Alpha Thunder Tags-4 wc blog 146
i-pad theft -3
Tablet theft-3
Classic N10-3
Tablets and i-pads In Nursing Homes Provide Memories – Keep Them Safe With Alpha Thunder Tags
The use of i-pads and tablets in medical practices has been growing at a rapid pace. Doctors are consulting each other using tablets, patient records are digitalized, and prescription crosschecks are a few of the benefits of mobile medical devices. Another area in the medical field where computer tablets and i-pads are proving to be useful is in the nursing home industry. Nursing home patients are finding new experiences open to them by using i-pads and tablets and medical apps are allowing them to monitor such things as blood sugar levels with a diabetes app. It is encouraging to see emerging technology improve the lives of older citizens. With the increased use of computer tablets and i-pads in assisted living and nursing homes, there also is a potential for tablet theft or i-pad theft. Alpha Thunder Tags and Classic N10 antennas can provide the necessary protection to keep the equipment in the home where it belongs.
Whether the concern is about potential dishonest employee theft or visitors stealing i-pads and tablets, when Alpha Thunder Tags are applied to the devices the opportunity for theft is significantly reduced. Thunder Tags have an adhesive backing that secures them tightly to the item to be protected. A built in tamper alarm prevents someone from removing the tag without alerting staff that they are doing so. When Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas are set up at all entry and exit doors, any device with a tag on it will cause the antenna to alarm when the tag is too close. Alpha Thunder Tags are also a 3-alarm tag which means that if someone gets out a door protected by an antenna, an alarm built into the tag will sound a very loud alert. It’s hard to beat a protective device that has a tamper alarm, antenna activation and built in theft alarm.
So what is it that i-pads and tablets are doing to improve the quality of life for older men and women? As I mentioned above there are medical apps that are helping seniors to monitor their blood glucose levels. There are also new experiences for those who had not previously used computer tablets. On the website “My Better Nursing Home”, Dr. Eleanor Barbera points out the use of Pandora to give patients “access to their favorite music (for inspiration in Rehab, or to drown out the buzzers and overhead pages”. She mentions games being available to patients to help stay sharp. On aplaceformom.com blog writer Dana Larsen points out other benefits of i-pads for memory care patients:
• They provide alternative means of communication for patients who can’t express themselves as they would like to
• Music libraries can trigger memories of their past
• They encourage socialization between residents through games, apps and internet search features
• Use of the i-pads provides a means for more communication with their children and grandchildren
• Emails and downloads of photos can be shared and are now pride of place in resident’s rooms.
I would add that while Ms. Larsen was specifically addressing i-pads, I would include tablets as fulfilling the same functions.
With so many functions and personal memories being saved on these electronic devices, it would truly be a shame for a resident to experience a tablet theft or i-pad theft. Pictures and emails that make such a difference to a resident’s comfort should not be at risk of being stolen. Protecting mobile devices with an anti-theft device only makes sense.
Nursing homes and assisted living residences should help to protect their vulnerable clients. Adding Classic N10 antennas to all entry points and using Alpha Thunder Tags to prevent tablet theft and i-pad theft only makes sense. Provide patients and their families with peace of mind, and invest in anti-theft technology.
Need information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
The use of i-pads and tablets in medical practices has been growing at a rapid pace. Doctors are consulting each other using tablets, patient records are digitalized, and prescription crosschecks are a few of the benefits of mobile medical devices. Another area in the medical field where computer tablets and i-pads are proving to be useful is in the nursing home industry. Nursing home patients are finding new experiences open to them by using i-pads and tablets and medical apps are allowing them to monitor such things as blood sugar levels with a diabetes app. It is encouraging to see emerging technology improve the lives of older citizens. With the increased use of computer tablets and i-pads in assisted living and nursing homes, there also is a potential for tablet theft or i-pad theft. Alpha Thunder Tags and Classic N10 antennas can provide the necessary protection to keep the equipment in the home where it belongs.
