Checkpoint System-4 WC Blog 307
Retail Theft Prevention-3
Stop Shoplifting-3
Responding To A Checkpoint System EAS Alarm Can Be Intimidating; Train Your Employees How To Approach Customers With Confidence And A Smile
There are many situations in retail where employees have encounters that can be uncomfortable, especially when they aren’t trained on how to approach people. I have seen customers become defensive when a cashier catches a ticket switch while ringing a sale. The employee became intimidated by the customer’s attitude. As a Manager On Duty I have had to deal with customers who have become angry when I wouldn’t allow a full refund for an item because they had no receipt. I have seen employees wave at a customer who set off an electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestal rather than have to try to resolve the cause of an alarm. There have also been instances where an employee did approach a shopper who set off a tower alarm and the employee’s attitude created a tense situation. For retail theft prevention to be effective store owners and managers need to conduct ongoing training with staff on how to effectively handle conflict or de-escalate situations appropriately, especially with regard to events involving Checkpoint Systems.
A Checkpoint System is a tool that is only as effective as the store team using it. The retail theft prevention system itself is a combination of EAS pedestals installed at entry/exit doors and other key locations in a store, and the use of protective EAS tags and labels placed on merchandise. There are also deactivation pads located at checkout lanes and detachment tools to remove hard tags from merchandise. The pedestals alarm when tagged merchandise is carried near them and alert employees that a possible theft is taking place. Tags and labels provide the protection for merchandise ensuring that if a shoplifter attempts to steal product the tower alarm will be activated. Deactivation pads and detachment tools remove hard tags or “de-tune” soft tags to ensure paid merchandise won’t inadvertently cause an alarm and be a customer distraction. If your team isn’t properly trained to use this tool you degrade the effectiveness of your system to deter theft and prevent shoplifting in your store.
What do I mean? Isn’t a retail theft prevention system going to stop shoplifting once it is installed? Just having a system will deter a certain amount of shoplifting theft, the casual shoplifter generally doesn’t want to risk setting off an EAS pedestal alarm and chance being caught. It is crucial that your employees are trained in properly responding to pedestal alarm activations to get the most out of your system and that means knowing how to approach customers and resolve alarm events. Training will also make approaching customers who have set off an alarm much easier to do.
Frequently, the EAS tower alarm sound will stop shoplifting by startling a dishonest customer and they drop the goods they had and run. But not every thief runs and not every alarm is due to an attempted theft. Employees who are not properly trained to respond can be uncomfortable or even scared to have to interact with the customer who caused the event. Spend time teaching associates to walk to the doors, smile and begin a conversation with a “hello”. They can then ask about the customer’s purchases, did they buy something that may not have deactivated at the register properly? Follow-up with the question, “Do you mind if I see your receipt to try to figure out what’s causing this alarm?” By not sounding like an accusation is being made, it de-escalates the situation by making it appear an error has taken place. By showing concern that an error may have taken place I have even been able to help a customer find that tags from a prior purchase at another store were never deactivated. I have found hidden tags in wallets and the customer said they regularly were setting off alarms and never knew why. For the person who WAS trying to shoplift, giving them a potential way out by approaching and suggesting maybe they forgot to have something rung up removes the suggestion they had the intention of stealing (even if that was their intent). This is an effective method of getting the merchandise back (which is what the tower is supposed to do) and getting the crook out of your building.
Give your employees the proper training and they can stop shoplifting when the Checkpoint system alarms go off. You also give your employees the confidence that interactions at the doors don’t have to be confrontational and they will be more willing to step up and respond to those alarms.
Need information on a Checkpoint system? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
There are many situations in retail where employees have encounters that can be uncomfortable, especially when they aren’t trained on how to approach people. I have seen customers become defensive when a cashier catches a ticket switch while ringing a sale. The employee became intimidated by the customer’s attitude. As a Manager On Duty I have had to deal with customers who have become angry when I wouldn’t allow a full refund for an item because they had no receipt. I have seen employees wave at a customer who set off an electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestal rather than have to try to resolve the cause of an alarm. There have also been instances where an employee did approach a shopper who set off a tower alarm and the employee’s attitude created a tense situation. For retail theft prevention to be effective store owners and managers need to conduct ongoing training with staff on how to effectively handle conflict or de-escalate situations appropriately, especially with regard to events involving Checkpoint Systems.
