Home Depot shoplifter policy is right on the money

Taking HD video doesn't catch the criminal. Why doesn't the Home Depot publish the shrinkage percentages? No one would stand for it. They are big.

It has been my experience that you have to catch the shoplifter with the goods on him to successfully prosecute him. First of all, Police don't like taking shoplifting reports where the suspects were caught let alone when they are not caught. You have to have someone to prosecute that is in the video. If he is not caught at the scene the chances of catching him are nil. Take all the video you want. That doesn't catch the shoplifter. Who here has had Shoplifting charges issued by a commissioner where the only evidence was video? I have never had charges issued nor have I tried to have charges issued where the only evidence was video.

As for the psychologist, do you have to submit to random drug testing? I didn't think so. I am pushing for federal legislation that requires Judges and defense attorneys be required to submit to random drug testing. I am now adding Psychologists to that list.

With the prices of scrap metal going up it makes HD a more inviting target. No longer are you having the criminals removing the items from display racks and then jumping into the return line. Now, they take the copper and run. Or they get the Gift cards from the return desk and take them to a pawn shop were they convert them for cash.

That is external thefts and doesn’t even touch on internal thefts. There are cases where a cashier working with a crew. The losses are huge. Whether under ringing merchandise, return fraud or EE Theft the losses are larger and they are harder to catch.

I will say that HD LP’s are very helpful to LE that I have dealt with. They helped me put a guy away for stealing from someone outside one of their stores with their video on the parking lot. We had the guy inside the store on video taking something off a display and concealing it but he could not be charged with it because the video was not clear enough. So as for the video, yes it helps but it doesn’t solve the problem.

I don't think HD's policy is on the Money. It is just another example of house lawyers who can't make it in the real world justifying their existence. There should be Home Depot EE’s aside from the one LP who are cross-trained in apprehending shoplifters.

If HD is so obsessed with rewarding thieves (that raise my prices to pay for their goods) while penalizing good people (who are trying to protect their employer) then HD doesn't need my business nor my investment.

Nuts to 'em.

Yes, their shoplifting policy is right on the money, but sadly enough they have both feet on the banana peel!

From what I have been told by LP personnel (Loss Prevention) is that most times, even when they have someone apprehended, the police will not bother to show up for the arrest.

IMHO, most Home Depot policies reflect them not wanting to get sued and lose profitability.

Other policies reflect the presumtion that HD employees are themselves criminals, and to some extent, this CAN be true.

Question: If, while Home Depot employees were attempting to detain a thief who had taken a $35 item, the thief, in an attempt to flee the scene struck you or a family member accompanying you as you walked in the store's parking lot with his car, or struck your vehicle with you in it causing you and yours bodily injury requiring hospitalization and prolonged physical rehabilitation would you agree or disagree with Home Depot's policy? Secondly, would you consider Home Depot responsible, morally, legally, and financially because they were more concerned about a $35 piece of hardware than about your safety and/or the safety of any and all other innocent by standers? Wouldn't you want to ask not only the thief but those HD employees who violated company policy, "Was it worth it?"

HD associate says: There is one critical point that has not been pointed out yet. That is that in order to beable to arrest a shoplifter it has to be proven that if a person was seen putting something on their person then they have to be followed 100% and never let out of sight or have had any oppurtunity to get rid of the merchandise. They can not be stopped until they walk out the doors. Also if they have ripped something out of a packagfe then no matter what you have to prove its store property. Also no matter where you shop there is limited LP and if all the associates are chasing might-be shoplifters who will help the rest of the customers? THD is also doing more than might be realized to track and slow down theft and returns. Also If you as a customer are approached by someone selling a store card if you buy it from that person that makes you guilty as well because that is how they profit from their business.

Listen when it boils down to it LP in store are for the most part following the rules. Step 1 observe the suspect enter the aisle without the merchandise 2. See selection of the merchandise. 3. observe concealment. 4. unobstruted observation. 5. Pass all points of sale exiting the store with the product without payment. That is what you need to even consider an apprehension, then you must not only worry about your safety but all those around you to include the bad guy. I understand the frustration but we lose more money in operational errors then we do in shoplifters. So maybe you as shareholders and employees should worry about the things you can control. And leave the Bad guys to us.