SHOP DETECTIVES

Evening Star, Issue 21091, 2 May 1932, Page 6

SHOP DETECTIVES

VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND ALLEGATIONS OF DELIBERATE TEMPTING Allegations that they deliberately tempt shop assistants into making slips which may or may not be actually dishonest are being levelled at the representatives of an Australian syndicate, who are at present operating in New Zealand as private detectives. On Saturday evening we published a letter from an employer of labour who, ip the course of some criticism directed against those whom he accused of spying, stated that the methods the members of this syndicate had adopted were to do their best to trap shop assistants by pleading and telling tales of poverty and so leading a shop assistant into taking pity, perhaps putting a little extra on to their purchases. Investigations made by an ‘ Evening Star ’ reporter this morning find support for this view. However, the method outlined may probably be only one of several that are included in the visitors’ policy, and may be used only in the kind of shop where a little pleading for an increase in the purchase is to be expected from people who are not liberally endowed with .the necessities of life. It is understood that, in accordance with another plan that is embodied in the general scheme, a shop detective calls at a retail establishment and makes a point of purchasing a quantity of goods, the total value of which comes to a sum not usually handled in the office. Ho then passes over the exact money, and, declaring that he is in great haste, tells the assistant behind the counter not to bother about a docket. A few minutes later the office is rung up on the telephone in order to ascertain if the purchase has been recorded. Sometimes the sleuths work in pairs, and in such instances they have at their disposal an ingenious system of detecting dishonesty, carelessness, or inefficiency. Their work, moreover, is by no means confined to the apprehension of the lower-paid workers. It is stated that heads of departments have lost their emprtyment through allegations made by these specialists. ~ , It has been suggested that the shop detectives are paid on a basis of a fee and commission, and that the system has rendered them over-zealous in their efforts to secure victims. Be that as it may, it is certainly a fact that at least the integrity of some individuals who have lost their positions in Dunedin is claimed to be beyond all question. Indeed, one firm—a rival establishment to a shop where the detectimes have been operating—were quick to procure the services of an employee who had lost her old position on account of some charge submitted against her. In order to show that the syndicate works on lines which are nothing if not thorough, it may be as well to reproduce the skeleton of an efficiency report which, after having been filled in, is said to be presented to employers. The questionaire is as follows: ' 1. Were you greeted pleasantly? 2. Was attention prompt? 3 Were goods asked for in stock? 4. Did assistant suggest substitute? What? 5. Did assistant know goods? 6. Assistant’s sales ability? 7. Did assistant suggest further purchase? What? 8. Assistant’s manner? 9. Assistant’s appearance? 10. Were goods wrapped? 11. Were dockets examined? 12. Were dockets signed? 13. Were goods examined? 14. Were you thanked for purchase? 15. Assistants. 16. Department. 17. Shop. Articles purchased. Money used in payment. Description of assistant. Were dockets received? However distasteful the methods of the shop detectives may appear to some, it is held that they are within the law. The manager’ of one big retail firm in Dunedin was_ quite frank and sincere when he informed the 1 Star ’ man that the members of the syndicate belonged to a reputable conxpany of auditors in Sydney, and that he was well pleased with the work they had been doing. He added that there was a great deal of dishonesty in business, and that in Sydney these men had been purging the big departmental stores of the trouble. It is understood that the visitors have been operating in the nprth and have now turned their attention to Invercargill.