FLY AWAY WITH SPIDER WRAPS
To be honest, I’m sitting in an aisle seat, 32,000 feet above the ground somewhere between LaGuardia and St. Louis. I’m heading home after spending a week in New York City. It’s been a great week without work. I’ve not checked my work email, thought about my stores, or even pondered how many calls I’ll have to return once I get back into the office on Monday. Yet, here am I, working on my “other job”, where I get to help you all work through the ever-growing challenge on how to prevent shoplifting. As I’m blasting through the air at well over 500 miles an hour, I’m thinking maybe we should talk about Alpha spider wraps today. It has nothing to do with the spider I just saw on the seat back in front of me…
It’s always a challenge to find that perfect balance of protection an aesthetics. It’s one of my biggest daily challenges when interacting with store managers. They all want “clean” displays and to afford their customers the ability to interact with the products they are selling. They also want to prevent shoplifting. Often, those two ideals clash with one another and one side has to give a little to the other in order to strike a fair balance.
We recently went into the quad-copter business. I don’t like to call them “drones”. A drone is a military weapon. A quad-copter is an RC toy with four rotors and generally a camera. If you’ve been paying attention, these really appeal to the masses. Technology has enabled them to be smaller, cheaper, reliable and easier than ever to control. This line was a huge success during the holiday and it’s proving to be an even better, all year category. One problem I didn’t anticipate having was the amount of loss we’d experience from shoplifting.
So how do you prevent shoplifting of a quad-copter? Most come packaged in some very awkwardly shaped boxes. From the very small, to the very large, a consistent packaging is not what these are known for. So naturally, we had a need for a versatile tagging method that provided a steady ROI. Our first choice was the Alpha spider wrap. These worked great in several areas. First, we could always find a wrap that fit the packaging. Second, it allowed us to openly display the product so the customer could read the box, learn the specs and ultimately buy the product with minimal assistance from an employee. Third was the level of protection it gave. Most shoplifters will be discouraged by just the look of an Alpha spider wrap. They know it means business.
Perhaps you have some items in your store right now that may be a good fit for an Alpha spider wrap? You know, that awkwardly shaped item that you tend to put behind the glass so it doesn’t get stolen. That item that would probably sell much better if it were openly displayed and in the hands of your customers. You know what I’m talking about.
Don’t’ let criminals dictate your store. Get those items out in the hands of your paying customers and out of the hands of the thieves!
Need information on Alpha Technology? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
To be honest, I’m sitting in an aisle seat, 32,000 feet above the ground somewhere between LaGuardia and St. Louis. I’m heading home after spending a week in New York City. It’s been a great week without work. I’ve not checked my work email, thought about my stores, or even pondered how many calls I’ll have to return once I get back into the office on Monday. Yet, here am I, working on my “other job”, where I get to help you all work through the ever-growing challenge on how to prevent shoplifting. As I’m blasting through the air at well over 500 miles an hour, I’m thinking maybe we should talk about Alpha spider wraps today. It has nothing to do with the spider I just saw on the seat back in front of me…
It’s always a challenge to find that perfect balance of protection an aesthetics. It’s one of my biggest daily challenges when interacting with store managers. They all want “clean” displays and to afford their customers the ability to interact with the products they are selling. They also want to prevent shoplifting. Often, those two ideals clash with one another and one side has to give a little to the other in order to strike a fair balance.
We recently went into the quad-copter business. I don’t like to call them “drones”. A drone is a military weapon. A quad-copter is an RC toy with four rotors and generally a camera. If you’ve been paying attention, these really appeal to the masses. Technology has enabled them to be smaller, cheaper, reliable and easier than ever to control. This line was a huge success during the holiday and it’s proving to be an even better, all year category. One problem I didn’t anticipate having was the amount of loss we’d experience from shoplifting.
