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

[kay1864]

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

No...only if they are touched to a RFID reader, which are only at the park entrances, FP locations, and cash registers. They don't track guests through the parks.

 

[bball15fan]

No...only if they are touched to a RFID reader, which are only at the park entrances, FP locations, and cash registers. They don't track guests through the parks.

Oh okay, I figured since they can track your exact table at BOG it was kind of like that around the park. Well they shouldn't steal still!

 

[TommyG]

When I worked for TDS, the approved Disney term for shoplifters was 'customer', and not the usual 'guest' moniker. So if you heard anyone mention "There's a customer over there by the plush", you knew exactly what was going on. Pretty much all we were allowed to do was to follow them around and pretty much annoy them into leaving, all while smiling.

 

[LaurenT]

No...only if they are touched to a RFID reader, which are only at the park entrances, FP locations, and cash registers. They don't track guests through the parks.

the MBs are indeed tracking guests through the park. You don't have to physically touch anything. the MB is read as I make my 50 ft plunge on splash mountain... that's how the photo shows up in my MM account without me touching anything. The RFID cards are short range, but the MBs are long range.

 

[CurtisB]

I was in the store on Main St in MK and a woman, with a group of people, ripped the tag off a t shirt, put it on a kid that was standing in front of her and then they all walked out.

 

[set1208]

I've seen people stealing but never at Disney. I don't confront them ever. If they're crazy enough to steal something, I can only imagine how they'd freak out on me if I called them out.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I witnessed a theft in AK once. I probably would not have noticed, but the woman more or less pushed me out of the way to grab an item that was behind me. I think saw her pick up a few more items, and walk off.

I notified staff. Disney did send someone after her. I don't know what else happened, but it was deep in the park, so they had plenty of time to locate her before she could exit the park.

Part of what struck me, was how very rude she was!

My extended family has been to WDW many times... I can think of at least a few times when toddler members of our family have picked up small items and walked out of the store, before any adults discovered the item in their hand (and they were returned or bought). Does that count?

I also suspect some special needs children might have difficulty comprehending where to pay for things at WDW. Some of the open air gift shops are set up almost like a classroom, where items are out and open for testing. The Lego Store in DTD is a good example. I could see a good number of folks legitimately thinking the Legos in the play bins are 'free samples.'

I also see where some folks might legitimately forget to pay for items at WDW. I mean, I can't tell you how many times folks have walked right into me because they were distracted by flashing lights. Many folks seem to get overwhelmed at WDW. I could easily see a parent, who has been lugging a backpack, toys, and sippy cups around all day... picking up an item...walking around the store...chasing their toddler.....and then forgetting they've got merchandise in their hand. Again, especially because so many WDW gift shops are "open air" areas. I'm not saying they shouldn't pay or anything.. I'm just saying I can easily imagine adults getting distracted because I've seen it so often at WDW. I think WDW is probably wise to avoid dragging such a parent out in handcuffs...That would kind of put an end to the day being magical.

 

[JanaDee]

No...only if they are touched to a RFID reader, which are only at the park entrances, FP locations, and cash registers. They don't track guests through the parks.

There are long range readers all over the parks that track the magic bands. They don't need to be touched to a reader to be tracked.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I haven't seen anyone else do it, but unfortunately, my then-4-yr-old once stuck a DVD that I wouldn't buy for him into the bottom of the stroller. He did it just as we were heading out of Studios and we got on the boat to Epcot and I noticed it in the stroller and could not believe what he'd done. When we got to Epcot, I took him to Guest Relations and make him tell the CM what he'd done and that he was sorry. I told the CM which store it should go back to. The CM started to tell him, "oh, it's OK, buddy," and I firmly stepped in with, "no, it's not ok. We don't take things that don't belong to us, do we (name)?" He was pretty mortified, even for a 4-yr-old. Haven't had that problem again.

 

[kay1864]

the MBs are indeed tracking guests through the park. You don't have to physically touch anything. the MB is read as I make my 50 ft plunge on splash mountain... that's how the photo shows up in my MM account without me touching anything. The RFID cards are short range, but the MBs are long range.

Yes, they do track MBs on rides that have photos, but AFAIK there are no long-range readers other than on those rides.

