Do You Even Lift?

Go search ‘shoplift’ or ‘shoplifter’ on the r/TalesFromRetail sub. There are TONS of threads and most of them are pretty detailed on what tipped the SA off, what the shoplifter did wrong, what they did, etc so you can learn from others’ mistakes! 

Everything people have said before is true

No cameras anywhere, they’re literally against company policy. People steal shit all the time, but we’re always doing things so we never notice. And even if we do, we’re not allowed to confront you because the company doesn’t want a lawsuit.

So, the only thing we can do - even if we FOR SURE saw you shove shit in your bag - is be super passive agressive like, “Do you need a basket for that moisturizer?” Like gently letting you know we saw. But during training we were told specifically to not confronté anyone directly or try and stop them, because the potential lawsuit isn’t worth it to the company. 

Also during training, they didn’t mention ANYTHING about calling all security or any shit like that. I think the company just really doesn’t care about LP.

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.**

This is choppy and raw but i wanted to share my fav tip!!!!

Don’t have a bag? Use your hoodie!

The first thing I do is a test run of the store. I like to go (without the intention of stealing) around the time I plan on going to lift. There is a big difference in traffic on weekdays vs. weeknights vs. weekends. A rule of thumb I use is, if I have to conceal on the floor I want it to be empty and if I can conceal in dressing rooms I want it to be crowded. 

Walking past the store I try to look in the window and look up! This is the only time I really like to look for cameras. Since I’m outside of the store it’s less suspicious and cameras can’t see what I’m doing. Then, I go in. Am I greeted by an SA or left alone? I walk around and pick up a few items, experiment with blind spots, and then go to the dressing rooms. Are they locked? Does the SA count my items? Ask for my name? Take the items from my hands? All important to notice. Then I’ll try the items on. What type of tags do they use? Do I need my magnet or my hook? Then I walk out of the dressing rooms. Is the SA still there? Does she pay attention to what I have in my hands? I give all the items back, say thanks but I just had no luck today and continue to browse for a little bit. I make a wish list in my head. Am I customer serviced more than 3 times? Being customer serviced more than three times is rare and I’m out, I always assume at this point they have caught on to me.

oooookay lil nugget here we go.

first off - its okay to be scared. its actually better if you keep a little piece of you thats always scared, no matter if you’re experienced or a beginner. thats something that helps you keep track of what’s going on around you and helps you not get caught. when you get cocky or over confident, thats when trouble starts.

i cannot stress how important it is to start small. start small.start sosososososo small.smol

like a lipgloss from walmart or one plain shirt from old navy. maybe a lil pack of beads from hobby lobby. whatever you do, do it small.

this lowers the chance of you getting caught, and the chance of you freaking out more.

do this a couple times. lil thing here, lil thing there. this builds confidence. the more confident you are with yourself, the more likely you are to start pulling in bigger hauls.

be patient. dont rush anything. this is by no means a competition. this whole process of confidence-gaining takes weeks, maybe months for some people.

and another thing - the majority of us on here that are pulling in a shit ton of stuff? we’ve been doing this for years. ive been lifting for 3/almost 4 years now. do not feel like you have to hurry and catch up to us.

secondly -do your homework. read through people’s tip pages on here. read about hooks, magnets, detachers, keys, all the different types of security tags, concealment methods, horror stories - ANYTHING. everything will be helpful down the road. read up on how other people got caught so you dont make the same mistakes. read up on how that girl managed to bag 3 naked palettes and 15 Kat Von D liquid lipsticks. learn about cam placement and how JCP Sephora is a place to stay away from. learn SA behavior and how to tell if they are being nice or plain sus. Learn how to tell if a bag is going to be a good lifting partner or if its going to be a hassle getting things inside. get familiar with every aspect of this community. follow as many people as you can. get inspiration from everyone. learn this life. live it. breathe it.

thirdly - try and pair up with an experienced buddy. i have found this to be so helpful. you get to see first hand how they do what they do. you get to see them in action, and learn their methods. however, know that going out with more than 2 other people is sure to get you noticed and tailed. keep the lil lifting group to either a pair or 3 people. make sure you can trust them. make sure you know them.