So how do you prevent shoplifting of a quad-copter? Most come packaged in some very awkwardly shaped boxes. From the very small, to the very large, a consistent packaging is not what these are known for. So naturally, we had a need for a versatile tagging method that provided a steady ROI. Our first choice was the Alpha spider wrap. These worked great in several areas. First, we could always find a wrap that fit the packaging. Second, it allowed us to openly display the product so the customer could read the box, learn the specs and ultimately buy the product with minimal assistance from an employee. Third was the level of protection it gave. Most shoplifters will be discouraged by just the look of an Alpha spider wrap. They know it means business.
Perhaps you have some items in your store right now that may be a good fit for an Alpha spider wrap? You know, that awkwardly shaped item that you tend to put behind the glass so it doesn’t get stolen. That item that would probably sell much better if it were openly displayed and in the hands of your customers. You know what I’m talking about. Don’t’ let criminals dictate your store. Get those items out in the hands of your paying customers and out of the hands of the thieves!
Need information on Alpha Technology? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
AA Blog 51
Clothing Security Tags: 5
Checkpoint Tags: 3
Clothing Security: 3
Don’t Be Like Those Other Guys; Choosing The Right Clothing Security Tags Will Improve Sales And Reduce Theft.
I have a love hate relationship with summer, which may sound odd, but it is true. I love the outdoors; and summer provides me the opportunity to do the things I love to do like camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing softball etc. I do not like cold weather, which also plays a big factor in the appeal of summer, but there is one particular thing I hate about summer. As an almost 40 year old female I am not a fan of swimsuit season. I am not sure about the rest of you, but it is a little intimidating. I wouldn’t say I hate the way I look in a swimsuit but I definitely have my reluctance to being half naked in front of the entire world. For me it isn’t necessarily an age thing because I have always been this way even when I was 20 and in pretty good shape. I think women tend to be a little insecure, which is why it takes me forever to find the right swimming suit. It is that season again and I am due for a new one, but I am not the size or shape that allows me to go out and buy an off the rack swimsuit, with the standard S-XL sizing. I have to shop at the larger department stores that offer swimsuits with actual bra sizes and the ability to purchase the pieces separately. This probably means nothing to you men out there, but for us women it makes a huge difference when finding the right fit. My daughter and I were discussing this topic recently and she mentioned how hard it was to find stores that even sold swimsuits with these sizing options, so when you do find a good one you can’t pass it up. This I have found also means higher prices and fewer options. Higher prices and reduced availability also means a higher level of security, which often results in large bulky security devices that can be cumbersome to the customer. While shopping recently I noticed that some of the stores were using much smaller clothing security tags than I had seen in the past.
Clothing security is a standard practice in today’s retail industry and can’t be avoided, but finding the right product can be easier than you think. Checkpoint tags provide a wide range of options when it comes to clothing security. They provide clothing security tags that are much smaller and won’t damage the fabric, providing a safe and friendly security option for you and your customers. Checkpoint tags are equipped with EAS technology, which provides an audible alarm for attempted breaches or theft of merchandise from your store. These clothing security tags are made of durable material that makes tampering extremely difficult, and their improved technology increases detection, compared to other products on the market. These tags provide a cost-efficient means to protect your property without inconveniencing your customer.
Checkpoint tags are versatile, and their various options provide a means to secure a wide range of products. Unfortunately in this day and age, clothing security is a necessity that can’t be avoided. The clothing industry loses billions of dollars a year to theft, and protecting yourself is critical, but don’t do it at the expense of your honest hard working customers. Clothing security tags have come a long way since their inception and there are more viable options available. Don’t rely on antiquated devices that are bulky and uncomfortable to your customers and don’t provide the best protection for your business. Having the right products will improve sales, reduce theft and increase profit.
