A Quick Note To All Before My Arrest [DP Store] [Archive]

TheDomesticInstitution

01-18-2010, 10:10 PM

Back when I worked for Circuit City, they forced me to be a loss prevention associate after I wasn't a good salesman. I always felt really lousy at my job when we'd find empty game cases or the ipod count came up short. The ipods, mind you, were in areas inaccessible to the customers (employee theft). It was a little hard for me to accept that people will steal, and I will not catch them. Although putting it in perspective, a glorified door greeter at a big box store still sees a much more pleasant side of people than a cop or judge.

On the bright side, maybe they won't set your bail too high?

Maxx

01-18-2010, 10:30 PM

You could always plead insanity...

vivaeljason

01-18-2010, 10:31 PM

Damn thieves. How much do you lose to theft every month? Is your store in a bad area?

Honestly, I think the problem is that some people steal shit.

When you see those kids, do us all a favor and tape it, because it needs to be on YouTube.

DreamTR

01-18-2010, 10:32 PM

We caught someone stealing at the game store a few weeks ago. Chased him down, said he didn't do it. You technically can't accuse anybody of anything unless there is 100% proof but what happened was the kid said he didn't do it and I gave him two choices. Hand me over the game and walk away banned for life, or I call the police and they'll physically TAKE the game from him.

His response? "I don't want to be arrested for a $4 game"

He handed me over a disk only copy of Ninja Gaiden for XBox.

People in my store steal cheap $3-4 games but take only the disk from the cases. We have everything else behind the counter (anything above $7.99) or in glass cases but it happens far more often than it should.

DeputyMoniker

01-18-2010, 10:34 PM

Just make sure it's within camera view. Scumbags like that will lie & say you touched them.
Plus, I need to see this happen. I need it. I need to watch it & imagine it's me yelling at this douchebag at my job who keeps trying to take credit for my work.
By the way, prepare to have a brick thrown through your window...at least. Point the cameras outside at night if that's legal.

Kitsune Sniper

01-18-2010, 10:36 PM

Davedeadly

01-18-2010, 10:41 PM

If i ever see anyone try something i will notify u and watch your back.

GameBoyGeek

01-18-2010, 10:46 PM

*Cracks nuckles* Sounds like these boys need a good ol texas ass whipping. You get me a place to stay for a week or two (i'll pay) and we'll put a stop to them sons a bitches.:snipersmile:

digitalpress

01-18-2010, 10:47 PM

Damn thieves. How much do you lose to theft every month? Is your store in a bad area?

Our theft problem is pretty minimal compared to other stores in our area... or anywhere, for that matter, based on conversations with owners around the country. But it comes in spurts and if even a dollar gets STOLEN I'm pissed off.

Honestly, I think the problem is that some people steal shit.

When you see those kids, do us all a favor and tape it, because it needs to be on YouTube.

They're ALL recorded but I have a weird propietary recording system and haven't cracked converting it to a Windows-friendly format. It's good enough for the police, however. Still working on it nonetheless.

We have clear videos of all of today's perps. The problem always seems to be that the police have no record and/or can't track them down. It's much more likely that WE will find them, when they return to the scene of the crime, than the police.

We caught someone stealing at the game store a few weeks ago. Chased him down, said he didn't do it. You technically can't accuse anybody of anything unless there is 100% proof...

I have 24/7 camera surveillance on five cameras, each one's recordings stored for at least 48 hours. And I CATCH everyone. The problem is, they're usually caught after the fact. It makes for some very interesting "after the fact" encounters, I'll tell you. Looking forward to this one.

Just make sure it's within camera view. Scumbags like that will lie & say you touched them.
Plus, I need to see this happen. I need it. I need to watch it & imagine it's me yelling at this douchebag at my job who keeps trying to take credit for my work.
By the way, prepare to have a brick thrown through your window...at least. Point the cameras outside at night if that's legal.

All covered. As noted above, tons of video recording 24/7, and I've already had bricks thrown at the windows. Actually I'd rather have the storefront window smashed through (which sets off major alarms as you might imagine) than have a day like today where a few people walk away with games in their pockets. Windows get replaced via insurance. Theft is not only hard to claim but it's even harder to collect on.

Joe, why don't you do what Gamestop does, and have the actual disks stored separately from the display cases? As much as I hate them, that would help in deterring theft.

At least you'd only lose a game case if it came to that.

