No good, very bad thief.

I work in a shop and today there were these three teenage girls with massive purses and shopping bags filled to the brim (which is definitely not suspicious at all), and since I’ve been working there for a couple years I was trusted to keep an eye on them.

I know how obnoxious it is to get customer-serviced to death, as a shopper and especially as a lifter, so I asked them if they were doing okay once and then went and did my own thing while still keeping my eye on them. They were pushing things off shelves, talking excessively loud at each other even though they were a meter apart, rustling through all of the shirts, and one of them said, “I’m going to come back and buy this with my next paycheck!” about 1,400 times. You’re not fooling anyone, hun. I had to keep an eye on them so I moved around so I was in view of them, and then they had the audacity to yell at me? They actually yelled at me for following them. It’s a small store and they were being very obvious it’s not like they didn’t see it coming.

They apparently wanted an item that I was by because they were there for a very long time, and they took the item to a different section in the store (aka our only blind spot), and started talking loudly again and jangling keys to cover the noise of their wire cutters. The store was completely empty besides them so they were very obvious. My manager was absolutely onto them from the beginning, but we have a very strict shoplifting policy where we can’t even let them know we’re onto them, so we had to pretend not to see anything and customer service them to death.

They bought things to try and throw us off their trails, but they paid with credit cards and their receipts were immediately reprinted and saved for evidence against them. They also left cut sensors in the shirts they were ripping through, which was literally two meters in front of the camera. Which is watched constantly. So now we have evidence against them and security was called to follow them and get their plates.

broken link

link to outdated advice that’s no longer accurate

“DO! NOT! TELL! THE SAS! YOU! ARE! STEALING!”

how to lift copic markers (if your store leaves the cabinet unlocked and doesn’t monitor the section)

more deleted blogs

Walmart/Target/JCP Sephora tips

broken link to putlocker version of the Bling Ring 

Adidas: Difficult to shoplift from. Cameras aren’t usually monitored, but staff are dedicated and can make a commission. They are usually inclined to try to stop theft. Tagging is frequent and efficient at Adidas stores.

Aeropostale: (going out of business) Cameras are few and far between. Cameras are never actively monitored, and most exist only to stop ORC/internal theft. Aero doesn’t chase and doesn’t prosecute. Their staff has little LP training and has no employees dedicated to LP. Staff usually don’t count dressing room items and don’t do much about even obvious lifting (other than calling mall security). Very easy.

Abercrombie & Fitch: Cameras aren’t actively monitored. Only LP is regular staff, but usually, only store managers call police or mall security. Staff sometimes counts fitting room items. A&F has a strict policy not to chase lifters, but they will call police or mall security. Often times they won’t press charges and will just ask for merchandise to be returned. Fairly easy.

American Eagle: Won’t chase, and cameras aren’t actively monitored. Staff usually count fitting room items, and fitting rooms are locked until you request one. They will prosecute if caught, but the only LP measures they take are calling police or mall security. Fairly easy.

Armani: Has a small staff-customer ratio, and lifting is almost impossible. Cameras are actively monitored, and staff follows customers around almost ubiquitously (just so they don’t have to search for a salesperson when they have a question or need help with something). Near impossible.

Banana Republic: Hardest of all the GAP Inc. stores. Has staff who is generally dedicated, and who will usually monitor cameras. Tagging is frequent so be careful and only conceal in dressing rooms. Will often chase, prosecute, and ban. They usually call police and mall security.

Barnes & Noble: Uses RFID tags on products over $40, all electronics, most manga, and most hardcover books. Cameras are not actively monitored but will be checked after a theft has occurred. Store managers are the only ones who have the authority to call the police. Store managers are the only staff who can trail shoplifters, but they will give aggressive customer service if they suspect you. They won’t chase you, and will simply call to you from the door and ask you to come back inside. If you refuse, they will try to get your license plate number. Gifts, journals, trinkets, moleskins, paper blanks and art supplies are never tagged. If you’re being followed, staff will back off every few minutes to allow you to dump the merchandise. Try to conceal in the kid’s section, as there are no cameras usually. Very easy store, but not for beginners.

Bath & Body Works: No LP and cameras aren’t actively monitored. The stores are small and have many employees mostly concentrated at the counters except for a greeter who helps customers with questions. They don’t prosecute, but they call mall security and will let them determine if police will be called. This is a store only good for small lifts, and then leaving quickly.

Bed, Bath, and Beyond: Stores vary. While cameras are usually monitored, and LP exists regionally, tall shelves and big displays make concealment much easier. Will chase, prosecute, and ban.

Best Buy: One of the most dangerous stores for a shoplifter. Has actively monitored PTZ cameras, and a stationary guard at all exits who monitors cameras and checks all receipts. They will call police immediately and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Staff can follow you into the restroom. Almost impossible.

Bloomingdales: Actively monitored PTZ cameras. Staffed with a team of LP professionals, and most staff has basic LP training. They will chase, prosecute, fine, and ban. Quite hard.

Books-a-million: They have very good cameras, but they aren’t actively monitored, and they usually don’t record. Employees are few and far between, and at some locations, the door alarms are fake. Most books aren’t tagged, regardless of price. BAM usually has expensive autographed copies of books that can be resold at a larger profit. (This is my personal favorite store).

Burlington Coat Factory: Cameras are usually actively monitored. Won’t usually chase, but there are no specific policies. Will always call police, and will usually ban or ask you to leave even if you pass the POS with unpaid merchandise.

