Vicious Circle Hits Us All in the Wallet

September 17, 2008 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar

That infamous saying “desperate times call for desperate measures” is as true now as it was in the 1600’s. (The phrase is said to have been originated by Shakespeare in Hamlet but it is still not confirmed to my findings.)

More Downside to Current Economy

The damaged economy and price of family wages not keeping up with inflation are forcing some people to resort to the most desperate of measures, namely stealing. Reports in 2008, show that retailers are experiencing a steady increase in shoplifting - and not just by their customers. There is also an increase in employee-related thefts among employers. From money to merchandise, it seems that as more families struggle to make the ends meet somehow, they are turning to acts of desperation to survive. Several chains sited that the thefts are not necessarily luxury items but basic-need items such as baby formula or food.

It used to be that shoplifters and money takers had their own needs in mind such as supporting a drug habit, the thrill of the act, or just the curiosity of seeing if they could get away with it. But for many, the act of stealing is done by families living on the financial edge of a real crisis.

However, that does not make it right, especially because of the effect is has on the rest of us trying to get by on the up and up. Because of shoplifting, retailers are forced to increase prices to make up for the loss. The economy is making it hard for businesses to thrive as well, so most retailers will not eat the loss. Retailers are also having trouble keeping the incidents of theft down because of their own money issues. They are downsizing to save their business and in the process need to let go valuable staff who have been an integral part of securing the store. With fewer store clerks, there is simply more opportunity to stash and dash with the merchandise.

The Tide Rolls On

Another wave of effect that comes back to haunt consumers because of this theft is the organized crime that is involved. Professionals who thieve from other and in turn sell the merchandise online or out of trucks can potentially be a danger to consumers due to the products. Consumers who are happy to get a discount on needed items may find the results to be a risk to their health. For instance, baby formula that is sold illegally may not have been properly handled or stored per instructions, thus making the formula unsafe for an infant to drink. There is also a possibility medications and the like are mislabeled or tampered with before purchase. All of these things can have fatal consequences to an unsuspecting consumer.

No one can force you to give up a shoplifter you see boosting merchandise at the local grocery store but it should give you enough pause when you consider how it will affect your own purse strings. For consumers shopping online or buying items from a questionable source, you need to think twice about saving a buck.

Posted in fraud, personal behavior, rip-offs, scams, security, shopping

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