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I worked at 2 different Value City Department Stores in the early 90's. One was in Pittsburgh, one in Baltimore. As many places as I have worked, this place seemed to attract the stupidest criminals.
Gypsies - At least twice a year in Baltimore, they would descend on us like locusts. Usually we were forewarned by other department stores, sometimes we were surprised by their arrival. It usually involved 30-40 of them, all ages from babies to 90 yr olds and Great Googlymoogly these people were good. They would stuff things into grandma's voluminous dresses (grandma came in 90 lbs, tried to leave at 300 lbs), in their numerous baby strollers..to which we required them to remove the kids from the strollers before they could leave, and in large purses. While the women were stripping us of merchandise, the men were trying the quick change tricks on the cashiers. One cashier, who was not pleasant on a good day and a down right demon on the others slapped ones hand when he tried to reach for the register. Because we were so proactive (following them, making them come thru only one cashier, checking all purses, strollers, and grandmas) we really kept our losses to a minimum. They tried to scream racism, we said we could call in the police and let them sort it out. They declined arbitration
Scams - We had these 2 guys who would buy women's lingerie and come fuck me pumps every Friday, and on Monday, without fail. try to return said stuff...that was obviously used
We denied them due to return regulations, but they figured if they screamed loud enough for a manager they would get their way. Unfortunately, SM was a senile old coot who ALWAYS gave in!! So after a few weeks of this, we figured out to just call up the department manager, have her say she was the new manager and tell them 'Oh Hell NO!!". It worked and they started leaving us alone.
Women is on camera moving 4 cones that say wet floor, walking on floor that had a spill of liquid potpourri (worker was getting a mop). She, of course, falls and broke her leg. The whole time the medics are attending her, she is screaming "I will sue you losers!! I will own this store!! You are all going to be fired for your carelessness!!" Well, we had the video tape of her moving the comes, our insurance refused to even pay her medical bills and said "Go ahead, try to sue us." She tried, and lost.
Woman goes running for the elevator which is closing (2 story store with one tiny elevator but working escalators). She is holding a small infant in her arms and she dives into the elevator, but unfortunately, doors close on her infants head because she is holding the poor thing like a rag doll. Now, as soon as the doors feel something, they immediately open..kid isn't hurt (but is crying from probably being startled) but we call the medics and the whole time, this mother of the year is screaming how she is going to sue, we will owe her millions of dollars wahwahwah. Again, video tape, witness statements from the others on the elevator and standing at the service desk (these people were volunteering because this idiot put her own baby at risk) got her zip, zero, nada.
New employee - Claims she hurt her back lifting stock, was on comp but missed a few appointments with the dr's, so insurance sends an investigator to follow her. Investigator has video of her at a pool, playing chicken with some others which she is claiming to be bed ridden and permanently disabled. Had to pay back money that she had received, was fired, and threatened with being charged with insurance fraud.
Thieves
That is one hell of a headache - Guy stole 60 bottles of pain reliever..just basic aspirin but all different brands. Stuffed them down his pants and when he crossed the thresh hold of the store where security could nail him, he started running..leaving a trail of bottles falling out his pants legs. Next time Skippy, wear sweat pants..they hold better!
Guy comes to service desk with a $49.99 track suit...no bag no receipt but he has it all balled up. He says he wants to return it and I stepped over (was ACSM) because I had a feeling. I told him without a receipt, I could only do an even exchange so if he wanted to pick a new one he could and I would start the paperwork. When he wondered off, I called the security guy and told him to check the cameras because the guy had stolen it and was trying to return it. How did I know it was stolen, they asked. Because it was 5 degrees out that morning and the 2 previous returns handed to me where cold from being outside...this wasn't cold. They watched footage and BAM!!! there he was under the rack taking it off the hanger, stuffing it in his coat, walking out and right back in. Repeat offender with warrants..got to ride in the pretty car with lights.
Head of Security not understanding job description- Guy was an ass who a few of us just had a hinky feeling about. About 3 months after he was hired, at closing, he is 'securing' the loading doors. Actually he was wheeling out a rack of Van Heusen mens suits...16 in all, to his car. Other security guy is watching camera in wonderment and called manager who walked around the back of the store and BUSTED.
If I show you my boobs, can you let me leave?- I would get called in when a female was tagged for shoplifting because the guys knew better than to have them alone in their offices while waiting for cops. So I go back as they are perp walking 2 14 year old girls to the office. I help do the inventory of the stuff they had put in their purses, pockets,coats while the one is just shaking and the other keeps saying to security guy "Can I just show you my boobs? Will that help get me out of here??" He finally snaps and says "I'm gay and you're a kid, so no!" Momma gets there, and while the police are conferring with security about charges vs banishment and scaring shitless, the mother asks her daughter "Did you offer yourself? Did you tell him what you would do if he let you go?" We all sloooowly turn and just look at her. Cop released scared girl to her pissed off dad, took hooker in training to station to call CPS.