Carson’s: Cameras are actively monitored. LP rotate regionally, but have been cut back since the sale of Carson’s to the Proffitt Holding Group. Most stores outside of Illinois don’t tag many items, except for designer handbags and other items over a couple hundred bucks. Staff will call police even if someone is thought to be concealing merchandise. Fairly difficult.

Chanel: Staff is very dedicated and classy. One employee is always looking at cameras. While it is one of the easier designer stores, it is still extremely risky. Your best bet is a grab and run.

COACH: Same as Armani.

Costco: Receipt-checkers make theft hard. If they see you stealing they will call police and prosecute. As it is a membership-only store, they have all of your information in the central computer system. Don’t lift from Costco.

CVS: Cameras are usually non-actively monitored. LP rotates regionally, usually working two, 8-hour shifts per week at specific stores (especially when large thefts are discovered). CVS is usually bad a tagging merchandise that Corporate would want tagged. Regular staff won’t chase, but LP can confront you in store, but they will only try to get your license plate. Medium range difficulty.

Dick’s Sporting Goods: While they employee LP and actively monitor cameras in most locations, LP is poor and there are may easy blind spots to conceal in. Only security is concentrated near the firearms section (for “safety reasons”). LP usually won’t chase, but they sometimes break company policy. Police will almost always be called once a lifter leaves the store. Medium difficulty.

Dillard’s: Cameras are monitored actively, and a few LP are usually working. They don’t typically employ plainclothes AP/LP, but treat all customers as potential LP. Dillard’s will chase, ban, and prosecute. When a large lift is attempted, LP will not hesitate to physically detain lifters.

Dollar General: No LP, and staff is usually older. Strict no chase policies are in place, and cameras are not actively monitored. Easy.

Dollar Tree: Oftentimes, the cameras are fake. Few employees are usually in store. DT doesn’t want to waste money on security or LP because their products are cheap. Basically a free-for-all. Beginner-level store.

Family Dollar: Sometimes they don’t even have cameras. At most they will have four employees in the store, but they usually only have one or two. Extremely easy as long as you watch over your shoulders.

Five and Below: Among the easiest stores. Staff mostly remain at the counter unless they are stocking items. They will call police after a lifter has left the store. Cameras are few if any, and aren’t actively monitored. Five and Below only really cares about ORC and internal theft, but employs no LP. Staff don’t care to stop obvious lifters, and will usually just attempt to get a license plate number, or picture of them.

Finish Line/Footlocker: Both don’t monitor cameras except ones in the back (to prevent ORC). Staff won’t chase, but they will ban, prosecute, and try to get a license plate number or picture of the suspect. LP is regional, and is usually called in after thefts.

Food Lion: Generally an easy store. At matt locations, the check-out lanes “block” the exits which makes the possibility of being spotted greater. Cameras tend to be monitored (especially when big shipments are coming in). LP is nonexistent, and it is up to managers to stop you. Food Lion will ban, and sometimes prosecute. Police are almost always called.

Gamestop: Usually they only have one or two non monitored, non-recording cameras. Employee(s) will usually remain at the counter or on the sales floor, so theft or concealment is difficult. Higher end electronics are kept in locked cabinets. Efforts to lift from Gamestop are usually futile.

GAP: Easier than Banana Republic. Cameras are usually not monitored, but are well placed. Cashier desk is far from the main door. Door alarms are ubiquitous in use. LP situation unknown. Be cautious and don’t conceal on the floor unless the item is small.

GNC: Won’t chase. No LP. Doesn’t actively monitor cameras (cameras are very few). Regional managers are usually concerned with and tasked with tackling internal theft. Employees will at most try to get a license plate, and they may ban you if they see you conceal in store.

Gucci: Good LP and PTZ cameras. They won’t hesitate to tackle you and do anything to retrieve merchandise.

H&M: Frequently uses plainclothes in US stores. Cameras are sometimes actively monitored. LP at H&M is fairly good for a small store. Will usually call mall security if they think someone is stealing.

Hobby Lobby: Fairly easy, but still the hardest craft store. They do employ limited LP who will try to apprehend shoplifters once they pass the POS. Often they will ask for the merchandise back and just ban you. Police are called if any employee or customer is physically injured or if threats are made. In that case, they will prosecute.

Hollister: Cameras aren’t monitored, and there is no LP. Many stores have door alarms as a deterrent, because they are too far away to be seen or possibly heard at the cashier desk. Hollister will call mall security. They won’t chase, but they will ask for merchandise back or issue a Civil Demand, and they will ban permanently.

Home Depot: While they actively monitor cameras and employ LP, Home Depot LP is usually ineffective at stopping small theft because they have such a large store to cover, which has extremely expensive items spread throughout.

Hot Topic: Difficulty of HT stores varies wildly. Most don’t have cameras, but some have one near the front desk. In either case, the cameras aren’t monitored unless a robbery or major theft has occurred. There is no LP, but regional managers can be called in if a large theft has occurred. Staff shouldn’t chase you, but store managers have been known to break this policy in an attempt to get pictures or license plate numbers. They will usually call mall security, but not police. Staff usually follow and pester suspected lifters, and they will pretend to straighten displays new you. Their main technique is to offer you something that matches what they think you’ve concealed (this is to intimidate you into dumping the merchandise). Be careful.

