Why should someone buy something when they shoplift?

[broghamzvatox]

I never understood how this would improve someones chance at getting away uncaught.

Unless you're stealing something that has tags and you're buying a purse that has a thousand pockets. So as you pass the towers and the alarm blares, you could pass it off as there being a tag in one of the many pockets.

Otherwise, how would this be beneficial?

[YoureATowel]

It makes you look like a legit customer there to buy goods, not a shoplifter..

[broghamzvatox]

Originally Posted by YoureATowel

It makes you look like a legit customer there to buy goods, not a shoplifter..

Unless you buy the item before you steal, that would make absolutely no difference. In fact, it would be more dangerous.

Let me explain my logic:

Let's say you're taking books.

1) You stuff a book into a bag and no one sees you, then no one would have any reason to suspect you and you get away.

2) You stuff a book into a bag and no one sees you, you buy an item, no one suspects you, you get away and you've just wasted money.

3) You stuff a book into a bag and someone sees you, you get caught.

4) You stuff a book into a bag and someone sees you, but you buy an item, you will still get caught for that initial item you've stuffed into your bag! Unless they're blind and they think you're paying for that initial item.

[Psych]

Because most people don't go into a store without buying something.

Except snot nosed teenagers who are obviously there to shoplift.

[broghamzvatox]

Originally Posted by Psych

Because most people don't go into a store without buying something.

But that doesn't matter! How are they supposed to know whether or not you intend to buy something? You walk out of the store empty handed, but by then it doesn't matter, does it? Unless you're planning on shoplifting the same place multiple times in the near future, you wouldn't have to build trust.

[UNDFTD]

- Buying something, even something like a candy bar might insure the LP/Store that you were actually there to buy something instead of stealing stuff. Now if your a big shot and can afford a t-shirt worth like $25, buy it when your in the act and then go back later or whatever and return it for cash if you feel cheap.

- The way you look plays a key role in whether your successful or not. If you go in there looking like your a thug with your pants sagging and nervous, obviously they are going to pay more attention, it's just profiling for you. If you dress in a lacoste polo with nice pants, shoes, and you look swag as shit, then no, they most likely wont pay attention to you.

- Another technique is make friends with the people working there if it's a smaller place. If they come up with you, make small talk with them or whatnot and they will be thinking, "what a cool and awesome dude". You gain their trust and they put their guard down. Works in prison, and will work out here.

[broghamzvatox]

Originally Posted by UNDFTD

- Buying something, even something like a candy bar might insure the LP/Store that you were actually there to buy something instead of stealing stuff. Now if your a big shot and can afford a t-shirt worth like $25, buy it when your in the act and then go back later or whatever and return it for cash if you feel cheap.

- The way you look plays a key role in whether your successful or not. If you go in there looking like your a thug with your pants sagging and nervous, obviously they are going to pay more attention, it's just profiling for you. If you dress in a lacoste polo with nice pants, shoes, and you look swag as shit, then no, they most likely wont pay attention to you.

- Another technique is make friends with the people working there if it's a smaller place. If they come up with you, make small talk with them or whatnot and they will be thinking, "what a cool and awesome dude". You gain their trust and they put their guard down. Works in prison, and will work out here.

Totally agree with you on the second and third points. In fact I do both. Casually I wear worn out black jeans, and a plain white t-shirt, but when I hit a store I wear slacks and a collared shirt. I even go so far as to wearing glasses instead of contact lens.

But I'm simply not understanding the first one. Why does it matter what the LP thinks of you, if you're already out of the store? I guess most people have a habit of frequently hitting the same store.

[TheRascalKing]

Originally Posted by Psych

Because most people don't go into a store without buying something.

Except snot nosed teenagers who are obviously there to shoplift.

Pretty much this. Although you aren't obliged to make a purchase when you enter a store, it's still a wise thing to do. If you're frequently observed entering and leaving a store without making purchases, you attract extra attention, you're observed more, they'll catch you concealing merchandise, and you wind up getting busted because you constantly come and go without making a legitimate purchase.

[UNDFTD]

Originally Posted by broghamzvatox

Totally agree with you on the second and third points. In fact I do both. Casually I wear worn out black jeans, and a plain white t-shirt, but when I hit a store I wear slacks and a collared shirt. I even go so far as to wearing glasses instead of contact lens.