It's a matter of loss management. At this point, over 4 years in, it would have cost me more in space and time than it would have in actual product to do this. It is ALWAYS my "plan B", however.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WANT THESE GUYS TO TURN UP AGAIN TOMORROW. The REAL story is just waiting in the wings.

vivaeljason

01-18-2010, 10:50 PM

They're ALL recorded but I have a weird propietary recording system and haven't cracked converting it to a Windows-friendly format. It's good enough for the police, however. Still working on it nonetheless.

What I meant was you need to tape your confrontation with these morons when they inevitably walk back into the store. I'll have a bowl of popcorn ready for when that hits YouTube, Joe. :)

Raedon

01-18-2010, 10:56 PM

Might do like pawn shops and store the games outside the game cases. Just put the cases out to say, "yea, we got it but you'll have to put some cash down to walk out the door with it."

Raedon

01-18-2010, 11:00 PM

also, you should print out pictures of the guys stealing or the best shot of them, then post them on your front door. The thieves won't ever come in your store again.

DeputyMoniker

01-18-2010, 11:13 PM

... tons of video recording 24/7...

Any chance we could get some audio? You're party to the conversation, so it should be legal. Maybe keep a digital audio recorder in your shirt pocket until fucko's show up? I know it's a stretch, but I'd love to hear it. I'm sure we have someone here who knows how to sync the audio up with some video. There must be a way to get it on video, maybe it's as simple as screen capture, or plugging the source into your video card, or even just record the playback with a camcorder. You could wait to upload it until it has been formatted properly.

I know you aren't in the mood to have fun, but a good video on YouTube with the store name watermarked on it would be good advertisement/theft deterrent...and would be VERY entertaining. Dare I say legendary?

BetaWolf47

01-18-2010, 11:15 PM

also, you should print out pictures of the guys stealing or the best shot of them, then post them on your front door. The thieves won't ever come in your store again.

That's a good idea. A lot of stores have a "ban list" of people and post them on their store windows. The DP guy ought to let people know he's enforcing his right of store security.

Jorpho

01-18-2010, 11:22 PM

They're ALL recorded but I have a weird propietary recording system and haven't cracked converting it to a Windows-friendly format.It's not AVCHD, is it? That was a right bastard when I took a swing at it two years ago.

-hellvin-

01-18-2010, 11:23 PM

Being in the retail business, you're going to have a certain margin of loss period. No one can catch everyone, everytime. Just keep up the watchful eye and hopefully you can stop as much as possible ;D.

Sosage

01-18-2010, 11:57 PM

It's a matter of loss management. At this point, over 4 years in, it would have cost me more in space and time than it would have in actual product to do this. It is ALWAYS my "plan B", however.

I'm just going to second this. Every independent game store I've been to now days has this system. Although I hear what is really frustrating is having people steal the case/manual and you're stuck with a loose disc (some people will steal anything). I could also see it being a pain to keep organized and to have to search for the games just to ring someone up.

I wonder what sort of effect running the theft videos on a loop on one of the T.V's in the store would cause (again, if you could get the files onto a nice format for that). You could add super close ups of the deed...sub titled commentary...could be like a blooper reel...or an animated, "These people are banned" posting a'la "these people write bad checks" liquor store flyers from back in the days. :P

Edit: woops...someone already mentioned the banned list...

Gameguy

01-19-2010, 12:08 AM

I remember what happened to a local game store several years ago. The store was robbed twice. The store went out of business since then.

The first time during the night, some people broke into the store next door and climbed over the ceiling to get into the game store. They stole hundreds(if not thousands) of dollars worth of stuff.

The second time someone robbed him at knife point, the thief taped his hands together but he managed to get free and chased the guy out of his store. Nothing got stolen apparently. I read about it in the newspaper.

Fuyukaze

01-19-2010, 04:35 AM

We get thieves in my store all the time. Problem is I dont work at a game store, I work at a grocery store. It's bad enough now we no longer stock t-bones or prime rib. People will literaly open the package and slide the meat down their pants. I shit you not. Most times they have a ziplock bag in their pants. Most times. Recently we've had lots of beer runs. Teenagers who think no one will notice if they stick a 12 pack in their jacket and try walking out with their hands in their pockets. Yeah, no one's stupid enough to think fat comes in a square shape. Sad part is when they dont get cought because a manager couldnt get off their ass and leave the office to catch them or a cashier swears they were just overweight. Realy, I'm no expert but fat doesnt take a square shape naturaly.