Jo-Ann Fabrics: Very easy store. Many displays near the store entrance make it easy to conceal and leave quickly. There is no LP, but if they see you conceal, they will customer service you to death. Police might be called. Managers can try to call you back into the store, but won’t chase further than the sidewalk. Signs stating “Shoplifters will be prosecuted” are deterrents that make up for a lack of LP or security monitoring. Cameras around these signs are fake, and all Jo-Ann cameras have a blindspot within a 5 feet cone of the camera.

JC Penny: Lax LP as far as most department stores go. LP is employed and they actively monitor cameras. Plainclothes are used in high shrink stores.

King Super’s: Extremely good LP, who ESPECIALLY HEAVILY monitor the alcohol. Cameras are always actively monitored. KS LP will go to extreme lengths to apprehend lifters. Police are always called after concealment, or in the event of assault of a staff member.

K-Mart: Surprisingly decent LP who sometimes actively monitor cameras. Cameras don’t always record. They will always chase you, but won’t get physical unless you touch them or try to flee.

Kohl’s: Not too hard to lift from if you conceal in the dressing rooms and leave quickly. Plainclothes are common, and LP is good at making fitting room stops. Never try to return stolen goods to Kohl’s, because they try to flag the serial numbers of stolen merchandise. LP will enter the fitting room cubicle next to a suspected lifter, and will listen for any suspicious noises. Door alarms are very sensitive, so be careful. Company policy encourages LP not to make stops based ONLY on a door alarm being triggered. Issues large Civil Demands, and will report these to collection agencies. Kohl’s, however, cannot enforce a Civil Demand.

Kroger: Decent LP, who often pose as shelf stockers, and will trail people who conceal merchandise. Kroger tends to case-build on known lifters. Cameras are monitored most of the time, but are sometimes turned off around closing time.One of the harder grocery stores.

Lord and Taylor: Employees are encouraged to chase and are given incentives for preventing shoplifting. L&T usually will issue a large civil demand and f**k up your credit score in the process, but they will prosecute if it is an exceptionally large theft, or if people are hurt or threatened. Be cautious.

Lowes: Similar to Home Depot, but with less LP. Cameras are usually monitored, especially over the board cutting and cord cutting areas. This is to protect them from lawsuits if someone injures themselves.

Lush: Lush is usually busy which can be either a help or a hindrance to lifters. There are no tags or door alarms, and the front desk is often far ways from the door. There is usually one or two chasers and at least one employee giving demonstrations on the sales floor. I’m not sure about the camera situation, but I know if caught they will ban you, but won’t usually even try to get the products back because the bath bombs and such probably can’t be resold after having left the store. (information requested by /u/slkondak)

Macy’s: Quite hard. Often has large teams of LP in store ranging in size from two to as many as ten. Company policy demands that LP follow the 5 steps to make an apprehension. Cameras are fairly good, and are always being monitored. Head LP managers have access to store cameras even off duty, and will call police if alarms are triggered after closing time. Always chases (incentives are given to employees), and sometimes they prosecute, and sometimes they issue civil demands - no policy determines which they do.

Martin’s (closing): Not to hard. They have considerably less LP and general anti theft measures that Kroger. Cameras are almost always actively monitored because Martin’s has large management teams at every store.

Meijers: Will chase. Usually they won’t employ dedicated LP, but they will have someone monitoring cameras most of the time.

Mervyns: Dangerous store that will chase, ban, and prosecute. Cameras are always monitored.

Michael’s: Beginner level store. At more urban stores, expensive art pencils and markers are locked up, but many stores don’t bother. Spray paint is always locked up. Cameras aren’t monitored unless to investigate ORC. Employees are located at the framing counter which is near the main offices, so keep that in mind. Blind spots are numerous. Easy as pie.

Michael Kor’s: Probably the easiest designer boutique. Staff is very dedicated, and treats customers well. If they think you may be lifting, they won’t hesitate to call police and or mall security and stall you until they arrive. Not many bags are usually on display, so theft is noticed extremely quickly. If you must lift from there (they do have BEAUTIFUL bags and wallets) get in and get out.

Nike: Usually strict about theft. Cameras are few, but store managers sometimes monitor them. Tagging is frequent. They might chase, but will try to get a license plate number and will always call police.

Nordstrom: Dangerous, but not impossible. They have dedicated LP, and regular staff get bonuses for reporting shoplifters. They will chase you usually, but will usually have police waiting. Nordstrom case builds for shoplifting, so don’t return to the same store planning to lift. Cameras are numerous and are actively monitored. Glass cases containing designer wallets and things are usually able to be opened and only appear locked. Staff won’t confront you for opening the case (according to my cousin who has worked there for 9 months). Be careful.

Office Depot/Max: Very very easy. A personal favorite of mine. They almost never monitor cameras. Employees there are worked to death and really don’t care. If a door alarm sounds, keep walking. They can’t confront you just based on a door alarm beeping. No LP, and management only cares about internal theft. The cleaning supplies aisle is usually the best blindspot. Some items are spider wrapped. Many things have an RFID tag in them such as headphones, and fine writing pens. These tags are always stuck to the inside of the box. It’s easy to tell, because the box will have been resealed with scotch tape. Side note: Office Max vastly overprices post-it notes, so please steal those <3

Old Navy: Easiest of all the GAP Inc. Stores. Staff usually doesn’t care, and most are not on the sales floor. Dressing rooms are usually messy which makes it easy to conceal. Stealing shoes from Old Navy is easier because there are no shoe boxes. LP exists regionally in urban areas. Cameras are usually actively monitored. Will generally chase, ban, and call police.