A Checkpoint System is a tool that is only as effective as the store team using it. The retail theft prevention system itself is a combination of EAS pedestals installed at entry/exit doors and other key locations in a store, and the use of protective EAS tags and labels placed on merchandise. There are also deactivation pads located at checkout lanes and detachment tools to remove hard tags from merchandise. The pedestals alarm when tagged merchandise is carried near them and alert employees that a possible theft is taking place. Tags and labels provide the protection for merchandise ensuring that if a shoplifter attempts to steal product the tower alarm will be activated. Deactivation pads and detachment tools remove hard tags or “de-tune” soft tags to ensure paid merchandise won’t inadvertently cause an alarm and be a customer distraction. If your team isn’t properly trained to use this tool you degrade the effectiveness of your system to deter theft and prevent shoplifting in your store.
What do I mean? Isn’t a retail theft prevention system going to stop shoplifting once it is installed? Just having a system will deter a certain amount of shoplifting theft, the casual shoplifter generally doesn’t want to risk setting off an EAS pedestal alarm and chance being caught. It is crucial that your employees are trained in properly responding to pedestal alarm activations to get the most out of your system and that means knowing how to approach customers and resolve alarm events. Training will also make approaching customers who have set off an alarm much easier to do.
Frequently, the EAS tower alarm sound will stop shoplifting by startling a dishonest customer and they drop the goods they had and run. But not every thief runs and not every alarm is due to an attempted theft. Employees who are not properly trained to respond can be uncomfortable or even scared to have to interact with the customer who caused the event. Spend time teaching associates to walk to the doors, smile and begin a conversation with a “hello”. They can then ask about the customer’s purchases, did they buy something that may not have deactivated at the register properly? Follow-up with the question, “Do you mind if I see your receipt to try to figure out what’s causing this alarm?” By not sounding like an accusation is being made, it de-escalates the situation by making it appear an error has taken place. By showing concern that an error may have taken place I have even been able to help a customer find that tags from a prior purchase at another store were never deactivated. I have found hidden tags in wallets and the customer said they regularly were setting off alarms and never knew why. For the person who WAS trying to shoplift, giving them a potential way out by approaching and suggesting maybe they forgot to have something rung up removes the suggestion they had the intention of stealing (even if that was their intent). This is an effective method of getting the merchandise back (which is what the tower is supposed to do) and getting the crook out of your building.
Give your employees the proper training and they can stop shoplifting when the Checkpoint System alarms go off. You also give your employees the confidence that interactions at the doors don’t have to be confrontational and they will be more willing to step up and respond to those alarms.
Need information on a Checkpoint System? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
AA Blog 28
Alpha Shark Tag: 5
Return Fraud: 3
Prevent Return Fraud With The Alpha Shark Tag
Children are truly a blessing and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but if any of you have children, you know how expensive they can be. As they get older, the costs increase significantly, especially if you have girls. I have two girls that are ten years apart. I have one that is 18 and one that is 8, so I have been through the teenage years, and will be going through it again in the near future. When you have girls they tend to be very high maintenance. They want designer clothes, they need their hair colored and cut every two months, plus they need makeup and their nails done. I would like to say this is where it ends, but that is only the beginning. Between school clothes, school activities and sports, and extra-curricular activities the expenses increase exponentially. Of course high school also includes at least three or four dances each year, with Homecoming and Prom being two major events in a girl’s life. These events alone are wallet busters. They need a dress, shoes, hair appointments, nails, makeup, and corsages and then you add dinner before, maybe a limo to arrive in style, and you are out at least a grand. The dress alone costs at least $300, and there is no way they can wear the same dress twice, that is a fashion no no. I think that part always hurt the most. Granted you could always try and sell it used to someone the following year, but you only get a fraction of what it is worth, which is very disheartening since it was only worn for about five hours. I know there are some people out there that would just take the dress back to the store the following day for a full refund. As tempting as that sounds I am not one of those people. Being in the retail business I know how frustrating retail fraud can be and the cost associated with this type of activity. That is why we use the Alpha Shark Tag in our stores.
