Shoplifting

[marcusmarcusrc]

Ugh. I was in CVS today, trying to figure out what the difference was between two brands of Colgate (my suspicion being that they have a high-priced brand which is basically identical to the lower-priced brand, but that a certain percentage of customers will buy it because "more expensive must mean better, right?") and I noticed that the young, black guy next to me was taking an odd number of floss packages off the shelf, and didn't have a shopping basket with him. While my brain was slowly going through analysis and options (is he shoplifting? am I being unduly suspicious because of his skin color? what is the right thing to do - call the store management, ask him what he's doing?) he took the opportunity to grab some stuff, move close to the exit, and then run. A clerk ran after him, but he was long gone...

Anyway, I feel vaguely soiled by the whole experience. But, for future reference, should this happen again - what is the right course of action? Tanatoes, I know you have shoplifting problems at your store - do you have suggestions?

(in other life, things at the EPA keep heating up. It is exciting, but life-consuming - I had dinner at work the last two nights... I look forward to sharing what we're working on when it goes public in a couple of months)

Comments

[nuclearpolymer.livejournal.com]

I guess you could always go with a friendly "hey, I see you but am not accusing you" message. Like, "Gosh, I've never tried that brand, would you recommend it?" If the guy is just buying a lot of dental floss, I assume he'd strike up a conversation, or just raise his eyebrows at you. If he's up to no good, possibly realizing that someone was watching him would make him think better of it.