Pet-Co: Cameras are usually only located near the front of the store. No LP, and cameras aren’t actively monitored. Management only cares about preventing internal theft because pet stores generally have low shrinkage. Employees won’t chase, and many won’t even call police.

PetSmart: Generally the same as Pet-Co. PetSmart holds a lot of dog training classes, so these are good times to lift. Cameras are sometimes reviewed at the end of the day (per company policy) but this rarely happens, especially in small stores.

Rite Aid: “Little to no lp unless it becomes a major problem such as repeated lifts of alcohol or electronics. Most cameras are fake. Not actively monitored. Poorly trained staff amd managers. Store policy is not to stop suspected lifters but it varies store to store. My moms old manager was a hard ass and tacked more than one person with no repercussions. He has since retired and her new manager has a no confrontation policy. They will however build a case. They got one lady who had been stealing wine bottles for 3 months. They call police and will take further legal action. Multiple blind spots even if cameras are active.if you spot the manager out of the office99% of the time that means nobody is watching cameras. And even if the manager is in the office they are usually overworked and underpayed so its no issue usually.”

Ross: Medium difficulty. They have limited LP, but cameras are usually monitored by one employee with radio contact to the managers. They will often simply ban shoplifters, and won’t call police if they get their merchandise back.

Safeway: Can be one of the more difficult grocery stores. Cameras are of decent quality, and are usually being watched. If electricity to the store is cut, the cameras will continue to record using a separate backup generator. LP is regional and rotates around stores with high shrinkage. Most stores in wealthier areas can go several months without a visit from district LP.

Sam’s Club: Same as Costco, but a little easier. They can be fairly easy to lift from if you conceal well and move fast. If you’re not obviously carrying anything, the receipt checker will let you pass.

Sears: Sears has cut back on LP, but still has LP agents in almost every store. LP that is there is highly trained. Sears will sometimes “bait” people into lifting. Some stores don;t have tower alarms. Cameras are always monitored. Sears will chase, and usually prosecute, but might issue a Civil Demand if you cooperate with their LP.

Sephora: Dangerous. Has very good LP and PTZ cameras. They will always have at least 2 or 3 agents in the store, not including plainclothes. They will chase, call police, and issue civil demands. If employees or customers are hurt, threatened, or if excessive amounts are stolen, they will prosecute. Civil Demand notices come with 1-2 year trespass orders (this applies to all Sephora’s except those in JCP or Macy’s).

Sheetz: One of the easier convenience stores to lift from. Cameras exist, but are generally not being monitored, except in the aftermath of large thefts or robberies. There are always at least two or three employees behind the counter. Most stocking is done late at night or after closing, so employees usually stay behind the counter unless they’re cleaning a machine. They won’t call police unless there’s a robbery. If an employee sees you shoplifting, oftentimes they tell you just to never come back. Quite easy.

Spencer’s: Difficulty varies. Most stores have decent low hanging cameras, but they aren’t usually being watched. They use a lot of ink tags on clothing items. Spencer’s keeps most expensive items such as sex toys in the back of the store, or on high shelves where you need to get employee assistance to reach. When lifting at Spencer’s, have an idea of what you want, and get in and out in under 10 minutes.

Staples: Very easy. Older stores have very wide aisles, and mostly fake cameras. Newer stores have shorter, narrower aisles and have real cameras. There are almost never any employees looking at cameras, and there are no real LP efforts to speak of. Employees will congregate near the main door if they see someone concealing, and they might follow at a distance. If you see two or more employees standing directly at the door, DUMP THE GOODS, and leave.

Stop & Shop: Surprisingly a difficult store. They use decent LP, and lots of decent quality cameras that are constantly monitored. They will almost always prosecute and rarely issue Civil Demand notices. Chase policy depends on the store, but they usually will chase or apprehend past the POS.

Sunglass Hut: No LP, and cameras aren’t actively monitored in mall stores. Glasses are almost all tagged, and employees are told not to leave customers alone in the store with merchandise. Regional managers will often investigate ORC and noticeable shrinkage reported in inventory.

Target: Notoriously hard. Cameras are extremely numerous and are very high quality. Some can PTZ. LP are extremely dedicated, and regular staff are given bonuses or incentives for reporting shoplifting to LP. Target will always chase, call police, ban, or rarely issue a Civil Demand notice. Don’t lift from Target. They will basically take what you stole and shove it up your ass. Also, Target case builds and shares known lifter info with other stores, so they can get you up to a felony amount before contacting police.

Things Remembered: Laughably easy. Most stores lack security cameras and those with them are never monitored. The large engraving station is in the back, so if your location has cameras, assume someone is near them. Staff don’t usually care and will stay at the desk. No LP at all. Mostly the company cares about preventing ORC. Concealing is easy as long as you’re in a blind spot from the cashier desk. Their items are expensive and are never tagged. Have fun.

Toys R Us: Store management may act as LP, and cameras are sometimes actively monitored. Company policy is to not detain parents who are with children under 8. (Regardless of if the child or parent is the lifter). They will usually call police, and may prosecute if they can’t get their stuff back. No specific LP personnel.

