Loss Prevention Associate

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

I was just wondering is a loss prevention associate a good job at Sears? What does a loss prevention associate do?

Thanks

Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 586

They prevent loss.

Har.

Anyhow, speaking of my LP team...they monitor security cameras, catch thieves (both internal and external), take care of safety hazards, put out the signs when it rains (well, I guess that falls in with safety hazard), take care of associate and customer injuries, dispose of hazard materials, clean up hazard messes (like...when the fitting room is used as a potty), etc.

The basic LP stuff like all retail stores. I have to say that I think it's probably one of the more interesting jobs of retail, but I am not familiar with pay or anything like that...

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 6309

Also helps if you know how to ring and understand alot of the procedures at the POS because you will be asked to check on thinks like coupon abuse along with finding fraud or theft.

Pressure for numbers in LP as well.

Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 61

LP at Sears is pretty much the same as being LP at any other retail store.

LP walks around in plain clothes and, like vickers said, stops shoplifting, and gets rid of any hazardous conditions that may come up in the store. There are goals that you have to meet as a member of the LP team for both external and internal investigations and apprehensions. Most stores make use of teams for LP, so there will probably be 2 or more of you on at one time.

Depending on what kind of area your store is in your job may be easy, or your job may be hard. I suggest getting certified before going for an LP job at Sears, though.

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 586

My store has four (or so) LP positions. The top dog is an ASM. Then, there are two full timers and a part timer. I could be wrong...maybe they are all full time. I don't know.

Depends on how big your local Sears store is.

And I can't help you on the certification thing. I'm not sure what SearsSup is talking about...Sorry.

I really agree with dictators_rule--you should learn how to ring transactions. Learn the ends and outs...returns, exchanges, adjustments, etc...so you can catch the associates that are stealing from the store.

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 1176

Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 338

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 6309

Thing about the metrics and lp which is sorta dumb is that not even cops aren't allowed to be under a quota for arrests and tickets . They can get measured on how many they make but I think actual quota systems have been over ruled in many a court case .

One thing that has alway puzzled me about Sears LP is that they don't seem that worried or prioritize serious customer fraud. They don't try to prevent or warn you about until something happens-over & over. The ring your own gift card ring comes to mind but I've personally spotted 400$ fraudulent check/money orders and the guy stealing the 40$ sneaks gets more priority . What I mean by that is that they'd rather see LP track a thief like that for 1/2 hour rather than follow people passing fraudulent checks and gift cards around which in the end will be a greater loss. I'm not saying ignore them but after a certain point you become proactive & chase the shoplifter out of the store unless you know they've been hitting you for 1000$ . But then again if it's a known shoplifter and have them on tape shouldn't the police be called?

But it all comes back to metrics and quotas and the path of least resistance.

Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 1176

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 6309

Oh I'm not saying say 'get out' but at least have the associates ask that person for help or simply make your presence known. Most get the message.

We had one guy that had actually caught on tape( but never apprehended) and was suspected of anything from shakey returns to shoplifting then about a year later he comes in and starts harassing some females. He was given a verbal tresspass warning and told never to come back. He did but as soon as he recognized lp he would scram.

My biggest thing is training when it comes to fraud or counterfitting. Take away the pen and most can't physically check a bill. And they just tell you simple things like don't talk with the cash drawer open, keep a hand over it - there was a gang operating in 2 or 3 where 1 would make a legit purchase another or the buyer would distract the CAC with a question and another would snatch 20s and above.

There are warning signs for most fraud. But everybodys overburdened with their own job so it does make it tough to be more proactive. I've seen LP left alone too often which just amplifies all the theft & fraud issues.

Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 586

About the pen--I NEVER rely on the pen. I do visual checks of all bills over $10...but usually I skip twenties if they feel right. But if I have a boatload of $20s I do a random check of a few of them.

And if someone starts chatting me up while I have the draw open, I close it almost all the way before finalizing the transaction.

I've taught other cashiers the visual checking of bills thing. I don't understand why it's not regularly taught.