STORES: Old Navy: they dont tag anything other than heavy coats and sweaters, some dresses, jeans, and in the summer some shorts. i re-vamped my whole wardrobe this summer courtesy of ON, but ive seen on here that they’ve started source tagging…. which makes me sad. so double check before you out anything into your bag. Hobby Lobby: there are like 7 cams per store all focused on the cashiers. go crazy. get your much needed art supplies. this is a great store for beginners - and other lifters who love crafting. Cotton On: nothing, and i mean NOTHING is tagged. idk why, but these hoes never tag anything and it makes me wonder what they’re even doing. i got christmas gifts for my brothers here this year, so i highly recommend this store. super easy. Dillard’s: do not let the large size of the store intimidate you - this place is heaven. sometimes you’ll get lucky and somethings been left off the rack and untagged. sometimes theres that teally cute wallet that you’ve wanted for a while and it doesnt have a single tag on it. go for it. conceal in the dressing rooms. trust me. formal dresses? no tags. (from what ive seen, and ive been to 3 Dillard’s in 2 different cities.) their desinger jewelrythat they keep down there? go for it. none of its source tagged or anything. i walked out once with 5 pairs of mate spade earrings and 2 wallets worth the 100 each. just pay attention to your surroundings and you’ll do just fine.

TIPS: - in the winter its cold as dicks, so wear sweaters. utilize these babies for all they’re worth. 1. sleeves are great for concealing small items like jewelry and lipsticks. 2. “i am so hot from all this shopping, is it okay if i have one of your bags to carry my sweater in? i would really appreciate it” (note: this only works with really nice SAs. some will be bitches and shut you down. you might have to try a couple of stores before you get one. and now you have a free shopping bag!) 3. put your purse in the crook of your elbow and drape your sweater over it. this helps conceal how big your purse is to begin with and hide how much its increased in size when you’re walking out. 4. idk they’re warm and fuzzy. they make me happy. - boots: stick things in there in case you forgot your purse or something. you can stick small things like jewelry and face masks down in there, its great.- go through your mom’s closet. or your aunt’s. grandmother’s. rich best friend, i dont care. more often than not, they have a couple of extra shopping bags from stores they’ve been too. my mom has Bath and Body Works for days, along with a couple of Coach bags and Ralph Lauren. these shopper bags can be used in the same way as a purse for hiding things in them. hide them in yoir bag on the way into a mall, and then in the bathroom, take out your lifted clothing and stuff one of the bags. that way, when you walk into other stores, the SAs think you’ve bought things from other stores. be careful and know the layout of the mall you’re in though, because if you’re carrying around an Urban Outfitters bag and theres no UO, then you’ve gone and fucked yourself. - be cautious, be wary, and not get greedy. get in, get out, and live to lift another day.

Disclaimer: Although company policy does not vary, some store policies might. I worked at 4 different stores in 2 different states and found no inconsistencies among the following information.

(Clarification: claires is the parent company of the store icing, they work exactly the same)

BASICS: - RFID tags are fake - cameras are fake - towers don’t exist - LP doesn’t exist - employees can only CS you - SA offering you a basket doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sussed, just politely accept it - can only attempt to stop you once you’ve left the store - employee handbook states that managers must know EXACTLY what you have and EXACTLY where you concealed it - older stores have ceiling mirrors that allow SAs to keep a better eye on you just be aware

PRODUCTS/CONCEALING: - body jewelry and 14k gold is locked up, some employees will stand there while you look and some will walk away - don’t try to lift piercing studs, those drawers are locked - sterling silver earrings have the most (fake) rfid stickers - conceal behind towers & back of store if possible - if you come when there is one person working and they’re busy with an ear piercing, you’re in luck, usually they’re way too focused to watch you - literally just be nice to SAs and they’ll leave you alone especially if it’s early morning or late night when paperwork needs to get done - groups of teens are the MOST sussed

Pro tip: call the store you wanna go to and say “I want to get my daughter’s ears pierced (today/tonight/etc), when will you have two employees there so you can do both ears at the same time?” Now you know when there will be only one person working!