Tuesday Morning: Doesn’t chase, will prosecute, and will ban. Always calls police. There are no dedicated LP, but the company likes to hire former LP from other stores as managers in their stores.

Ulta: Difficulty varies. Stores in malls are usually harder because they often request their storefront to be near the mall security office. Freestanding stores are easier, but staff with call police, and usually issue a Civil Demand but sometimes prosecute. Cameras are PTZ and are almost always monitored. Many items are tagged.

Vans: Staff are usually pretty dedicated, and will offer aggressive customer service to suspected lifters. Vans usually calls mall security, and lets them determine whether or not to call police. Cameras are usually in most stores, but are monitored after a theft is noticed.

Virginia Diner Shoppe: Like taking candy from a baby. Large shelves and fairly expensive products make this a nice place to snatch some gifts for the ladies in your life.

Walmart: Poor LP, whose budget and resources have been slashed in recent years. LP efficiency can range from store to store, but it is often easier to lift from Walmarts in higher income areas. Walmart will almost always chase, and will often prosecute. Company policy is not to prosecute under $25, but this is usually left up to the store or district manager. Staff sometimes, but rarely act as LP. Cameras are always actively monitored, but camera quality isn’t the best, and a cone blindspot exists directly under most cameras because they can’t tilt.

Walgreens: Won’t chase, but will prosecute. No employees are dedicated solely to LP/AP, but store managers can act as LP at their own discretion. Employees are encouraged to try to get plate numbers by looking through windows. Police can be called after the fact. Cameras aren’t usually monitored, but the employee break area is near the cameras, and the manager can access the camera feed through his computer (at newer locations).

Wawa: These stores have some exits away from the cashiers desk, which makes them easier to steal from. Cameras are sometimes monitored, but when the store is busy, they usually aren’t being watched. Cashiers may yell to lifters who have left the store, and will sometimes try for a license plate number. Oftentimes they will leave cartons of cigarettes out on top of the checkout desks. Good place to try to lift smokes, for those of you who use tobacco!

Wegman’s: Easiest grocery store. Despite being a MASSIVE store, cameras are few. Many employees work in the store, but are often too busy to even help regular customers. Someone is always watching the cameras, but the only LP that is always used is managers doing sweeps of the store, or near suspected lifters. Exiting through the market cafe is best, but watch out for employees coming in and out of the catering office. Wegman’s won’t chase (usually), but may call police, and will ban. Wegman’s does a lot of charity work, and if caught, you can sometimes get away by apologizing profusely, and saying you’re hungry and are having trouble feeding your family. They almost always will give you a few small food items and some coupons and let you leave.

Zumiez: Typically doesn’t have cameras, and they are never being monitored. There is usually an employee near the skate stuff near the back room, so pay attention to where they are and where they go. Sales counters are usually far from the door, so you will have extra time to get away if someone notices you. Most hats are tagged, and certain stores will tag shirts, pants, or Herschel bags. Staff won’t chase, and are slow in calling mall security. No LP, except regional managers who will pop in occasionally, or whom are called in. Staff are generally friendly, but are too busy texting and kicking around, so they won’t do much if they suspect you of lifting. They’re supposed to wait until you’ve left the store, and then they will send your description to security.

7-Eleven: Small stores, usually with a few employees. Cameras aren’t being monitored, but the highest ranking employee in the store has access to them. If you’re sealing alcohol they will usually phone the police. They may try to get your license plate number, but they generally won’t do much unless you’re causing a disturbance.

**Please note that individual stores are different. There are many differences between mall stores and freestanding stores. Company policy can be broken, and many times it is. LP’s job is to prevent theft, and they are usually very adamant at doing so.**

Okay so here are some tips that I think are not mentioned as much, sorry if they are. 

- When you return to stores you lifted from before don’t be nervous! Unless you have reason to believe they are looking for you, act normal. 9 times out of 10, SA’s won’t even recognize you from before. 

- YOU. DON’T. HAVE. TO BUY. SOMETHING. A lot of baby lifters feel they need to buy something small to throw off SA’s, but honestly it doesn’t help at all. I used to do this, but now I just walk out. Unless you’re with non-lifting family and don’t want to confuse them on why you begged to come to the place and not buy anything, then go ahead. When you buy something, SA’s are more likely to remember your face, imo. 

Lemme tell you what i try to tell myself everytime im out.

Its okay to be a pussy. In fact its better to be a pussy lifter than a risky one.

Getting scared and dropping your shit is good.

Being too scared to go for a pallet is good.

Trusting your gut is good.

Leaving a situation is good.

🌸 NUMBER ONE RULE EVER IS KNOW THE AREA of the store. I am not talking about the store layout, type of store, I am talking location of the property. Macy’s can be in shitholes with hella good security or be in snooty folk town with almost non-existent LP.   

🌸 Rule 2 NEVER NEVER ASSUME THERE IS NO LP. As stated above even if its a snooty area, they will and can have lp. Example, A very very rich part of my city has a walking outdoor strip mall type thing ( I forget the word) Of literally just makeup stores,mac,sephora,ulta, bloomingdales and whathaveyou. They have a fuck ton of security. But in the higher middle class area its bare none. Always explore all options of places you want to lift and always count the Lp, some will be labeled while others wont, and some may be straight up police officers stationed in that store. This can be good and bad, because it means its a high shrink store so there are quite possibly very easy ways to steal from these locations as the police are mostly a scare tactic. It is up to you, as I have mentioned before I have lifted so much from stores like this its stupid. Use your own judgement. 