Whether the concern is about potential dishonest employee theft or visitors stealing i-pads and tablets, when Alpha Thunder Tags are applied to the devices the opportunity for theft is significantly reduced. Thunder Tags have an adhesive backing that secures them tightly to the item to be protected. A built in tamper alarm prevents someone from removing the tag without alerting staff that they are doing so. When Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas are set up at all entry and exit doors, any device with a tag on it will cause the antenna to alarm when the tag is too close. Alpha Thunder Tags are also a 3-alarm tag which means that if someone gets out a door protected by an antenna, an alarm built into the tag will sound a very loud alert. It’s hard to beat a protective device that has a tamper alarm, antenna activation and built in theft alarm.
So what is it that i-pads and tablets are doing to improve the quality of life for older men and women? As I mentioned above there are medical apps that are helping seniors to monitor their blood glucose levels. There are also new experiences for those who had not previously used computer tablets. On the website “My Better Nursing Home”, Dr. Eleanor Barbera points out the use of Pandora to give patients “access to their favorite music (for inspiration in Rehab, or to drown out the buzzers and overhead pages”. She mentions games being available to patients to help stay sharp. On aplaceformom.com blog writer Dana Larsen points out other benefits of i-pads for memory care patients:
• They provide alternative means of communication for patients who can’t express themselves as they would like to
• Music libraries can trigger memories of their past
• They encourage socialization between residents through games, apps and internet search features
• Use of the i-pads provides a means for more communication with their children and grandchildren
• Emails and downloads of photos can be shared and are now pride of place in resident’s rooms.
I would add that while Ms. Larsen was specifically addressing i-pads, I would include tablets as fulfilling the same functions.
With so many functions and personal memories being saved on these electronic devices, it would truly be a shame for a resident to experience a tablet theft or i-pad theft. Pictures and emails that make such a difference to a resident’s comfort should not be at risk of being stolen. Protecting mobile devices with an anti-theft device only makes sense.
Nursing homes and assisted living residences should help to protect their vulnerable clients. Adding Classic N10 antennas to all entry points and using Alpha Thunder Tags to prevent tablet theft and i-pad theft only makes sense. Provide patients and their families with peace of mind, and invest in anti-theft technology.
Need information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
FOLLOW THROUGH WITH ALPHA O-TAGS
Believe it or not, summertime is here. That means most people will be taking it outside while the kids are out of school. Historically speaking (for my company anyway), this is when shoplifting seems to spike. Maybe it’s the long days, or the sweltering heat, but our records always indicate a giant spike this time of year. Now, more than ever, we’re faced with the challenge of increasing our sales all the while trying to prevent shoplifting.
One area of business that really picks up between spring and fall is golf. Why not, really? The sun’s out, the grass on the course is green and the sweat tea tastes mighty fine this time of year. What better way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon than with a game of golf with your buddies? (Fishing, maybe?) Do you know who else knows this time of year is big business for golf? Thieves operate within organized groups that not only steal, but are in the game specifically with the intent to resell those stolen goods for a profit; your profit. It’s a good thing you bought those O-Tags to better secure those high end golf clubs!
Just last year, one of my stores conducted their annual inventory. Usually if an inventory is a shock, there’s a problem. I was reviewing the line items with the General Manager when we got to his golf department. There was an enormous loss in single golf clubs. I’m talking several thousand dollars in missing golf clubs. At first, we thought there may have been a shipping error from the warehouse, but after some digging, found that everything was delivered to the store. The only other explanation to such high shrink would be theft. I asked the GM if he was positive that he was following the company policy of using O-Tags to secure all golf clubs over $50. His response was a long, blank stare back at me. I knew what the answer was and he didn’t have to say it.
LP-101: in order to prevent shoplifting, you actually have to use the tools that the company gives you to do so. A box of O-Tags sitting in the warehouse will do you absolutely no good. In fact, you have to apply them to the product if you want to see any type of success. I, unfortunately, see this very often. Managers are simply assuming that their teams are doing everything right and often fail to inspect their own expectations. I gave this GM a good deal of grief (he’s really a great guy and an overall exceptional manager), it really shows a larger problem; department managers failing to adhere to LP standards.
