I have been shoplifted twice in over twenty years. Once was as Crested Butte, CO. We found that a $250 silver mounted hatband was missing when we were packing up. It was hanging on the wall with others. Would not have expected this at that show. The other was a $450 hand engraved silver money clip at Manitou Springs, CO. It was on a table with silver buckles. A glass case solved the problem. What was disturbing at this show was management was informed and they didn't know what to do. They did not want to inform artists that a shoplifter(s) were working their show. They suggested I leave my booth and go file a police report - fat chance of doing that in the middle of sales. The solution was to tell my neighbors and tell them to pass it on. Everyone was on the alert then.
What's the solution? I stay alert but it can be tough when both of us are busy with customers. I am suspicious of so done wearing a bulky jacket in warm weather. What have your experiences been?
Blizzard here in CO this morning, so it's easier to post a discussion than kick the warm dog off the bed, get up and get going. LOL
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It's a big problem for anyone who makes small items, you don't see many people with wall art having an issue. Usually there are 2 of us in the booth, at opposite corners in the back, most expensive items are behind glass and we have decided to quit making a couple of styles of silver finger rings that are real expensive but seem to be the most frequently thefted item.
If it happens we spread the word among the artists at the show, sometimes the promoter will warn us, depending on the promoter. I do think it's their job to inform the artists if there's an issue. We've also let the police know, usually we get a lot faster reaction from the police than the promoter which is too bad.
Last fall at a show there was a band of roaming teenagers who hit quite a few jewelry booths in about a 1 hour time period. We have a Facebook group that several of us belong to and several of the artists posted so we had real time updates. I didn't notice the posting (had been ignoring my phone), but one of the other artists we know who does wall art came across the street to warn us when he saw the post. In turn, we warned a few other artists further down the row.
The best thing you can do is greet each person who comes into the booth, that lets them know you have seen them and are aware of them. Shoplifters want to be anonymous not noticed. Also be aware that shoplifters are usually nicely dressed, they don't look like bums, after all they can "afford" to be nicely dressed considering that they are not paying for what they are wearing.
Professional shoplifters often work in pairs, often facing each other so one can watch the "shop owner" while the other steals. Another ploy they use is for one of them to engage you in helping them. If it's clothing they will have you help them find sizes, help them try stuff on. With jewelry they have to "try" a lot of things out, maybe have to see it in a full size mirror - like it really matters that the tiny earrings are going to affect the whole outfit they are not wearing at the moment but plan to wear with that piece. Meanwhile their partner is busy trying to steal stuff.
If you have really expensive jewelry or metal work then for god's sake secure it under glass or in a case. The harder it is to steal the faster they will move on.
Thanks for input Martha. We spend a lot of time facing the walls pulling belt sizes. After the money clip incident I got a locking glass case. Dumb me lost the key for it at Steamboat Springs a few years back. Even without the lock it is still a detergent. The hat band at Crested Butte was most likely on of the local trust fund kids doing it for a thrill.
I had someone try to steal from my booth when it was busy, and another customer actually rather loudly pointed to the woman and exclaimed that she was trying to leave with a pot! The shoplifter must have been a pro, because I don't know how it happened, but soon she was gone from the booth, and the piece was sitting on my checkout table! Spooky!
I have been to one show that ran a few weekends, and the promoter passed out flyers with a short notice saying that there had been a few thefts reported, and for us to be vigilant.
Another show had a $600 jewelry piece taken, and sent someone around to tell us about it.
This at a quiet show in an affluent neighborhood, so don't think you are ever safe.
I applaud show promoters who tell the exhibitors about what is going on; don't know what else they can do for us?
I do another show where we all know about the thefts and break-ins while the booths are closed. The promoters do not acknowledge this, but they do strongly suggest packing down everything at night.
Thanks for bringing up overnight security Judy. It is a real big issue with me as it would take about two hours to pack up my inventory at night and about three to rehang it the next morning. The shows I do either have paid security people or volunteers patrolling the show at night. Makes for a good nights sleep unless there is a mountain thunderstorm.
Last year at Utah Arts Festival we had a man attempt to shoplift from us in the latter part of the evening...my husband caught him in the act and made him pay and then followed him out of the show letting other artists along the way know that he was a "thief". We have also had artists spread the word about people at other shows who had been caught stealing and I always appreciate the "heads up" about it. We actually had a really sad situation happen years back at "People's Fair" in Denver. This young mom with a baby stole a purse and the police were called and she was arrested....she was so frantic because her baby was taken away and was going to be placed in a facility. I totally believe that people need to be responsible for their actions, but don't think she had really thought that one through (and the police could not let her "friend" she was with take the baby home).