But I'm simply not understanding the first one. Why does it matter what the LP thinks of you, if you're already out of the store? I guess most people have a habit of frequently hitting the same store.

I don't understand it either unless it's a small store and the workers always have their eyes somewhat on you. It looks weird if you are wandering around the store for a little bit and don't buy anything. What do you think is going through their minds... You could just tell them off and be like fudge you, I don't have to buy anything. In bigger stores such as Macys, it's easier to just walk out without buying anything, but still. If they are watching you through the cameras watching you carry in like 10 pair of levis in the changing room. Spend like 10 mins in there while you secretly place them in your bag or whatnot, and then put them back on the shelves and then walk out of the store. That looks fishy too. I like to think in the mind of the LP, what would they do and what are they looking for kind of scenarios.

[TheRascalKing]

Originally Posted by broghamzvatox

Totally agree with you on the second and third points. In fact I do both. Casually I wear worn out black jeans, and a plain white t-shirt, but when I hit a store I wear slacks and a collared shirt. I even go so far as to wearing glasses instead of contact lens.

But I'm simply not understanding the first one. Why does it matter what the LP thinks of you, if you're already out of the store?

Because, if you're doing a chain like Wal-Mart or K-Mart and you're frequently observed coming and going without making a purchase, they can notify other AP/LP agents at other stores in that same chain in your area and you'll have a big mark on your back when you walk in any store that belongs to that chain in the metro area.

[ThunderDownUnder]

Originally Posted by Psych

Because most people don't go into a store without buying something.

Except snot nosed teenagers who are obviously there to shoplift.

Retarded assumption. When going to a shopping centre, the first shop I go into (at least half the time) either doesn't sell the item I am looking for, are out of the item I am looking for, or charge an insane price for the item I am looking for.

What is the result of that? Me leaving, having bought nothing, and going to a new store.

In my experiences working in retail, the only advantage of you buying something and stealing is given to the retailer...They get A) More time to assess if you stole something or not and B) More time to place LP near the front door.

[UNDFTD]

- Too bad you usually can tell who in the store is the LP. They stick out like sore thumbs. One day I was in marshals and I saw this guy all alone wandering around the store looking dumb. He had no bags with him, no family, nothing. He would come near me and look at a shirt, and in my peripheral vision, this LP was mugging at me. I wasn't even doing anything wrong lol.

- Many stores have regulations that you might want to look up since it dictates whether you get caught or not. I've heard some Macy's of having a No Chase Policy. This means that once you get outside the store, the LP can not legally chase you or touch you. If they touch you it will be considered assault/harassment. If they try and detain you, they arn't allowed to.

[crackhead]

Why steal when armed robbery is so much more fun?

[jram]

I tend to agree that buying something takes the heat off of you.

[TheRascalKing]

Originally Posted by crackhead

Why steal when armed robbery is so much more fun?

Armed robbery = felony, minimum of 5-7 years in a higher security level prison. Most of the horror stories happen in the higher security levels, FYI.

Shoplifting, if you keep it under the dollar value of goods boosted where it turns into a felony larceny, is generally a misdemeanor punishable by fines, compensation, community service, relatively negligible jail time, or probation.

You can turn a misdemeanor petty larceny into a felony robbery pretty easily though. Fighting with the staff, having a weapon, threats of force will fuck you up. You get caught with one of those vini hooks, rare earth magnets, boxcutters, or other tools, you've got a commercial burglary/going equipped to steal charge. A lot of people don't think about things such as that before they act, and they're confused.

[BankRoll]

You're just adding time for you to get caught. Get in, get out. Sometimes the LPs aren't instructed to grab you until you're leaving the store. Just fucking leave.

[nosatisfaction]

just ask the cashier if they had the thing which you searched for and couldnt really find.

[broghamzvatox]

Originally Posted by nosatisfaction

just ask the cashier if they had the thing which you searched for and couldnt really find.

Yeah! See I actually do this. It makes sense since it occurs before you take the item. Granting some temporary trust.