If you have a sales manager that consistently falls below sales numbers, you’d coach that manager. If, over time, there still is no improvement, most likely there would be documentation. Even after a coaching or two (or three… maybe 4) and a written corrective, this manager doesn’t improve, chances are, you’d be in the market for a new manager. So why is it any different when it comes to the back side of sales; shrink. By not following the controls in place, isn’t this manager taking sales dollars off the table? Of course they are. If the product is stolen, it’s not available for a customer to purchase, which equates to a lost sale.
Using the tools given in order to prevent shoplifting is just as important as add-on sales, up-charging or any other sales tactic used to bring in more dollars. So if your mangers are focusing on their sales, always remind them to focus just as much attention on shrink. It could help boost their sales without them even knowing!
Get more information on O-Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Believe it or not, summertime is here. That means most people will be taking it outside while the kids are out of school. Historically speaking (for my company anyway), this is when shoplifting seems to spike. Maybe it’s the long days, or the sweltering heat, but our records always indicate a giant spike this time of year. Now, more than ever, we’re faced with the challenge of increasing our sales all the while trying to prevent shoplifting.
One area of business that really picks up between spring and fall is golf. Why not, really? The sun’s out, the grass on the course is green and the sweat tea tastes mighty fine this time of year. What better way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon than with a game of golf with your buddies? (Fishing, maybe?) Do you know who else knows this time of year is big business for golf? Thieves operate within organized groups that not only steal, but are in the game specifically with the intent to resell those stolen goods for a profit; your profit. It’s a good thing you bought those O-Tags to better secure those high end golf clubs!
Just last year, one of my stores conducted their annual inventory. Usually if an inventory is a shock, there’s a problem. I was reviewing the line items with the General Manager when we got to his golf department. There was an enormous loss in single golf clubs. I’m talking several thousand dollars in missing golf clubs. At first, we thought there may have been a shipping error from the warehouse, but after some digging, found that everything was delivered to the store. The only other explanation to such high shrink would be theft. I asked the GM if he was positive that he was following the company policy of using O-Tags to secure all golf clubs over $50. His response was a long, blank stare back at me. I knew what the answer was and he didn’t have to say it.
LP-101: in order to prevent shoplifting, you actually have to use the tools that the company gives you to do so. A box of O-Tags sitting in the warehouse will do you absolutely no good. In fact, you have to apply them to the product if you want to see any type of success. I, unfortunately, see this very often. Managers are simply assuming that their teams are doing everything right and often fail to inspect their own expectations. I gave this GM a good deal of grief (he’s really a great guy and an overall exceptional manager), it really shows a larger problem; department managers failing to adhere to LP standards.
If you have a sales manager that consistently falls below sales numbers, you’d coach that manager. If, over time, there still is no improvement, most likely there would be documentation. Even after a coaching or two (or three… maybe 4) and a written corrective, this manager doesn’t improve, chances are, you’d be in the market for a new manager. So why is it any different when it comes to the back side of sales; shrink. By not following the controls in place, isn’t this manager taking sales dollars off the table? Of course they are. If the product is stolen, it’s not available for a customer to purchase, which equates to a lost sale.
Using the tools given in order to prevent shoplifting is just as important as add-on sales, up-charging or any other sales tactic used to bring in more dollars. So if your mangers are focusing on their sales, always remind them to focus just as much attention on shrink. It could help boost their sales without them even knowing!
Get more information on O-Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Background Check Company-5 WC blog 110
Pre-employment Screening-5
Employees Can Create Chaos For Your Company – Be Careful In Hiring, Use A Background Check Company
Did you know that if you are a business owner and one of your employees hurts someone while they are working, you can be held responsible? Whether the injured party is a co-worker or a customer, if your employee was on the clock, lost his temper and caused an injury, you or the business may be held liable. The same thing can apply to an employee who is involved in a car accident while performing work related duties. According to Nolo.com, an online legal web page, “Under a legal doctrine sometimes referred to as “respondeat superior”, an employer is legally responsible for the actions of its employees.” They do go on to mention that this is only when the employee is working. With employers being accountable for the actions of their employees, it is imperative that a background check company is utilized to complete a pre-employment screening for prospective new hires.
