Anyone ever witness someone stealing something from a theme park store?

[tuckerkeys]

So, here's my story….

On my end of August trip, it was time for our FP for splash. It was pretty hot & muggy, and I was feeling a bit lightheaded. I sent my family on the ride without me as I waited for them in the Splash store. They have 2 rocking chairs in the middle of the store, right under a nice AC vent. I sat in one to wait for my party to finish the ride & to try to feel a bit better.

As I was waiting, I saw a large family in the store ( they were very loud & hard not to notice) . Their one boy wanted that monorail engine toy. Mom said no, he begged, she still said no.

She held the toy the entire time she was in the store. Their large party exited the store, except for mom. She mulled about, still with the monorail box under her arm. Then, she left without paying for the toy. With the monorail box under her arm. At no time did mom go to either one of the registers. I could see both from the chair I was sitting in.

Approx 5 minutes later, her son came back into the store & asked a CM for a plastic bag. He got the bag. Went out the side door.

The store was not that busy. I did not see mom pay for her monorail toy. I asked the CM if she saw the mom walk out with the toy not paying for it & she said she did not see anything. She then proceeded to tell me that it happens on a daily basis & that even if they see someone stealing, that THEY are NOT to confront the guest, that only the undercover security people are allowed to do so!

I was shocked! I also said that I guessed that was why t shirts cost $34.99 because we were ultimately paying for the lost revenue & she shook her head yes…. It is just part of the csot of doing business…..

SO, has anyone else been witness to theft in a Disney store? I know there are dishonest people everywhere, however, this was the first time I was witness to such a blatant theft!

 

[Cold71]

I've never seen this at Disney but I've seen it from time to time out and about at the local mall, etc. I think though this is just an important reminder that thief's are everywhere. This reminds me of a quote from one of the Dis Unplugged episodes where they brought on the Orange County police officer. She said "Thief's take vacations to!" Idk why but that has always stuck with me. Keep all your important stuff on you or locked up in your room, and never assume it won't happen to you. Even at Disney.

 

[xlxo]

We have a similar problem with our transit system with freeloaders. Confrontation results in physical violence with the driver losing.

Hmm.... I notice stores that run on mail order is cheaper, even with shipping (free). Only way to get around shoplifting.... then again sometimes I wonder if my new product was previously returned.

 

[OldsDr]

Not personally, but someone I was at AK with sid to me did you just see that? i said what? She say's "That guy just put a stuffed animal in his shirt walked out of the store, pulled it out and handed it to his kid. and his kid could see the whole thing"

She was more horrified at the exaple than the deed, but did not say anthing either.

 

[carlyle688]

THEY are NOT to confront the guest, that only the undercover security people are allowed to do so!

A friend of mine that works at Mouse Gear told me that same thing. Seems like it's just an invitation for people to steal stuff -- they know they aren't going to get in trouble.

 

[LaurenT]

I haven't seen it. I'm a bit of a big mouth though. If i had seen that woman i probably would have gone right up to her as she was exiting and said "excuse me ma'am... I don't think you realize - you still have that toy under your arm"

 

[77catwoman]

My husband, who is a police officer, witnessed someone take something. He actually spoke with security and they wouldn't do anything about it because their people didn't see it happen. So, no, I am not at all surprised.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Not personally, but someone I was at AK with sid to me did you just see that? i said what? She say's "That guy just put a stuffed animal in his shirt walked out of the store, pulled it out and handed it to his kid. and his kid could see the whole thing"

She was more horrified at the exaple than the deed, but did not say anthing either.

Wow.

 

[fallen_angel727]

A friend of mine that works at Mouse Gear told me that same thing. Seems like it's just an invitation for people to steal stuff -- they know they aren't going to get in trouble.

Completely agree with this

I've worked a few retail jobs in my home town, and this was a big rule at all of these places also, only security could go after the shoplifter. The only time we were allowed to say anything is if we noticed small items hidden inside larger ones (ie. lipstick hidden in purse that was being bought). Other than that as cashiers we could do nothing...frankly even the security team had large restrictions on what they could and could not do/say until the potential shoplifter actually left the store, so many people got away with it it was mind-boggling and there was nothing we could do

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

I once witnessed a man blatantly stealing stacks of DVD's from the Pop Century gift shop by putting them in a plastic Disney bag. He saw that I was watching him and ran out.

