Comments on: How Do I Stop Theft but Keep My “Please Touch” Approach?

By: jonesu

jonesu — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 20:46:43 +0000

Set up all your merchandise in clear jars with decorated tops. If you use cork you can pin most of your earings to the cork top, then for necklaces paint picture frams and put your piece behind the glass and hang to top of the frame. Use the items you are displaying as your visual piece. Put a sign up stating that any piece of jewlry you see in the display is for display purpose only and if you are interested in knowing more or purchasing any piece on display please see the sales members and put the names on the sign. You can make it a chalk board sign and change the names according to who is working. If you have table displays put your pieces uder heavy clear glass cups turned upside down on a tray of beans or beads etc. most people will not pick them up if they are display only. For rings you can put them on a branch that has been painted with a bird cage or clear glass top. Up numbers on all your display cases and mark the inventory you will store in clear boxes with the numbers to pull up when your customers bring ou up their card with the number they are interested in viewing, handling, or purchasing. You must give them the card and pen with your business info preferably or pencil etc upon greeting you at the entrance of your booth. Have a blank back to your business card for them to right down the numbers of the item they are interested in. When they bring up their card ask them if they would like to put their name with mailing address, number and email to be entered into a giveaway then tear off the back of the card and put in a box or glass canister etc. Your business cards can be made out of recycled cards. The front of the card is the picture, then you will glue a piece of paper over cards sayings. It is on this part they will put their numbers and personal info. Get a ink stamp with your company logo on it and stamp the back side of the front of the card with your business stamp and cut that off or have it already cut and hole punch the cards together and them off with string etc and cut them apart with you keeping one side to pull up their order request, and giving them back the other side to take with them. You may even have a stamp made for giving them a future percentage off if they bring back the card. I have even put some rings inside picture frames that I placed on top of low boxes that I lined with black beans and set the jewlry down into the box and place the glass frame front over the box with jewlry. I tape it underneath with clear tape or leave them and put signs up all over as well as printed on inside of card how to shop my displays. On the card part where they would write the number of the item they want to see I put a grid or use bingo markers to put dots on the card for them to write in numbers they will need me to pull of jewlry pieces. I know this is not explained constructively , I apologize. I have only had two people who did not like my approach and I explain to them that I travel to many shows and this is easy for set up , tear down, and moving. They then understand it is not personal but business. I have never had anyone to try to remove any frame etc but they are tied down and taped down. I used a fine pained mesh ontop of lattice that to display the big pieces and then I stacked boxes of varying sizes on top of tables that are covered in burlap in a staggering pattern with the display from smalles to larges. I have even used baby food jars for rings. you can turn the jar upside down and paint the inside of the jar lid inside and out black or white etc. put some lentils in the bottom of the lid or velvet material and put your ring on the lid and screw the jar onto lid upside down so viewers can view the piece and not be abele to remove it….I use alot of jars from spaghetti etc that i use at home for the other displays. If you want you can turn the jars over paint the lids and put a piece of cork on inside lid of jar to pin your neclace bracelets etc to lid of jar and let your piece hang in the jar then glue a piece of jewlry or drawer knob on top of lid or rocks etc or keep it chalk painted with the item number on the lid. I have used jars that are large and placed my extra product on the bottom of the jar under the display piece so all I had to do was unscrew the lid and pull out the jewlry piece and then screw the jar back on the piece once transaction was finished etc. It works and looks beautiful. I also put lights all around the jars and light them up and they shine. Hope this helps. It has helped me and is a neat opportunity for my customers because they get my one on one attention when they purchase and item from me. I get to know them even better and can sometimes make more sells due to this.

By: Christina Little

Christina Little — Wed, 31 May 2017 09:46:37 +0000

Hi. I recently did my first outdoor event and theft was a big concern. I mean I’ve caught someone steeling from me, in my home, during a moving sale and while we were having a conversation.

So how would I secure my jewelry on a low budget and create an inviting display?