Good luck catching them. I'd recomend taking screen shots and printing them up to let your workers know to be on the look out for them. They may never return but just in case, it never hurts. Also, keeping your disc games out of the cases is a good idea. A bit surprised you dont already do that.

Landon

01-19-2010, 05:03 AM

When I see those kids again… and I WILL… there is going to be a serious confrontation. I’m smart enough to know not to start a fight physically, but I intend to start one verbally. I intend to use every intimidation skill I have ever learned, every swear word I ever learned, and every trick in the book to make these kids sweat or engage me.

If you're going to do this with a bunch of thieving 16-18 year olds, you'd better at least be prepared for a fight, whether you physically instigate it or not.

I recall being 15; there was a guy who had an old, abandoned industrial building that we used to use for a surrogate skatepark. Never took anything or harmed anything, but we did hop the fence and ignore the "No Tresspassing" signs. Apparently, he had some neighbors BOLO for "trespassing kids" and sure enough, about an hour after hopping the fence and skating around, the owner pulls up...

Oh shit. We're in trouble.

He comes running up to us screaming and hollering; we basically semi-scatter and surround him. He's trying to "intimidate" us, we're all nervous, laughing a bit, but just generally trying to find a hole so we all can get the hell out of there. Then, he loses his cool and collars one of our friends by grabbing his shirt; we descend like jackyls and kicked the everloving shit out of that dude. Cops came, headaches ensued for all parties... Thing is, we were just a bunch of generally good natured but high-spirited teenagers. If he had encountered the 'wrong type' of kids, instead of taking a swat from a skateboard deck across the nose, he would've gotten shot, stabbed, or maybe beaten to the point of real severity.

Anyway, just a thought. A lot of people try to "intimidate" their way through a situation, but if you encounter someone who's willing to call your bluff (which a group of 16-18 year old kids are apt to do, whether you lay hands upon them first or not), it usually turns out bad for everyone.

If they come in again, just quietly call the cops and smirk as they're led out of the store in handcuffs, sobbing... If you're going to call the cops anyway, why risk the aggrivation of having to go to blows with a bunch of teenagers? Take a picture of them when they're sitting in the back of the squad car, point and laugh at them through the glass, then post the picture in the store for everyone to see, with the caption "Store Thief 01/22/10 Don't Let This Be You".

Also, X1000 for keeping disc games behind the counter. They don't take up that much space.

FantasiaWHT

01-19-2010, 07:36 AM

Thing is, we were just a bunch of generally good natured but high-spirited teenagers.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...

Landon

01-19-2010, 08:04 AM

LOL. Don't get me wrong, we could be obnoxious little bastards at times, but we weren't the sort of kids who went around stealing stuff or who would stab/shoot someone over a video game... but there are groups of kids who are like that, and a fairly accurate barometer of the overall nature of whatever person you're dealing with is whether or not they steal. Thieves disregard the well-being of other people by default and are only concerned about their own interests. When you corner one, they often times disregard everything in favor of their own self-interest and if they have a knife, they'll use it. If they have a gun, they'll use it. If they have a group, they'll use it. Further, if you're aggressing on someone, you'd better be doing so fully prepared for a real-world fight. It's a huge mistake to think that you can get rowdy and confrontational with a group of teenagers and they'll just 'back down'. I mean, yeah, some will, but some won't and even if it doesn't end with the worst-case scenario of a shooting or stabbing, you still find yourself needlessly fist-fighting a group of kids who outnumber you X-1.

It just isn't worth risking a violent confrontation with these people over a few bucks. Don't get me wrong- I hate thieves with a burning passion and whenever I read a story about a home-owner putting a hot-and-fast one 'twixt the eyes of a thief, I smile a bit inside, but in this case, the risks of aggressively confronting and threatening the teenaged thieves seem to outweigh whatever deterrent factors are to be gained by becoming 'known' as the crazy shop keeper. If you see them again, just call the cops and see them out of the store in handcuffs. Police, jail and courts are a hell of a lot more 'intimidating' than a hollering store owner.

As someone who lives in a city where I can expect my car to get broken into 4-5 times a year, I can definitely understand DigitalPress' frustration (thieves suck worse than anyone else) and it's understandable to engage in a little scenario-based fantasy, but honestly, the person who stands to lose the most by losing his cool is him- if not getting injured, then perhaps sued... I'd suggest keeping cool and seeing to it that the little brats are rendered straight into the legal system.

jdc

01-19-2010, 08:09 AM

Joe.....I ran an indy game shop for many years and unfortunately I too had to resort to the "product out of the cases" scenario. It actually IS a better method, which is exactly WHY the big guys do it. It controls shrinkage like you wouldn't believe. Don't let personal pride get in the way of common sense.

