Sensormatic Security Labels – 5 WC Blog 756
Electronic Article Surveillance – 3
Advantages Of Using Sensormatic Security Labels Over Other Brands Part 2
In Part 1 of this series on Sensormatic security labels I discussed some problems that can be encountered with certain electronic article surveillance systems and labels. From phantom alarms at the doors to having to try to work with large labels there are can be disadvantages associated with some systems. On the other hand there are clear advantages to using Sensormatic security systems. After nearly 17 in Retail Loss Prevention I have had personal experience using different labels, tags and towers. I saw how effective the Sensormatic labels were in protecting merchandise.
This is a short list of what makes the Sensormatic security labels my preferred choice in anti-theft soft tags:
• Right out of the gate is the size of the Sensormatic labels. Whether we are talking about the Sensormatic AP Sheet Labels or the HBC Labels, these tags have a small footprint and take up little space on a piece of merchandise. This means that there are more small items that can be tagged than might have been possible with traditional radio frequency (RF) labels.
• Where RF electronic article surveillance labels are limited in the numbers of products they can be used on, the acoustic magnetic (AM) labels are virtually unlimited. AM labels are not affected by foils or metals so products such as foil gift wraps, foil gift bags, and even bicycles can be protected with a label.
• Because AM labels are not affected by metal, metal shopping carts are not problems for tagged merchandise. Metal shopping carts by their design can interfere with radio waves and disrupt the frequency of RF labels. AM labels are not impacted by this so retailers need not be concerned about what materials their buggies are made out of. Professional shoplifters occasionally use foil lined bags called booster bags to shoplift. These bags are intended to render RF labels useless so they won’t be detected as merchandise in a foil lined bag is carried out of a store. Again, AM labels are not affected by these bags and can still be detected by alarm pedestals.
• AM labels can withstand high humidity levels for certain periods of time without the effectiveness of the tag being impacted. They can also be stored for up to 96 hours in temperatures not exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit. This may not seem like a big deal at first but if labels are transported in delivery trucks temperatures and humidity can get high. Having labels that can stand up to these conditions and not lose their potency is an important feature that should not be underestimated by a retailer.
• Finally, and this is probably one of the most important differences in my opinion, Sensormatic’s labels can be reactivated with the Sensormatic Hand Wand.
Each of these are great reasons for investing in Sensormatic security labels but I really want to focus on the last point about reactivation.
When merchandise with an RF label is detuned at the point of sale that label is neutralized and can’t be used again. That is okay if all of your sales are final but we all know that merchandise returns are going to happen. So what happens when the merchandise is brought back and the packaging has an RF label still attached? Based on my experiences I will tell you that in the majority of cases nothing will happen. A new tag cannot be placed on top of an old tag and to be frank most retailers won’t even think about trying to place a new tag on a returned product. That means if the merchandise is in re-sellable condition it is going back out unprotected. It may look like it is tagged but it won’t work if someone decides to try to steal it. With the ability to reactivate Sensormatic security labels a retailer only needs to the Sensormatic Hand Wand available at the return desk to ensure product is secure and ready to be re-stocked.
As I have explained there are sound reasons for choosing to use Sensormatic security labels over other brands. They are proven to stop shoplifting and can be used in situations that would negate the effectiveness of other tags. Don’t take chances on electronic article surveillance labels that may deteriorate due to climate conditions or may not be active any longer. You can count on Sensormatic labels to help in keeping shortage low.
Need information on Sensormatic security labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
In Part 1 of this series on Sensormatic security labels I discussed some problems that can be encountered with certain electronic article surveillance systems and labels. From phantom alarms at the doors to having to try to work with large labels there are can be disadvantages associated with some systems. On the other hand there are clear advantages to using Sensormatic security systems. After nearly 17 in Retail Loss Prevention I have had personal experience using different labels, tags and towers. I saw how effective the Sensormatic labels were in protecting merchandise.
This is a short list of what makes the Sensormatic security labels my preferred choice in anti-theft soft tags:
• Right out of the gate is the size of the Sensormatic labels. Whether we are talking about the Sensormatic AP Sheet Labels or the HBC Labels, these tags have a small footprint and take up little space on a piece of merchandise. This means that there are more small items that can be tagged than might have been possible with traditional radio frequency (RF) labels.
• Where RF electronic article surveillance labels are limited in the numbers of products they can be used on, the acoustic magnetic (AM) labels are virtually unlimited. AM labels are not affected by foils or metals so products such as foil gift wraps, foil gift bags, and even bicycles can be protected with a label.
• Because AM labels are not affected by metal, metal shopping carts are not problems for tagged merchandise. Metal shopping carts by their design can interfere with radio waves and disrupt the frequency of RF labels. AM labels are not impacted by this so retailers need not be concerned about what materials their buggies are made out of. Professional shoplifters occasionally use foil lined bags called booster bags to shoplift. These bags are intended to render RF labels useless so they won’t be detected as merchandise in a foil lined bag is carried out of a store. Again, AM labels are not affected by these bags and can still be detected by alarm pedestals.