For more information about clothing security tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
I have a love hate relationship with summer, which may sound odd, but it is true. I love the outdoors; and summer provides me the opportunity to do the things I love to do like camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing softball etc. I do not like cold weather, which also plays a big factor in the appeal of summer, but there is one particular thing I hate about summer. As an almost 40 year old female I am not a fan of swimsuit season. I am not sure about the rest of you, but it is a little intimidating. I wouldn’t say I hate the way I look in a swimsuit but I definitely have my reluctance to being half naked in front of the entire world. For me it isn’t necessarily an age thing because I have always been this way even when I was 20 and in pretty good shape. I think women tend to be a little insecure, which is why it takes me forever to find the right swimming suit. I am not the size or shape that allows me to go out and buy an off the rack swimsuit, with the standard S-XL sizing. I have to shop at the larger department stores that offer swimsuits with actual bra sizes and the ability to purchase the pieces separately. This probably means nothing to you men out there, but for us women it makes a huge difference when finding the right fit. My daughter and I were discussing this topic recently and she mentioned how hard it was to find stores that even sold swimsuits with these sizing options, so when you do find a good one you can’t pass it up. This I have found also means higher prices and fewer options. Higher prices and reduced availability also means a higher level of security, which often results in large bulky security devices that can be cumbersome to the customer. While shopping recently I noticed that some of the stores were using much smaller clothing security tags than I had seen in the past.
Clothing security is a standard practice in today’s retail industry and can’t be avoided, but finding the right product can be easier than you think. Checkpoint tags provide a wide range of options when it comes to clothing security. They provide clothing security tags that are much smaller and won’t damage the fabric, providing a safe and friendly security option for you and your customers. Checkpoint tags are equipped with EAS technology, which provides an audible alarm for attempted breaches or theft of merchandise from your store. These clothing security tags are made of durable material that makes tampering extremely difficult, and their improved technology increases detection, compared to other products on the market. These tags provide a cost-efficient means to protect your property without inconveniencing your customer.
Checkpoint tags are versatile, and their various options provide a means to secure a wide range of products. Unfortunately in this day and age, clothing security is a necessity that can’t be avoided. The clothing industry loses billions of dollars a year to theft, and protecting yourself is critical, but don’t do it at the expense of your honest hard working customers. Clothing security tags have come a long way since their inception and there are more viable options available. Don’t rely on antiquated devices that are bulky and uncomfortable to your customers and don’t provide the best protection for your business. Having the right products will improve sales, reduce theft and increase profit.
For more information about clothing security tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
CRAWL TO HIGHER PROFITS WITH A BUG TAG
The LP field is constantly changing, and every week, it seems like there is a new innovative product that hits the market. So how do you, the retailer navigate this ever-growing field of stuff? How do you know what you really need, versus what someone is just trying to sell you? Most importantly, how do you know if you’re going to get a return on your investment on a certain EAS device and if that device will actually help you to stop shoplifting? Well, lucky for you, that’s why I’m here. I have a background in LP management and I know what works and what doesn’t.
One of the challenges I find often while at work is the protection of sell-through product. Often, our buyers will score an awesome close-out deal with a supplier and we ship out PDQ’s of product X to the stores. These are generally one time buys of popular items that we sell through and then they are gone. Frequently, we see these taking the form of personal electronic devices that are high margin, high priced and high shrink. So what’s a manager to do to stop them from walking out? We like to use the Bug Tag, which is a part of our Checkpoint System.
Never heard of the Bug Tag before? Neither have a lot of my industry peers, but these are perfect for those sell-through type items. Think about it for a second. Say you get a PDQ of fitness tracker watches all with retails over $199. You have to have them out for your customer to touch, you want to get out of stock quickly, so locking them up isn’t ideal and you definitely want to stop shoplifting. The Bug Tag is perfect for these situations.
Since the module is reusable, we keep a few dozen on hand at all times. We simply stick the tag onto the packaging forget about it. Our cashiers remove them at the point of purchase and the process repeats. The only thing we have to do is replace the disposable tray. The return on investment is significant and we rarely see shrink on these product types.
We don’t see theft for a few reasons. One, like I said before, the look of the tag itself is a show-stopper for any would-be thief. Second, the 95-decibel alarm is loud enough to hear from any location within the store. I also think the 3-alarm feature keeps those fingers from sticking as well. Not only will it alert the EAS system at the door, and self-alarm if remove from the premise, it will sound that alarm if the tag is even tampered with.
