10 Repair Store Security Tips to Give You More Peace of Mind

Consumer phone theft, which in 2014 was seen as an “epidemic” in the US, has seen a decline over the past few years. However, the same cannot be said for repair store theft. With cell phones and laptops listed as two of the most commonly shoplifted items, it’s no surprise that electronic stores are often targeted in burglaries and robberies today.

It’s easy to feel defenseless or hopeless when thinking about the possibility of your hard-earned money walking out the door, but there are plenty of things that you can do to give yourself some peace of mind. Here are some tips to help you protect your location from burglaries, robberies, and even internal theft.

1. Get Insured

If you don’t already have coverage for theft in your insurance plan, it could be worthwhile to check prices. This can cover you in cases of shoplifting, employee theft, or robbery. Some plans actually allow you to extend coverage outside of lost inventory, to things like computers, tools, or other equipment.

2. Perform Regular Inventory Counts

Make sure to get a good grasp of your inventory and perform regular counts, especially during the busier seasons, to help reduce shrinkage and employee theft. The tighter the ship you run in terms of your processes related to inventory, the less likely you are to have an employee try to steal inventory from you.

3. Invest in Laminated Front Glass

In this industry, we know that there is no such thing as unbreakable glass. However, burglars are looking for a way to get in and out of your store in minutes. Anything you can do to stall them from entering can help scare them off or keep them in your store longer while the police arrives. 3M makes a security film for windows that can accomplish this, or you can shop around for local companies that offer a similar service. This can get costly, but can be very effective, especially when paired with our next tip.

4. Invest in a Good Security & Alarm System

Again, thieves can get scared off easily. If you have a loud alarm that sounds off (and alerts the authorities) when someone trespasses, it can make all the difference in detering burglars. Choose the best security system for you and proudly display signage indicating such on your front window.

5. Put Anti-Theft Signage in and Around Your Store

Yes, even simple signage stating that shoplifters will be prosecuted can deter theft! If you have security cameras and a security system, display this information in your store for anyone that is scoping out your location. Keep them higher up where thieves tend to look for security camera locations, and to not take up valuable wall space used to display ads and promotions for your actual, paying customers.

6. Invest in Cloud-Based Security Cameras

There are plenty of options for retail security cameras out there. Just make sure to find a system that is Cloud-based so that you can tap in and monitor your store from your home computer or smartphone.

7. Add a Store iCloud / Google Account to All Pre-Owned Devices

If you buy and sell pre-owned devices, take the extra step to add a store iCloud or Google account as well as an active SIM to every device in your inventory. This can help you use Find my Phone features on these devices to re-locate them in the event of theft.

8. Ask for an ID from Customers Looking at Phones

If you allow customers to test a device out before purchasing from your device case, don’t just hand it over! Ask for their ID as a collateral and deterrent of theft. Your regular paying customers won’t mind this at all if they have good intentions. Display this policy on your device case to use as a deterrent as well.

9. Put Customer Devices in a Safe or Take Them Home

Sometimes, the worst part of experiencing a burglary or robbery is having to call a customer to inform them that their phone was stolen under your watch. At the end of each night, make sure to put any customer devices that you’re working on in a secure safe. You can even take devices home with you if there is a particularly valuable device you’re holding for a special customer.

10. Train Your Employees on Theft Prevention and Safety

Make a point to train your employees on theft prevention. Here are some things you can train them to do:

• Have employees greet every single customer that walks in, making sure to make eye contact. Making it known that you’re aware of a customer’s presence makes thieves uneasy.
• Have a code to use with other employees if someone feels unsafe or if there is some suspicious activity. That way, if there is someone in the back, they can come to the front for extra support or make a call if necessary.
• Train employees to keep the front of the store organized. Messy, unorganized storefronts make things easier for shoplifters to swipe your inventory.
• Have a plan in place for what happens after a robbery. Document who should call the police and who else would need to be notified of the incident.
• No amount of inventory in your store is worth more than the lives and safety of your employees. Train them to comply with thieves should an armed robbery ever happen in your location.

Theft can be a big problem (and a major cause for anxiety) for store owners in the cell phone repair industry. Don’t wait for an unfortunate event to happen to you; make sure you have the proper systems in place to protect your store, your staff, and yourself from thieves.