Because every lifter should read these because when y‘all get sloppy and overconfident, y’all GET CAUGHT. (not all are getting caught, some are getting stopped/getting chased and those are just as important to read)

Caught at Urban Outfitters

Stopped at K-Mart

Followed from Zoomies

Sephora Vigilante Customer

Caught at Ulta

Chased from Kohls

Caught at Meijer

Caught at Target (with a turning around story)

EDIT:

Here are some videos I pulled off Youtube.

Lifter at Ulta (read the video description, he’s wanted)

More Lifters at Ulta (once again, read the description)

Another lifter at Ulta (do i have to say it again)

Even more lifters at Ulta (srsly watch these to learn what NOT to do)

Lifter at Sephora

Another lifter at Sephora

Lifters at Hollister

Lifters at Gamestop

Lifter at Macy’s

Lifter at Dillard’s

Bonus points if you can watch the videos and point out all the shit they did wrong lmao

If I find anymore, I’ll add it here. If you have a story to share, send it to me c:

Today I will be covering how to lift from Victoria’s Secret, sharing a few of the different methods I use and how to acquire a lot of new sexy bras and panties (among other things) successfully!

1. Be prepared!

You want to purchase a hook and magnet. Different locations use different tags, so you may need a hook OR a magnet.

If your location is known to use gator tags, bring a rubber band.

Next, bring your biggest structured handbag. My personal favorite is the MK Hamilton, but H&M makes cheaper alternatives.

Collect some shopping bags from other stores, preferably large structured paper bags (my favorite is the large Bath and Body Works bag).

Bring a disposable coffee cup in your hand (filled with coffee). Make sure that the cup isn’t see through.

2. Look the part!

Spend extra time on your hair and make up. Looking radiant and beautiful WILL help. It’s superficial, but you will look less suspicious.

Dress up. Wear clothing that looks nice, or is name brand. If you look like you have the money, no one would assume you’re a shoplifter.

Be polite and super friendly. Always smile at the sales associates. This is crucial.

3. The process

Enter the store. If any SA’s approach you, kindly say, “I’m just looking, thank you”, etc.

Browse around. Look at all the pretty bras and panties and pick up your favorite ones. After there are 2+ items in your hands, pick up a VS or PINK shopper bag at the entrance of the store. Put your items inside.

Continue browsing, and fill up the bag with your desired amount of bras, panties, accessories, perfumes, clothing, etc. I would say add a maximum of 10 items to lift and 2/3 items you don’t want. 

On the crook of your arm, you should be holding your large structured shopping bag and your over sized handbag. Discreetly switch around your bags - put the VS shopper bag on your arm first, then the shopping bag, then your handbag. The other bags should cover your VS shopper bag. 

Pick up a pair of sweatpants or a shirt, preferably untagged. This is what you’re “trying on”.

Enter the fitting room. If you’re lucky, a door might already be open from a previous customer. If a customer is just coming out, ask to use their room. 

If not, approach a sales associate. Usually, the PINK SAs are lazier/more inattentive than the VS SAs. Have them unlock the door for you. If they count/take your items, hand them your decoy items to try on.  They should be too distracted by the items in your hand to notice the VS shopper bag, which shouldn’t be very noticeable in the first place.

If they notice the shopper bag and question you, just say that you weren’t planning to try those items on. Play dumb, the worst case scenario is they ask you to set the bag outside. 

4. Detag!

Use your hook or magnet to detag all of your desired items. Drop the tags into your coffee cup OR tag the untagged items you already brought in. The more untagged items you brought in to try on, the better. 

Put the stolen loot in your structured handbag!

Leave a few items in your VS shopper bag that you didn’t want. You can put these items back around the store or leave it in the fitting room where people usually leave the items they don’t want. Do the same with the decoy items you “tried on”. 

Throw the cup away with the tags. There is usually garbage cans in every store. Worst case scenario, leave it for an employee to pick up and throw away.

Pretend like nothing you tried on worked out. Leave the store with a group of people (if you can).