• AM labels can withstand high humidity levels for certain periods of time without the effectiveness of the tag being impacted. They can also be stored for up to 96 hours in temperatures not exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit. This may not seem like a big deal at first but if labels are transported in delivery trucks temperatures and humidity can get high. Having labels that can stand up to these conditions and not lose their potency is an important feature that should not be underestimated by a retailer.
• Finally, and this is probably one of the most important differences in my opinion, Sensormatic’s labels can be reactivated with the Sensormatic Hand Wand.
Each of these are great reasons for investing in Sensormatic security labels but I really want to focus on the last point about reactivation.
When merchandise with an RF label is detuned at the point of sale that label is neutralized and can’t be used again. That is okay if all of your sales are final but we all know that merchandise returns are going to happen. So what happens when the merchandise is brought back and the packaging has an RF label still attached? Based on my experiences I will tell you that in the majority of cases nothing will happen. A new tag cannot be placed on top of an old tag and to be frank most retailers won’t even think about trying to place a new tag on a returned product. That means if the merchandise is in re-sellable condition it is going back out unprotected. It may look like it is tagged but it won’t work if someone decides to try to steal it. With the ability to reactivate Sensormatic security labels a retailer only needs to the Sensormatic Hand Wand available at the return desk to ensure product is secure and ready to be re-stocked.
As I have explained there are sound reasons for choosing to use Sensormatic security labels over other brands. They are proven to stop shoplifting and can be used in situations that would negate the effectiveness of other tags. Don’t take chances on electronic article surveillance labels that may deteriorate due to climate conditions or may not be active any longer. You can count on Sensormatic labels to help in keeping shortage low.
Need information on Sensormatic security labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Stop Shoplifting – 3 WC Blog 752
Sensormatic security system – 3
Customer’s Cryptic Computer Message – Did I Stop Shoplifting From Taking Place?
Usually I know if I have been able to stop shoplifting by recovering merchandise someone has dropped or by the demeanor of a customer if I offer them “too much” customer service. Several nights ago I encountered a very odd situation that I have never seen before. A customer entered the store and there was nothing suspicious about him other than he went to an area where people will tend to steal cell phone cases and accessories. I asked if I could help him find something. He seemed a little startled and said he was looking for an iPad for his nephew. Now I found that a bit odd. I love my nephews but not iPad love them. I told the gentleman we did not sell them but we did have alternative computer tablets that would be just as good and cost less money. I took him to that department. He gave a cursory look and was insistent that his nephew wanted an iPad and so he would just look around the store. I alerted our manager and I continued to watch the customer. He moved to some collectables we had and I engaged him in conversation about the items since I am a fan of these products too. My customer did not want anything to do with me and brushed me off. Now that my feelings were hurt I really wanted to give this fella my best customer service when he moved to another department. Again I was rebuffed. I watched him from a bit of a distance as he stopped at an all-in-one computer and started typing on it. He then quickly walked out of the store. When I looked at the computer screen he had typed, “You shouldn’t treat your customers like they are shoplifters.” I laughed and showed the manager on duty. Our store uses a Sensormatic security system to prevent theft but it works best when coupled with good customer service.
Electronic article surveillance equipment does deter shoplifting. From the time the criminal walks into the store and sees the towers to the visibility of anti-theft tags and labels all of this technology tells a potential thief that criminal activity will be risky if not impossible. There are crooks who are smart enough to know that some merchandise can be removed from packaging if not protected properly and then taken. These tend to be the more professional shoplifters who steal for a living. Giving customer service to everyone should already be a priority in a store but for these professionals it is an added deterrent along with the anti-theft devices. Customer service leads to increased sales and it does help to deter criminal activity as I believe it did in my situation. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) owner Bill Bregar has been in the Retail Theft Prevention consultation business since 1983. He stresses to his clients the importance of building a customer service culture in the store in addition to the installation of a Sensormatic security system to stop shoplifting. Like me he understands how customer service works in conjunction with electronic article surveillance to minimize the risk of theft and how it improves profit. For those clients that do not have a Sensormatic security system in the store LPSI is a supplier but also offers the additional benefit of free, live shoplifting prevention training. You won’t get THAT offer anywhere else.
Did my customer intend to steal since he left his not-so-cryptic message on our computer? Well, I received a text from the store manager two days later saying that the police had come by the store with stolen merchandise. The suspect and two accomplices returned the next day and stole merchandise and it was recovered in the course of another incident involving the suspect. My “customer” also had felony warrants in other states. It’s nice to know that this old Loss Prevention Manager still has an instinct about how to identify and stop shoplifting. Since I can’t be there to help your store, take time to contact LPSI and see all they offer that can help your team reduce theft. Don’t delay you don’t know when my “customer” will get out and visit your store next.