Whew..I am sure there will be more that rattle in my brain..but these are my favorites
Gypsies - At least twice a year in Baltimore, they would descend on us like locusts. Usually we were forewarned by other department stores, sometimes we were surprised by their arrival. It usually involved 30-40 of them, all ages from babies to 90 yr olds and Great Googlymoogly these people were good. They would stuff things into grandma's voluminous dresses (grandma came in 90 lbs, tried to leave at 300 lbs), in their numerous baby strollers..to which we required them to remove the kids from the strollers before they could leave, and in large purses. While the women were stripping us of merchandise, the men were trying the quick change tricks on the cashiers. One cashier, who was not pleasant on a good day and a down right demon on the others slapped ones hand when he tried to reach for the register. Because we were so proactive (following them, making them come thru only one cashier, checking all purses, strollers, and grandmas) we really kept our losses to a minimum. They tried to scream racism, we said we could call in the police and let them sort it out. They declined arbitration
Scams - We had these 2 guys who would buy women's lingerie and come fuck me pumps every Friday, and on Monday, without fail. try to return said stuff...that was obviously used
We denied them due to return regulations, but they figured if they screamed loud enough for a manager they would get their way. Unfortunately, SM was a senile old coot who ALWAYS gave in!! So after a few weeks of this, we figured out to just call up the department manager, have her say she was the new manager and tell them 'Oh Hell NO!!". It worked and they started leaving us alone.Women is on camera moving 4 cones that say wet floor, walking on floor that had a spill of liquid potpourri (worker was getting a mop). She, of course, falls and broke her leg. The whole time the medics are attending her, she is screaming "I will sue you losers!! I will own this store!! You are all going to be fired for your carelessness!!" Well, we had the video tape of her moving the comes, our insurance refused to even pay her medical bills and said "Go ahead, try to sue us." She tried, and lost.
Woman goes running for the elevator which is closing (2 story store with one tiny elevator but working escalators). She is holding a small infant in her arms and she dives into the elevator, but unfortunately, doors close on her infants head because she is holding the poor thing like a rag doll. Now, as soon as the doors feel something, they immediately open..kid isn't hurt (but is crying from probably being startled) but we call the medics and the whole time, this mother of the year is screaming how she is going to sue, we will owe her millions of dollars wahwahwah. Again, video tape, witness statements from the others on the elevator and standing at the service desk (these people were volunteering because this idiot put her own baby at risk) got her zip, zero, nada.
New employee - Claims she hurt her back lifting stock, was on comp but missed a few appointments with the dr's, so insurance sends an investigator to follow her. Investigator has video of her at a pool, playing chicken with some others which she is claiming to be bed ridden and permanently disabled. Had to pay back money that she had received, was fired, and threatened with being charged with insurance fraud.
Thieves
That is one hell of a headache - Guy stole 60 bottles of pain reliever..just basic aspirin but all different brands. Stuffed them down his pants and when he crossed the thresh hold of the store where security could nail him, he started running..leaving a trail of bottles falling out his pants legs. Next time Skippy, wear sweat pants..they hold better!
Guy comes to service desk with a $49.99 track suit...no bag no receipt but he has it all balled up. He says he wants to return it and I stepped over (was ACSM) because I had a feeling. I told him without a receipt, I could only do an even exchange so if he wanted to pick a new one he could and I would start the paperwork. When he wondered off, I called the security guy and told him to check the cameras because the guy had stolen it and was trying to return it. How did I know it was stolen, they asked. Because it was 5 degrees out that morning and the 2 previous returns handed to me where cold from being outside...this wasn't cold. They watched footage and BAM!!! there he was under the rack taking it off the hanger, stuffing it in his coat, walking out and right back in. Repeat offender with warrants..got to ride in the pretty car with lights.
Head of Security not understanding job description- Guy was an ass who a few of us just had a hinky feeling about. About 3 months after he was hired, at closing, he is 'securing' the loading doors. Actually he was wheeling out a rack of Van Heusen mens suits...16 in all, to his car. Other security guy is watching camera in wonderment and called manager who walked around the back of the store and BUSTED.
If I show you my boobs, can you let me leave?- I would get called in when a female was tagged for shoplifting because the guys knew better than to have them alone in their offices while waiting for cops. So I go back as they are perp walking 2 14 year old girls to the office. I help do the inventory of the stuff they had put in their purses, pockets,coats while the one is just shaking and the other keeps saying to security guy "Can I just show you my boobs? Will that help get me out of here??" He finally snaps and says "I'm gay and you're a kid, so no!" Momma gets there, and while the police are conferring with security about charges vs banishment and scaring shitless, the mother asks her daughter "Did you offer yourself? Did you tell him what you would do if he let you go?" We all sloooowly turn and just look at her
. Cop released scared girl to her pissed off dad, took hooker in training to station to call CPS.Whew..I am sure there will be more that rattle in my brain..but these are my favorites
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