There aren’t many products out there that really do what they say, but if you’re serious about wanting to stop shoplifting, you’d be remise if you didn’t give the Bug Tag a chance to stop criminals from crawling away with your profits.
Need information on Checkpoint Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
The LP field is constantly changing, and every week, it seems like there is a new innovative product that hits the market. So how do you, the retailer navigate this ever-growing field of stuff? How do you know what you really need, versus what someone is just trying to sell you? Most importantly, how do you know if you’re going to get a return on your investment on a certain EAS device and if that device will actually help you to stop shoplifting? Well, lucky for you, that’s why I’m here. I have a background in LP management and I know what works and what doesn’t.
One of the challenges I find often while at work is the protection of sell-through product. Often, our buyers will score an awesome close-out deal with a supplier and we ship out PDQ’s of product X to the stores. These are generally one time buys of popular items that we sell through and then they are gone. Frequently, we see these taking the form of personal electronic devices that are high margin, high priced and high shrink. So what’s a manager to do to stop them from walking out? We like to use the Bug Tag, which is a part of our Checkpoint System.
Never heard of the Bug Tag before? Neither have a lot of my industry peers, but these are perfect for those sell-through type items. Think about it for a second. Say you get a PDQ of fitness tracker watches all with retails over $199. You have to have them out for your customer to touch, you want to get out of stock quickly, so locking them up isn’t ideal and you definitely want to stop shoplifting. The Bug Tag is perfect for these situations.
Since the module is reusable, we keep a few dozen on hand at all times. We simply stick the tag onto the packaging forget about it. Our cashiers remove them at the point of purchase and the process repeats. The only thing we have to do is replace the disposable tray. The return on investment is significant and we rarely see shrink on these product types.
We don’t see theft for a few reasons. One, like I said before, the look of the tag itself is a show-stopper for any would-be thief. Second, the 95-decibel alarm is loud enough to hear from any location within the store. I also think the 3-alarm feature keeps those fingers from sticking as well. Not only will it alert the EAS system at the door, and self-alarm if remove from the premise, it will sound that alarm if the tag is even tampered with.
There aren’t many products out there that really do what they say, but if you’re serious about wanting to stop shoplifting, you’d be remise if you didn’t give the Bug Tag a chance to stop criminals from crawling away with your profits.
Need information on the Bug Tag? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
WHY INSTALL A CHECKPOING SECURITY SYSTEM?
What are those towers at the front of most retailers? You know, those little things that you see everywhere, but perhaps haven’t thought much about? Chances are, it’s a part of that store’s Checkpoint security system. What is that, and what benefit could that have to my store you say? Well, probably too many to list, but I’ll try anyway.
What is a Checkpoint Security System?
It’s an all-encompassing, multi-pronged technology aimed at one goal; stop shoplifting. It’s more than just the towers you see at the front of the store. The entire system consists of hard tags, soft tags, other EAS devices, detachers and deactivators at the registers and of course, those very visible towers.
Why is it important for my business?
You want to stop shoplifting, right? You understand that your staff can’t be in every square inch of your store during every waking minute of the day. A Checkpoint Security System can be that extra set of eyes that never wander, never take a break and never let the thieves get away.
How does it work?
Well, it starts by applying EAS tags to merchandise throughout your store. There is an endless combination of sticky “soft” tags, hard tags and specialty tags that all will trigger an audible and visual alarm if they pass through those towers without first being removed, or deactivated at the point of sale. If a shoplifter knows that you are utilizing anti-theft technology in your store, they WILL think twice before concealing that pair of pants, or car GPS.
Does it interfere with my Legitimate Customers?
In short, absolutely, 100% no. A Checkpoint Security System is one of the most cost effective methods to stop shoplifting. Not only do the alarming towers give you notice to customers exiting the store with unpaid merchandise, the assorted variety of EAS tags provide a physical barrier to theft.