I walked the event the week prior to see what other vendors had done. I noticed most tables had flat displays. I’m thinking this is to give the vendor an advantage of site over the table. Next, was still securing my pieces.

I used inexpensive flower arrangement wire to attach earrings cards to an earring display. Make a spiral on the front stick the other end of the wire trough the diplay card and board then bend on the back side. It looks pretty on the front. It’s easy to detach yet it doesn’t come apart with a pull or tug.

Very time consuming at first, but each wire can be used over and over.

You could also use your scraps from wire wrapping. Basically it’s a fancy twist tie!

I also used a piece of plywood wrapped it in fabric. Screwed some eye screws on it, then ran the Necklace through the eye screws.

By: Sandee Jene

Sandee Jene — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:07:24 +0000

Angela
If you have a photo, post it on a board in your booth. Let other possible thefts know that their photo could be next.

By: Karen Isely

Karen Isely — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 16:44:42 +0000

A fun and functional way that I have found is using mirrors. I have a large round mirror that I hang in the opposite corner of where my “high boy” table and chair are. That way I can see what’s going on in and around my booth even while working with a customer at my table.
My customers love the large mirror and I believe it helps deter would be sticky fingers.
Always acknowledging customers helps too. Another lesson I learned years ago working retail is if you are suspicious of someone, make a nice comment on either their hairstyle, outfit, anything. That tells them two things…They’re paying attention and They can easily identify me to the authorities.
Happy selling!

By: Barbara Jacquin

Barbara Jacquin — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 21:57:11 +0000

I’ve more than once had thefts where the person chatted me up for a long time and seemed very interested in everything on the table but after they left (after buying nothing) I noticed an article missing. I do enjoy clients who appear interested in my work but now I’m on my guard. However I too think letting customers touch the stones in my jewelry and touch the pieces is worth the risk.

By: Dana C Smith

Dana C Smith — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 15:32:04 +0000

I am absorbing all these excellent pointers for the upcoming art fair season! I have been selling my jewelry since 2010; but my first experience with theft came last year at the beginning of the season; as a matter of fact several vendors were robbed that day! I was alone and watchful, but I think I was ‘double teamed’ in this instance. This year I’m going to always have an assistant devoted to overlooking things discreetly!

By: Sue Runyon

Sue Runyon — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:31:42 +0000

Excellent ideas, everyone.

I too have noticed that the shoplifting often occurs with people working in pairs – one distracts the vendor or blocks the view while the other pockets items. It also happens when your booth has many people around it. The raised directors chair is an excellent idea as no one really wants to stand through an entire day, but low chairs hide the vendor behind booth tables.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:42:34 +0000

Hello I have been reading all the advice on theft and as I am looking to do my first stall this summer I have read about some really good ideas 🙂 thank you
🙂 I have been playing with the idea of only putting out the one of each for that touchy feelly moment but for the rest I was going to place them on a hook system with interlocking rubber bands the kind that’s covered in cloth that you wear in your hair. This way they have to undo the bands and this will give me or my father a chance to catch them to either serve them or to stop them in the act… I have seen this used in a lot of stalls used in the big shopping malls here in Australia and I have seen how effective it has been for someone working on their own.
As I have a laptop what I might do is invest in a webcam that can be attached and record the both for the whole day and if I do have any losses I can at least check out the footage and hand it over to the local police as I live in a very very small town/village 🙂 so unless they have come in from out of town they can be caught but I can also print out their photo and keep it on hand for the next time I do the stall in town 🙂 and watch out for them in the future but also consult with the other stall goers and see if they have had the same problem 🙂
Agan thank you for the great ideas 🙂

By: Pam Hayes

Pam Hayes — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:24:34 +0000

Maybe don’t display earrings in pairs. Just put one out so customers can see and touch. If they steal just one, it’s not much use to them so may be a deterrent. Shoe shops in the UK often do this. If you are interested, they bring the other shoe out. Just a thought.