🌸 Rule 3 ALWAYS no matter what carry your lifting tools on your fucking body. I don’t care if you'rer a dude or androgynouss or whatever you identify as. If you do ever get stopped it saves you automatic jail time and a felony. I keep my hook and mini magnets on my left bra cup and my big magnet on my right bra strap that wrapsaround my body. Exacto knifes and smallscissorss are okay to carry in a bag, pocket w/e because they are not considered to be under the category of intended theft. If you don’t wear a bra, use spanx, a back brace, shoulder braces, even your fucking shoes.This is just me but I also have a fucking lock pick (so extra) But half the good stuff is locked up and their locks are not good at all, you could prob do it with a bobby pin tbh.

🌸 Rule 4 ALWAYS ALWAYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS WEAR A DISGUISES.I DONT GIVE A FUCK IF YOU ALREADY “blend in” GET A FUCKING DECENT WIG, GET 3, USE MAKEUP TO CHANGE YOUR FACE, GLASSES, CONTACTS, WHATEVER. I have 15 wigs. I use them all. If they ever for some reason tracks something back to you, this is your defense. Don’t confess, obvi. But this is your last line.

🌸 Rule 5 NEVER take more than 10 items from one store (unless its likeclairess or some shit) This will cause them to up their security and you don’t want that. I explained it in a previous post. You want to aim for 3-5 per store. 

🌸 Rule 6 OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE YOUR WORST ENEMY I should not have to explain this just fucking never do anything in front of them, because it’s human nature their jealously kicks in and they want to tattle. NEVER. Thats the whole reason antis exist. “they get this I don’t and its wrong according to these old white men” whatever just don’t.

Now onto the details. The mini magnets are the small circular ones from home depot, they open any kind of hook blocker, like at sallys on hair extensions or at walmart on some electronics, and you can make yourself a bracelet that either holds them or they cling to for easy access and to not look sus while “examining” the price tag, you and use anywhere between 4 or 6 and be fine. The big magnet I use for clothing tags, bags, anything else magnetic is 15000gs golf detacher I bought online, just google it. Same for the hook. Same for the lock pick if you wana go hard(but please practice first I have had to do this for like 4 years before so yeah). Go to michaels or A.C Moore and get yourself the exacto knife and small scissors. And get a pack of rubber bands, they are a game changer. Bit tall boots, you can drop things in, panties, makeup, accessories, whatever as you go! Please wear thick socks tho or else your feet will  hurt. You can take them out in the bathrooms. SPANX! Use to conceal palettes, brushes, even clothing literally almost anything really, HUGE game changer.

SEPHORA- I went into a pretty detailed explanation for sephora last post, so I will just copy paste that and put in a few more tips  For sephora it’s completely dependent on the location. Similar to ulta, in the poor parts of town they usually have beefed up security so try to go for richer, snooty or middle class stores. If your sephora is in a mall, leave it for last as in your last lifting stop before you leave. If it’s a stand alone sometimes you can get away with just walking out with a bag (like the tote I have done this 4 times) if it’s busy. In every sephora I have been to they have a big slanted display for the sephora brand products and at least 3 big ass pillars with mirrors on them. Usually only one side of the slanted display is covered by cameras ( I can think of 3 locations like this off the top of my head), And you can do the walk and conceal method when passing by a pillar that is blocking you from view ( This is my favorite ) just make sure your not on the mirror side doing this lmao. Do this as you are browsing, and try to make sure no SA’s see you with said item. Example: Find a palette, grab it look at price, swatch, walk to blind spot drop in bag and keep walking to next target item. Lastly you can always find blind spots in regular makeup aisles, every sephora I go to has at least 2-3 blind spots just in general. Your biggest problem in sephora are the SAs. They will make or break your trip, I swear to god sometimes they can be the most annoying racist shits ever. I am white passing, but I am latina and if you try hard enough you can tell and I swear to god I was at this uppity sephora and the manager and 2 sa’s followed me around, legit isle to isle just staring with their arms crossed. If this happens, don’t even try I think I only got some lipsticks on that trip it was horrible. But do not ever be rude to them, that will make you memorable and you do not want that. If you are approached be nice, if asked if you need help, say I am looking for -insert vague item here- and I think I found it I am just comparing, or No thank you I am gift shopping and know what they want, ect. Do not ever say anything that will make them want to help you because they will just drag you around forever and waste not only your time, but if you already looked at a product because they showed you then go back to it later its weird. Also I know everyone says “If they offer you a basket they are on to you” but thats just not true all the time. It is literally part of their job to be helpful and that is considered being helpful. Pay attention to their tone and body language if they do hand you one, but most of all watch to see if any other SA’s are watching you. The little shopping totes can be quite useful at times too, for having decoys on top and whatnot. If you are ever recognized and you are in a different disguise, Immediately play dumb and leave like 5 mins later and don’t go back for at least 3 months. It happens, it is fine and no reason to freak out. Sephoras inside a JCP are not impenetrable, but please use this as a last resort. Wear long sleeves, in trend. I have a long black sweater with ties around the wrist and the sweater hangs over my hands, this is perfect for this kind of store. Hold your phone in one hand, and find an item, hold it with your phone, and detag the rfid strips with your thumb, but don’t look like an idiot just standing there fidgeting, keep browsing, testing products, moving around. Moving around make it harder for any lp to follow you or see what you are doing. act calm, act natural. 