In short, a Checkpoint Security System is a vital part of any retail store. Simple systems and towers are incredibly inexpensive, provided a positive return on investment and helps you keep a low-price commitment to your honest customers. If you’re trying to find a way to stop shoplifting, look no further!
Checkpoint Security System is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
What are those towers at the front of most retailers?
You know, those little things that you see everywhere, but perhaps haven’t thought much about? Chances are, it’s a part of that store’s Checkpoint security system. What is that, and what benefit could that have to my store you say? Well, probably too many to list, but I’ll try anyway.
What is a Checkpoint Security System?
It’s an all-encompassing, multi-pronged technology aimed at one goal; stop shoplifting. It’s more than just the towers you see at the front of the store. The entire system consists of hard tags, soft tags, other EAS devices, detachers and deactivators at the registers and of course, those very visible towers.
Why is it important for my business?
You want to stop shoplifting, right? You understand that your staff can’t be in every square inch of your store during every waking minute of the day. A Checkpoint Security System can be that extra set of eyes that never wander, never take a break and never let the thieves get away.
How does it work?
Well, it starts by applying EAS tags to merchandise throughout your store. There is an endless combination of sticky “soft” tags, hard tags and specialty tags that all will trigger an audible and visual alarm if they pass through those towers without first being removed, or deactivated at the point of sale. If a shoplifter knows that you are utilizing anti-theft technology in your store, they WILL think twice before concealing that pair of pants, or car GPS.
Does it interfere with my Legitimate Customers?
In short, absolutely, 100% no. A Checkpoint Security System is one of the most cost effective methods to stop shoplifting. Not only do the alarming towers give you notice to customers exiting the store with unpaid merchandise, the assorted variety of EAS tags provide a physical barrier to theft.
In short, a Checkpoint Security System is a vital part of any retail store. Simple systems and towers are incredibly inexpensive, provided a positive return on investment and helps you keep a low-price commitment to your honest customers. If you’re trying to find a way to stop shoplifting, look no further!
Checkpoint Security Systems are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
5 REASONS YOU SHOULD NEVER PROTECT RAZOR BLADES
Reason #5 – A Booster has to Make a Living
Would you really be able to call yourself an American if you were the reason a fellow citizen couldn’t make a decent living? I know I couldn’t. Using Alpha Keepers to protect razor blades could be the reason some poor soul goes without food or drugs tonight. Can you live with that weighing on your mind? That shoplifter has to get up every day and drive all the way to your store just to steal. Now, he could go to dozens of other shops, but he picks you. Help him out a little and think twice before you try to keep your profits to yourself.
Reason #4 – Corner Stores, Flea Markets and Other Fences Rely on you
You know, that booster isn’t the only one relying on an easy pay day from your store. That booster has to sell those stolen razors somewhere to someone. There’s a whole supply chain that could maybe go hungry if you did something crazy, like start using Alpha Keepers to keep your blades safe.
Reason #3 – Profit Margins on razors are YUGE! You can Afford some Losses
Of all the items in the store, boosters target razor blades. Good for you since the margins are so incredibly high. All those razor blade manufacturers spur so much competition in the market that your costs are next to nothing. You just mark up the prices because you’re a greedy company. It doesn’t matter if someone steals a few dozen a day; those losses will hardly have any impact on your overall profitability. Heck, using Alpha Keepers to protect razor blades is like using a flashlight during the day!
Reason #2 – Losses Look Good on Your Taxes
Any good businessperson will tell you that you have to show a loss at the end of the year. It’s the only way to stay in business. What better way to show losses than to be as inviting to criminals as possible? The thieves will stay away if you start to protect razor blades with security measures, so make sure you leave them out and un-secured so you can show the biggest loss imaginable.
Reason #1 – Razors are Expensive, that Means Shoplifters Can’t Afford Them
Shoplifters have to shave too, you know? Clearly if they are shoplifting, then they don’t have much money to begin with. You could cut them some slack and not use those Alpha Keepers to protect razor blades. For all you know, they may have a big interview coming up with a big fence and they have to look sharp to land the job. You wouldn’t want to get in the way of that, now would you?