Pre-employment screening and background checks vet a candidate before you actually bring them onto your staff. You can often choose how in-depth you would like the background check company to go in their search process. Depending on the job you are wanting done, you may only want a local criminal history check completed. If, on the other hand, the employee will be driving a company vehicle you would want to have a thorough driving history researched. Perhaps the job you are filling requires a state certification such as a barber or a day care worker. A background check company can verify certificates and licenses an applicant may indicate they possess on their application. Another thing to consider is where your business is located. If your business is in the vicinity of a school, it could be extremely important that you have a sex offender registry check completed.
Don’t think you need to be concerned about a lawsuit because of the actions of an employee? In a January 28, 2016 article in eater.com, a Fresno Police Officer is suing McDonald’s after being attacked by an employee. The officer responded to a call about a fight between two employees and in the process of trying to break up the fight the officer was punched several times. According to the article, “It suggests that McDonald’s was aware that Deel had “violent tendencies” and suffered “from a mental condition that made him a danger to himself and others.” According to hrmorning.com, in 2009 a company was sued and lost after a company employee who was on call hit another car while driving drunk. The employee was driving his own car, but was carrying a company issued cell phone and pager because he was on call at the time. The final verdict required the company to pay $300,000 to the victim.
In both cases the actions of an employee are the catalyst for a lawsuit against the employer. It is not clear from the articles that a pre-employment screening would have uncovered anything in the past of any of the employees. However, the possibility remains that a background check company may have uncovered something and flagged the candidate before a hiring decision was made. If you notice in the McDonald’s case it is alleged that the employee had violent tendencies. It is possible that this person had a criminal history the reader is not made privy to. In the vehicle accident, I have to wonder if this is the first time the driver has been guilty of driving under the influence. Perhaps he has had other activity on his driving record that might have caused concern for the employer if a background check company had uncovered it.
Don’t let your company become the target of a lawsuit due to the actions of an employee with a checkered past. A thorough pre-employment screening can provide you with the history you need to make an informed decision about an applicant.
Pre-employment screening is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Did you know that if you are a business owner and one of your employees hurts someone while they are working, you can be held responsible? Whether the injured party is a co-worker or a customer, if your employee was on the clock, lost his temper and caused an injury, you or the business may be held liable. The same thing can apply to an employee who is involved in a car accident while performing work related duties. According to Nolo.com, an online legal web page, “Under a legal doctrine sometimes referred to as “respondeat superior”, an employer is legally responsible for the actions of its employees.” They do go on to mention that this is only when the employee is working. With employers being accountable for the actions of their employees, it is imperative that a background check company is utilized to complete a pre-employment screening for prospective new hires.
Pre-employment screening and background checks vet a candidate before you actually bring them onto your staff. You can often choose how in-depth you would like the background check company to go in their search process. Depending on the job you are wanting done, you may only want a local criminal history check completed. If, on the other hand, the employee will be driving a company vehicle you would want to have a thorough driving history researched. Perhaps the job you are filling requires a state certification such as a barber or a day care worker. A background check company can verify certificates and licenses an applicant may indicate they possess on their application. Another thing to consider is where your business is located. If your business is in the vicinity of a school, it could be extremely important that you have a sex offender registry check completed.
Don’t think you need to be concerned about a lawsuit because of the actions of an employee? In a January 28, 2016 article in eater.com, a Fresno Police Officer is suing McDonald’s after being attacked by an employee. The officer responded to a call about a fight between two employees and in the process of trying to break up the fight the officer was punched several times. According to the article, “It suggests that McDonald’s was aware that Deel had “violent tendencies” and suffered “from a mental condition that made him a danger to himself and others.” According to hrmorning.com, in 2009 a company was sued and lost after a company employee who was on call hit another car while driving drunk. The employee was driving his own car, but was carrying a company issued cell phone and pager because he was on call at the time. The final verdict required the company to pay $300,000 to the victim.
