AA Blog 36
Alpha Thunder tag: 5
Tablet theft: 3
Our Reliance On Technology Has Created A Vulnerability We Cannot Ignore. Let The Alpha Thunder Tag Protect You From An Unauthorized Data Breach
My husband and I are pretty active and in the summer we love to play softball, although we both tend to be very accident prone. This year was no exception, with both of us ending up in the emergency room. I had the misfortune of tripping as I was running to third base, I know graceful right? Unfortunately for me I just happened to fall directly on a rock, which resulted in a quarter-sized hole in my knee cap, which went down to the bone. I did however finish the game before I took myself to the emergency room. I know sounds crazy, but you can’t sew up a hole, which was confirmed by the doctors. Needless to say I still spent some time in the hospital getting the wound cleaned and wrapped. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but the hospital staff was very kind and friendly during my brief visit. During my appointment I did notice that the nurses and doctors had significantly improved their efficiency, which got me in and out much quicker than I anticipated. It seems like technology has continued to improve efficiency in many areas of our lives. The medical field appears to be no exception to this, as I watched everyone documenting and retrieving medical information from readily accessible tablets and other handheld devices. As they documented my personal information and health history in front of me, I was intrigued by this paperless methodology. I couldn’t help but think about how convenient it must be to be able to alleviate the need for paper documents, and the time it must save maintaining those records electronically. Although convenient, it did make me think about the physical security of the device, and more importantly the information contained on it. The hospital must take some precautions to prevent the theft of these devices to avoid liability and unauthorized access to personal health information. From a loss prevention standpoint my thoughts immediately went to the Alpha Thunder tag, as a possible solution to prevent tablet theft in the medical field.
Unfortunately in this day and age, data breaches are very common, and criminals tend to capitalize on these types of weaknesses and exposures. The Alpha Thunder tag can prevent tablet theft or theft of other electronic devices such as iPads, laptops or other equipment that are designed to store sensitive information. I have used the Alpha Thunder tag in my stores to help protect some of my merchandise, which has been very successful. I think this application could be very effective in protecting electronic devices used in the medical field as well. These devices are simply placed onto the tablet or device with an adhesive, which allows for convenient placement. They are equipped with electronic article surveillance, which alerts staff when a theft or breach has occurred. Hospitals and clinics would simply install antennas at the entry/exit points and equip their devices with the tag. If someone attempts to remove the device or leave with the tablet, it sounds an audible alarm. This would help protect the medical entity from exposing sensitive patient information, which can lead to lawsuits and monetary settlements. The tag is equipped with a switch that activates and deactivates the alarm, so the device could be moved between clinics, divisions or deactivated when needed. These tags are re-useable and provide a cost-efficient means to protect your property from theft.
I would venture to say that there are plenty of businesses, retailers and manufacturers out there that could also benefit from the Alpha Thunder tag. Whether they are trying to protect employee information or simply protecting trade secrets, technology has created a need to protect against tablet theft. The medical field is a great example of this, but I could think of a dozen or more situations in which these tags would be effective. Don’t be vulnerable to data breaches and theft of your electronic devices, protect yourself and reduce your liability.
Alpha Thunder tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
My husband and I are pretty active and in the summer we love to play softball, although we both tend to be very accident prone. This year was no exception, with both of us ending up in the emergency room. I had the misfortune of tripping as I was running to third base, I know graceful right? Unfortunately for me I just happened to fall directly on a rock, which resulted in a quarter-sized hole in my knee cap, which went down to the bone. I did however finish the game before I took myself to the emergency room. I know sounds crazy, but you can’t sew up a hole, which was confirmed by the doctors. Needless to say I still spent some time in the hospital getting the wound cleaned and wrapped. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but the hospital staff was very kind and friendly during my brief visit. During my appointment I did notice that the nurses and doctors had significantly improved their efficiency, which got me in and out much quicker than I anticipated. It seems like technology has continued to improve efficiency in many areas of our lives. The medical field appears to be no exception to this, as I watched everyone documenting and retrieving medical information from readily accessible tablets and other handheld devices. As they documented my personal information and health history in front of me, I was intrigued by this paperless methodology. I couldn’t help but think about how convenient it must be to be able to alleviate the need for paper documents, and the time it must save maintaining those records electronically. Although convenient, it did make me think about the physical security of the device, and more importantly the information contained on it. The hospital must take some precautions to prevent the theft of these devices to avoid liability and unauthorized access to personal health information. From a loss prevention standpoint my thoughts immediately went to the Alpha Thunder tag, as a possible solution to prevent tablet theft in the medical field.