I'm now in the bicycle industry and we get small stuff stolen, and we're damned vigilant on the salesfloor. Inner tubes and handlebar grips. Valve caps...stuff like that. Simply make sure that your markup covers any shrinkage. You don't have to explain small price hikes to anybody.

Now Joe....about this violence thing. I know how you feel. We have a high school across the street from our shop and get crowded at lunchtime. We lay down the law that we don't take any shit when the new year starts, and they respect us for it, but you do get rogue kids that attempt to swipe stuff. Consider this. You're dealing with an age group that can be assholes, especially in packs. They are at an age where they have little or no respect for anyone. Unfortunately they are also your largest customer base. If handled in the wrong manner, these groups can be vengeful. Come to open the shop one morning and find that you need new windows. Take the safety of your staff into consideration as well before doing anything rash. I'd say that the best course of action would to be to go to the "product not in cases" scenario....It'll give the shop a fresh look....and casually let customers know that you've been ripped off too often lately and that changes have to come.

kedawa

01-19-2010, 08:10 AM

If it makes you feel better, you probably profit more from theft than you lose.

klausien

01-19-2010, 08:17 AM

I don't have any idea what the cost would be to install such a system (I'm sure it isn't cheap), but what about one of those alarm gates that reads those little magnetic strips? You know, like the ones in all the big box stores? It won't help much for classic stuff, but it appears from your stories, that most of the items stolen are from the current, and just passed, generations.

In college, when I worked in a Software Etc. mall store, we were flagged for losses after a particularly bad inventory, so they installed the gate. It definitely made an impact. Sure, we had it very easy because we had mall security literally around the corner to report offenses, but the alarm does cause some of those who don't run to admit guilt/give back what they took.

Seeing as you keep most, if not all, of your new current-gen product under glass, I wouldn't start "gutting" unless you absolutely have to as a last resort. It is a logistical nightmare, and creates an even larger distraction for workers when they have to search for a game. More can walk out the door during those times; especially with one person on. I would say the only reason to start that practice would be if you had new, current product out on the shelves where customers could handle it themselves.

Tupin

01-19-2010, 08:19 AM

Is it only the new games they steal?

PC-ENGINE HELL

01-19-2010, 08:34 AM

Most used music and game stores here keep anything of real value behind the counter, and just the cases out front on used games. There is even one music store near me that wont let you wear a coat of any kind in the store. He has coat hangers up front and you have to hang it up there if you plan to come in and shop. Rare older games are typically stored behind the counter or in sections of glass counters. Some stores also use the electronic label theft detection system at the door, and keep bars on the windows and door to prevent break ins. Really you should consider investing in better security for your store over all if theft is really that bad a problem.

Over the long run it may cost you just as much in stock/sales anyway. Cameras are good, but only if you can actually react fast enough to what you see on them to prevent the theft. If you cant, then all you end up with is evidence after the fact, that you might get to use later against them somehow. There is little point in confronting the person specifically to get into a fight. Eventually your going to run into someone who may be carrying, and that's a fight you won't win. If your cameras got good shots of the thieves faces, you could always print them off and place them in the front window or on poster board by the counter. This in itself does wonders as a deterrent.

megasdkirby

01-19-2010, 08:35 AM

Joe, why don't you do what Gamestop does, and have the actual disks stored separately from the display cases? As much as I hate them, that would help in deterring theft.

At least you'd only lose a game case if it came to that.

My thoughts EXACTLY.

It's a huge risk having games outside, where asshole thieves can easily take it and run.

Also, I don't know if it's possible over there, but if you have video proof that merchandise was stolen, and the thief/thieves return, you can still have them arrested. It's like that over here where I work: pile up the evidence for "the kill".

Icarus Moonsight

01-19-2010, 08:47 AM

If it makes you feel better, you probably profit more from theft than you lose.

How does that work? Seriously, I'm at a loss... no pun intended.

Thing I would be concerned with, if you move all the disks/carts behind the counter, then what are they going to steal? Thieves are not known to be terribly picky, as long as they get something.