ULTA - This is pretty tricky. Pay attention to your state laws first and foremost. Ulta will ignore policey and chase you/grab you/ get your plate/ block your car if they know you stole or REMEMBER you from a previous visit. Park FAR FAR away. The LM boxes ( white boxes that are light sensitive) are basically just stickers. Unless you have an inside person at an ulta, the only 2 ways around these are taking the item out of the box that the LM is on and putting the empty box back, or coming on shipment day before they are all tagged and everything is out in carts. Ulta’s difficulty can range from location to location, some don’t use LM on every palette, some do, some only use them on perfume. The RFID’s that are found on most other makeup product can be either peeled off or cut with your exacto knife. hair care and skin care have never had tags in my experience, but always check. Ulta has pretty shitt cams but still try not to conceal on them, they do have a million blind spots, use them. Always have decoys. This is different than my sephora technique because I conceal all at once and usually leave, so I get decoys to make it seem like I am still carry the items. I honestly hate going to ulta, but I have figured out the safest times to go is ( for me, this might not be for everyone)  either Sundays around 4:30-5, shipping days, or fridays from 6-7. Ulta rearranges their stores quite frequently, if you happen to go on a day like this you are in luck! lots on blindspots and boxes stack high and random shelving units. 

Starbucks- Usually only one or 2 cameras, sometimes none. I have 3 that have none that i frequent for snacks and cups. Just make sure a customer doesn’t see you and its easy as shit. 

MALLS- This is probably where most everyone does lifting, so I am going to make a post about rules for malls. ALL MY OTHER RULES APPLY STILL. Go to the bathroom 2 or 3 times during your visit. Never take anything out of the packaging. If you beep, keep walking at a normal pace. Always carry a reusable shopping bag ( even 2 if you plan to lift a lot ) it is not suspicious and is an easy access quick conceal. If you don’t have one, go to some store like hot topic, box lunch, forever 21, aerie, and just ask for a bag. Make sure its not see through and big enough to carry what you want but not obnoxious. As for the whole in the side of the bag concealing method, cut a hole in the side of paper bags to slide things in, while this is a great tip PLEASE use your exacto knife to cut the slit, and make sure whatever bag you are using is not white. If you try to use scissors, the cut will be way to noticeable. Cut exactly where the crease is naturally in the bag. Only use this for small items, like lipsticks, hair pieces, jewelry, ect or you can risk ripping your bag and then you are fucked. Make the cut towards to top of the bag, so when you hold it closed its virtually unnoticeable and the weight of the items in your bag won’t cause continuous ripping of your slit. ALWAYS be friendly to SA’s. I legit just make small talk about how their day is and retail sucks and share  a bit about myself, it makes you WAY less suspicious because you come off as an honest, nice person. This is KEY in smaller stores, IE zumies, HT, Aerie, whatever. BE NICE. RELATE. ALL SA’s ARE DOING IS THEIR JOB DON’T BE A DICK. I also sometimes have one earbud in listening to music and lightly singing it helps deter the SA approach.

HOT TOPIC- Literally the easiest thing in the world. you can pick up items you want, if they have a tag hold them under your arm (the one with the magnet) while continuing to look at other things and hide the magnet in whatever you were looking at. Rinse and repeat. 

ZUMIES- Tbh I stopped going here and like, cosmic and tilly’s when I was like 16 so I can’t really give too much info besides I believe the one I did go into had massive blind spots, you don’t need the fitting rooms to conceal if you are kind to the SA. They will leave you alone after that. 

ClAIRE’S/ICING- like, idk this is so dumb just dump whatever you want in your bag avoid mirrors and pay attention to the SA. If they are giving a piercing its a free for all. Overall SA’s here really do not care and are either swamped with paperwork or overwhelmed because its only them in the store with 16 kids or 15 teenagers. I feel for them. 

VS/PINK- OK long awaited post about this shit company. I feel zero regret stealing from them. I am going to copy paste my previous reply with added detail. For VS, you have to see if its busy or slow. If it’s busy, I usually get a tote and get about 7 items (not including panties) but only steal 3 and only some undies in the fitting rooms and listen for no SA to be outside when you exit and just leave the tote in the little tote/rack thing. If its slow you can find blind spots in the store and remove the pencil tags easily if you carry your magnet like I do (in your bra strap that goes around your body) just holding it under your arm while looking at another item or w/e and just hide the tags as you go, or as always throw them away in the trash cans in the fitting rooms. Trash cans can also be found in the store, so use them as well. If you want something with a hanger, either take the hanger with you and ditch it somewhere else (or keep it like I do they are so soft) or find something to switch it out with. Most of the time they will have hanging items, and folded items of the same design and I tend to grab those. 2 I got today didn’t even have tags on them. VS and PINK are both a giant question mark until you get to the store on how much you can get away with or if you can get anything. This store is where the reusable totes come in most handy, and use your rubber bangs to make bulky clothing less bulky. If you are using a tote they provide, you can put perfumes/makeup/socks/sandals/ w/e in them and hide hem under clothes if you want them. a good bulky distracting item to get is a robe ( even the velvet/satin ones in the VS section are good), because it covers SO much and most sa’s assume that plus like 1 or 2 things is all you have. Also vs and pink all have blind spots in the store, the legging racks, VS sport, and the little walkways between sections are ones I have noticed. Good places to conceal if you don’t want to rick fitting rooms because if the SA is in a super duper mood fitting rooms can be somewhat difficult.