Unfortunately in this day and age, data breaches are very common, and criminals tend to capitalize on these types of weaknesses and exposures. The Alpha Thunder tag can prevent tablet theft or theft of other electronic devices such as iPads, laptops or other equipment that are designed to store sensitive information. I have used the Alpha Thunder tag in my stores to help protect some of my merchandise, which has been very successful. I think this application could be very effective in protecting electronic devices used in the medical field as well. These devices are simply placed onto the tablet or device with an adhesive, which allows for convenient placement. They are equipped with electronic article surveillance, which alerts staff when a theft or breach has occurred. Hospitals and clinics would simply install antennas at the entry/exit points and equip their devices with the tag. If someone attempts to remove the device or leave with the tablet, it sounds an audible alarm. This would help protect the medical entity from exposing sensitive patient information, which can lead to lawsuits and monetary settlements. The tag is equipped with a switch that activates and deactivates the alarm, so the device could be moved between clinics, divisions or deactivated when needed. These tags are re-useable and provide a cost-efficient means to protect your property from theft.
I would venture to say that there are plenty of businesses, retailers and manufacturers out there that could also benefit from the Alpha Thunder tag. Whether they are trying to protect employee information or simply protecting trade secrets, technology has created a need to protect against tablet theft. The medical field is a great example of this, but I could think of a dozen or more situations in which these tags would be effective. Don’t be vulnerable to data breaches and theft of your electronic devices, protect yourself and reduce your liability.
Alpha Thunder tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
I know how frustrating it is watching your inventory disappear and not knowing what to do about it. The retail industry is a booming industry, but doesn’t come without risk. When your loss begins to outweigh your gain, the struggle becomes real, and you begin to wonder what options are available to mitigate your risk and increase profit. I know because I have been there. As a small business owner, I have dealt with loss and continue to try and improve my loss prevention program and increase my security. My initial goal was to complete a full review of my inventory loss to identify any trends that could be mitigated. I wanted to focus my attention and money on the appropriate resources, so that I could make improvements, without breaking the bank. My analysis revealed that some of my high loss items included small concealable high priced merchandise such as: batteries, razors, makeup, small electronics and accessories, and other peg hook items that were typically found on hanging displays. As a small business owner my cost margin is quite a bit smaller than the major retailers out there. I don’t make the type of profit needed to justify hiring a full time loss prevention employee to help manage this problem, so I had to rely on other resources to resolve my retail theft problems. I did plenty of research on electronic article surveillance options to try and identify which cost efficient method would best suit my needs, and was fortunate to find the Auto Peg Tag.
The Auto Peg Tag is a Checkpoint tag that can be placed on any item that is meant to hang on peg hooks. They are made of a strong lightweight plastic that can be affixed to any single or double hole package. They are small tags that are easily added to the product, without affecting the product display. I like this Checkpoint tag because it is reusable and allows for easy install, display, and security all in one device. I really like that the Checkpoint tag can be simply removed by any detacher and is compatible with all Checkpoint electronic article surveillance security systems. This allowed me to add the tag to my current security without any undo expense. The Auto Peg tag also provides for a visual deterrent by identifying that the item is security protected. It is a low cost deterrent that can really benefit any retailer; large or small. This tag allows me to furnish the majority of my high priced display products with the added security I need, while providing me with the added peace of mind I was looking for.
Since I started using this Checkpoint tag I have reduced my loss by 18% on display items, which have more than covered the cost of the added protection, and increased profits. I also believe that the added deterrence reduces theft of additional merchandise, by pushing offenders to other competitors. Although there are many choices when it comes to electronic article surveillance, the Auto Peg tag is the most cost efficient and dependable option I have found, in protecting my hanging products. Its compatibility with my current security system and other EAS devices makes it a perfect product for my business and loss prevention needs.