Game Freak

01-19-2010, 09:03 AM

I don't have any idea what the cost would be to install such a system (I'm sure it isn't cheap), but what about one of those alarm gates that reads those little magnetic strips? You know, like the ones in all the big box stores? It won't help much for classic stuff, but it appears from your stories, that most of the items stolen are from the current, and just passed, generations.

In college, when I worked in a Software Etc. mall store, we were flagged for losses after a particularly bad inventory, so they installed the gate. It definitely made an impact. Sure, we had it very easy because we had mall security literally around the corner to report offenses, but the alarm does cause some of those who don't run to admit guilt/give back what they took.

:?
Problem with the gate is, if the thieves are only taking out the discs then it's not going to make any difference, right?

Unless you get those large plastic cases like Toys R Us uses, but I find that to be expensive. Not that I would know

jdc

01-19-2010, 09:20 AM

The bad thing about the videogame industry is that the margin on new, current product is horrendous. For what Joe makes on a current game, compared to what he pays for it, he simply can't afford to lose too many. The best thing about places like Gamestop adopting the practice of having their product out of cases is that gamers have come to accept that the disc isn't necessarily going to be inside the case. It isn't necessarily a hassle to the staff to fetch a disc from a filing cabinet if the filing system is in a neat order. I'm sure that the store is staffed appropriately during the busy times, so additional theft shouldn't be an issue. It might also be time to take a really good look at blind spots within the store and come up with a plan to remove them. There's obviously a problem with Joe's store if it's this easy to steal from, and the thief network seems to know this. Once changes are made to make the store more difficult to steal from, the word will spread, and those "customers" will move on and search for greener pastures.

FantasiaWHT

01-19-2010, 09:33 AM

Weird, usually when ever anybody brings up how Gamestop pulls discs out of games, 3/4 of the posters on the thread go ballistic. Here, 3/4 of the posters (give or take!) seem to support the idea, haha.

jdc

01-19-2010, 09:49 AM

True...but even though many of us don't LIKE the idea of buying a new opened game, lol.....it just makes good business sense and we've all had time to adjust.

NESGamer24

01-19-2010, 10:28 AM

Is it only the new games they steal?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Joe keeps the new/rare games locked in the glass cases.

As for my response on the thread, stealing is a joke. I dont see the point in stealing merch such as video games. Sure it would be cool to get a game for nothing but come on, I find one of the best things about buying a new game is either saving up money for it or working in extra cash from a paycheck to buy the game.

Joe these kids are just punks and clearly want attention. I wouldn't suggest resorting to violence but confronting them is your right as the store owner.

Kitsune Sniper

01-19-2010, 11:21 AM

If you're going to do this with a bunch of thieving 16-18 year olds, you'd better at least be prepared for a fight, whether you physically instigate it or not.

I recall being 15; there was a guy who had an old, abandoned industrial building that we used to use for a surrogate skatepark. Never took anything or harmed anything, but we did hop the fence and ignore the "No Tresspassing" signs. Apparently, he had some neighbors BOLO for "trespassing kids" and sure enough, about an hour after hopping the fence and skating around, the owner pulls up...

Oh shit. We're in trouble.

He comes running up to us screaming and hollering; we basically semi-scatter and surround him. He's trying to "intimidate" us, we're all nervous, laughing a bit, but just generally trying to find a hole so we all can get the hell out of there. Then, he loses his cool and collars one of our friends by grabbing his shirt; we descend like jackyls and kicked the everloving shit out of that dude. Cops came, headaches ensued for all parties... Thing is, we were just a bunch of generally good natured but high-spirited teenagers. If he had encountered the 'wrong type' of kids, instead of taking a swat from a skateboard deck across the nose, he would've gotten shot, stabbed, or maybe beaten to the point of real severity.

Anyway, just a thought. A lot of people try to "intimidate" their way through a situation, but if you encounter someone who's willing to call your bluff (which a group of 16-18 year old kids are apt to do, whether you lay hands upon them first or not), it usually turns out bad for everyone.

If they come in again, just quietly call the cops and smirk as they're led out of the store in handcuffs, sobbing... If you're going to call the cops anyway, why risk the aggrivation of having to go to blows with a bunch of teenagers? Take a picture of them when they're sitting in the back of the squad car, point and laugh at them through the glass, then post the picture in the store for everyone to see, with the caption "Store Thief 01/22/10 Don't Let This Be You".

Also, X1000 for keeping disc games behind the counter. They don't take up that much space.