If anyone knows for certain otherwise, please post, but the best info I've seen is that MB readers are limited to photo rides, BOG tables, and the (short-range) locations I mentioned earlier.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

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

Actually they don't. Not to that extent. It can't tell if you're in the bathroom or if you just stole something from Mouse Gear. They don't have long range sensors everywhere and the range isn't that long.

Some folks think they put the long range sensors every few feet so they can track every single move each guest makes all day, all over the park. No, not really. They are going to track the important stuff. They will know what you buy and which rides you fastpass and they'll upload photos for you and find you at BOG. They don't really care how long you spend in the restroom.

 

[JanaDee]

Yes, they do track MBs on rides that have photos, but AFAIK there are no long-range readers other than on those rides.

If anyone knows for certain otherwise, please post, but the best info I've seen is that MB readers are limited to photo rides, BOG tables, and the (short-range) locations I mentioned earlier.

This is what they look like.

 

[JanaDee]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3289967

 

[BigMommaMouse]

This is OT to the OP.
Most stores invest in equipment that follows the customers path though the store.
How far they walk in, when they turn around, what displays they spend time at. At the store I worked in, the sensors were in the floor and about 1 foot up the walls.

Then they use math algorithm to figure it out for now.

 

[Jennasis]

Maybe...

Years ago I was in Mousegears and a woman wielding an SUV sized stroller barreled into me at full force. She then proceeded to bash my foot over and over as she tried to mow OVER me...which she succeeded in doing. I screamed (literally...B movie star style) and dropped to the floor clutching my bloody ankle. The lady paused, looked down at me, her eyes wide as saucers and then along came her husband (or some random dude) who snatched her by the elbow and the trwo of them bolted out of the store like they were being chased by a pack of hungry wolves.

I can only assume they had stolen the Hope Diamond and were making a break for it.

 

[wilkeliza]

On topic never saw it at the parks but wow working at a Disney Store I saw it all the time. Sadly saying workers aren't allowed to do anything is actually wrong. Disney has 1 policy in place that is suppose to hinder shop lifting and that is Customer Service. Think about how many time you see CMs standing around talking to reach other and not helping a guest find something or talking tipi each other at the register Irshad if the guest? I was trained to always help help help to prevent shop lifting. If you see someone with a large box offer to hold it for them at the register woke they continue to shop, ask if they need any assistance with their selections if you see them shoving things in their bag or direct them to where the nearest cash register is. All of this combined can make people feel like they are being watched so are less likely to steal. I can't honestly remember the last time I was browsing a park store and someone offered me help.

 

[ScottieMouse]

This is what they look like.

That obviously isn't "long" range considering there is another one within 15 feet. This is just tracking who is entering and exiting stores. Essentially a high tech turnstile.

I'm selling some tin foil though if anyone wants some.

 

[LaurenT]

That obviously isn't "long" range considering there is another one within 15 feet. This is just tracking who is entering and exiting stores. Essentially a high tech turnstile. I'm selling some tin foil though if anyone wants some.

My point was just that you don't have to touch your MB to a Mickey head for Disney to know where you are. It doesn't bother me - just correcting the statement that only touching MB reveals any info. I imagine there's invaluable info that can be gathered from tracking. 100 people spent an average of five minutes looking at the new Grumpy shirts ... But only 5 of them bought one ... Now you know people are interested ... Lower the price $5 and see if you get more purchases / or the opposite ... People spent 3 minutes in front of an Elsa shirt and 80% of them bought one ... You can probably raise the price...

 

[kay1864]

This is what they look like.

I for one welcome our new mouse overlords

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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!

I have not witnessed that.

But when I worked retail, the 2 stores I worked for did not permit any employee to encounter an alleged thief. Security had to do it. It was for safety and liability reasons. In one store, we had an employee stealing. He remained employee until he could be busted for it. I took that to mean they knew who it was and what was stolen but had no concrete proof. He was finally terminated.

But employees aware of this could do nothing about it while the investigation was ongoing.

And yes, every store--while they don't wish to have thieves, have shrinkage worked into their budgets.

Disney retail operates no differently, it seems.