For more information about the Auto Peg Tag contact us, or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
AA Blog 06: Alpha Keepers
Alpha Keepers: 5
Prevent Shoplifting: 4
Alpha Keepers Protect Some Of Our Consumer’s Favorite Products
When did everything become so expensive? I don’t get out much or shop for things that are a luxury, so to speak, as I am a pretty simple girl. I don’t typically buy high priced cosmetics, or perfume and my family isn’t much into video games or other expensive toys, so I am a little out of the loop when it comes to pricing. Seriously though, I was out shopping and couldn’t help but be set aback by some of the prices for these types of items. When I was a kid everything was so much simpler and much cheaper. I can remember going to the corner store with three quarters, I found in the couch, to buy some penny candy. Seventy-five pieces of candy later I was in sugar heaven. Everything back then was cheaper, but as time continues to age us, it also continues to weaken the good old American dollar. While shopping I began to realize how inflation has dramatically affected the way retailers do business. High priced items are now a high liability for store owners, because loss creates such a substantial impact on their profit margin. Because of my loss prevention background, and my ability to understand the impact shoplifting has on the economy as a whole, I am a strong proponent of utilizing Alpha Keepers to protect your high valued items from theft.
Alpha Keepers are used by businesses to protect cosmetics, electronics, videogames and other high priced items. Perfume for example, can run anywhere, between $60.00-$100.00, depending on the brand. Gaming Keepers secure video games, which on average are at least $60.00 or more, and the game stations run about $300.00. Heck, even razors these days are $30.00. If you figure a store owner makes on average 10% profit on sales, then losing a $300 Xbox, is a significant loss that will take $3000 in sales to make up for. Keepers are typically made of a clear hard plastic that is used to encase the item to prevent shoplifting. They are difficult to remove and will sound an alarm if someone tries to remove the merchandise from the store. They are designed so the product can be displayed while providing a visual deterrent. I am sure you have seen these at some point during your shopping experience. They can also be used to protect beauty products, such as anti-aging face creams and serums, cosmetics, and other beauty items. These types of products are so popular that they independently make up an entire market, in which a single lip stain can cost upwards of $28.00. Alpha Keepers are the best way to prevent shoplifting of these and other high priced items. The impact of shoplifting, not only hurts the business owner, but it also hurts the consumer when prices are increased to cover the cost of a loss prevention program and loss of inventory.
For me, raising prices is really not ideal, since costs are already high for some of my favorite items. As a consumer I actually appreciate the business owner’s desire to mitigate their risk and prevent shoplifting. Alpha Keepers are a great means to secure your property and do not create an inconvenience to the customer. They are user friendly and are easily removed at the time of purchase. They are cost efficient retail security devices that can serve multiple purposes when it comes to securing high valued items. They help to protect high valued items such as video games, DVDs, CDs, and beauty products. The multi-use keepers come in various shapes and sizes to prevent shoplifting in your business.
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
When did everything become so expensive? I don’t get out much or shop for things that are a luxury, so to speak, as I am a pretty simple girl. I don’t typically buy high priced cosmetics, or perfume and my family isn’t much into video games or other expensive toys, so I am a little out of the loop when it comes to pricing. Seriously though, I was out shopping and couldn’t help but be set aback by some of the prices for these types of items. When I was a kid everything was so much simpler and much cheaper. I can remember going to the corner store with three quarters, I found in the couch, to buy some penny candy. Seventy-five pieces of candy later I was in sugar heaven. Everything back then was cheaper, but as time continues to age us, it also continues to weaken the good old American dollar. While shopping I began to realize how inflation has dramatically affected the way retailers do business. High priced items are now a high liability for store owners, because loss creates such a substantial impact on their profit margin. Because of my loss prevention background, and my ability to understand the impact shoplifting has on the economy as a whole, I am a strong proponent of utilizing Alpha Keepers to protect your high valued items from theft.
Alpha Keepers are used by businesses to protect cosmetics, electronics, videogames and other high priced items. Perfume for example, can run anywhere, between $60.00-$100.00, depending on the brand. Gaming Keepers secure video games, which on average are at least $60.00 or more, and the game stations run about $300.00. Heck, even razors these days are $30.00. If you figure a store owner makes on average 10% profit on sales, then losing a $300 Xbox, is a significant loss that will take $3000 in sales to make up for. Keepers are typically made of a clear hard plastic that is used to encase the item to prevent shoplifting. They are difficult to remove and will sound an alarm if someone tries to remove the merchandise from the store. They are designed so the product can be displayed while providing a visual deterrent. I am sure you have seen these at some point during your shopping experience. They can also be used to protect beauty products, such as anti-aging face creams and serums, cosmetics, and other beauty items. These types of products are so popular that they independently make up an entire market, in which a single lip stain can cost upwards of $28.00. Alpha Keepers are the best way to prevent shoplifting of these and other high priced items. The impact of shoplifting, not only hurts the business owner, but it also hurts the consumer when prices are increased to cover the cost of a loss prevention program and loss of inventory.
