Shoplifters
By jillhill
@jillhill (37354)
United States
October 3, 2007 6:41pm CST
This summer I spent many weekends on the road selling my books and framed poetry and artwork. I have done this for a couple of years. This summer though....I traveled with my daughter and she also sells crafts and artwork. We encountered a problem at two shows with shoplifters. One I caught red handed and the other I never knew what happened! One of my best frames went missing. If you see someone shoplifting do you act like you don't see them? Or do you say something to them or turn them in to the management of the facility you are shopping at? I caught this older lady taking soap and sticking it into her purse. I very casually said..Mam you have to pay for that....what would you do if you saw this situation?
4 responses
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
4 Oct 07
Hi Jill,
Im sorry that your hard work was being stolen. Thats just not fair to you. I agreed with Peanutjar on the first page here.
I used to work at a convient store and it was near a High School where during lunch time a lot of the kids would come in for lunch and they tried their best to steal things but would also pay for some things. Well, if I saw them taking something and they brought something else up to the counter to pay for it, I would just ring up what I saw them take and then when they asked me why that amount, this costs this much, I would say I had to charge you for the things you put in your pocket and tried to steal. lol It was pretty funny seeing the look on their face, or I gave them the option of calling the police, they usually paid for it or put it back. lol
Bay xx
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
4 Oct 07
Oh they were just high school kids. I was lucky for the most part that the adults that came in the store acted appropriately and paid for the things they wanted.
Anyone I ever saw stealing was a kid. It was amusing anyway and it really helped me through my day. It was a long time ago and me and my best friend worked there on the same shift. Maybe it was because I knew she had my back! lol
Thank you though! Bay xx
@jHoEn16 (2043)
• Australia
4 Oct 07
if i saw that i would tell you that your frames was taken! :) i wont let that shoplifter to succeed hi bad intentions... its not good to tolerate it..
@peanutjar (5198)
• Canada
4 Oct 07
Hello,i would of done the same thing because i dont think its fare to the seller for these people who think they can take whatever they want for free and get away with it.I give them a bad look as if to say "hey,i saw what you did and you dont have enough respect to put it back,then you will have to pay for your mistake".I dont tell anyone,but i walk towards a worker and kind of point with my eyes,you know,those kind of looks with the eyes twitching and popping towards someone thing,lol,ha,ha.They get the hint and follow behind and see the person for themselves.That way i feel like i did not rat,but they got caught kinda thing,lol.;)
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
4 Oct 07
Thats exactly what I would do Peanutjar. I have done this, and they did put it back. But whos to say that once I was away from them they didnt attempt it again.
I dont like that feeling that I just "ratted" someone out either.
Bay xx
@milkfish (371)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
I think we need to report it to the proper authorities. Stealing is a crime. However, if its case of somebody stealing infant formula or medicines, I guess I will just offer to pay for it. This is a case of poverty, torn between stealing or survival of the baby or a sick loved one.
