Getting sick of the theft

[stpitner]

To the scumbags that think it's funny to steal discs from my merch tables: you're about to ruin it all for everybody that is honest and trustworthy at a good, fun disc golf tournament.  I'm either going to have to start bringing less merch or start drastically increasing security.  Aside from the dyed champ boss that I confirmed was taken from IOS #1, there are now two purple max weight (one white stamp, one purple stamp) Champion Ape's that are unaccounted for.  They could have been taken at either IOS #2 or IOS #3.  There are possibly other discs that are unaccounted for as well.

The five-finger discount is NOT appreciated in any way shape or form.  Does you realize the penalty for something like this?  If caught not only would I submit for your immediate disqualification from the tournament, I'd also ask for you to be banned from all future IOS tournament and have your name submitted to the PDGA as well.  Do you really want that?

If you really want to get your hands on the hot new disc, then play better and win more reward dollars.  That stuff is already being sold to you at cost, what makes you think that I want to pay for your greed?

For the rest of you, I'm sorry, but it's probably going to start taking longer to get through the checkout process.  If we can't police ourselves and prevent discs from walking away, then I'm just not going to bother doing tournaments anymore.  If you don't want pre-determined player packs and payouts with your winnings for first place to be a taped together stack of discs (ask Dave O - that's how things were paid out in Alabama) and you'd rather pick from 2000-2500 discs to choose your winnings, please help keep everyone honest!

[/rant]

[Bruce Brakel]

I got sick of it.  It is not like I didn't know when I'd bring a few uniquely dyed discs to the tournament and they'd disappear without ever having been paid for.  With Scott's computerized inventory, he sees every single disc that disappears without going through check out.   

For me it was especially a problem at Jericho Lake, which I found especially disappointing.  The parking lot was so full of players' cars we had virtually no casuals that day. 

One of the things that Mark Kruse does at his tournaments is that he only pays about 6 amateurs at a time.  He'll pay some amateurs and then do some CTPs.  Pay some amateurs and then pay some pros.  Pay some amateurs and then do some more CTPs.  It takes longer but it controls the mob. 

[stpitner]

since I have the ability to do this, I'm probably going to adopt the sam's club model of how you can leave.  You can't come in with any bags or discs in hand.  Leave the bag or whatever in the car or have a buddy watch your bag.  You come into the merch area, you make a purchase, and during rush times you will be required to take a receipt.  Then I'll have a bouncer checking receipts to give a spot check and verify receipts match to what you are leaving with.

[Bruce Brakel]

That seems reasonable.  Fortunately, discs are large enough that you won't have to adopt TSA procedures.   

[Chainmeister]

Scott

I am sure you can get plenty of volunteers to keep an eye out and check receipts for about an hour  during the rush after the last card gets turned in until after the winnings have been redeemed.

[Jon Brakel]

If anyone is caught stealing discs or other merchandise at an IOS event, he or she will be suspended from the PDGA!

[Tom McManus]

I asked about 5 guys to leave their bags outside of the area where the discs were located. This was before payouts.  I can't understand why anyone would want to steal discs. Scott has a huge selection, has to get there early and set up and usually doesn't start packing up his selection until it is dark. It is a hard, thankless job.

[roman]

I think another good way to prevent people from walking away with discs is to set up your register so that the entrance is on one side of you and the exit is on another side, no other ways in or out. That way everyone has to pass by you in order to leave.

If people browse from the back or outside of the merch area they should be asked to step inside. If it's full inside, then they should form a line or come back when it's less busy. It's ridiculous that this is even a problem. Come on!

[smyith]

you had the right idea for setup at IOS#1(with the entrance and exit) except you should wall off the outside along the tables. or you could go high tech http://www.spygearco.com/MiniWirelessColorSpyCameraWithUSBAdapter-DS.htm.

[Sr.]

Anyone caught stealing merch will be tied to a basket and stoned to death with Destroyers, Bosses, and Vulcans!

[stpitner]

the intent at Sterling was to have everyone enter on one side and everyone exit through the small opening past the register, but since that looked like the "back area" no one realized that was the true way they should go (one person even asked permission!)  So I think signage will also help.  It was tough to break off all of the points at Sterling since it's such a huge pavilion.  I still wound up with the large entry way with a 2nd entry way that was over by the gateway plastic (and unfortunately that entry-way was 4 bins away from where the Champion Apes were at).  However, I can't say if the Ape's disappeared at IOS #2 or #3.  They were mostly in a box at IOS 2 and in the bins at IOS 3.

I am considering security cameras.

[damonshort]

suggested security measures for the merch table:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypBTQYnJi4&feature=related

[duain]

Sucks when stuff like this happens. You could always limit the amount of people in the area where the discs are being sold and have 1exit/entrance by you. When 1 person leaves you can let another in and if someone gives you crap about it tell them to go buy discs at the gas station for more $$$ and less selection.

[Tom McManus]

suggested security measures for the merch table:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypBTQYnJi4&feature=related

Breaking Bad. Nice.

I still don't understand how someone can just take someone's discs and walk away.