It is fascinating watching someone walk into the newsagency, pick up a newspaper, walk to the crossword magazine display, pick up a magazine, place it inside the newspaper, come to the counter, pay for the newspaper and leave. He was good about it when approached at the food court and allowed us to take the crossword magazine back.
I remember Brian Everingham showing me the sales approach at his Puckle Street Moonee Ponds newsagency in the early 1990s. He’d hold a newspaper by the corner and let everything fall out. Thanks to that demonstration we suggested to newsagents they, every so often, have a scan only day – when you only process sales by scanning.
The crossword thief would have been caught at the counter had we done this.
Chat about all the fliers falling out of the papers? Could get messy?
Why didn’t you charge him? You had the camera evidence, and I know our neighbouring shops appreciated us charging a local shoplifter that many had been trying to catch. This older gentleman has just gotten away with it in my opinion, he knows what he is doing, and at his age it was time to stop him.
Anyhow, I hope his friends see him on your blog.
Clem I would have if I were there. We have some new people in place and b the time I heard about this it was too late. Mark
I have shown this picture to all my staff, not that this man will come into our business but to demonstrate that thieves come in all shapes, ages and types. It isnt just the young ones who steal elderly people are just as likely to knock things off and when confronted act all inocent. We had one oldie steal 4 calendars and use the excuse she thought they were free even though they were clearly priced. Staff need to be on the look out for all types
Since taking over this newsagency 18 months ago I have taken to scanning all items including newsapapers. The previous owner seemed to have quite a problem with missing mags when donig returns and in some cases it was the same titles missing every month. Whilst customers found it a little odd or even put out to scan the paper every day it wore off very quickly and was no issue at all in a short time. In the meantime however we dramatically dropped the missing mag rate and unfortunately had 3 regular customers caught out with either mags, flat gift wrap or greeting cards. Not a nice thing to deal with the fact is they were stealing from me. During our heavy tourist season theft has dropped dramatically but has not been completely eradicated as that is impossible.
I know scanning newspapers may seem a bit over the top and non customer friendly but as I said, out customers are quite used to it and don’t seem to have a problme with it.
In the past 6 months we’ve caught 2 people putting mags in newspapers. Both of them have been customers for over 5 years, both are over 50 and they seemed like nice people.
Got them on video, charged them and banned them.
I’m going insane with shoplifters. Enough is enough. We need tougher laws. All retailers need to unite. We need our rights to protect our business. No waiting until they leave the store. If it goes into a pocket or bag we should be allowed to make a citizen arrest straight away. etc etc etc