For me, raising prices is really not ideal, since costs are already high for some of my favorite items. As a consumer I actually appreciate the business owner’s desire to mitigate their risk and prevent shoplifting. Alpha Keepers are a great means to secure your property and do not create an inconvenience to the customer. They are user friendly and are easily removed at the time of purchase. They are cost efficient retail security devices that can serve multiple purposes when it comes to securing high valued items. They help to protect high valued items such as video games, DVDs, CDs, and beauty products. The multi-use keepers come in various shapes and sizes to prevent shoplifting in your business.
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
A friend and I were recently out shopping at the mall and I asked her opinion on whether I should let my daughter, who is 8, walk or ride her bike to school. We live in a small rural town, which is quite safe, and the school is only three-quarters of a mile from our house. She has been asking me for a while now, and I am hesitant to let her. She is capable but I worry about other factors. After being a police officer for 15 years, I have a somewhat jaded view of society, and I worry about someone abducting her or her getting hit by a car or worse. My friend said that walking for her kid is not an option, but she said she wouldn’t let her daughter walk because there are too many creeps out there. She said you can never be sure about a person’s true nature, even the people you work with. She then described an incident she had at work with a new hire employee, which re-affirmed how important it is to do Pre-Employment Screening.
My friend is an HR specialist for a small company and deals with hiring new employees. She stated that her company is not willing to pay a background check company for Pre-employment screening of new applicants, so she can never be sure what type of employees they are hiring. She recently interviewed an applicant who looked great on paper. She said that they verified the applicant’s employment and references and had no reservations about hiring him. After the employee was on the job for about two weeks, another employee came to her and told her that they thought the new hire was a registered sex offender. My friend did some more research on her own and confirmed that the employee, she had hired was a registered sex offender, and only lived a few miles from her home. This caused her great concern and made her wonder what other crimes he had been convicted of, including the offense that got him on the registry. Now she and other employees feel awkward and uncomfortable around him at work and she doesn’t know how to handle the situation.
I am the Director of Security for a mid-size company and I manage our pre-employment screening program. Our company understands the importance of conducting employee background checks and how pre-screening allows us to hire quality employees and reduce overhead by decreasing turn-over. I have discovered that employee background checks also provide peace of mind to existing employees by ensuring a sense of safety and security within the work force. I think about how my friend and her co-workers are now uncomfortable around this employee and how that impacts their performance and ability to work as a cohesive team. She can’t fire him based on this information, and now she has no option but to try and have a positive working relationship.
Our company utilizes a background check company that manages our employee background checks. This is an important process for us, because it allows us to complete an individualized assessment for each candidate to determine whether their background could have a negative impact on our company based on the job they are going to perform. Our background check company also ensures we are compliant with FCRA requirements and that we are abiding by state law in regards to the type of information we are using to make employment decisions. My friend is right. There is no way to know a person’s true character, by simply reviewing a resume, checking references and conducting an interview. We have no way to truly know what may exist in a person’s background without performing pre-employment screening. The same holds true in our personal lives, and I think I will continue to go with my gut feeling, and have my daughter ride the bus to school. I am sure being in law enforcement and loss prevention make me a more conservative parent, but it also allows me to be more knowledgeable of the risks so I can make better decisions both personally and professionally.
I strongly believe that paying a small up-front cost to perform pre-employment screening is imperative to maintaining a strong, competent and dedicated work force. So if you own a small business please consider background screening as a necessary expense and factor it into your budget. I promise it will save you time and money in the long run.
Need information on Pre-Employment Screening? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
As the holiday season comes to a close it is time to already begin thinking about inventory. There are so many things to do to prepare to ensure you get the most accurate results. Will you count your store with your own staff? Will you hire an outside agency to do the inventory? How soon will you start to prep your store(s) before inventory? Regardless of how big or small your store is these are all questions to consider. Having been involved in store inventories for over 26 years, I have been an Inventory Leader for a big box retailer, an Audit Captain in charge of inventory prep, a prepper and a counter. I have some personal insights I would like to share that can assist a store owner or manager in their preparations. One important consideration I have for all stores is that this is the perfect time to ensure proper retail theft prevention tactics are in place. From top to bottom look at your Checkpoint Security System and make sure it is functioning properly and Checkpoint tags are protecting all of your merchandise.
