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Robynmarie
Newbie Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 21
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 08:14 pm: | 
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The following e-mail was sent to me today from a coworker:
I went to my neighborhood CVS store to personally see for myself if the news reports of this national drug store profiling African-Americans by placing anti-theft devices on only Black hair care products were valid. After arriving at this store, I looked at both expensive and none expensive White hair products and I found NO anti-theft devices. I then looked on the boxes of both expensive and not expensive Black hair care products. What I found was shocking! ONLY Black hair care products had anti-theft devices on them.
I immediately went to the store management and asked why did only the Black hair products have these devices? The store manager looked like a 'deer caught in the headlights of an approaching car.' He said White hair products also had the anti-theft devices. I asked him to please walk to the aisle with me and show me the White hair care products which had these anti-theft devices and he refused to escort me to the aisle and show me. Also, he was not able to tell me of any White hair care products which had the anti-theft devices on them! I immediately turned in my CVS cards and respectfully told this manger I would NEVER shop in this store. I told him that I would inform all of my family, friends and Internet friends of this. I am now keeping my promise to inform each of you of this dirty, hidden, secret ploy of this national drug store CVS.
I hope each of you inform your friends, family and Internet contacts and stay clear of this national store.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 501
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:34 pm: |
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Thank You Ms. RobynMarie. And I commend your co-worker for taking a stand.
I would send someone over to take pix or something to document this. And perhaps you could contact your local newspaper, television stations and NAACP. There are probably some other civil rights and consumer action organizations that would take an interest and provide you with guidance. And contact an attorney - these retail establishments can be sued for their discriminatory practices, but someone must initiate the action.
You could organize demonstrations - be sure to check with your local authorities and get the proper permits first because you can't just picket on other ppl's private property. You can also start a letter writing campaign - send letters and e-mails to the company's headquarters and give them a piece of your mind. There are several ways to make a significant impact on this conglomerate's public image. |
Robynmarie
Newbie Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 22
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:41 pm: |
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Mzuri-
thanks. I'll spread the word. I especially like the idea of a letter writing campaign and taking pictures. |
Rustang
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Rustang
Post Number: 365
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:10 am: |
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You also might try emailing Amy Goodman at Pacifica radio.This is something that she would probably be interested in. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 503
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:51 am: |
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Cool. Glad I could be of assistance. I did the Amnesty International thing for several years, also was a labor union official when I was employed by Dept of Army. I've organized petitions, candlelight vigils, writing campaigns, filed EEO and DOL complaints, and picketed an army base once - I have actual experience at raising hell - and it works. LOL! |
Brownbeauty123
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Brownbeauty123
Post Number: 232
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 09:46 am: |
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What if the store notices that the black hair care products are really being stolen more than the white ones?? |
Robynmarie
Newbie Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 23
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 09:59 am: |
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Rustang-I luv Amy! I will contact her website.
Brownbeauty-If only black products were being stolen why did management say white ones had devices too, when that clearly was not the case? |
Robynmarie
Newbie Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 24
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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http://www.losspreventionblog.com/2006/04/racial_profiling_in_eas_taggin.html
Above link is CVS' response. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 2499
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:29 am: |
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Brownbeauty, it's good you stopped to ask questions. Five stars, Babe. What a relief to know that future generations are breaking the chain. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 504
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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BB - This is just my own personal opinion, but if Black skin/hair care products were being shoplifted more frequently than "regular" merchandise - the store should just take the loss rather than to offend and insult their good Black customers, because most of us don't shoplift. What if someone really does organize a boycott against CVS and their Black customers start shopping at Walgreens or Sally instead? (Do y'all shop at Sally's Beauty Supply for your hair stuff, because that's what I do - just curious.) Or ordering their stuff directly from Luster or wherever? Doesn't the Black community spend jillions of dollars on hair care products? |
Va_sis
Veteran Poster
Username: Va_sis
Post Number: 73
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:39 pm: |
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According to that blog, CVS supposedly tags all merchandise with a high volume of loss/theft.
BrownB, you asked a very good question, but I'm curious to know how other stores (Walgreen's, Sally's, Walmart, Target) handle it.
As a matter of fact, when I used to perm my hair, I'd notice tags inside the box, but never paid any attention to it....and I don't shop at CVS. |
Robynmarie
Newbie Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 25
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 01:31 pm: |
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I posted this on another website and the posters believe that it is another urban legend (some compared it to the Tommy Hilfiger controvery). |
Brownbeauty123
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Brownbeauty123
Post Number: 233
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 01:46 pm: |
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The security tags might be only be placed on hair care products in African American neighborhoods--why would they put them on white products if whites don't live in the area?
Robynmarie--Are you saying that the entire article/essay is made up?
The essay sounds very realistic, though. The case sounds like something that would happen in a Black neighborhood where drugstores put just about EVERYTHING in security tags. Even condoms, which I never use or bother to buy.
