Poll of the Day > If you witnessed someone shoplifting would you do anything to stop it?

(+) Yeah! (+)

You're paying for your items and you see someone walking out of the store carrying arms worth of merchandise.
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I have no idea. That said, Im usually not paying so much attention that I would know somebody was shoplifting. I would probably assume they paid for it
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Yes, I'd be required to pull a couple guns on them and start blastin'

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I would inform the store workers and call the police.

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nah i don't care

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Used to do it all the time. I'd probably try to help them by distracting employees or acting ultra suspicious.

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Id get some shit too

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No. Why would I care? I don't run the store. And I especially don't care if it's a store like Walmart where they treat their employees like total shit.

Depends on the store, if it's a small local thing, I'd probably tell them to cut it out. Otherwise I don't give a shit.

I dont know their situation. If theyre just stealing for a living then fuck them but who knows? They could need that stuff.

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shadowsword87 posted...

Depends on the store

Also, depends on what they're shoplifting and if it looks like they need it.
Like, I'm not gonna snitch on someone who looks poor stealing some food, but if it's some bored teenager pocketing some shit for kicks? Hell yeah.

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Twenty years ago, absolutely I would stop them; today I would probably "accidentality" trip the security guard if they tried to run after them.

Late stage capitalism has really effected my world view.

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I might encourage them not to

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Yes. It's a moral wrong. That being said... I won't deny I've come to resent a lot of the companies being stolen from immensely. Especially with how trash they treat their employees and such.

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It's situational. Some desperate-looking lady walking out with food? No. Some guy carrying out a armload of electronics? I probably tell someone in the store. Capitalism has problems, but the solution is to reform it...not destroy all social norms and burn it down without a better plan. There are worse systems.

But I'm not going to tackle someone either way.


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Unbridled9 posted...

It's a moral wrong.

that is situational imo

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Mead posted...

that is situational imo

It's also arguably cultural and subjective.

ie, people see it as a major thing because they've been taught to see it that way. If they'd been taught to think of it in a different way, they would. It's not an objective and universal truth that is self-evident to all and always applicable.
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Yes. As someone who works in a grocery store, I understand how much of a problem it can be.

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What the fuck do I care?

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i would tell the employees

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Unless I own the place or a friend does, it's none of my business.

Is Walmart going to pay my medical bills if I get shanked while trying to rat on someone stealing from them? Walmart doesn't even want to pay the medical bills for it's employees.

Wanded posted...

i would tell the employees

This is part of why I might do nothing actually. Because stores seem to be increasingly deciding that non-confrontation is 'better than risking offending people' or 'risking employee safety'. They'd rather have someone steal a thousand or more in goods than have an employee confront them and even just tell them to return the stuff and leave.

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Unbridled9 posted...

This is part of why I might do nothing actually. Because stores seem to be increasingly deciding that non-confrontation is 'better than risking offending people' or 'risking employee safety'. They'd rather have someone steal a thousand or more in goods than have an employee confront them and even just tell them to return the stuff and leave.

Because employees aren't fucking cops. It's not their job to confront thieves.


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99% no. Only time I'd do it is it was a struggling small business or something. But even then, like idk man maybe you shouldn't be a business if some shoplifting is going to bankrupt you

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EvilMegas posted...

Because employees aren't fucking cops. It's not their job to confront thieves.

also, "increasingly"? this is standard practice

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EvilMegas posted...

Because employees aren't fucking cops. It's not their job to confront thieves.

No, but they can call the cops if that's the store policy. If they choose to let it go, makes no difference to me.

Well, no difference except that I would hate to be the only chump buying stuff in a constantly-robbed store where everything is marked up 20% to cover thievery. I don't think we're there yet, but...

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EvilMegas posted...

Because employees aren't fucking cops. It's not their job to confront thieves.

See, here's the issue.

If it was just a 'don't risk your life/wellbeing' thing I'd agree. However they come down on all shoplifting and will even fire people over confronting a potential shoplifter. We had an assistant manager who was a real hardass but was really good and I learned to respect her. Thing is she caught some people shoplifting and, when she confronted them, they fired her over it. How can the employees feel any attachment and loyalty to the store when stopping someone from stealing from it can result in them losing their job? They're actively encouraged to be apathetic assholes because even telling the manager 'I saw some kids stealing chips and they refused to give them back when I talked to them' can result in an investigation/reprimand and potential firing? Or people who actually stand up for the store get slapped down by the store itself?