Wow, good for your husband. The lady with the baby deserved to be hauled off in handcuffs and the baby taken away. I am sure that was terrifying for her and hopefully woke her up to never do that again. I am a very compassionate person and very kind, but in cases like that I have no sympathy for anyone who steals and has to suffer the consequences. I would have prosecuted her to the fullest extent of the law.
Hi Richard
It is a tough problem to solve. There isn't an easy or direct solution that I know of. What I do is greet everyone who comes into my booth so they know I know they are there, even if the booth is packed. I keep my best and most expensive work in the back of the booth near me and I try to keep a watchful eye on everyone. I wish I had a better suggestion for you, but that's all I know of to do to try to deter the thefts.
Replies
This is always a good topic. We need to be on our toes.
It's a big problem for anyone who makes small items, you don't see many people with wall art having an issue. Usually there are 2 of us in the booth, at opposite corners in the back, most expensive items are behind glass and we have decided to quit making a couple of styles of silver finger rings that are real expensive but seem to be the most frequently thefted item.
If it happens we spread the word among the artists at the show, sometimes the promoter will warn us, depending on the promoter. I do think it's their job to inform the artists if there's an issue. We've also let the police know, usually we get a lot faster reaction from the police than the promoter which is too bad.
Last fall at a show there was a band of roaming teenagers who hit quite a few jewelry booths in about a 1 hour time period. We have a Facebook group that several of us belong to and several of the artists posted so we had real time updates. I didn't notice the posting (had been ignoring my phone), but one of the other artists we know who does wall art came across the street to warn us when he saw the post. In turn, we warned a few other artists further down the row.
The best thing you can do is greet each person who comes into the booth, that lets them know you have seen them and are aware of them. Shoplifters want to be anonymous not noticed. Also be aware that shoplifters are usually nicely dressed, they don't look like bums, after all they can "afford" to be nicely dressed considering that they are not paying for what they are wearing.
Professional shoplifters often work in pairs, often facing each other so one can watch the "shop owner" while the other steals. Another ploy they use is for one of them to engage you in helping them. If it's clothing they will have you help them find sizes, help them try stuff on. With jewelry they have to "try" a lot of things out, maybe have to see it in a full size mirror - like it really matters that the tiny earrings are going to affect the whole outfit they are not wearing at the moment but plan to wear with that piece. Meanwhile their partner is busy trying to steal stuff.
If you have really expensive jewelry or metal work then for god's sake secure it under glass or in a case. The harder it is to steal the faster they will move on.
martha
I had someone try to steal from my booth when it was busy, and another customer actually rather loudly pointed to the woman and exclaimed that she was trying to leave with a pot! The shoplifter must have been a pro, because I don't know how it happened, but soon she was gone from the booth, and the piece was sitting on my checkout table! Spooky!
I have been to one show that ran a few weekends, and the promoter passed out flyers with a short notice saying that there had been a few thefts reported, and for us to be vigilant.
Another show had a $600 jewelry piece taken, and sent someone around to tell us about it.
This at a quiet show in an affluent neighborhood, so don't think you are ever safe.
I applaud show promoters who tell the exhibitors about what is going on; don't know what else they can do for us?
I do another show where we all know about the thefts and break-ins while the booths are closed. The promoters do not acknowledge this, but they do strongly suggest packing down everything at night.
However, they don't mention the frequent thefts.
Last year at Utah Arts Festival we had a man attempt to shoplift from us in the latter part of the evening...my husband caught him in the act and made him pay and then followed him out of the show letting other artists along the way know that he was a "thief". We have also had artists spread the word about people at other shows who had been caught stealing and I always appreciate the "heads up" about it. We actually had a really sad situation happen years back at "People's Fair" in Denver. This young mom with a baby stole a purse and the police were called and she was arrested....she was so frantic because her baby was taken away and was going to be placed in a facility. I totally believe that people need to be responsible for their actions, but don't think she had really thought that one through (and the police could not let her "friend" she was with take the baby home).
It is a tough problem to solve. There isn't an easy or direct solution that I know of. What I do is greet everyone who comes into my booth so they know I know they are there, even if the booth is packed. I keep my best and most expensive work in the back of the booth near me and I try to keep a watchful eye on everyone. I wish I had a better suggestion for you, but that's all I know of to do to try to deter the thefts.
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