Where as in a White neighborhood, I have the freedom to pick up a headphone set, without having to hunt down the manager to unlock the freakin security shelf in black neighborhoods. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4417
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 01:50 pm: |
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When it comes to stealing, black folks tend to be petty thievess, while white people bankrupt a company and abscond with its pension funds. We, as a people, must learn to THINK BIG! |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 505
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 02:12 pm: |
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LOL Cynique. I'll have to agree with you on this one!!! |
Robynmarie
Regular Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 26
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 05:34 pm: |
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BB123-No, I am not saying this incident was made up. Folks on another messageboard, who happen to be primairly white, think it's BS. It is easy for me to believe that corportations act in this manner, but I have no firsthand knowledge about CVS.
That said, I know and have worked for telemarketing firms selling magazines who said "don't offer AAs credit" make them pay cash. Needless to say I no longer work there.
Racial profiling in many forms is alive and well. |
Moonsigns
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Moonsigns
Post Number: 1148
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 06:26 pm: |
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I can understand how this could anger people. On the other hand, if there is actually a theft problem with particular items on a larger scale within this particular company, it's counterproductive to expect them to just "eat" the cost.
The next time I'm in a CVS I'm going to look for these devices.
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Libralind2
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 366
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 07:07 pm: |
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About 7 years ago, I was a store manager for CVS (Revco) and what they started to do was tag merchandise that has a certain price point as it makes no sense to tag mechandise under, for example 1.99. The tag cost more than that. I would find tags on everything and you cant remove them once on. These came in from the warehouse. When you hire employees for 6-7 bucks for hour, you can only hope they can follow directions. They are told to put those tags on ALL mechandise over a certain price point and in some stores the merchandise above a certain price like the cameras, go behind the counter. Shrink (theft) goes with the territory so you do what you can to cut down on it. So Moon, when you go in a store looking for tags make sure you check IN the package as not all the tags are on the outside.
Linda |
Shemika
Veteran Poster
Username: Shemika
Post Number: 56
Registered: 02-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 09:22 pm: |
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Robynmarie
You are right. There is really more to all this than meets the eye. The economy is taking a downturn and anytime that happens they always go to great lengths to round up AA in order to provide a supply to keep the Prison Industrial Complex running. Don’t believe them when they say they want to eliminate crime; they thrive on it to keep the economy going.
Once when I worked at for JC Penny part time they actually tried to set up black employees. (Ironically I heard Penny’s has prison stock) When I worked there they had security all over posing as shoppers who trailed anyone black entering the store, but basically ignored whites. One time some white girls even stole tons of swimsuits in my department and when I alerted security they actually refused to come over, had they been black they would have been there in a heartbeat.
I also heard from blacks working there and a bi-racial friend working at another store how some of the white managers would give them extra merchandize for free when they made purchases by placing it in their bag as if they paid for it - they actually thought it meant the managers were cool and down with them. I warned the girl at Penny's about trusting them and sure enough she was apprehended one night when she was working with me for putting merchandize in one of her friends bags the way she said management had shown her to do before. She was paraded though the mall in handcuffs.
I was just lucky enough that she didn't implicate me when security asked her. I had tried to stay as far from her as possible that night but I could tell they would have gladly accused me by their looks. Even though I’m sure they knew I had nothing to do with it because there are plenty security cameras in these stores.
When I first started there a white woman posing as a manager had also attempted to trick me into giving her money out of the register. So after the second incident I quit that job ASAP. Something like that can ruin a black person’s life because they always want to believe the worst about us. And if some of the management as well as employees are stealing merchandize it stands to reason that, management especially, are looking for scapegoats to blame the losses on. And AAs have always been a prime scapegoat, guilty or not.
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Doberman23
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 337
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:42 pm: |
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i stole some gummi bears from cvs ... it made them extra sweet might i ad  |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 506
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 01:52 am: |
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Cynique just told you to think big! So why the heck did you steal some petty a$$ gummi bears? Next time you steal something, make it worthwhile. |
Anunaki3600
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Anunaki3600
Post Number: 168
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 04:04 am: |
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There is nothing new about Blacks being accused of stealing. This has been going on for the last four hundred years or more in the USA. Just do some research and you will find out this historical truth. Remember what Bill Cosby said about stealing "pound cake"? won't take anyone further than getting cavities. On the other hand, during the LA riots (uprising?), petty stealing was more of a political statement to let the Korean or Indian shopkeeper know how you felt about their attitude. |
Doberman23
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 338
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 04:11 pm: |
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shut your mouf mzuri i'll steal your heart. i wanted some gummi bears damn it, not to mention i accidently stole them ... (and yes smart ass u can accidently steal something) and the answer to the question is no black people aren't the only one's that steal but hell yeah they steal stuff, and i don't care if they put that stuff on hair products cause i sport a jordan. ... and one more thing ... i can't remember now my mp3 is now downloaded ..gotta go. |
Kenology
Newbie Poster
Username: Kenology
Post Number: 3
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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LOL!
I haven't read through all the replies, but I see a glaring irony here...
Profiling black people as if we're all theives while the biggest theives of all pretend to be the model of civility. This goes beyond CVS hair products though... I'm talkin' stealin' entire land masses and natural resources. |
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