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The security guards at Dollarama are more present these days. Lately, I've been growing out a bit of facial hair; a look that I refer to as the 'Dollarama Beard'.

Every time I go to Dollarama now, a security guard is sure to follow me as soon they spot ....the Dollarama Beard. Without fail, I can walk into any aisle and
sure enough, my friends in the padded vests will be following close behind me. Our meetups became so frequent that one time while shopping I commented
"I was wondering where you went a minute ago."

Shoplifting must be a major problem at these stores. Maybe if I braid my Dollarama Beard, I'll be targeted less by my new friends.
 
J-M-Z said:
The security guards at Dollarama are more present these days. Lately, I've been growing out a bit of facial hair; a look that I refer to as the 'Dollarama Beard'.

Every time I go to Dollarama now, a security guard is sure to follow me as soon they spot ....the Dollarama Beard. Without fail, I can walk into any aisle and
sure enough, my friends in the padded vests will be following close behind me. Our meetups became so frequent that one time while shopping I commented
"I was wondering where you went a minute ago."

Shoplifting must be a major problem at these stores. Maybe if I braid my Dollarama Beard, I'll be targeted less by my new friends.
Click to expand...
That's odd. I dress VERY flamboyantly yet I've never had any security guy shadow me in any store...
 
I guess based on the Dollarama-constructed social hierarchy administered by the chain's security personnel, flamboyance is considered more-affluent
than the apparent stigma of a Dollarama Beard and Beanie combination.

Another easy way to get targeted is to enter any Dollarama with a gym/messenger bag. I was shadowed for 10 sold minutes while I attempted to buy a
bag of Sweet Chili Heat Doritos.

Maybe the guard was hungry? We may never know...
 
J-M-Z said:
Another easy way to get targeted is to enter any Dollarama with a gym/messenger bag. I was shadowed for 10 sold minutes while I attempted to buy a
bag of Sweet Chili Heat Doritos.
Click to expand...
Can't be any worse than Canada Computer & Electronics which AFAIK has a nationwide forced bag check as they do not allow customers to carry backpacks or other bags around their stores.
 
Unfortunately, it can get worse.

For those brave enough to visit John Garland Blvd., walk into Dollar King with a shopping or gym bag. If the store owner
spots you, they'll kindly call you back to the front counter; requesting you to leave your bag(s) with them while you 'shop'.

Speaking of Dollarama, I once walked into Albion Mall with the dreaded gym bag and Dollarama Beard. After making a
few purchases at Frugo, I began noticing a security guard shadow me. Paying little mind to this, I continued walking back
towards the No Frills exit. Just before reaching the end, I decided to rest my gym bag down at a nearby bench to
pack away some of the items I had just purchased.

While organizing my belongings, I felt the presence of someone standing close to me. As I turned around to scan my
surroundings, sure enough, there was the same mall security guard peeking over my shoulder. It seemed the security
guard shadowed me just as soon as I exited Frugo near the food court. They were certainly getting in their steps that
day.

Upon spotting the guard looking over my shoulder, I simply commented "do you mind?". Taking a vow of silence, the
security looked at my purchases and walked away without saying a word.

Getting the impression that every mall security guard now thinks I'm a potential mall shooter, I no longer own a gym bag,
nor visit any mall or Dollarama with one.

While Dollarama may get rid of all of their self checkouts, I can expect more of our buddies with padded vests will be hired.
Or, if you happen to visit certain Shopper's Drug Marts --- armed police officers will be on-site..
 
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The whole security guard thing is so hilariously performative, because they have no power to stop or apprehend any thieves, and these TFW's are hardly going to put their lives in potential danger for minimum wage to prevent the theft of a bunch of cheap quality made-in-China crap. Smoke and mirrors.
 
Sports clothing store Si Vous Play has the best approach to deter shoplifting; staying with the customer while they try on shoes.
Imagine if more stores like Dollarama and Wal-Mart adopted a similar practice. I'd call this type of role a 'shopping buddy'.

Heck, the security guards could be each customer's shopping buddy; preventing them from shoplifting, all the while informing
them of this week's hottest deals.
 
J-M-Z said:
... staying with the customer ...
Click to expand...
That sounds annoying, and would certainly drive me away from going there.
Immediately inside the entrance of The Stockyards Canadian Tire is an employee tending to a rack/shelf thing where customers put their bags, backpacks, etc., then pick them up when leaving the store by handing back a numbered piece of paper. I don't see anything wrong with that, as long as you don't leave the store and forget what you came in with.
This is another place, along with several other Canadian Tires, that had self-checkouts and got rid of them.
cbc.ca - "Thieves steal at self-checkout because they feel the risk is low, expert says"
 
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The problem really comes down to the customers themselves. Shoplifters, in particular, are very resourceful individuals.
Self Checkouts are just the latest ploy in their arsenal of tactics.

Remember when local grocery stores used to have a cardboard bin section near the checkout? While company press releases indicate
that the removal of these bins was a measure for space management, the cardboard boxes were also used by shoppers to steal inventory.

According to local Food Basics security guards, when not stuffing items in their pockets, customers now swipe items with Food Basics'
reusable shopping bags. Instead of sauntering through the Self Checkout (where there is employee supervision), the shoppers will opt
to exit through the Express Checkout lane when unmanned.

This is often why security guards are positioned near the registers first and foremost.
 
Towered said:
The whole security guard thing is so hilariously performative, because they have no power to stop or apprehend any thieves, and these TFW's are hardly going to put their lives in potential danger for minimum wage to prevent the theft of a bunch of cheap quality made-in-China crap. Smoke and mirrors.
Click to expand...

These TFW's security guards are just human scarecrows. My local LCBO has them. They do nothing to prevent theft. They might scare some underage kid from stealing a bottle of booze, but the professional thieves who show up with duffel bags and walk out with thousands of dollars worth of booze, it's business as usual for them.
 
May 31, 2025 at The Forest Hill Condominiums at Bathurst and Eglinton:

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No self-checkouts!
 
gabe said:
These TFW's security guards are just human scarecrows. My local LCBO has them. They do nothing to prevent theft. They might scare some underage kid from stealing a bottle of booze, but the professional thieves who show up with duffel bags and walk out with thousands of dollars worth of booze, it's business as usual for them.
Click to expand...

No Frills also has a policy of hiring TFW's. With repeat visits, I noticed one particular guard who refused to monitor shoppers.
Time and time again, the security guard could be spotted just staring at their phone.

The TFW's are also part of a string of security agencies that are brought in for seasonal work as event staff.
 
J-M-Z said:
No Frills also has a policy of hiring TFW's. With repeat visits, I noticed one particular guard who refused to monitor shoppers.
Time and time again, the security guard could be spotted just staring at their phone.

The TFW's are also part of a string of security agencies that are brought in for seasonal work as event staff.
Click to expand...
How does one visually identify a TFW?
 
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