Comments on: Thief Or Customer?

By: John

John — Mon, 14 May 2007 07:46:15 +0000

The 1.8% is a statistic I got from the a reference to the Office of National Statistics for shirnkage in the UK.

Let’s be honest few people will read either sign unless prompted, so when they do it might as well be polite.

Even if I do spot such a sign I for one will ingore it, if a shop wants my business then they have to treat me with some respect, if they’re not happy to do so then they can direct me out of their shop and I’ll take my business elsewhere.

Ideally however there are alternatives, Sam Walton (Walmart) worked hard on reducing shrinkage and found a greeter at the door went a long way, with the added benefit that it makes customers feel welcome.

By: Murky.org » Signs to Customers

Murky.org » Signs to Customers — Mon, 14 May 2007 05:02:52 +0000

[...] The above was also picked up on ‘Business Opportunities and Ideas’ under the title thief or customer?: Seth Godin recently posted about no exceptions commenting on a sign he saw in a shop that reads: [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 13 May 2007 20:12:00 +0000

I disagree. The sign is very appropriate. Why do you think shoplifting accounts for only 1.8% of yearly inventory? It is maybe because stores aren’t letting people wander around with suitcases?

The sign’s purpose is to convey a simple message: YOU MUST LEAVE BIG BAGS HERE. The bit about laptops and cameras is simply a liability issue.

I’m a web designer – usability is a huge issue. The fact of the matter is, unless someone picks up a book, they aren’t going to read more than a dozen words. If you have a sign, like Seth suggests, with 82 words, it will almost never get read. Clarity is the issue here.

Plus, “The Strand” is a bookstore in New York city! Come on – the culture there is used to being a bit terse. You don’t have to hug your customers to keep them.

The original sign is fine.

all the best – chris