By: Janet

Janet — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 21:35:08 +0000

I have had theft, but was not aware until way after the fact. When I look back, the double team effect has been used the most. I work alone always so if I am engaged, answering questions, etc, I am unable to monitor customers. An upward glance is not enough. Sadly, I see no remedy for the determined shoplifter.

By: Linda Sinish

Linda Sinish — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:58:07 +0000

I believe you will always have shop lifting. It’s one of those unavoidable facts of life. Crooks are crooks. However, you can reduce the amount of thieft. Two methods come to mind. The first is to secure a large price tag or hang tag to the higer priced, larger pieces. And my favorite method is to make sure to acknowledge everyone. If I suspect someone, I start a conversation with them, such as ask them where they are from. When the crooks know that you are aware of them they usually leave. But, their are those that are either very skilled and professional at stealing or they aren’t very bright and continue their quest. It’s sad for us to have our hard earned money leave in this fashion, but as a business I factor in a percentage for stealing. I tell myself they will eventually pay the piper.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:56:24 +0000

I really like your approach, Lynda. I am going to make this short so I can go make my new sign for my booth! I hate it when people are mean to me.

By: Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:56:05 +0000

Good advice above. I work my booth alone always and a few thefts have taught me. I bought concave mirrors and position them so that I can see peoples hands from where I sit/stand. I put the mirrors in the most congested places and near smaller items. I also have set up my U shaped booth so that people have to walk past me to leave. This spot is good to greet everyone also when my booth is not mobbed. I also have a sign by my bead rings that says “Stealing is mean. Please don’t be mean to me” I have gotten compliments on my sign. I wrote it that way to make people think about what they are doing and that it is not fun and games to steal, you affect another person. Another thing, usually before people steal, they look at you to see if you are watching. When I see someone look to see if I am looking, then yes, I am and I will not take my eyes off them.

By: Felicia

Felicia — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:57:49 +0000

I really appreciate all of your advice on this matter. I think a lot of it is how exposed I am at this particular show. My booth is far away from other vendors and people can come at me from all sides. Perhaps putting up some fabric and forcing them into a smaller area would help me watch them. I saw the woman who stole the feather earrings, and there is a good chance I’ll run into her next time I do this show. I’ll be sure to let her know she isn’t welcome. Thank you again for the good tips and keep them coming 🙂 Obviously I’m not the only one experiencing this problem!

By: Carol

Carol — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:13:18 +0000

I do a good number of shows and have been very lucky that I have never had a theft, although I know that my turn will come some day. I have my both set up in an L-shape so that there is a counter along the front, then people have to walk down the side of the L into the booth. My tables are high, about 39″, which I think helps. On a really good day at a good show, my booth will be mobbed and I cannot even greet everyone, much less watch them all, especially in the middle of a sale. At most shows, however, I may have a few people at a time, but not mobbed. I try to greet everyone but not be too hawkish in watching them shop. I glance at them frequently. One thing I don’t have is a high director’s chair…but that is on my list to purchase soon since I think it makes more of a presence than sitting in a low chair where I’m hidden from view.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:35:49 +0000

I agree with what Stephanie said. Stay attentive, engaged, & active. You can often spot a potential thief before a loss takes place. if you’re slumped in a chair, reading, or surrounded by distractions, your chance of a theft goes way up. If people know that you see them, it’s helpful. Also, I photograph my merchandise & I keep a smartphone and/or camera in my booth. Customers see this because I sometimes (with permission) take appreciation photos when we do artistic promos. A few mirrors don’t hurt either and help cover blind spots

By: Nancy Bailey

Nancy Bailey — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:33:43 +0000

Cat, You have some very good points, which made me think of another thing we do at shows. We configure our booth to where no one comes inside. We set up our tables in such a way that they have full access to the OUTSIDE of our booth and we have a high director’s chair that we use so we can see over the whole booth. Because I don’t like to “hover” over customers, I am still available if they have questions but able to see what is going on.