Need information on a Sensormatic security system? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Usually I know if I have been able to stop shoplifting by recovering merchandise someone has dropped or by the demeanor of a customer if I offer them “too much” customer service. Several nights ago I encountered a very odd situation that I have never seen before. A customer entered the store and there was nothing suspicious about him other than he went to an area where people will tend to steal cell phone cases and accessories. I asked if I could help him find something. He seemed a little startled and said he was looking for an iPad for his nephew. Now I found that a bit odd. I love my nephews but not iPad love them. I told the gentleman we did not sell them but we did have alternative computer tablets that would be just as good and cost less money. I took him to that department. He gave a cursory look and was insistent that his nephew wanted an iPad and so he would just look around the store. I alerted our manager and I continued to watch the customer. He moved to some collectables we had and I engaged him in conversation about the items since I am a fan of these products too. My customer did not want anything to do with me and brushed me off. Now that my feelings were hurt I really wanted to give this fella my best customer service when he moved to another department. Again I was rebuffed. I watched him from a bit of a distance as he stopped at an all-in-one computer and started typing on it. He then quickly walked out of the store. When I looked at the computer screen he had typed, “You shouldn’t treat your customers like they are shoplifters.” I laughed and showed the manager on duty. Our store uses a Sensormatic security system to prevent theft but it works best when coupled with good customer service.
Electronic article surveillance equipment does deter shoplifting. From the time the criminal walks into the store and sees the towers to the visibility of anti-theft tags and labels all of this technology tells a potential thief that criminal activity will be risky if not impossible. There are crooks who are smart enough to know that some merchandise can be removed from packaging if not protected properly and then taken. These tend to be the more professional shoplifters who steal for a living. Giving customer service to everyone should already be a priority in a store but for these professionals it is an added deterrent along with the anti-theft devices. Customer service leads to increased sales and it does help to deter criminal activity as I believe it did in my situation. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) owner Bill Bregar has been in the Retail Theft Prevention consultation business since 1983. He stresses to his clients the importance of building a customer service culture in the store in addition to the installation of a Sensormatic security system to stop shoplifting. Like me he understands how customer service works in conjunction with electronic article surveillance to minimize the risk of theft and how it improves profit. For those clients that do not have a Sensormatic security system in the store LPSI is a supplier but also offers the additional benefit of free, live shoplifting prevention training. You won’t get THAT offer anywhere else.
Did my customer intend to steal since he left his not-so-cryptic message on our computer? Well, I received a text from the store manager two days later saying that the police had come by the store with stolen merchandise. The suspect and two accomplices returned the next day and stole merchandise and it was recovered in the course of another incident involving the suspect. My “customer” also had felony warrants in other states. It’s nice to know that this old Loss Prevention Manager still has an instinct about how to identify and stop shoplifting. Since I can’t be there to help your store, take time to contact LPSI and see all they offer that can help your team reduce theft. Don’t delay you don’t know when my “customer” will get out and visit your store next.
Need information on a Sensormatic security system? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Employee Theft – 3
Training to reduce employee theft -3 WC Blog 782
How Much Do You Know About Preventing Employee Theft? – Part 1
I have a short quiz for readers to see what you know about employee theft:
1. True or False – An employment application and interview are sufficient to identify candidates who would be dishonest if hired
2. True or False – Employee theft includes only merchandise or money
3. True or False – Employee theft cases are no more detrimental than a shoplifting case
4. True or False – Cameras will keep employees from stealing
5. True or False – If caught in the act of stealing a dishonest employee will usually confess about their crimes
6. True or False – Any manager will be able to tell if a store employee is stealing
7. True or False – A dishonest employee usually works alone
8. True or false – Only new employees steal from their employer
9. True or False – Dishonest workers are sullen, quiet and keep to themselves
10. True or False – If an employee or job candidate wants to steal there is nothing an employer can do to prevent it.
Now let’s check your answers to the questions with one caveat. If you do not get 100% you should consider training to reduce employee theft offered by Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.
1. False – Applicants can lie on job applications and exaggerate about their experience or education level. During an interview a charming candidate can sound really good until they are hired and you learn the truth.
2. False – Employees can steal time by having someone clock in for them when they are not at work. They can steal customer’s credit cards and gift cards. Dishonest employees can steal from other employees. There are lots of ways employees steal that would not be considered the traditional theft cases.
3. False – The average shoplifting dollars per case was $559. The average employee theft case was $1,203.16 (Information from pg. 11 and 12 of the 2018 National Retail Security Survey.
4. False – Cameras may deter employees when they are first installed or when an employee is new on the job but over time the deterrence value diminishes.