BEST BUY- So its not impenetrable but it is hard. The person at the front is the “main” AP (asset protection) and they have monitors that cover most of the store. Be nice to them, seem normal, and it will make it easier. I have someone in bb so its easier for me to get things but either way its not impossible since I have lifted from them before I knew my guy. Least monitored sections are housewares, and believe it or not TVS. I am going off my stores so take all this with a grain of salt. Best buy marks up ALL their products ridiculous amounts (1 year rosetta stone is bought for $15 and sold for $120) so yeah they are kinda dicks. If you DO chance it with best buy, so for small items, grab a distraction, shop around for a blind spot, conceal the small item, and go back to where you got your big item and compare again. Do not leave asap, shop around, then always say have a nice day on your way out. Be careful each store is different. here is a story : there is a best buy near me that used to have a HUGE shrink rate, for ALL kinds of theft, orc, employee, petty, you name it and it happened there. UNTIL a new GM was hired and he was like no this is not happening and installed a completely new camera system, it was very very expensive but guess what, they now catch everyone who tries to steal and have the lowest shrink rate in the state. If you abuse your spots, they will fight back so don’t ever ever ever take some memorable amount or this will  happen.

Target- I rarely fuck with target because its where I get my medications so I can’t really help you here.

Aerie- On floor concealing is best, lots of displays to hide behind. no cameras ( at least at my location)  Always be aware of SA’s.They change their clothing often so if you see something you love I suggest getting it before its gone for good.

Forever 21- Honestly I rarely lift from here anymore. Most of it rips or falls apart, that includes clothing and accessories. I don’t recommend them at all. If you MUST fitting room is best option, there are decent blind spots but it is usually too crowded to use them. Honestly I hate this company and everything about them so even stealing from them feel so so wrong. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

BOX LUNCH -  MY FAVORITE! I actually try to buy here when I can, they have great bags for the slit method, and their products are AMAZING. They actually sell nendoroids like omg. Best store ever, no cameras, but SA’s can be aggressive, just be nice, relate, and they will move on. Not much is tagged, and if it is just use the method mention for HT.

CVS/WALGREENS- Easy as pie. I always go here for drinks, shipping supplies, food, whatever. Their cameras are extremely shitty except for the ones up front.You can use your body to block is necessary. Both stores have MASSIVE blind spots, in seasonal, grocery, drinks, toiletries. Like is so easy to get vitamins and shit please get some be healthy. 

PACSUN- I don’t really like much here, but sometimes they have golden pieces. I always use fitting rooms, bring 4 items and leave 3. they are just such a bare store I cant feel good going in with a ton and leaving with a little. You will need rubber bands and to detag while the music plays. 

 BnN/BAM!- AMAZING novelty items and books are easy, just find blind spots. I adore these stores because of the increase of certified japanese figure imports ( BTW I COLLECT PLASTIC BUTTS AMIAMI LOVE ME) 

Container Store- Cake, usually only 4 cameras, both of the ones I go to don’t have cameras in the bath storage.makeup storage isles so, literal ffa. 

Hallmark- No cameras, or one near the toys. Ffa.

DSW/PAYLESS- For dsw, I grab 4 or 5 boxes, 2 of which I want, go to an isle about 2 over from the closets camera, and make a huge mess sitting on one of the mirror chairs. I slide the shoes I want into my purse also sitting on the opposite side on the bench thing using other boxes to block the back angle and put all the paper back and all the boxes except ONE with the shoes in it back, walk around a bit more, then decide not to get them and leave them somewhere. never conceal in clearance, but feel free to look.  For payless, just pick an isle without a camera, or if they all have cameras sit on the thing with your back to the camera, stack boxes between your seat and the self to block its view, detag, move into purse.bag. and put lid on box and put box back. 

IKEA- So this is gonna be kinda sketchy. I have only done this twice, and I had a partner. So you shop like usual, pick little knick knacks for your cart and write item numbers down. now while your in the actual storage part, you can conceal some of the smaller items you picked out while looking for your right color item or whatever leaning in. To get the big items out, we walked to line, waited for a good 5 mins, then acted like we saw an open register further down. He went to get the car and I push the cart and just push it through the sales point and out the door, smiling at the receipt check holding a safeway receipt lmao. Honestly I have no full proof way for ikea but I do know they are more concerned with ORC and internal theft so thats where most the cameras are. I just really wanted my two alex drawers for my makeup vanity so I took a risk and it paid off.

WIGS STORES- if you do not live in a large city, I Highly suggest ordering a high quality lace front wig online. If you live in a city with good chain wig stores, bring a big bag, and just stuff that mother fucker in there in a blind spot. the main thing with wigs is care, so you will want to get wig care stuff, cleansers brushes, ect. specifically made for wigs. 

🌸 For anything designer ( Kate spade, MK, Calvin klein) Go to outlets if possible, if not try to find a macy’s/bloomingdales.lord&taylor/whatever that doesn’t do that stupid string lock bullshit. bring a magnet. 

tldr; corporations like dollar tree and dollar general are taking advantage of the poor and creating a permanent low income class for both poor and black communities