The Alpha Shark Tag provides the retailer with the means to prevent this type of behavior. This tag is designed to be placed on high priced or designer items without damaging the product. They can be used on clothing, bags, shoes and other items, typically associated with return fraud. These are inexpensive devices that provide a bright visual deterrent that can be used to supplement your store return policy. These devices, once removed cannot be re-attached by the customer. Therefore, many retailers use the Alpha Shark Tag as a means to enforce their store return policy. Stores are placing these tags on their high frequency return items and refusing to supply a refund if the tag has been removed from the item. The store simply places the tag in a very obvious location that can’t be concealed during the use of the item, thus preventing return fraud. These can also be used for online or catalog sales by simply adding the tag to the item prior to shipment. I understand why people are associated with these types of returns, but I also know the cost to the retailer can be significant, if they don’t take action to prevent this type of behavior.
If you are a retailer and you are tired of footing the cost associated with re-stocking worn/used merchandise, I recommend you get the Alpha Shark Tag. These tags work great as a deterrent because many people shop with the intent to commit return fraud. They know their daughter will only wear the dress once, so why keep the item when they can just use it once and return it. These devices can be equipped with the retailers’ return policy to add an additional deterrent, thus sending these fraudsters to your competitor.
Alpha Shark Tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Children are truly a blessing and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but if any of you have children, you know how expensive they can be. As they get older, the costs increase significantly, especially if you have girls. I have two girls that are ten years apart. I have one that is 18 and one that is 8, so I have been through the teenage years, and will be going through it again in the near future. When you have girls they tend to be very high maintenance. They want designer clothes, they need their hair colored and cut every two months, plus they need makeup and their nails done. I would like to say this is where it ends, but that is only the beginning. Between school clothes, school activities and sports, and extra-curricular activities the expenses increase exponentially. Of course high school also includes at least three or four dances each year, with Homecoming and Prom being two major events in a girl’s life. These events alone are wallet busters. They need a dress, shoes, hair appointments, nails, makeup, and corsages and then you add dinner before, maybe a limo to arrive in style, and you are out at least a grand. The dress alone costs at least $300, and there is no way they can wear the same dress twice, that is a fashion no no. I think that part always hurt the most. Granted you could always try and sell it used to someone the following year, but you only get a fraction of what it is worth, which is very disheartening since it was only worn for about five hours. I know there are some people out there that would just take the dress back to the store the following day for a full refund. As tempting as that sounds I am not one of those people. Being in the retail business I know how frustrating retail fraud can be and the cost associated with this type of activity. That is why we use the Alpha Shark Tag in our stores.
The Alpha Shark Tag provides the retailer with the means to prevent this type of behavior. This tag is designed to be placed on high priced or designer items without damaging the product. They can be used on clothing, bags, shoes and other items, typically associated with return fraud. These are inexpensive devices that provide a bright visual deterrent that can be used to supplement your store return policy. These devices, once removed cannot be re-attached by the customer. Therefore, many retailers use the Alpha Shark Tag as a means to enforce their store return policy. Stores are placing these tags on their high frequency return items and refusing to supply a refund if the tag has been removed from the item. The store simply places the tag in a very obvious location that can’t be concealed during the use of the item, thus preventing return fraud. These can also be used for online or catalog sales by simply adding the tag to the item prior to shipment. I understand why people are associated with these types of returns, but I also know the cost to the retailer can be significant, if they don’t take action to prevent this type of behavior.
If you are a retailer and you are tired of footing the cost associated with re-stocking worn/used merchandise, I recommend you get the Alpha Shark Tag. These tags work great as a deterrent because many people shop with the intent to commit return fraud. They know their daughter will only wear the dress once, so why keep the item when they can just use it once and return it. These devices can be equipped with the retailers’ return policy to add an additional deterrent, thus sending these fraudsters to your competitor.
Alpha Shark Tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Training to reduce employee theft-3 WC Blog 304
Stop shoplifting-4
Employee Theft-3
Can Your Employees Be Stealing? Professional Manager Training To Reduce Employee Theft Is Now Available For Everyone
I can remember when I started working in the Loss Prevention field over 26 years ago and I had no idea what it would entail. I assumed I was going to catch shoplifters stealing clothes, how hard could that be? There were about two days of training from the human resources department on company procedures. I then was required to spend time on the salesfloor and operating a cash register but I knew that wasn’t what I would be happy doing, I wanted to start catching bad guys. Finally I was released to go to the Loss Prevention department! I learned about closed circuit television (and yes, VCR’s), and I began learning how to identify signs of shoplifting. I eventually helped stop shoplifting by assisting in catching thieves, then catching them on my own. As I learned to do my job and became better at it, I began to learn about employee theft. I can’t say I didn’t know it existed, but I had no idea there were so many methods that employees will use to steal. When I eventually took a promotional opportunity to move to a Loss Prevention Manager for another company, I took with me the knowledge I had gained. In my new role I learned even more and had additional training to reduce employee theft. If it was important for me to receive ongoing training, how important is it for a retail owner and managers of stores with no security resources to receive training to reduce employee theft?