When I speak of inspecting your Checkpoint Security System I am referring to several things. Place a service call to have a technician ensure the antennas are all functioning properly. If any tuning or tweaking is in order they can make sure it is taken care of. A technician can also verify all of the deactivation pads are working at peak efficiency and replace any equipment that may be faulty. Just as you get your car inspected occasionally to make sure it is performing at its best, a Checkpoint Security System should be given the same care. In this way you will ensure you are taking proper steps to stop shoplifting AND internal theft.
I also would suggest that store managers use the time of preparation for inventory to verify that all merchandise is protected withCheckpoint tags. Prepping involves making sure each product has a scannable barcode on it so it will be counted accurately. As employees are verifying that barcodes are in place, the time should be used to validate that Checkpoint tags are also on the item. Not only will this ensure you will stop shoplifting of those items in the future, you will also protect against potential theft by an outside inventory crew, if you choose to hire one. Just like any other company, the vast majority of employees are honest but during my years as a Loss Prevention Manager I did have a few inventory counters I caught stealing and others I suspected of stealing. Remember, these people will have access to stockroom areas and “off-stage” areas not normally accessible to regular customers. If you don’t normally protect your merchandise with Checkpoint tags until the product hits the sales floor, I recommend using this preparation time to tag it while it is in the stockroom. Again, you are already checking for product barcodes anyways so why not maximize the productivity? Retail theft prevention should start in the stockroom anyways, this helps protect against employee theft.
A few other suggestions I would like to share for a successful inventory:
– Whether you are going to have an outside agency or your own team count, have a group of employees ready to do random audits. Auditing will catch errors and identify if there is one person making multiple mistakes.
– Check everywhere for stray merchandise, under base decks, in offices, desks, on top of fixtures. Remember, every piece of merchandise counts.
– Think about when you want to conduct inventory. Will you do it before or after store opening? Will you do it overnight? Some stores conduct it while still open. Do you have enough staff to operate the store and conduct an inventory?
– Will you provide food for your employees during inventory? Not only does it help morale, it can provide energy to keep your employees alert and attentive.
– If you provide food, avoid sugary desserts and sweets until after inventory is complete. Instead, fruits, vegetable trays, even subs or pizzas may be alternatives to consider. Sweets will give a brief energy burst and then wear off.
Be ready for inventory and improve your results this year and the following year by getting your Checkpoint Security System checked. By validating all merchandise is protected with Checkpoint tags you will deter the chance of theft during inventory and strengthen your retail theft prevention strategy for the rest of the year.
Get more information on Checkpoint Security Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Alpha Shark Tags-3 WC Blog 203
Wardrobing-5
Return Fraud-3
Dressing For Success May Result In Stores Being Victims Of Wardrobing; Prevent Return Fraud With Alpha Shark Tags Part 2
In part 1 of this series I discussed the difficulty that can experienced by someone who has been in the workforce for a while and is now having to job hunt. New college graduates can face similar problems since they tend to be on fixed budgets. My wife and I are the parents of three young adults. We have two sons who are in college and will be graduating in a year and two years respectively. One will be entering the job market as a teacher, the other may take an extra year or two and get his MBA and go into the world of business and finance. They will all be competing for jobs against other ambitious job seekers, some with prior work experience and some that are on the same “fresh out of college” level. It is important that as they begin interviewing they make strong first impressions, and part of that involves what they wear to the interview. The problem is that a new interview outfit can be expensive and it may be tempting for someone to buy an outfit or suit, wear it to their interview then return the clothes to the store for a refund. In retail this is called wardrobing and unfortunately it is more common than many people realize.
Wardrobing is a form of return fraud that takes place when a customer makes a purchase with the intent of wearing the item out someplace, maybe a party or special event and then returning it for a refund of what they paid for the items. Often those who are wardrobing will tuck price tags under the sleeve or the neckline and tape it up so the tags won’t be seen. Some will go so far as to purchase swift attachment guns and reattach the tags to the clothes. When they are done they return the clothes, with the receipt and tags in place, often saying the reason for return is that they changed their mind. This is fraudulent, because it deprives the retailer of the sale, and even the sales clerks, in some instances, lose commissions. The clothes sometimes have all sorts of odors on them, perfumes, food smells, cigarette smoke, that makes them unsellable, but if they are free of stains it is difficult to refuse a return. A retailer can take steps to prevent this type of return fraud if they will use Alpha Shark Tags on the clothes they sell.
