General Cycling Discussion - Off topic: shoplifting (long)

I just have to get this off my chest.

Tonight at the mall I witnessed a woman attempt to steal something from a store. In most cases, unless they walk out of the store with the product, nothing can be done since the merchandise was not actually stolen. I was trying to get the salespeople's attention and keep an eye in the woman as well. When I turned to ask the salesperson to call security, the woman left the store. I assumed, with the merchandise.

The salesperson and I caught up with the woman and she didn't have the items. She had dropped them by the door on the way out, obviously knowing I saw her. We didn't know this until we went back to the store. Well, the woman called me a liar, threatened me with violence, and tried to make me feel ashamed since I had falsely accused her because she didn't steal anything.

Maybe it's not my job, I'm not a cop, but I did work retail for a few years and when I saw it occuring I couldn't keep myself from intervening. Was I wrong? BTW security never showed up and they were hard to find later when I wanted to leave. I wanted to make sure the thief or one of her friends wouldn't follow me out when I left.

I'll put it in this context:
If you saw someone shoplifting from your favorite bike shop what would you do?



P.S. Joe, if this is an inappropriate thread go ahead and kill it.

Russ

Getting involved is an uncommon thing these days but it is admirable.

Of course you did the right thing.

In answer to your question about my LBS - I'd make noise about it and stop it happening for sure. I know the owner of the LBS quite well and I would hate to see him ripped off.

I suppose the real question for me is what would I do in a store where I didn't know the owner. Especially a big chain store that many would say can afford the loss. I'm sure that I would do exactly what you did and alert the staff.

I would alert staff first and foremost becaus it would be the right thing to do. Secondly, I know that shoplifting contributes to higher prices so on a personal level I don't think I should have to pay more so that a minority can get products free.

End of rant.

I applaud you, what you did was very right, to bad the lowlife didn't get a ride downtown to spend sometime in the calaboose!

In answer to your question:
Maybe it's not shoplifting in the legal sense until the shoplifter exits the store and an employee of the LBS would have to follow certain guidelines. As a consumer, not a LBS employee, I wouldn't even wait til they tried to leave. The second the merchandise was concealed and before the shoplifter had a chance to get out of my sight I'd be letting them know in no uncertain terms that I saw what was going on and they weren't going anywhere with the merchandise without paying for it.

To continue your rant:
It wasn't well received before when I stated that I'm tired of subsidizing those who want something for nothing. That hasn't changed my opinion.

If you steal something or otherwise rip someone off, who do you think pays for it? That's right everyone, including you, whether you realize it or not. Retailer's build the cost of shoplifting into into their prices. Manufacturers cover the cost of illegitimate warranty claims in the cost they charge resalers. Taxpayers fund the prisons that house and legal cost to prosecute shoplifters. It cost billions to balance the economic harm caused by unscrupulous business practices and shoplifting (Enron / Arthur Anderson come to mind) and my spouting off won't change that, but I'm not stopping anyway.

threadend gets down from soapbox

There is no free ride, and I'm tired of subsidizng yours!

Thieves and liars always deserve your wrath.

I would have done the same thing, but more. I would have slapped her for being a total Biatch! She has no right to call you a liar, when she knows that she was going to steal that mechandise. That may be a bit too violent. I would have at least called her a dirty name or something to get back at her.:D

I worked in a camera store for 2 years and saw some real pro shoplifters. They never take stuff out if they've been seen, and are increadibly sneaky and underhand. They create distractions and put on this act when found out. These people have no moral compass at all, and will even accuse you of violence and get you arrested if it helps their case.

My SOP when I see shoplifters would be to discreetly tell the staff, try not to point at the shoplifter, then leave it up to them.