“He adopts methods that fit his unique talents and the kind of merchandise he intends to st*al. The professional s*op*if*er plans ahead; he knows what he wants, where to find it and how to get it.” -Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Here are tips that have flown me under the radar, as that is your ultimate goal while shopping.
Like what the quote says, know what you want, where to find it and how to get it.
What do you want to buy? A Stanley Cup? Lulu leggings? Cute top from Brandy? You will need to know how to buy them, and where. Will you require a magnet/hook? What will you conceal with? Ask yourself these things and prepare. What would you say to the SA who greets you? What are some signs you are giving yourself away? What will you wear? Be calm and collected. Once you step into a mall, a store, you wear the face of any other shopper who will spend their money. You, on the other hand, can use a special discount at the cost of nothing to you, except common sense and intuition.
Where are you gonna go shopping? In an affluent area, or high crime? Research and look into store policies. A N*rdstr*m won’t have the same SA as a Pacs*n. Google at the mall you will shop at, and look at store reviews and photos that are most recent. Are the SAs trailing you from the moment you walk at the door, because they are paid on commission (and if they catch you shopping), or are they inattentive and nonchalant because they are being paid minimum wage (and putting minimum effort). When will you be going? On a busy Friday night or a calm Sunday morning? Anticipate and plan accordingly before you are going from store-to-store. Park away from the store. While some stores won't chase, they can look out the doors/windows to note your license plate info. Map out in which order you are going shopping. Sometimes plans change, so be adaptable.
The most important step in shopping. How will you conceal a Stanley Cup? Detag the Lulu leggings? How will you bring merchandise out of the store without triggering alarms and bringing suspicion?
Methods from the Kansas Bureau of Invesitagtion:
Wears a shirt, slacks or other garment with an elastic waistband or wears “shoplifter bloomers.”
Palms small articles. Packages, newspapers, coats, gloves and other things that are carried in the hand can be used as shoplifting aids.
Tries on a garment, places his outer garment over the stolen one and wears your merchandise out of the store.
Enters the store without jewelry or accessories, but wears or carries items of this type when he leaves.
Wears a long outer coat and conceals articles between his legs.
Here is the document: https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/PDF/brochures/Shoplifting.pdf
If you are wondering how I concealed a Stanley Cup, detagged Lulu leggings, all while not triggering alarms and not brining suspicion:
With my experience, I'd buy the Stanley cup from REI or Urb*n, and conceal them with a bag that can maintain structure with the cup inside. I'd make sure the bag held something small first, like keys, then took those out while I discretely put the Stanley cup inside, IN A BLIND SPOT. I wouldn't recommend Urb*n to beginners, as you will need a magnet to detag.
At Lulu, I'd grab a hideous ugly sweater/jacket and the pair of leggings, and conceal the leggings discretely, either with the sweater or in a bag I can slip it in. In the dressing room, with my shoes off, I try on the of the sweater/jacket, and with the pair of leggings I want to buy, I detag WITH A HOOK. I recommend hooks over magnets as they aren't that noisy and are easier to carry and work with than magnets. After detagging and removing the price tag, I conceal the tags in the other article of clothing. Bonus points if there are zippered pockets to put the price tags in. I reattach the tag to the pockets, being careful to not be loud or slow. There is usually a fitting room attendant and he/she will be suspicious if you take too long.
If you are considering investing in a magnet/tag, check reviews before you buy. I bought my supplies off of Am*z*n. Please note, not all magnets will work with all tags. Tags are, in my opinion, more reliable than magnets. Also, magnets can destroy your phone if they are placed too close together.
CARRYING A MAGNET/HOOK/BOO$TER BAG/ETC IS A PUNISHABLE OFFENCE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU TOOK ANYTHING. You will be charged with "intent to sh*pl*ft" and you will regret ever buying a tool. Be careful. Be quiet when using a magnet/hook. I have bought over thousands of dollars worth of goods yet I don't have a boo$t*r bag because I don't need one, nor want one. I wouldn't even want to make a makeshift one because if it fails, sh*t will hit the fan and everything is over in my life even when I am young.
Like a test, you wouldn't take it if you didn't study. So if you plan on shopping, review LP policies online, like on Tumblr or Reddit. Ask questions if you need help. I check my inbox as much as I can and I love to help a fellow I*fter out! Hands-on experience matters. Scope a place out before you go shopping there. Most importantly, stay calm and think with clarity and common sense, like a test ;)
With back to school season, I recommend shopping at St@pIes or Off*ceM@x. Wanna know why? Check out LP and stories on Tumblr or on other websites. After, go see for yourself and scope the store out. That's what I did and I haven't yet spent a single penny on overpriced school supplies.
