Monday September 19, 2011

You May Be Shoplifting Without Even Knowing It!

Have you ever given any thought to what shoplifters do with the goods they steal? Many people make the assumption that they steal items they want or need. Sometimes this is the case, but often it is not.

A professional shoplifter will steal popular/expensive items in bulk. They don't use gallons of expensive perfume personally or need thirty professional series tennis rackets. They steal them so they can resell the merchandise converting them to cash.

Years ago people like this would "resell" stolen items out of their car trunks or sell them to legitimate merchants to resell in their stores. Some merchants new the items were "hot" and others were just gullible, thinking they found a good deal.

Today the shoplifter can eliminate the middle man and resell them directly to the unsuspecting public. The internet, with all of the good things it has done for society, has complicated this problem a great deal. Shoplifters are able to sell items on popular web sites like Ebay or CraigsList. In some cases they may even create their own online store.

 (Please note that web sites like Ebay and Craigslist do have policies against this type of activity and do what they can to prevent it.)

Why this is important to you. 

You may be thinking to yourself, "This isn't my concern, shoplifting is an issue the store needs to deal with and doesn't involve me."

Well, on the surface it may look like that. There are several reason's why this does and should concern you directly.

• The merchant isn't going to shrug their shoulders and take the loss . . . shoplifting is an expense and causes higher prices at the register.



• Small stores you like to shop at, that are victimized by a professional shoplifter, may go out of business.
  
  Larger stores with greater cash flow can absorb the loss short-term, raise prices to make up for the loss and survive.



• Buying stolen items enables the shoplifters . . . without a market to sell them to, they wouldn't risk the prison time.

So what can we do about it?

The sad truth to the matter is that there isn't much we can do. I am going on the assumption that readers of this article don't shoplift. If you do, STOP IT!

If you know someone who shoplifts, tell them to STOP IT!

I don't want to discourage anyone from finding good deals online, everyone likes to save money. But be aware and if you suspect for any reason at all the merchandise may be stolen . . . consider passing on it.

Some basic "red flags" to look out for are:

• New merchandise that is in the original package - having never been opened, being offered for considerably less than full price.
  
  Especially if it is popular or "in style".



• An unbelievable story as to why the merchandise is being offered at such a deep discount.



• Sellers on auction sites offering large quantities of new products at a deep discount are suspicious.

Keep in mind the red flags mentioned above don't automatically mean the products are stolen . . . it only means that you may want to look closer and be cautious.

Shoplifting is something that affects each and everyone of us. We pay for it through higher prices at the register and may see our favorite stores close their doors.

Those who do shoplift will pay for it at some point . . . either here or in the hereafter.

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