5. False – It takes an experienced investigator to get a full confession from a dishonest person. They may admit to the theft they have been caught in but it is rare to catch a dishonest employee the first time they have ever engaged in theft. A manager or store owner can lose a lot of money if they don’t know how to investigate or interview an employee who is stealing.
6. False – While there are some workers who steal and are not very good at it and are easily caught there are many more who are incredibly sneaky and know how to cover their tracks. Experienced Loss Prevention investigators are the best solution if it is suspected an employee is stealing.
7. False – A dishonest employee may start off stealing for themselves but frequently they involve other employees or friends and family. It can be a very costly affair for retailers.
8. False – It is not uncommon for someone who has been a hard worker to fall into a bad situation. It may be drug or alcohol related, financial burdens or some other hardship that may lead to a long-term employee to suddenly deciding that theft will solve their problem.
9. False – Some of the most outgoing and friendly employees are the people who are stealing. By building a friendly relationship they are actually using the trust of the manager to their advantage. It is easy to trust someone who is likeable and feeds our egos.
10. ABSOLUTELY FALSE! – You can reduce the chance of an employee stealing when you use pre-employment drug screening, employee background checks and invest in training to reduce employee theft.
Now, even if you did get all of the questions correct chances are you could still use the training opportunities offered by Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. The training they offer will greatly reduce the chances of a staff member taking advantage of your business and you!
In Part 2 we are going to expand on each of the ten points discussed in the quiz. Training should always be ongoing. We never know everything about any subject and often we forget what we may have heard in a short seminar. Training to reduce employee theft and other offerings as well as investigations, background checks and pre-employment drug screening combined can give a decided edge to the employer who utilizes them.
For more information about training to reduce employee theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I have a short quiz for readers to see what you know about employee theft:
1. True or False – An employment application and interview are sufficient to identify candidates who would be dishonest if hired
2. True or False – Employee theft includes only merchandise or money
3. True or False – Employee theft cases are no more detrimental than a shoplifting case
4. True or False – Cameras will keep employees from stealing
5. True or False – If caught in the act of stealing a dishonest employee will usually confess about their crimes
6. True or False – Any manager will be able to tell if a store employee is stealing
7. True or False – A dishonest employee usually works alone
8. True or false – Only new employees steal from their employer
9. True or False – Dishonest workers are sullen, quiet and keep to themselves
10. True or False – If an employee or job candidate wants to steal there is nothing an employer can do to prevent it.
Now let’s check your answers to the questions with one caveat. If you do not get 100% you should consider training to reduce employee theft offered by Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.
1. False – Applicants can lie on job applications and exaggerate about their experience or education level. During an interview a charming candidate can sound really good until they are hired and you learn the truth.
2. False – Employees can steal time by having someone clock in for them when they are not at work. They can steal customer’s credit cards and gift cards. Dishonest employees can steal from other employees. There are lots of ways employees steal that would not be considered the traditional theft cases.
3. False – The average shoplifting dollars per case was $559. The average employee theft case was $1,203.16 (Information from pg. 11 and 12 of the 2018 National Retail Security Survey.
4. False – Cameras may deter employees when they are first installed or when an employee is new on the job but over time the deterrence value diminishes.
5. False – It takes an experienced investigator to get a full confession from a dishonest person. They may admit to the theft they have been caught in but it is rare to catch a dishonest employee the first time they have ever engaged in theft. A manager or store owner can lose a lot of money if they don’t know how to investigate or interview an employee who is stealing.
6. False – While there are some workers who steal and are not very good at it and are easily caught there are many more who are incredibly sneaky and know how to cover their tracks. Experienced Loss Prevention investigators are the best solution if it is suspected an employee is stealing.
7. False – A dishonest employee may start off stealing for themselves but frequently they involve other employees or friends and family. It can be a very costly affair for retailers.
8. False – It is not uncommon for someone who has been a hard worker to fall into a bad situation. It may be drug or alcohol related, financial burdens or some other hardship that may lead to a long-term employee to suddenly deciding that theft will solve their problem.
9. False – Some of the most outgoing and friendly employees are the people who are stealing. By building a friendly relationship they are actually using the trust of the manager to their advantage. It is easy to trust someone who is likeable and feeds our egos.
10. ABSOLUTELY FALSE! – You can reduce the chance of an employee stealing when you use pre-employment drug screening, employee background checks and invest in training to reduce employee theft.
Now, even if you did get all of the questions correct chances are you could still use the training opportunities offered by Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. The training they offer will greatly reduce the chances of a staff member taking advantage of your business and you!
In Part 2 we are going to expand on each of the ten points discussed in the quiz. Training should always be ongoing. We never know everything about any subject and often we forget what we may have heard in a short seminar. Training to reduce employee theft and other offerings as well as investigations, background checks and pre-employment drug screening combined can give a decided edge to the employer who utilizes them.
For more information about training to reduce employee theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