But I'm a little hesitant with this as well. Because, regardless of the groundless trust it might build, it will attract further attention to you since the store attendant is now familiar with you.

[BennyProfane]

All it does is gives LP more time to get to the doors and get ready to stop you if they saw you.

It doesn't matter if you "look like a shoplifter", they can't stop you for that. They can stop you if they saw you stealing something, however. And if they DID see you conceal something, buying something isn't going to make them think "WTF? He bought something?! Holy shit, I could have SWORN I saw him stuff that t shirt into his pants, but I guess if he BOUGHT SOMETHING he couldn't possibly have stolen something!"

[Maximillian]

Originally Posted by BennyProfane

All it does is gives LP more time to get to the doors and get ready to stop you if they saw you.

It doesn't matter if you "look like a shoplifter", they can't stop you for that. They can stop you if they saw you stealing something, however. And if they DID see you conceal something, buying something isn't going to make them think "WTF? He bought something?! Holy shit, I could have SWORN I saw him stuff that t shirt into his pants, but I guess if he BOUGHT SOMETHING he couldn't possibly have stolen something!"

Not everyone shoplifts for pure profit, some do it for the rush. It greatly increases that rush if you walk around with a mask on now doesn't it?

[SBTlauien]

My friend only bought an item when box-stuffing.

Buying an item gives LP time to arrange a stop.

[BankRoll]

It's just a preference from lifter to lifter. It's not a set thing guys, do it how you see fit.

[Zombie Food]

And this way, if the bells go off you can be all "No sir, look here I even have a recipt"

[cotalon]

Until they wonder how a security tag wondered onto your 89cent big league chew...

[Jdm]

Originally Posted by BankRoll

It's just a preference from lifter to lifter. It's not a set thing guys, do it how you see fit.

That. Id feel like an idiot walking into a store, taking something, possibly being seen, and jst walking out. Like was said, mostly teenagers steal...youll get the occasional dirtbag older guy but its usually teens.

Also, for those who care, might be working at Best Buy soon so Ill have some tips for you alll

[Ezah]

never buy something, it gives LP time to get their shit together and catch you on the way out. keep the items in hand, walk through registers and conceal there where nobody can see you and walk out as fast as possible like you run shit.

It is not "better" to buy an item, the only thing that it may help is giving you, the lifter, the confidence to lift from the time you walk in without looking like a sketch ball.

Look at it this way, are you more likely to be confident walking into a store to steal OR walking in a store to buy something? its a way of tricking your own consciousness into a false sense of security.

[Jdm]

Lol. Why would you have to be confident in the first place to buy something? Ive done my fair share of shit nd the only time I got caught when I was younger was walking out without buying anything. Unless your going to a mall or something where people usually walk around and not buy anything, then it makes sense to not buy anything.

If I were a LP and SUSPECTED someone of stealing but dont know for sure, Id be more likely to let it go if they bought something.

[komokazi]

If you are going to be stopped, buying something isn't going to change shit because they have already gathered enough evidence to validate a stop and you're fucked either way. Paying for something is only going to keep you in the store longer and give them more time to setup for the stop.

[BennyProfane]

Originally Posted by Maximillian

Not everyone shoplifts for pure profit, some do it for the rush. It greatly increases that rush if you walk around with a mask on now doesn't it?

I'm sorry but I fail to understand how your post relates to mine at all.

[eesakiwi]

[allgussiedup]

I've seen the LP at the store I work at completely lose interest in a "suspect" when they've joined the queue for the registers.

Then again, while I've served quite a few customers on registers, I've had LP come up and ask to check their bags only to reveal stolen merch. So them stopping to buy something, and prolonging their stay in the store, may have helped LP catch them.

Conclusion: Don't bother buying stuff while you're lifting.

[Ezah]

Originally Posted by Jdm

Lol. Why would you have to be confident in the first place to buy something? Ive done my fair share of shit nd the only time I got caught when I was younger was walking out without buying anything. Unless your going to a mall or something where people usually walk around and not buy anything, then it makes sense to not buy anything.