In both cases the actions of an employee are the catalyst for a lawsuit against the employer. It is not clear from the articles that a pre-employment screening would have uncovered anything in the past of any of the employees. However, the possibility remains that a background check company may have uncovered something and flagged the candidate before a hiring decision was made. If you notice in the McDonald’s case it is alleged that the employee had violent tendencies. It is possible that this person had a criminal history the reader is not made privy to. In the vehicle accident, I have to wonder if this is the first time the driver has been guilty of driving under the influence. Perhaps he has had other activity on his driving record that might have caused concern for the employer if a background check company had uncovered it.
Don’t let your company become the target of a lawsuit due to the actions of an employee with a checkered past. A thorough pre-employment screening can provide you with the history you need to make an informed decision about an applicant.
Pre-employment screening is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Prevent Shoplifting -3 WC blog 134
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-3
Building A Case On A Suspected Shoplifter Leads To The Arrest Of Store Break-In Suspects
With somewhere in the neighborhood of seventeen years of Retail Loss Prevention experience and thirteen or so of those years as a Loss Prevention Manager, you know there are bound to be interesting and funny stories to share. Many of those stories I have included in my articles on how to prevent shoplifting and the use of retail anti- theft devices. There are also a number of experiences I had that were interesting but did not fit into the subjects I write about. I now have the opportunity to include some of those incidents in a few articles that hopefully will make you smile or just say WOW!
One of my responsibilities as a Loss Prevention Manager was to be first on the alarm call list of our local police department. One very early morning, around 2:00am, I received a phone call from the police department that woke me out of my sound sleep. The officer said a cement block had been tossed through one of the glass front doors and officers were on the scene. I told him I would be there shortly and immediately dressed and drove the eight miles to my store. As I arrived I was met by several police officers and a crime scene investigator. We entered the store and with the front check lanes to my immediate front, right I could see one register had been pulled off of the counter and thrown to the floor. Another had been pulled apart, but it appeared the criminals got scared and left the store. I did not see any damage to retail anti-theft equipment such as our EAS antennas, which was some relief.
The police and I did a search of the building and after determining the suspects were gone, the investigator began his work taking fingerprints and photographing the crime scene. I made the required notifications to my chain of command and then began reviewing surveillance video. During my review I found the footage of the two suspects outside the building pacing, and then walking over to the neighboring hardware store where they found a cement block. Cameras were situated outside the store in such a way that the subjects were pictured selecting the block then tossing it through the door. Several cameras caught them as they entered through the opening they had made. I noticed they appeared to be teenagers; it was dark so the faces were not very clear, but one was a large kid and looked familiar to me. Video showed the larger suspect pulling up one register and slamming it to the floor, apparently in an attempt to get cash. The second suspect tugged at the other register but was unsuccessful in his effort to tear it from the counter.
It wasn’t long before the suspects looked at the doors, apparently hearing sirens, and left the building empty handed. I made copies of the videos for the police and released them to their custody. I continued to try to picture where I knew the bigger suspect from even though I could not see his face. It didn’t take too long before I realized I recognized the suspect, there had been numerous attempts by our team to prevent shoplifting by this teen and his friends. This young man had a peculiar way he walked that made him stand out. Since I had been suspicious of him I had tracked him on camera and I knew there was video footage! I pulled out those videos and sure enough, the suspect had the same particular gate to his walk that was exactly like the subject in my break-in. Because those earlier videos had great facial images, I shared my suspicions with my police partners and copied one of those videos and released it to them.
I left the store after our morning Leader On Duty Arrived and I returned to work late that morning to wrap up my reports. By 3:00pm police detectives stopped by the store to let me know that based on the videos I provided they were able to arrest the bigger suspect in a local park and he admitted to his role and gave them the name of the second suspect (it didn’t hurt that suspect number one was still wearing the clothes he had on during the break in). Suspect number two was arrested later that afternoon or the next day.
Loss Prevention work tends to focus on how to prevent shoplifting and using retail anti-theft devices to secure product but sometimes we get those unusual situations and we have to be ready to respond. They test us and make for great stories!