You shouldn't be risking your life and if the store is afraid that every shoplifter might be willing to attack they should say so, but they shouldn't be punishing the people who DO stand up to protect the store either. You want loyal employees who care about the store, not apathetic employees who only care about not getting fired.

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Unbridled9 posted...

This is part of why I might do nothing actually. Because stores seem to be increasingly deciding that non-confrontation is 'better than risking offending people' or 'risking employee safety'. They'd rather have someone steal a thousand or more in goods than have an employee confront them and even just tell them to return the stuff and leave.

The dirty secret of retail is 90% of all theft is done by employees, and the stores are writing down theft as part of the cost of doing business.

Seeing Walmart is paying no taxes and doesn't even care about theft, why should I give a flying F if someone is stealing a cheap shirt made in a sweatshop?

Maybe if companies were paying a living wage and paid taxes, I'd care. But most of these big companies are the REAL thieves, that shoplifter is just smalltime.

@post28

They fired her because she broke company policy and she could've gotten herself or someone else hurt. Seems fair.

truly caring about the place you work is following safety procedures

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Unbridled9 posted...

Thing is she caught some people shoplifting and, when she confronted them, they fired her over it.

I doubt that is all there is to that story

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Unbridled9 posted...

However they come down on all shoplifting and will even fire people over confronting a potential shoplifter. We had an assistant manager who was a real hardass but was really good and I learned to respect her. Thing is she caught some people shoplifting and, when she confronted them, they fired her over it.

EvilMegas posted...

Because employees aren't fucking cops. It's not their job to confront thieves.

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Just last year a shop lifter ran right past me in the parking lot with security chasing him. Security didn't catch him. I could have easily clotheslined him. And then I would go to jail for assault. Better to just let him run and stay out of the way.

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Kotenks posted...

I didn't even report stealing when I worked retail so nothing.

Most of the people I knew who worked in retail were the ones doing most of the stealing.
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Unbridled9 posted...

How can the employees feel any attachment and loyalty to the store when stopping someone from stealing from it can result in them losing their job?

they shouldn't be punishing the people who DO stand up to protect the store either.

Except that's not your job, and in many cases, it is the literal opposite of your job.

I know people who worked as bank tellers in the past, and they were explicitly told that under no circumstances were they to ever attempt to stop anyone attempting to rob the bank. In fact, it is explicitly their job to comply with any and all demands to prevent robbers from going hostile and potentially harming or even killing someone. They're told straight out that they will absolutely be fired, if not potentially taken to court themselves, if they even attempt to stop a robbery (regardless of the outcome).

Banks have insurance (and so do most retail stores) that cover theft, and most significant thefts are going to be dealt with by legitimate authorities. They'd much rather minimize risk - and they're right to do so.

You don't live in a Hollywood movie. You're not an action hero who is going to single-handedly solve all crime. No one is going to give a shit if you stop a shoplifter from stealing a $100 dress (and they really won't care if all you're doing is stopping them from stealing a $1 can of peas). You're an asshole for potentially escalating a dangerous situation into something even worse.

If you work somewhere that tells you not to stop shoplifters, then don't. Don't act indignant because they don't want you living out your fantasy of being Batman and stopping evildoers from getting away with their sinister crimes. And don't complain if you get punished for doing something you were explicitly told not to do in the first place.
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Silently point it out to an employee and walk away.
It's likely loss prevention has already identified the shoplifter, but it's always nice to point it out.

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I'd pretend I didn't even notice and stay 100% uninvolved

Judgmenl posted...

Silently point it out to an employee and walk away.
It's likely loss prevention has already identified the shoplifter, but it's always nice to point it out.

Wow dude. Youre gonna ruin years of someones life because you noticed theyre pocketing a box of Mike & Ikes?

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Oh, if it's a mom and pop store I definitely would report it

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If I had my genuine katana made of the finest Nippon steel, I would leap in front of them and instantly disable them with a calculated seven-point strike that left them crippled and trembling in fear while I disappeared into the crowd of astonished onlookers.

If not, I'd ignore them. Not worth getting involved. Might let the owner know if it's a small business, to make reviewing their cameras easier if they go that route.

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Having worked in retail even the staff are told not to put themselves at risk so why would I? The security that some stores hire are paid danger money for that reason.

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