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

You guys ever had any strange thefts in your stores? Such as people stealing lawn mowers or something expensive? Is it always the same people stealing stuff in your stores? Also are people you guys catch stealing mostly teenagers?

Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 1176

Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 383

Perhaps our Kmart store is different because at our store LP puts up shelves, does stocking etc etc. One LP is leaving couldn't get along with the "terrible Tot" so I heard when it came to setting up employees. New LP is older and was setting up shelves yesterday. One of the worst squabbles I witnessed at our store between store manager and LP came up because she wanted him to spend the day doing something not related to LP, I think she wanted him to price softlines, scrubb shelves, or something like that. He pretty much told her it wasn't in his job description and made it stick.

At our store the LP would NOT be caught dead cleaning up anything hazardous like poop in the fitting room, they are above that and the lowly peons do that job if they can find one they can threaten into it.

Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 62

If you're like the LP guy where I used to work, you get to bang and then marry the HR Manager.

Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 1646 Location: Michigan

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

I had an interview yesterday at Sears for a loss prevention position. I went into the store, saw an associate then said "where do I go for an interview", he told me to go through these glass doors on the left. I went through the doors, it was a decent sized office with a few rooms around, I saw a woman who I think was the Human Resources manager, (she was actually very nice and smiled a lot) and I just told her I had an interview today. She then looked at this board with a bunch of names on it, and come to find out the interview was actually scheduled for today but it didn't matter she called the LP manager and had the interview in his office. First thing I had to do was sign some form then I walked with the LP manager to his office which was by the receiving or warehouse part of the store. I didn't wait long at all, it took less then 5 minutes to start the interview. He seemed like a nice guy, he asked me about 5-6 questions then asked if I had any questions at the end and that was it. The interview probably took about 15-20 minutes.

Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 62

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

I don't think I got the job either. I've done probably about 5-6 interviews so far (including a phone interview) with other companies and I never quite got passed the interview process but oh well. I thought I did pretty well though, I gave some honest, thorough, and at times lengthy answers but from reading some other threads on here they say the interview usually takes around 30-40 minutes. Also I believe theres two interviews.

How many questions do they usually ask during the first interview?

Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 586

When I was hired as a cashier, they asked me about six or seven questions. She said she liked me and hired me on the spot. Did my paperwork that day. That's what it is usually like for at least cashiers. Most (back before the bad economy) were hired on the spot. These days there are so many people applying that they actually take the time to find the folks that will stick around instead of just hiring anyone.

I guess maybe LP associate is a little more thorough than a cashier, though.

Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

When I went into the office there was a marker board on the left with my name on it including over 20 other names and dates about upcoming interviews so I knew there was a lot of people who applied and were going to have interviews. When the LP manager asked if I had any questions at the end I brought up a question along the lines of how many people had interviews for the LP position and he said quite a few. So obviously at that point I had a pretty good idea it was going to be tough to be hired for this position.

Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 383

If you're like the LP guy where I used to work, you get to bang and then marry the HR Manager.

Nope not in my store. He's have to beat a path through all the love sick puppies. Don't know why since our HR isn't that fantastic or maybe she just isn't my type. Evil or Very Mad

But our former HR wound up sleeping with the ASM and had to resign. Another associate however was according to store rumor, and you know how that is, pregnant by the LP.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 6309

quest - no clear response

HRs/the hiring process for retail are some of the most fickle people & processes you'll ever have to deal with

I've experienced what vickers went through - most retailers still look for " long term " employees( even though their pay/benies don't merit a career but they still hire that way which causes problems down the road). You also have to be carefull about asking for FT when they're hiring PT. But the quagmire is that I've had HRs turn me down period because I didn't want exactly what they had open at that time. I had a store manager disgusted with the employee attitude & turn-over during ' the boom ' ranted to the HR hire them dumb and young - he wanted jumpers.

Good news is that quest still is in the running . quest keep on adding to your skill set at Sears. Just try to learn as much as possible even though it's not your job. Ask questions and talk to LP or anyone for that matter - process knowledge is a major tool in investigating fraud and theft.

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