Need more information on how to prevent shoplifting? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
With somewhere in the neighborhood of seventeen years of Retail Loss Prevention experience and thirteen or so of those years as a Loss Prevention Manager, you know there are bound to be interesting and funny stories to share. Many of those stories I have included in my articles on how to prevent shoplifting and the use of retail anti- theft devices. There are also a number of experiences I had that were interesting but did not fit into the subjects I write about. I now have the opportunity to include some of those incidents in a few articles that hopefully will make you smile or just say WOW!
One of my responsibilities as a Loss Prevention Manager was to be first on the alarm call list of our local police department. One very early morning, around 2:00am, I received a phone call from the police department that woke me out of my sound sleep. The officer said a cement block had been tossed through one of the glass front doors and officers were on the scene. I told him I would be there shortly and immediately dressed and drove the eight miles to my store. As I arrived I was met by several police officers and a crime scene investigator. We entered the store and I could see one register had been pulled off of the counter and thrown to the floor. Another had been pulled apart, but it appeared the criminals got scared and left the store. I did not see any damage to retail anti-theft equipment such as our EAS antennas, which was some relief.
The police and I did a search of the building and after determining the suspects were gone, the investigator began his work taking fingerprints and photographing the crime scene. I made the required notifications to my chain of command and then began reviewing surveillance video. During my review I found the footage of the two suspects outside the building pacing, and then walking over to the neighboring hardware store where they found a cement block. Cameras were situated outside the store in such a way that the subjects were pictured selecting the block then tossing it through the door. Several cameras caught them as they entered through the opening they had made. I noticed they appeared to be teenagers; it was dark so the faces were not very clear, but one was a large kid and looked familiar to me. Video showed the larger suspect pulling up one register and slamming it to the floor, apparently in an attempt to get cash. The second suspect tugged at the other register but was unsuccessful in his effort to tear it from the counter.
It wasn’t long before the suspects looked at the doors, apparently hearing sirens, and left the building empty handed. I made copies of the videos for the police and released them to their custody. I continued to try to picture where I knew the bigger suspect from even though I could not see his face. It didn’t take too long before I realized I recognized the suspect, there had been numerous attempts by our team to prevent shoplifting by this teen and his friends.This young man had a peculiar way he walked that made him stand out. Since I had been suspicious of him I had tracked him on camera and I knew there was video footage! I pulled out those videos and sure enough, the suspect had the same particular gate to his walk that was exactly like the subject in my break-in. Because those earlier videos had great facial images, I shared my suspicions with my police partners and copied one of those videos and released it to them.
I left the store after our morning Leader On Duty Arrived and I returned to work late that morning to wrap up my reports. By 3:00pm police detectives stopped by the store to let me know that based on the videos I provided they were able to arrest the bigger suspect in a local park and he admitted to his role and gave them the name of the second suspect (it didn’t hurt that suspect number one was still wearing the clothes he had on during the break in). Suspect number two was arrested later that afternoon or the next day.
Loss Prevention work tends to focus on how to prevent shoplifting and using retail anti-theft devices to secure product but sometimes we get those unusual situations and we have to be ready to respond. They test us and make for great stories!
Need more information on how to prevent shoplifting? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Alpha Keepers-4 , Protect Razor Blades-2 , Prevent Shoplifting-2
Shave Off Some Stress With Alpha Keepers
I have worked for the same small retail pharmacy business for just over fifteen years. I have seen some new ideas come and go. Some of them have worked out great and some have not made it. One year our boss said that we should get rid of our “Next Register Please” signs. She said they were negative messages and that we should just talk to our customers and tell them where to check out. That was a great idea, but she also said we needed to be out on the sales floor when we did not have customers at the counter, in order to answer questions and be visible to prevent shoplifting. However, she did realize that while we were out on the floor, helping a customer find something, that another customer could walk up and not know which register to go to put their items down. Then, we would come back to the counter and have to move all their merchandise to the one we were actually using. That was very frustrating for us and them, to say the least. Needless to say, we had to order new signs not long after that.
