Hey everyone! I love visiting and buying the merchandise at the Disney parks stores. Yet, I'm sure there are those people who just won't pay for the item and unfortunately steal. I don't understand, if they don't want to pay for the item why do they take it and risk getting caught. I find it to be very fresh, why can't people just be honest. In my opinion, stealing would just make me feel pretty guilty...Anyways, all the times I've been to Disney, I've never seen anyone take anything, yet that could be because I'm minding my own business with my family. There is just so much hustle and bustle inside the Disney stores with all the people. I've always wondered, how does Disney deal with this problem?
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Disney merchandise thiefs
- Thread starter Alexis
- Start date
I'm sure letting some of it go, in the end has an impact on Disney. Because every little item someone takes is $
My wife has been working in retail for almost 23 years, and you can't 'chase down every little trinket that is stolen. A certain amount of "shrink" (theft) is built into their budget.
Spikerdink
Well-Known Member
I was once in Epcot walking the main thoroughfare from WS to Future World. On the right is a small souvenir spot - towels, sunscreen, that sort of stuff and a huge bucket of water/soda/juice bottles on ice.
There was a guy and girl walking in front of me - both mid 20s - the guy reaches into the bucket, grabs a water and keeps walking.
I said to the CM at the register - 'That guy just stole a water - " and she looked at me and said that her instruction for such an event were to let it go.
So I took all the beach towels and SPF30 sunscreen and a cold Coke and ran like hell. (not really, but it would make a good story, no?)
What really happened is the guy got away with it. Nothing was said or done.
There was a guy and girl walking in front of me - both mid 20s - the guy reaches into the bucket, grabs a water and keeps walking.
I said to the CM at the register - 'That guy just stole a water - " and she looked at me and said that her instruction for such an event were to let it go.
So I took all the beach towels and SPF30 sunscreen and a cold Coke and ran like hell. (not really, but it would make a good story, no?)
What really happened is the guy got away with it. Nothing was said or done.
Wow! Even with another witness around, nothing could be done!
Yes your ending would have been interesting! I bought it for a second!
The workers where my wife works have the same instructions. They leave that to the security/loss prevention people.
The risk to the regular workers would be too high if they tried to stop people.
It was only a bottle of water. Would you chase after and try to detain someone for a bottle of water?
No, but I'm sure it happens way too often for it not to be dealt with
dopeylover
Well-Known Member
Most retail places have a 'let it go' policy. When I was in my last retail job, we were instructed to go up to a shoplifter asking them if they needed assistance, in hopes that they would realize they were being watched and stop. But even if you saw them stuff a sweater into a bag, if they walked out, they walked out, and that was the end of it. In the past I had worked at another major retailer who had loss prevention on site. They did NOT mess around! If they saw shoplifting, they'd tackle the person to the ground if need be! It all depends on the company. I'm sure Disney had a 'look away' and 'assist' policy, but maybe it is different in some of the stores that have very expensive merchandise.
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
I work retail during the holidays and we are instructed not to confront shoplifter either for our personal safety and also if you confront someone in the store they can say they were going to pay for it and possibly bring a lawsuit against the store. That said, there is big time security, both visable and under cover during the holidays and the exploding die markers are fun to watch. I saw one go off in Disney World once when some moron put an Indiana Jones hat on his head and walked out of the store.
It may also depend on the merchandise. I can't see someone getting tackled for a bottle of water, but if they had some expensive Disney jewelry, perhaps...
Many stores have the scanners that will beep loudly if someone tries to take stolen merchandise through.
NX2I85
Active Member
Disney's response makes total sense. It is just setting them back immeasurably financially if they collar the guy, and make some big scene about it. When they lose a bottle of water they can't be losing but about 20 cents.
RandomPrincess
Keep Moving Forward
This reminds me of a story I heard director Kevin Smith tell. It would have been in the 70s. They went to MK and he would ask his parents for souvenirs. They would tell him sure and tell him to wait outside with the item. Then a few minutes later his parents would come out and off they would go. It wasn't until he was an adult he realized that his family had stolen those items.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
the CM's never pay attention and if they do you can always ask a mate to distract them and then nick it or else just grab it and run real fast it's easy!!!
luv
Well-Known Member
I left Disney with a dye thing still on an item. Nothing exploded. I didn't even notice until a few days later, at which point I had to haul the thing back to DTD to have them remove it.
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
This is pretty impressive.
I'm planning a trip to the World in September and we're a little over budget.
I'm looking for ways to cut some corners -Keeping talking guys I'm taking notes.
(note to self - start thread "Every see anyone steal food at WDW" )