 

[L&Lfan]

I saw a woman grab FISTFULLS of sugar packets at the Beach Club Marketplace and put them in her pockets. Does that count as theft?

 

[Mrsjvb]

SO, has anyone else been witness to theft in a Disney store? I know there are dishonest people everywhere, however, this was the first time I was witness to such a blatant theft!

I worked at a major mall anchor store for 10 years. I saw it daily. absolutely you call security to deal with it.

my personal favorite is the scam where you pick it up off the shelf then approach the register for a refund. Luckily our policy was always to have another person approve any return without a receipt. my desk was at the top of the escalator. I watched a guy come up, approach the display of comforters also at the top of the escalator pick one up(not even bothering to look at size) then immediately head to the register when the girl came over for me to approve the refund, I told her to dial security from my phone. it was dealt with

 

[stinkpickle]

No, but one of those German girls working a F&W beer stand almost stole my heart once.

 

[bball15fan]

You would think with the magic bands people would be more hesitant to steal stuff since they pretty much track everything.

 

[Mrsjvb]

A friend of mine that works at Mouse Gear told me that same thing. Seems like it's just an invitation for people to steal stuff -- they know they aren't going to get in trouble.

actually incorrect. as long as the person is still INSIDE the store they can claim they were going to pay for it. once they are outside only security can halt them and demand a receipt.

 

[LaurenT]

I saw a woman grab FISTFULLS of sugar packets at the Beach Club Marketplace and put them in her pockets. Does that count as theft?

It's still stealing - though on a smaller scale. I have personally taken a few extra splenda packets for my morning coffee when I ran out once - I guess that's technically stealing too, though I wasn't grabbing fistfuls or trying to hide anything.
I had an uncle who was really bad... He would actually bring a container into fast food places to fill with ketchup and stuff. And yes, it's embarrassing and awful and it's stealing and makes things more expensive for everyone... But this same man would give you the shirt off his back. Bad behavior is relative and I try to remember that. Not saying it's right or that they shouldn't be caught and punished... Just that in the grand scheme of things... There are far worse offenses and maybe we shouldn't completely vilify someone who was raised with an inadequate moral compass....

 

[Mrsjvb]

Completely agree with this

I've worked a few retail jobs in my home town, and this was a big rule at all of these places also, only security could go after the shoplifter. The only time we were allowed to say anything is if we noticed small items hidden inside larger ones (ie. lipstick hidden in purse that was being bought). Other than that as cashiers we could do nothing...frankly even the security team had large restrictions on what they could and could not do/say until the potential shoplifter actually left the store, so many people got away with it it was mind-boggling and there was nothing we could do

I loved it when they tried that. Like I don't know how much a comforter weighs in the bag. add a sheet set, a few shams and other stuff, and I had a blast opening up the bag and pulling each individually ticketed item out and seeing their faces fall. one tried insisting it was included. but I pointed out that the signs said otherwise and each item had its own ticket. funny how he opted to not buy anything after all....

 

[ScottieMouse]

It is definitely unfortunate, but having the people in the store say nothing to the thief directly is the safest way to go. No reason to have someone hurt over material objects.

 

[W.E.D.]

I was in one of the shops in Adventureland. I saw a man quickly wad up a shirt and stuff it into his pants. Within 30 seconds, two "tourists" grabbed him under each arm and proceeded to vanish with him in tow.

I was very impressed.

 

[TygerHawks]

It is definitely unfortunate, but having the people in the store say nothing to the thief directly is the safest way to go. No reason to have someone hurt over material objects.

This...though, it is actually a liability issue. If a clerk confronts a thief, and if that thief harms the clerk, then the company is paying for both workmans comp and potentially court costs in charging the thief. Companies would rather loose a few dollars and pass it on then be forced to pay hundreds or thousands to stop it.