Enjoy the adrenaline rush and your new sexy VS items! This is my method that has never failed me. It usually takes 20-30 minutes if you take your time and browse around. 

If you have any questions feel free to ask!

idk if this is already a thing that i haven’t yet read abt here, but my friend told me abt this method she uses.

*¨`*•.¸¸.•*¨`*•🍒💖L U S H 💖🍒•*¨`*•.¸¸.•´*¨`* 1) Behavior: • Your behavior could potentially be your number one alibi. Presentation is everything. You will most likely want to do your hair and makeup, wear a cute outfit, look as innocent as possible. The sales associate will ask you what you’re looking for, let them know that you are familiar with lush products, and you know what you came in for.

•Behavior can be a dead giveaway. If you have shaky hands, a worried look on your face, you can’t stop looking behind your back, around the store, and you’re always holding the item you want to take, that is going to stick out to the SA. If you hold onto an avobath bath bomb for 20 minutes the SAs are going to notice if you don’t buy that bath bomb. Be as sneaky and fast as you can. Have steady hands. Don’t stand around waiting for an SA to disappear because chances are they won’t leave you alone.

•Don’t be loud. Don’t be sloppy. And try to avoid taking items to other sections of the store. Don’t fidget be calm. If you act strange or out of place when you’re nervous you shouldn’t be lifting!!!! I promise! Sometimes certain things aren’t meant for everyone.

2) Know your store: • Store size will be the ultimate dealbreaker. As unfortunate as this sounds if your store is tiny, you probably shouldn’t be lifting there. My lush has minimal cameras and lazy SA’s. Most of the time when I go into my lush all of the workers (all twoof them 😂) are just using hand massage bars or scrubs on each other and sampling their products. ^ I once waited at the counter to be checked out for almost 5 minutes. During this time I had my back to the SAs and on a whim (since I had been waiting forever to check out) I stuffed some items in my other bags. So easy when the SAs are lazy.

• Do your research!! Know your stores policy! Even googling your state + shoplifting laws can help you even the slightest bit. I know that my lush has a no chase policy, if they spot suspicious behavior they will customer service you to death. Just cooperate and calm. Don’t lead the SA to believe you feel unsettling.

3) Your purse: • I have a slouchy kind of boho hippie bag that I have used forever. I realized that’s what was a small giveaway in ulta. Walking in with an empty bag, and leaving with a full heavy bag. They knew what was going on. So now I have sleek and structured bag that works so much better. The outside of this bag looks square and fitted and the inside is basically a black hole to say the least.

• With a purse like this, at Lush you can stuff as many bath bombs in your bag as you need with your purse helping you stay discreet. You can also get away with this with a shopping bag. For example hollister has a structured dark bag. With this kind of bag on the crook of your arm and the lush shoppers bag on the crook of your arm (kind of hiding the first bag) you can slip things into your purse instead of the lush bag.

4) Actual tips: • Only conceal an item if you’re positive you’re not being watched. • Its absolutely much better to leave with nothing than to leave with getting caught. Don’t be greedy! Trust your instincts! • Go into Lush on a busier day but at times when the store is somewhat slow. ^ Remember if someone else is shopping most of the time they aren’t paying attention to you. They are too busy shopping! • My fav blind spot in lush is in the back by the foot scrubs. • Don’t spend too much time handling the item you plan on lifting: I brought attention to this once but it needs reiterated. This will give the LP or SA more time to see you with merchandise and more time for them to become suspicious of what you plan on doing with it. Don’t conceal in the same spot more than twice. Don’t go back to the bath bomb display more than twice. Don’t be greedy!!!!! Take your items and conceal as fast as you can! After you conceal in your shopping bag/ purse put any extra items you want back. Most of the SAs are extremely lazy. Grab your phone and pretend you are going to meet up with someone. “yeah I’m in lush. Do you wanna meet here? Yeah. I guess I am. Ok I’ll find you there” and leave. I always take a few of the bath bomb paper baggies and I go into a bathroom and I put the bath bombs in the bags. I always always leave the mall I hit lush. I don’t lift there often. Please make it look like you’re actually shopping you know? Open jars of lotion, smell bath bomb bombs, rub eyeshadow shades on your wrist. Look for prices.