If I were a LP and SUSPECTED someone of stealing but don't know for sure, Id be more likely to let it go if they bought something.

you got caught because you are new to this, i can tell because you do not take into consideration the main point of shop lifting.... in and out... you logic is irrelevant because its how you get caught. you can argue it or just agree to disagree, but ask any seasoned lifter and they will tell u, not some 16 year old wannabe.

the only person that will see u not buy anything is a cashier or the lp in the sky which don't mean shit if your're out quick enough. the reason you feel you need to buy something is because it boosts your confidence, you must be incapable of acting smooth and walking out like you run shit. its a false sense of security, that's it!

[BennyProfane]

If they're watching you because they're "suspicious" it doesn't mean anything. Of course they're going to not be suspicious of you when you head to the registers, because after that you're leaving without stealing anything. If you buy something and go back, they'll be even MORE suspicious of you.

They aren't going to stop you because they think you MIGHT have stolen something (at least 99% of the time - it does happen but usually it's a crooked LP who'll catch a lawsuit for the company soon enough anyway). So if they're suspicious of you, and you buy something, sure, maybe they're less suspicious of you. Big deal, they wouldn't have been able to stop you anyways.

But if they DID see you steal something, buying something isn't going to make any difference, they're still going to stop you for the concealed item that you still have on you and you haven't paid for.

[SBTlauien]

Originally Posted by Jdm

Like was said, mostly teenagers steal...youll get the occasional dirtbag older guy but its usually teens.

There are plenty of older people that shoplift that are completely normal and work good jobs...

It's the kids and druggies that pay for them, by getting caught.

[Jdm]

Originally Posted by Ezah

you got caught because you are new to this, i can tell because you do not take into consideration the main point of shop lifting.... in and out... you logic is irrelevant because its how you get caught. you can argue it or just agree to disagree, but ask any seasoned lifter and they will tell u, not some 16 year old wannabe.

the only person that will see u not buy anything is a cashier or the lp in the sky which don't mean shit if your're out quick enough. the reason you feel you need to buy something is because it boosts your confidence, you must be incapable of acting smooth and walking out like you run shit. its a false sense of security, that's it!

Lol k bro. I was 16 when I got caught, that was quite a few years ago. Fucking dipshit bragging about being a seasoned shoplifter? Who cares how many times you steal if you aint stealing shit worth anything. Was said a few times, do whatever the fuck you want to feel better about doing it. Theres no point in arguing over it. State your opinion, give your 2 cents, shut the fuck up.

[Ezah]

Originally Posted by Jdm

Lol k bro. I was 16 when I got caught, that was quite a few years ago. Fucking dipshit bragging about being a seasoned shoplifter? Who cares how many times you steal if you aint stealing shit worth anything. Was said a few times, do whatever the fuck you want to feel better about doing it. Theres no point in arguing over it. State your opinion, give your 2 cents, shut the fuck up.

you need to grow up, i am not a shoplifter, i dont commit crimes nor act like im a 1337 shoplifter. you seem to have self esteem issues, you should get that checked out. if somebody challenges your beliefs you get overly defensive and that's quite immature and frankly you are coming off as weak and embarrassing yourself. i did state an opinion, an opinion that me and countless others have. there is no need to attempt to be insulting and confrontational, your a little kid, dont worry we all felt like we knew it all at the age on 16 but most grow out of it.

I was just trying to clarify that your opinion is usually frowned upon by most, but you do you, you dont gotta impress, cuz trust me your not. I may have just started posting here but i was a very well known totse member who spread alot of correct and insightful knowledge and i dont appreciate the wrong info being put out to the world that could potentially get somebody caught, all because your an immature know it all....

so in conclusion, MY OPINION is that, only buy shit when you leave if your a overly nervous person with a low confidence level who isnt smart enough to realize you must gtfo as soon as possible OR if you TRULY know what you are doing... which you sir, do not.

[Maximillian]

Originally Posted by BennyProfane

I'm sorry but I fail to understand how your post relates to mine at all.

Its a deception thing. Some people(Kleptos) prefer to go above and beyond the normal shopper and to fuck with staff. Its more of a rush being involved while shoplifting and totally lieing perfectly then just walking out. The same thing goes for serial killers who get bored and start to involve themselves in the seen.

[Jdm]

You do realize you started this dumb thread right? If you already knew all this why did you have to ask.