After reading that, I'm surprised he didn't send you to Juvie Hall or worse.

pseudonym

01-19-2010, 12:12 PM

Yeah, all good-natured but high-spirited kids kick the shit out of someone for trying to defend his own property. It explains a lot actually.

Landon

01-19-2010, 12:18 PM

Yeah, all good-natured but high-spirited kids kick the shit out of someone for trying to defend his own property. It explains a lot actually.

It sure is easy to conclude whatever you please when you aren't bothered by characterizing situations with actual facts...

He wasn't really 'trying to defend' his property when he went out of his way to collar our friend and headlock him. There's a use of force gradient involved here... It was a volatile situation perpetrated by a bunch of stupid, trespassing kids that was needlessly escalated by a retarded adult who had no control over his own ego. We started it (because we were stupid kids), he escalated it (because he was a stupid adult), we re-escalated it (because at that point, we had no choice).

This is precisely why you don't behave like a child when dealing with children, particularly when those children have adult bodies and outnumber you 5-1. Instead of just calling the cops or saying "Get the fuck out of here..." (which would've caused us all to run like hell), he wanted to try and "intimidate" us for purposes motivated by his own fragile ego. Bad decision.

Not saying it was "right", but it was pretty predictable and standard. Speaking from experience, kids are dumb at that age. Anyway, not participating in the hijacking of this thread, so drivel on as you please. My opinion is known.

tubeway

01-19-2010, 12:21 PM

Well, Joe already said he was uninterested in filing away the discs in a separate location. While I do think it's a good idea, he may not even havethe extra storage space needed to hold these cabinets. And the cost of building them may even exceed his potential shoplifting losses for the next few years. Although it may give him a feeling of security.

I understand that Joe wants to make a statement and build a reputation for being crazy and unpredictable when it comes to shoplifters. I get it. I just think trying to get that reputation is going to come with a lot of potential risks that may not make it worth the trouble.

I think the idea of printing out pictures of people that have been banned for shoplifting is a really good idea; the risk for shoplifting for a minor is usually a slap on the wrist and a call to their mom to pick them up. Then their life just returns to normal. But if there's a picture of them hanging in the window, then other kids from their school will see it, word will get around, and unless it's a neighborhood with thuggy kids that glorify shoplifting, it will be humiliating for them and haunt them for quite a while. And if other kids from their school spot them, they may even give Joe their identity for reference (if they got away and were only caught on the security system).

pseudonym

01-19-2010, 12:23 PM

It sure is easy to conclude whatever you please when you aren't bothered by characterizing situations with actual facts...

He wasn't really 'trying to defend' his property when he went out of his way to collar our friend and headlock him. There's a use of force gradient involved here... It was a volatile situation perpetrated by a bunch of stupid, trespassing kids that was needlessly escalated by a retarded adult who had no control over his own ego. We started it, he escalated it, we re-escalated it. This is precisely why you don't behave like a child when dealing with children, particularly when those children have adult bodies and outnumber you 5-1. Instead of just calling the cops or saying "Get the fuck out of here..." (which would've caused us all to run like hell), he wanted to try and "intimidate" us for purposes motivated by his own fragile ego. Bad decision.

Not saying it was "right", but it was pretty predictable and standard. Speaking from experience, kids are dumb at that age. Anyway, not participating in the hijacking of this thread, so drivel on as you please. My opinion is known.

True, I'm sure we've all done stupid things when we were teenages.

Speaking of adults who have no control over their egos, where's the data? ROFL

Landon

01-19-2010, 12:26 PM

Speaking of adults who have no control over their egos, where's the data? ROFL

LOL. I haven't decided if I'm going to make a site for it or not. So far, I'm leaning towards yes, but there are other factors involved which may tip that decision either way.

Icarus Moonsight

01-19-2010, 12:29 PM

Landon

01-19-2010, 12:33 PM

The madman rep is free and fun deterrent. I like the idea. I've seen it work. My dad had that sort of reputation at his work and despite being an average sized long haired guy, I've seen him freak out hayseeds twice his size that confronted him about some absolute bullshit. Bullies for ya. Complete chicken shits. LOL

"Unstable madman" is fine if you work in a garage or industrial plant amongst other grown men, but it's not the best reputation to have if you're a business owner that specializes in a retail field largely dependent on income streaming from children and their parents- the latter who are usually greatly concerned about what sort of places their children frequent and the nature of the proprietors that run them.