Okay so after a week of talking to my friend and a bit of “convincing” this is what I managed to find out about employee policies:

Cameras are not actively watched unless the manager is just super bored - if there’s a manager on the floor you’re good to go. He also said something about the cameras not being a full streaming device but “pictures in 15 second intervals”??? IDK - assume you’re always on camera.

If there’s evidence something has been stolen (open package, clearly missing from display) they will check the cameras and identify who that person is. If it’s a regular they will try to remember to question them about it the next time they come in. If you’re caught on camera concealing more than once, a picture of you is printed out and hung up in the break room. BLIND SPOTS PEOPLE.

The most stolen items: electronic toothbrushes, crackers (wtflol), formula, laundry detergent, and pregnancy tests.

They also use a ton of codes to speak to other employees without alerting other customers - he said depending on the store some of these could differ.

IC3 - (literally I See Three) when there’s 3 or more people waiting to checkout with only one open register they use this code to call another cashier  6 - someone needs to cover the register because the employee needs a bathroom break or is about to go on break 10 - something with the restroom (if they need to be unlocked/cleaned for a customer) 20 - voided sale at a register (needs manager for key) 30 - return  (needs manager for key)  40 - change needed at a register (no customer is waiting) 44 - register pickup (I think this means when someone ordered something through site-to-store pickup) 45 - alcohol - manager needs to come to checkout because current cashier is too young to sell alcohol 50 - change needed (customer is waiting for their change) 60 - too much cash in the register 66 - manager needs to open safe for armored trucks 99 - AWARE OF SHOPLIFTER IN STORE AND MANAGERS ARE PREPARING TO TAKE ACTION - if you hear this get the fuck out because they’re coming after you Red zone - cosmetics (Code 99 in red zone) Gold zone - electronics (Code 30 in gold zone) Code BLACK - Suspicious customer/activity. They will normally say “Code Black in Aisle 5″ if you hear this check where you are - if you happen to be where they called out DON’T PANIC! They don’t have evidence of you concealing - just being suspicious. He said this is used a lot to keep an eye out on groups of kids.  Code ADAM - missing child, stop concealing bc it’s policy that every employee must immediately stop what they’re doing and look for said child.

- Contact lenses.

- Lashes - make a huge difference

- Eyeliner - Manipulate your eye shape

- Over or underline your lips, even change the shape, wear different bright colours

- Foundation - Wear slightly darker or lighter than usual

- EYEBROWS - makes all the difference - change the colour, shape, length

- Contour - drastically changes your appearance

- No-makeup - if you generally wear makeup, don’t wear it (not recommended when lifting high end makeup though, make it look like you know what ur doing)

- Tie your hair up - braid it, ponytail

- Wear a wig - make it look realistic though!

- Change your hair colour - if you have bleached hair, very easy to switch it up, don’t go for obnoxiously bright shades, but pastels are fine

- Hat - usually sus, but as long as you don’t go too big, you’ll be ok, eg. beanie, snapbacks - great if you have an unnatural hair colour

- Nails - Put on press on nails? idk how effective this would be but ye

- Fake tan - don’t make it obnoxious, please

- Fake piercings - generic nose ring, nothing too extreme. Goes the other way too, if you have facial piercings, take them out

- Gender - make it ambiguous. appear to be androgynous, if you’re a guy don’t be afraid to wear makeup

- Heels - cleated boots, 3 inch heels (don’t do stilettos, makes an abnoxious noise), make yourself look taller

- Layer up - Wear all black to look slimmer, layer up to look bigger

- Shoe size - this is pretty fkn extreme, but wear shoes that are bigger than ur normal size, idk, maybe if you’re on a heist?

- Demographic - dress outside of yours (make sure it fits into the stores type, don’t dress like a punk and walk into sephora) - emo, prep, basic

- Facial hair - fake it, shave it off

- Boobs - wear a binder to make them appear smaller, pushup if smaller