Our store uses Checkpoint systems for anti shoplifting. This helps to alleviate most of the criminal element from coming into the store to start with. Next, these same tools that we use to stop shoplifting help clue us in when someone tries a fraudulent refund. They come to the cashier and try to refund merchandise that still has the Checkpoint systems tags still attached, and no receipt.
Other stores that I know of do not use retail theft prevention devices for anti shoplifting. Since the theft of the merchandise was so easy, the store was viewed as an easy refund target within the community. They also did not have any sort of policy in place regarding refunds that did not have a receipt. As a result, refunders on almost a daily basis targeted them.
We started a policy of allowing customers three no receipted refunds within a six-month period before we declined the return. That gave the legitimate shopper an opportunity to return items that a receipt was lost, or they received the items as a gift.
The end result was that we were able to make accommodations to satisfy (instead of alienating) our customer base (usually the ones who did not return merchandise with retail theft prevention tags). For those that abused the refunds, we were able to capture data on who was doing the returns (asking for a picture ID) and track their movements and develop shoplifting cases accordingly on those suspects.
Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.
For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547