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Reason #5 – A Booster has to Make a Living Would you really be able to call yourself an American if you were the reason a fellow citizen couldn’t make a decent living? I know I couldn’t. Using Alpha Keepers to protect razor blades could be the reason some poor soul goes without food or drugs tonight. Can you live with that weighing on your mind? That shoplifter has to get up every day and drive all the way to your store just to steal. Now, he could go to dozens of other shops, but he picks you. Help him out a little and think twice before you try to keep your profits to yourself.
Reason #4 – Corner Stores, Flea Markets and Other Fences Rely on you You know, that booster isn’t the only one relying on an easy pay day from your store. That booster has to sell those stolen razors somewhere to someone. There’s a whole supply chain that could maybe go hungry if you did something crazy, like start using Alpha Keepers to keep your blades safe.
Reason #3 – Profit Margins on razors are YUGE! You can Afford some Losses Of all the items in the store, boosters target razor blades. Good for you since the margins are so incredibly high. All those razor blade manufacturers spur so much competition in the market that your costs are next to nothing. You just mark up the prices because you’re a greedy company. It doesn’t matter if someone steals a few dozen a day; those losses will hardly have any impact on your overall profitability. Heck, using Alpha Keepers to protect razor blades is like using a flashlight during the day!
Reason #2 – Losses Look Good on Your Taxes Any good businessperson will tell you that you have to show a loss at the end of the year. It’s the only way to stay in business. What better way to show losses than to be as inviting to criminals as possible? The thieves will stay away if you start to protect razor blades with security measures, so make sure you leave them out and un-secured so you can show the biggest loss imaginable.
Reason #1 – Razors are Expensive, that Means Shoplifters Can’t Afford Them Shoplifters have to shave too, you know? Clearly if they are shoplifting, then they don’t have much money to begin with. You could cut them some slack and not use those Alpha Keepers to protect razor blades. For all you know, they may have a big interview coming up with a big fence and they have to look sharp to land the job. You wouldn’t want to get in the way of that, now would you?
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Return Fraud-5 WC Blog 258
Wardrobing-5
Alpha Shark Tags-5
Wardrobing Tags-3
The Lying Witch And Wardobing; A Sales Associate’s Story Of Dealing With Return Fraud
While I have many stories I have shared from my experiences in retail as a Loss Prevention Manager and a sales specialist, my wife also worked in retail for a long time and has her own share of stories to share. One of her problem customers was regularly engaged in return fraud. This particular fraud is now known as wardrobing but at the time the only term for it was return fraud because it involved returning clothing that had already been worn. On the surface that may not sound like an issue however, the condition of the clothes being returned often required them to be marked down or marked out of stock. This particular customer would purchase clothes but would not try them on in the store. She would tell my wife she had to take them home to see how they looked with her shoes and jewelry. Several days later this customer would bring the clothing back and it would sometimes smell of perfume and occasionally there would be make-up stains on them. This happened so regularly that my wife was certain the clothes were being worn out to events and then returned with the tags and receipt. The customer insisted she had not worn them and had only tried them on. My wife described her as a “witch” due to her smug attitude, knowing the return would be accepted. Because of store return policies my wife had to process the refund and give the woman her money back. Store owners still face the same problems today, but now they have Alpha Shark Tags available to them to prevent return fraud.
Alpha Shark Tags are one-time use, brightly colored wardrobing tags that are pinned to a piece of clothing in a prominent location. Unlike retail anti-theft devices that are removed by cashiers at a point of sale upon purchase, wardrobing tags remain on the item and are removed by the customer when the customer gets home. The purchaser tries on the clothing, makes sure they like them and once they have finalized their decision to keep the garments, THEN they cut off the Alpha Shark Tags. What if they don’t like the items once they try them on? As long as the wardrobing tags are intact they can return the items with the receipt and store hang tags and get a refund. The same applies if they were to give the items as gifts.