GnawRadar

01-19-2010, 12:37 PM

Icarus Moonsight

01-19-2010, 12:37 PM

Warehouse in that instance, but yeah, he still had friends there. You only show the nutso-horns to the people that have marked you as their victim.

DuckTalesNES

01-19-2010, 12:41 PM

If you're still worried about the costs involved with moving your inventory behind the glass, consider the legal fees, hospital bills and bail money involved in picking fights with teenagers.

Shadow Kisuragi

01-19-2010, 12:49 PM

I think the idea of printing out pictures of people that have been banned for shoplifting is a really good idea; the risk for shoplifting for a minor is usually a slap on the wrist and a call to their mom to pick them up. Then their life just returns to normal. But if there's a picture of them hanging in the window, then other kids from their school will see it, word will get around, and unless it's a neighborhood with thuggy kids that glorify shoplifting, it will be humiliating for them and haunt them for quite a while. And if other kids from their school spot them, they may even give Joe their identity for reference (if they got away and were only caught on the security system).

I'm with this one - confronting the kids, although satisfying, has its own huge list of concerns for the store. The kids may be part of a gang that will retaliate with violence, and the cost for damage to the store (or yourself or employees) would far outweigh a non-violent approach like this. It also makes for great humiliation at school.

tubeway

01-19-2010, 01:01 PM

Expected outcome:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4288595344_fef135c1a2.jpg

Mysterio3000

01-19-2010, 01:09 PM

True...but even though many of us don't LIKE the idea of buying a new opened game, lol.....it just makes good business sense and we've all had time to adjust.

except when you buy a "new" opened game and go to return it as "new" and they wont let you because it is opened!!!!

or if you are a collector and want sealed copies to keep.

BetaWolf47

01-19-2010, 01:16 PM

Quick question: can't that blog post be taken as a threat, and reported to the police?

MachineGex

01-19-2010, 01:32 PM

It takes only a few seconds to take the disc out and store it in a drawer. They make really nice locking drawers and it is easy to retrieve the disc if you organize it right.

If you present an easy target, people are going to steal. They will come in looking to steal if they know you are an easy target. Not saying Joe's store is an easy target, but games out in the open is mighty tempting to some people.

Once people learn they can get away with it, you will be flooded with others trying to steal. I would only display empty cases and make sure you have signs up saying so.

Do you ever ask customers if they need help finding an item if they are looking like they are about to steal? It is ok to tell them they need to hurry up and buy something or they need to move along. I would not do this with most customers, but if you got a group of kids that look like they are up to no good, walk up to them and ask if they need help. Then, stand really close to the group and let them know you are watching them.

You have to keep people moving along. Let them shop, but if they are not going to buy anything, then it is time to move along!!!

LaughingMAN.S9

01-19-2010, 02:36 PM

4get bail, worry about who's going to help you pick your teeth up when the kids stomp u into hell for provoking them.

just kick em outta the store, 1 less copy of bayonetta isnt worth 25 stitches :(

JSoup

01-19-2010, 02:40 PM

This is why I stuck to selling junk and used merchandise in the old family store. If something is stolen, who the hell cares, it's just junk.

Landon

01-19-2010, 02:45 PM

Quick question: can't that blog post be taken as a threat, and reported to the police?

I doubt that someone calling the police saying "Hey, there's a video game store owner who's threatening to aggressively confront some kids who stole from his store on his blog- he said he isn't going to hit them, but intimidate them..." would warrant any police attention (since everyone hates thieves), however, it would go to show some sort of premeditation in a civil suit, in the event someone gets hurt and everyone runs to the "I was just trying to defend myself- they started it" line of excuse making...

I'm guessing DP was understandably frustrated and just venting- after a nights sleep, he'd probably realize on his own that the best course of action isn't getting froggy with a bunch of teenagers and in the event they come back, just call the cops and let them do their work.

tubeway

01-19-2010, 02:48 PM

the best course of action isn't getting froggy with a bunch of teenagers

Who said anything about raping them?

Landon

01-19-2010, 03:01 PM

Who said anything about raping them?

I'm guessing that statement means different things in different regions LOL

Frankie_Says_Relax

01-19-2010, 03:02 PM

Joe, here's a creative thought/take on surveillance ...

... since you already have remote access to your security cameras set up on your laptop why not go all the way and have a remote speaker system set up

... if you're sitting there watching potential thieves from your home setup wouldn't it be great to play the booming voice of god and call them out on it while they're in the act?

