Moving to Mexico: Questionable Store Security

In certain stores in Playa del Carmen there is an interesting security method used to prevent theft. Empty display boxes are placed on the shelf and the original boxed item is kept in a locked back room. Perhaps this type of practice is used in the US as well. Regardless it strikes me as curious especially when other security measures are in place.

In Office Max yesterday I was purchasing a wireless router, and found empty router boxes on the shelf. Assuming the original item was kept in a secure back room, I brought the box to checkout and had to wait roughly 20 minutes while they searched in their bodega for the merchandise. My suspicions to the ineffectiveness of this security method were confirmed when the router could not be found. It seems this extra security seemingly led to the disappearance of the router. Was it stolen? Was it missing? Perhaps if it was kept on the shelf it would not be missing in the first place.

There are security sensors at both store entrances. Perhaps if they relied on these theft sensors it would be easier for both the consumer and employee. Customers could pick up merchandise more easily and employees wouldn't have to go searching in a bodega. Typically I would expect the empty box method in the absence of security gates - not in addition to them.

From our experience in Playa we have seen that many security methods are put in place to prevent theft by employees rather than customers. At the Mega Grocery store a security guard stands in front of the bathroom entrances and only stops and searches Mega employees, not customers. I would think an institution would have more confidence in their staff rather than their customers. If you don't have basic trust for your employees with some type of oversight how can one expect their business to succeed? Hiring trustworthy employees is one of the cornerstones to a successful business.

Perhaps Office Max did not invest in enough theft protection sensors in put in their merchandise. If this is the case, why waste the money to put up the security sensor gates? Are empty display boxes being used to prevent theft by employees or customers? Regardless, the empty box method is both a frustration for me as it poses a major inconvenience having to wait up to 1/2 hour or more for production retrieval. It also does not seem to prevent product loss and may in fact contribute to it. I don't mind waiting for what I consider valid reasons, but when it comes to poor planning and incompetence then I get very frustrated. As with most things living in Playa, it's the ability to get over the inconveniences and to focus on the positives that makes living in this beach paradise more manageable.

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