Alpha Shark Tags can only be used once and when removed cannot be reapplied to a garment. The tags are put on by store associates and are removed by the customer when the customer gets the item home. The tags are not obtrusive and they won’t interfere with trying on a piece of clothing. By using Shark Tags the store benefits by requiring the tag to be intact on the merchandise to return it.
So what is my point in reference to job interviews and the chance of wardrobing? Well, according to an article in http://www.businessinsider.com/mens-interview-suits-2014-8 by Breton Fischetti, August 25, 2014, titled, “4 Things To Know When Buying Your First Interview Suit”, “A solid price point for the first suit should be around $500, give or take. Plenty of options can be found around and below that amount, but avoid very inexpensive suits, as they are often poor quality and will look cheap.” Now, I fully understand the writer’s point, making a good impression and buying a suit that will last is important. On the other hand, I would argue that for the first time interviewee, this may be a financial burden at this stage of a new career. If this is the trend that being promoted then it is easy to see how someone could be tempted to “purchase” a new suit and following the interview, return it to the store where they purchased it. The $500 investment would be for a few days at most and then refunded at the time of return.
Job interviews are important and dressing well is just as important, but it should never be a burden to a retailer. Interview attire should become part of a person’s professional wardrobe. Sell the clothes, be fair in your return policy but don’t be the victim of wardrobing and return fraud. Use Alpha Shark Tags and stay profitable and help future interviewees look great.
Get more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
In part 1 of this series I discussed the difficulty that can experienced by someone who has been in the workforce for a while and is now having to job hunt. New college graduates can face similar problems since they tend to be on fixed budgets. My wife and I are the parents of three young adults. We have two sons who are in college and will be graduating in a year and two years respectively. One will be entering the job market as a teacher, the other may take an extra year or two and get his MBA and go into the world of business and finance. They will all be competing for jobs against other ambitious job seekers, some with prior work experience and some that are on the same “fresh out of college” level. It is important that as they begin interviewing they make strong first impressions, and part of that involves what they wear to the interview. The problem is that a new interview outfit can be expensive and it may be tempting for someone to buy an outfit or suit, wear it to their interview then return the clothes to the store for a refund. In retail this is called wardrobing and unfortunately it is more common than many people realize.
Wardrobing is a form of return fraud that takes place when a customer makes a purchase with the intent of wearing the item out someplace, maybe a party or special event and then returning it for a refund of what they paid for the items. Often those who are wardrobing will tuck price tags under the sleeve or the neckline and tape it up so the tags won’t be seen. Some will go so far as to purchase swift attachment guns and reattach the tags to the clothes. When they are done they return the clothes, with the receipt and tags in place, often saying the reason for return is that they changed their mind. This is fraudulent, because it deprives the retailer of the sale, and even the sales clerks, in some instances, lose commissions. The clothes sometimes have all sorts of odors on them, perfumes, food smells, cigarette smoke, that makes them unsellable, but if they are free of stains it is difficult to refuse a return. A retailer can take steps to prevent this type of return fraud if they will use Alpha Shark Tags on the clothes they sell.
Alpha Shark Tags can only be used once and when removed cannot be reapplied to a garment. The tags are put on by store associates and are removed by the customer when the customer gets the item home. The tags are not obtrusive and they won’t interfere with trying on a piece of clothing. By using Shark Tags the store benefits by requiring the tag to be intact on the merchandise to return it.
So what is my point in reference to job interviews and the chance of wardrobing? Well, according to an article in http://www.businessinsider.com/mens-interview-suits-2014-8 by Breton Fischetti, August 25, 2014, titled, “4 Things To Know When Buying Your First Interview Suit”, “A solid price point for the first suit should be around $500, give or take. Plenty of options can be found around and below that amount, but avoid very inexpensive suits, as they are often poor quality and will look cheap.” Now, I fully understand the writer’s point, making a good impression and buying a suit that will last is important. On the other hand, I would argue that for the first time interviewee, this may be a financial burden at this stage of a new career. If this is the trend that being promoted then it is easy to see how someone could be tempted to “purchase” a new suit and following the interview, return it to the store where they purchased it. The $500 investment would be for a few days at most and then refunded at the time of return.
Job interviews are important and dressing well is just as important, but it should never be a burden to a retailer. Interview attire should become part of a person’s professional wardrobe. Sell the clothes, be fair in your return policy but don’t be the victim of wardrobing and return fraud. Use Alpha Shark Tags and stay profitable and help future interviewees look great.
Get more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