Who knows what level of effectiveness that would have, but it certainly can't hurt ... at the present time it sounds like if you can't get directly in touch with whoever is behind the counter you're stuck suffering through watching people stick things down their pants and walk out.

PC-ENGINE HELL

01-19-2010, 03:03 PM

Who said anything about raping them?
Would make for a interesting news headline.
"GAME STORE OWNER TIRED OF THEFT STEALS YOUNG THIEVES INNOCENCE"
It'll make 3rd page news, for serious.

Leo_A

01-19-2010, 03:07 PM

This is precisely why you don't behave like a child when dealing with children, particularly when those children have adult bodies and outnumber you 5-1.

16-18 year olds are hardly children. And any 16-18 year old that beats someone up in the situation you've described doesn't sound much to me like they were just foolish kids, but more like they're nothing but common outlaws that were looking for trouble rather than just running away.

Emuaust

01-19-2010, 03:53 PM

Frankie_Says_Relax

01-19-2010, 04:39 PM

Quick question: can't that blog post be taken as a threat, and reported to the police?

Since the post is targeted at the recent thieves, wouldn't the thief who felt personally "threatened" have to admit to shoplifting in the process of reporting the article?

Sounds like a Darwin Award candidate to me.

Joshie

01-19-2010, 04:47 PM

Electric lock? If you think a kid is going to run before you confront him, hit it. Worse case scenario is that some customer will be confused that the door is stuck.

kedawa

01-19-2010, 05:00 PM

How does that work? Seriously, I'm at a loss... no pun intended.
Buying stolen shit (unknowingly, I'm sure) and selling it at a profit, like every other store that deals with second hand goods, may have brought in as much money as shoplifting has taken away.

pseudonym

01-19-2010, 05:14 PM

Buying stolen shit (unknowingly, I'm sure) and selling it at a profit, like every other store that deals with second hand goods, may have brought in as much money as shoplifting has taken away.

That doesn't make any sense. I assume the store would offer the same amount for something regardless if it was stolen or not. And any legit business wouldn't knowingly accept stolen property. Why bring up the point in the first place?

Borman

01-19-2010, 05:18 PM

Fencing stolen goods is illegal, hence why pawn shops (and for that matter, used game shops which are just pawn shops anyway) are required to have ID to sell stuff.

tubeway

01-19-2010, 05:19 PM

Garry Silljo

01-19-2010, 05:19 PM

LOL. I haven't decided if I'm going to make a site for it or not. So far, I'm leaning towards yes, but there are other factors involved which may tip that decision either way.

stall much?

Frankie_Says_Relax

01-19-2010, 05:25 PM

Electric lock?

While I certainly support Joe's desire to vent publicly, I think this thread is destined for an "electric lock".

Baloo

01-19-2010, 05:26 PM

I too want to show my support for "keeping the discs behind the counter and cases on shelves."

I happen to know a friend who runs a local independent game store and does this very well. The discs barely take up any space and I don't believe the cost of the sleeves and storage units were that much. Unfortunately, this would take up a good amount of time, but it is the best solution.

Oh, the store is Next Level Videogames in Blackwood, NJ (www.nlvideogames.com (http://www.nlvideogames.com)) to plug the store even though it shouldn't need it because it is run by forum member Drexel923.

Yeah, Nick's system of keeping the discs behind the counter works really well. It takes a little more effort to label each game with a certain number sure, but if you're worried about shoplifting, it's the best way to go.

And Joe, since you run a video game store much like Nick's with mostly classic games, people aren't going to care if the game's not in its case new. I'm not sure if you go and buy new stock like Gamestop does (as I've never been there) but it's easy and efficient with used stuff.

jb143

01-19-2010, 05:27 PM

I run an indie store and the only thing Ive had stolen in the last 12 months is a Halo3 ODST cover, I keep all the discs behind the counter and while I know a lot of members here hate on gamestores for breaking seals, I do offer a small discount due to this.

Its fair to complain about games seals being broken and having the games removed but the reality is for a store like mine its the only way I can stay in business.

Why do game stores break the seal anyways? Why can't they do like Blockbuster and have mockup cases out and the sealed cases behind the counter? A store here does something similar with used games and has little signs everywhere saying that the cases are empty.

(and for that matter, used game shops which are just pawn shops anyway)

:? A pawn shop is basically a loan shark that uses property as collateral. I don't see how a game store can be reguarded as the same thing.