning merchandise but associates that take these items back cause shortage because the item cannot be resold.  If the store uses Shark tags and requires the tag to be on the clothing in order to return it, the cashier will have a good indicator that the item does belong to the store because the bright orange tag will stand out.  The shark tag will also serve to alert the cashier to check manufacturer tags to verify the item did not possibly come from another retailer who also uses the same tag but carries different brands.
     Another form of return fraud that is often seen around Christmas and New Year’s Eve is wardrobing fraud.  These fraudsters will purchase your party clothes, suits, dresses, ties and wear them to their parties and return the clothes afterwards.  The clothing tags are discreetly hidden or removed so the partier appears to have on a new outfit.  Alpha Shark Tags stand out with their color and have to be cut off in order to not be visible.  Properly placed so they can’t be hidden, the wardrober won’t be able to wear the garment without removing the tag.  You can save significant dollars by not taking back worn clothing that may have to be reduced in price or marked out of stock entirely.
   Alpha Shark tags won’t stop ALL attempts at return fraud but what they will stop is those who try to bring in merchandise that doesn’t belong to your business.  They will help you enforce your return policies by requiring the tags to be in place in order to return the items, just be sure to clearly state your return policies to your customers at your points of sale.
For more information on return fraud contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Well, the holidays are coming to a close and a New Year is fast approaching. Did you receive the gifts you were hoping for this Christmas? Perhaps you celebrate another holiday with the exchange of gifts. Did you like everything you were given? We all hope that we make the right selections, especially when it comes to clothing. We want to make family and friends happy, but clothing is one of those things that can be tricky to purchase. In any case, not everyone will be happy with all of the gifts they receie and the return rush is going to happen. You as the retailer are going to have mostly legitimate returns, but what about the attempts at return fraud that people are going to attempt to slip by on you?  In all those returns how do you pick the good from the bad?  It isn’t easy, but if you are using Alpha Shark Tags you will make it a little less difficult for your employees and managers to make those determinations.

When applied to merchandise, primarily clothing, Alpha Shark Tags provide protection to the retailer against return fraud.  The tag is secured to clothing and unlike electronic article surveillance hard tags, it is not alarmed.  This tag works because it is NOT removed at the point of sale when purchased. Alpha Shark Tags remain on the article of clothing and is removed when the buyer gets the item home.   Stores should make clear to customers that if the tag is removed they will not be able to return the merchandise.  The customer can always try on the clothing in the store or at home with the tag on the garment to be sure it fits.  If the article of clothing does not fit, the store can allow a full credit return on the condition the tag is still intact.  

There are several methods that those committing return fraud will use to try to make a fast buck.  One to be concerned with during the holidays is the attempt to return merchandise that doesn’t even come from that particular store.  In many instances this is an innocent attempt at returning merchandise but associates that take these items back cause shortage because the item cannot be resold.  If the store uses Shark tags and requires the tag to be on the clothing in order to return it, the cashier will have a good indicator that the item does belong to the store because the bright orange tag will stand out.  The shark tag will also serve to alert the cashier to check manufacturer tags to verify the item did not possibly come from another retailer who also uses the same tag but carries different brands.

Another form of return fraud that is often seen around Christmas and New Year’s Eve is wardrobing fraud.  These fraudsters will purchase your party clothes, suits, dresses, ties and wear them to their parties and return the clothes afterwards.  The clothing tags are discreetly hidden or removed so the partier appears to have on a new outfit.  Alpha Shark Tags stand out with their color and have to be cut off in order to not be visible.  Properly placed so they can’t be hidden, the wardrober won’t be able to wear the garment without removing the tag.  You can save significant dollars by not taking back worn clothing that may have to be reduced in price or marked out of stock entirely.

Alpha Shark tags won’t stop ALL attempts at return fraud but what they will stop is those who try to bring in merchandise that doesn’t belong to your business.  They will help you enforce your return policies by requiring the tags to be in place in order to return the items, just be sure to clearly state your return policies to your customers at your points of sale.

For more information on return fraud contact us or call 1.770.426.0547