Employee theft can include more than simply cash theft from a register or stealing a pack of gum from a checklane. Return fraud, gift card fraud, merchandise theft, and even time card manipulation all impact store profits and can be detrimental to customer service as well. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. offers training programs that can help owners and managers learn how to identify and address issues, reducing the impact they can have on a business. Additional training programs are offered to help stop shoplifting in stores. There is no better resource for training than by an expert who has been in the field and has experience investigating and prosecuting internal theft cases. This experience is available to help retail managers learn what they can do to deter associate theft and stop shoplifting.
I recognize that many small stores do not have a Loss Prevention department. Even national chain stores do not all have in-store security but rather someone at a district or regional level responsible for employee theft investigations. These Loss Prevention managers often visit stores and conduct safety and security audits and spend time training and educating store managers. So what is a small, independently owned store manager to do when he or she can’t afford their own Loss Prevention personnel? Store managers must become educated on the impact of theft on their store and how to identify signs of dishonest activity. An employee who is going to steal isn’t going to advertise their intentions. There are some thieves who are good at what they do and they can make it difficult even for a trained security professional to catch them. There are steps a management team can take to help preclude employees from stealing first place. From pre-employment screening to holding new employee orientations that include the topics of internal theft and how to stop shoplifting, Loss Prevention Systems, inc. wants to help you with training to reduce employee theft.
You may not have a Loss Prevention department but with the proper training you can learn how to protect your business from unnecessary losses. Let us help you keep shortage low and profits high.
Get more information on training to reduce employee theft, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I can remember when I started working in the Loss Prevention field over 26 years ago and I had no idea what it would entail. I assumed I was going to catch shoplifters stealing clothes, how hard could that be? There were about two days of training from the human resources department on company procedures. I then was required to spend time on the salesfloor and operating a cash register but I knew that wasn’t what I would be happy doing, I wanted to start catching bad guys. Finally I was released to go to the Loss Prevention department! I learned about closed circuit television (and yes, VCR’s), and I began learning how to identify signs of shoplifting. I eventually helped stop shoplifting by assisting in catching thieves, then catching them on my own. As I learned to do my job and became better at it, I began to learn about employee theft. I can’t say I didn’t know it existed, but I had no idea there were so many methods that employees will use to steal. When I eventually took a promotional opportunity to move to a Loss Prevention Manager for another company, I took with me the knowledge I had gained. In my new role I learned even more and had additional training to reduce employee theft. If it was important for me to receive ongoing training, how important is it for a retail owner and managers of stores with no security resources to receive training to reduce employee theft?
Employee theft can include more than simply cash theft from a register or stealing a pack of gum from a checklane. Return fraud, gift card fraud, merchandise theft, and even time card manipulation all impact store profits and can be detrimental to customer service as well. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. offers training programs that can help owners and managers learn how to identify and address issues, reducing the impact they can have on a business. Additional training programs are offered to help stop shoplifting in stores. There is no better resource for training than by an expert who has been in the field and has experience investigating and prosecuting internal theft cases. This experience is available to help retail managers learn what they can do to deter associate theft and stop shoplifting.
I recognize that many small stores do not have a Loss Prevention department. Even national chain stores do not all have in-store security but rather someone at a district or regional level responsible for employee theft investigations. These Loss Prevention managers often visit stores and conduct safety and security audits and spend time training and educating store managers. So what is a small, independently owned store manager to do when he or she can’t afford their own Loss Prevention personnel? Store managers must become educated on the impact of theft on their store and how to identify signs of dishonest activity. An employee who is going to steal isn’t going to advertise their intentions. There are some thieves who are good at what they do and they can make it difficult even for a trained security professional to catch them. There are steps a management team can take to help preclude employees from stealing first place. From pre-employment screening to holding new employee orientations that include the topics of internal theft and how to stop shoplifting, Loss Prevention Systems, inc. wants to help you with training to reduce employee theft.
You may not have a Loss Prevention department but with the proper training you can learn how to protect your business from unnecessary losses. Let us help you keep shortage low and profits high.
Get more information on training to reduce employee theft, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