By: Cat

Cat — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:54:20 +0000

Body language…it’s a dead giveaway! I work most shows alone, so you know it’s easy to get distracted or have people stand directly in your line of sight to the rest of the booth when checking out. I had a mother/daughter double team me a few years ago. Naive as I was, I didn’t notice til they left. I’ve smartened up since then.

It’s wonderful to be chatty and nice with our customers, but I agree with Stephanie…make sure they know YOU know they’re in the booth. I can almost feel when something’s about to go down. I remember having a young girl in with her mom, and just by her body language, I knew something was off. Sure enough, she had her back to me, and I saw her put a couple of inexpensive anklets in her pocket. I calmly beat her to the exit, and just held out my hand. She had the “doe in the headlights” look, and asked “what”? I asked her for the items she just put in her pocket.

Truthfully, I think her mother told her to do it. She was a frightened young gal, and when I busted her, her mother came over and acted shocked…but not how a mom who didn’t know what was happening would act, if you know what I mean. I’m a mom..no way was her reaction real. The young gal said, “But you said..” and the mom cut her off. Another time, we were given a heads up about an elderly woman casing all the tents and then stealing from the higher end ones! So it just goes to show, thieves come in all shapes and sizes.

But, it is possible to deter theft when we work alone. When I’m alone, and the tent is jammed, I get right in the middle of it and make sure I speak with every person. Then, I stand at the entrance, not the back where I usually do. It is so much easier with another set of eyes, but it’s a luxury so many of us don’t have on a regular basis. Another suggestion is to limit the number of people to your booth at one time. Having a sign out is helpful. I know it sounds like lost revenue if someone’s nose gets out of joint over it, but better that than being robbed blind!

Hopefully, there are more good people than dishonest out there. For the few that feel it’s okay to steal from us, and it’s usually earrings, right?!…I always hope that their ears will develop some harmless, but no less irritating rash or huge, unexplainable ball on the earlobe…hahaha.

Oh, one last thing…I have my earrings on cards I make myself…are yours just laying on the table or hook over a wire? You may want to put them on bigger cards…it’s harder to fiddle with them without being noticed!

By: Nancy Bailey

Nancy Bailey — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:43:59 +0000

Hi Felicia,
It is always a worry when we do shows that someone could take a piece of our jewelry, but because both my husband and myself do shows together, another set of eyes are there and it really helps. The only time we had a problem was when we had a lot of people at our booth at the same time, and we did have a pair of earrings stolen. We have come up with a better plan now after that whereby if I am doing a transaction with a buyer, my husband keeps an eye out rather than helping me package, etc. If you can have another person in your booth with you, it is a good deterrent. Good luck!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:44:30 +0000

What I learned in retail is that the best deterrent to theft is customer service. Always greet every customer and start conversations if possible. Know where everyone is in your booth. After giving someone a couple of minutes to peruse, follow up with them. You can be friendly and engaging without being a pushy salesperson. Also, be aware that if someone is thinking of stealing something, they are going to be pretty focused on you and watching your movements, waiting for that opportunity. However, if you’re checking up with them or wandering around your booth straightening items (being unpredictable) it may be more trouble than they are willing to risk.

Other than that, I can only suggest keeping higher value items closest to you, maybe where you ‘ring up’ customer purchases. You might also try keeping them at a higher level or on risers and more easily in your sight lines. Try not to have displays blocking your view of your products.

Good Luck

By: Lady Mockingbird

Lady Mockingbird — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:37:56 +0000

Reducing losses from theft are something every retailer, large or small, must consider carefully. Larger retailers calculate a certain percent of what they term “Shrinkage” into their cost calculations and factor that shrinkage into overall pricing. When the shrinkage percentage exceeds the projected acceptable amount, then the retailers examine their security measures and revise how they handle the kinds of merchandise where higher rates of theft occur.

It is very challenging to balance accessibility with being security conscious. I wish you luck in finding just the right balance for your jewelry. In your case, I might try arranging your display so that the earrings are always in your direct line of sight. So that you and your helpers have an easier time of