How do Alpha Shark Tags prevent the purchaser from wardrobing and wearing clothes on a night out? Do you recall I mentioned the tags are brightly colored and placed in a visible location? People engaged in wardrobing hide hang tags or carefully remove them and then wear the clothing and no one can tell the clothes are ready to be returned after the evening is over. Shark Tags can’t be cut off or the clothes can’t be returned and if they are in a prominent area of the clothes, they can’t be hidden. Those engaged in return fraud are trying to portray an image and can’t wear something that has a colored tag hanging from it.
You may be thinking to yourself, “Okay, so the customer returned some clothes, how much of a problem can one customer be?” The issue is not one customer and one return. There are people that make wardrobing a regular practice and do not see an issue with it. The problem retailers have to deal with is they frequently have to mark down the price of the clothes that are returned or remove them from stock completely. This affects the profit margin for a store and in some cases where employees work on a commission it negatively impacts them as well. That sales commission they were counting on after spending time with the customer selling them their outfit is gone once the return is processed.
Avoid the negative effects of dealing with return fraud as my wife had to do. Use Alpha Shark Tags on all of your clothing and watch your profits grow and your wardrobing witches melt away.
Wardrobing is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
While I have many stories I have shared from my experiences in retail as a Loss Prevention Manager and a sales specialist, my wife also worked in retail for a long time and has her own share of stories to share. One of her problem customers was regularly engaged in return fraud. This particular fraud is now known as wardrobing but at the time the only term for it was return fraud because it involved returning clothing that had already been worn. On the surface that may not sound like an issue however, the condition of the clothes being returned often required them to be marked down or marked out of stock. This particular customer would purchase clothes but would not try them on in the store. She would tell my wife she had to take them home to see how they looked with her shoes and jewelry. Several days later this customer would bring the clothing back and it would sometimes smell of perfume and occasionally there would be make-up stains on them. This happened so regularly that my wife was certain the clothes were being worn out to events and then returned with the tags and receipt. The customer insisted she had not worn them and had only tried them on. My wife described her as a “witch” due to her smug attitude, knowing the return would be accepted. Because of store return policies my wife had to process the refund and give the woman her money back. Store owners still face the same problems today, but now they have Alpha Shark Tags available to them to prevent return fraud.
Alpha Shark Tags are one-time use, brightly colored wardrobing tags that are pinned to a piece of clothing in a prominent location. Unlike retail anti-theft devices that are removed by cashiers at a point of sale upon purchase, wardrobing tags remain on the item and are removed by the customer when the customer gets home. The purchaser tries on the clothing, makes sure they like them and once they have finalized their decision to keep the garments, THEN they cut off the Alpha Shark Tags. What if they don’t like the items once they try them on? As long as the wardrobing tags are intact they can return the items with the receipt and store hang tags and get a refund. The same applies if they were to give the items as gifts.
How do Alpha Shark Tags prevent the purchaser from wardrobing and wearing clothes on a night out? Do you recall I mentioned the tags are brightly colored and placed in a visible location? People engaged in wardrobing hide hang tags or carefully remove them and then wear the clothing and no one can tell the clothes are ready to be returned after the evening is over. Shark Tags can’t be cut off or the clothes can’t be returned and if they are in a prominent area of the clothes, they can’t be hidden. Those engaged in return fraud are trying to portray an image and can’t wear something that has a colored tag hanging from it.
You may be thinking to yourself, “Okay, so the customer returned some clothes, how much of a problem can one customer be?” The issue is not one customer and one return. There are people that make wardrobing a regular practice and do not see an issue with it. The problem retailers have to deal with is they frequently have to mark down the price of the clothes that are returned or remove them from stock completely. This affects the profit margin for a store and in some cases where employees work on a commission it negatively impacts them as well. That sales commission they were counting on after spending time with the customer selling them their outfit is gone once the return is processed.
Avoid the negative effects of dealing with return fraud as my wife had to do. Use Alpha Shark Tags on all of your clothing and watch your profits grow and your wardrobing witches melt away.
Wardrobing is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