That was just one of their least bad ideas. They have done much worse. About a month ago, a different manager decided that we should no longer keep our razor blades in Alpha Keepers. They said they had decided that they were not needed any longer since razor blades were not being stolen like they had been in the past. (If you just slapped your own forehead, you had the same reaction I had…) The original reason our company chose to protect razor blades with Alpha Keepers was because thefts were rampant in that category. We would put them out for sale, and they would disappear before the day was over. I am not even exaggerating either. I was actually having inventory one day, with counters all around the store, and had every peg wiped out. The flea market thieves don’t play. When they need a particular item to sell at their booths, they will take everything you have. So, in order to prevent shoplifting in this section, we encased all our razor blade packages in Alpha Keepers. And BOOM! Problem solved. The clear cases still allowed our honest, cash paying, customers access to the products without having to ask for them. But, they made it extremely difficult for the criminals to come in and help themselves. They could no longer just stuff the packages down in their clothes, because the cases made them heavier and harder to conceal. They also worked in conjunction with the Checkpoint system, so they would cause the alarm to activate if there was a theft attempt.
How’s this new idea going, you ask? Well, it turns out word spread really fast in the flea market community about our newest idea. And in less than two weeks, we have had four major losses in our area stores. Thousands of dollars gone in minutes because we no longer protect razor blades. So, last night after I read on our store managers only Facebook page that yet another store got hit. I have decided to take a stand and put all my razor blade packages back into Alpha Keepers. I know it’s just a matter of time before my own store becomes their next victim and I am not just going to wait and hope I don’t lose too much. Enough is enough, and this change was another obvious failure. Change is good, but not when it’s bad.
Get more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call today: 1.770.426.0547
I have worked for the same small retail pharmacy business for just over fifteen years. I have seen some new ideas come and go. Some of them have worked out great and some have not made it. One year our boss said that we should get rid of our “Next Register Please” signs. She said they were negative messages and that we should just talk to our customers and tell them where to check out. That was a great idea, but she also said we needed to be out on the sales floor when we did not have customers at the counter, in order to answer questions and be visible to prevent shoplifting. However, she did realize that while we were out on the floor, helping a customer find something, that another customer could walk up and not know which register to go to put their items down. Then, we would come back to the counter and have to move all their merchandise to the one we were actually using. That was very frustrating for us and them, to say the least. Needless to say, we had to order new signs not long after that.
That was just one of their least bad ideas. They have done much worse. About a month ago, a different manager decided that we should no longer keep our razor blades in Alpha Keepers. They said they had decided that they were not needed any longer since razor blades were not being stolen like they had been in the past. (If you just slapped your own forehead, you had the same reaction I had…) The original reason our company chose to protect razor blades with Alpha Keepers was because thefts were rampant in that category. We would put them out for sale, and they would disappear before the day was over. I am not even exaggerating either. I was actually having inventory one day, with counters all around the store, and had every peg wiped out. The flea market thieves don’t play. When they need a particular item to sell at their booths, they will take everything you have. So, in order to prevent shoplifting in this section, we encased all our razor blade packages in Alpha Keepers. And BOOM! Problem solved. The clear cases still allowed our honest, cash paying, customers access to the products without having to ask for them. But, they made it extremely difficult for the criminals to come in and help themselves. They could no longer just stuff the packages down in their clothes, because the cases made them heavier and harder to conceal. They also worked in conjunction with the Checkpoint system, so they would cause the alarm to activate if there was a theft attempt.
How’s this new idea going, you ask? Well, it turns out word spread really fast in the flea market community about our newest idea. And in less than two weeks, we have had four major losses in our area stores. Thousands of dollars gone in minutes because we no longer protect razor blades. So, last night after I read on our store managers only Facebook page that yet another store got hit. I have decided to take a stand and put all my razor blade packages back into Alpha Keepers. I know it’s just a matter of time before my own store becomes their next victim and I am not just going to wait and hope I don’t lose too much. Enough is enough, and this change was another obvious failure. Change is good, but not when it’s bad.
Get more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call today: 1.770.426.0547
