Can I Take a Picture of Your Baskets?
Posted on November 30, 2007
Filed Under Controversy
If there’s one thing that gift basket retailers will not tolerate, it’s someone coming into their shop asking proprietary questions.
And there’s something else on most designers “do not do” list — don’t come in a take pictures. Or is that okay in your shop?
Here’s a photo taken “on the sly” in a specialty shop near me. This shop sells lots of goodies, and their gift baskets are housed way in the back where employees don’t monitor what’s happening.
What would you do if someone came into your store and started taking pictures? Is that grounds for instant expulsion? Would you put the person on your “don’t come back” list?
Just how serious is this infraction?
[tags]gift baskets, photography, retail store policy[/tags]
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Do people really do that? i wouldn’t want anyone coming into my store taking pictures. Isn’t that against some kind of law?
Hi Eileen,
It’s easy to hide digital cameras because of their small size.
You’ve no doubt read how cameras are used in places where privacy is a must, so why wouldn’t someone sneak a camera into a gift basket store and start snapping?
There are laws against coming into a private facility and taking pictures, but think about this. When there were laws against alcohol, did that stop people from drinking?
Some tourists came into my shop and wanted to take pictures. I let them but then wondered how the pictures would be used, or if one of them owned a gift basket business. I would not do it again.
Celeste,
Before tourists return to your shop, develop a policy regarding what’s permitted in your shop and what is not, and update the policy as needed.
Post your policy in places where customers will see your policy.
You cannot stop people from taking pictures of your outside display windows, but you can stop them from snapping away inside of your shop.
Hello,
I live in a high tourist area and they love to take pictures. I’ve noticed that stores that post that pictures are not to be taken inside the business have something unusual/pretty/eye catching, etc.. outside the business that people are content to take pictures of instead. If an alternative is offered then maybe they will be respectful of your posted wishes in your area.
I have started making gift baskets and displaying them in my family daycare. what if a client wanted to take a picture and send to a family menber or friend to see if they will want to buy it. would that be o.k.
Hi Donna,
You’re right that stores often post notices that photographs are prohibited within the space. Still, with the popularity of cell phone cameras, photos can still be snapped.
But in most cases, and as you also state, most people are respectful of the rules.
Hi Angela,
The option you ask about sounds like it’s acceptable, but only as long as that policy works for you.
When you set up your Web site (my assumption is that you do not, as yet, have a site), you can begin distributing your business cards as an alternative. Then you’ll have people visiting your site and ordering there or by phone.
Shirley:
I am so glad I found this blog!
I have a commercial warehouse, not a brick-and-mortar store. I go to trade shows, do presentations to potential clients, etc., and I am CONSTANTLY asked “where do you get the stuff to put in the baskets”
EXCUSE ME? Why don’t you give me the secret manufacturing process to the product YOU’RE making and then we’ll talk…
I think it is extremely rude to even ask to take a picture, let alone take one on the sly.
However! If someone has a brick-and-mortar location, it would probably benefit them to draw up a policy (you can even have a paralegal do it inexpensively for you) with clear and LARGE signage stating that it is not permissable. I personally would recommend if someone does not have the $ to get closed circuit television installed to monitor theft in your store that they go to Radio Shack and purchase the “dummy” cameras (often only $20 each) to make it look like the establishment is monitored.
Just my two cents. Hope it helps.
I appreciate your tips, and I know that designers who read this also appreciate it.
Setting up “dummy” cameras if you cannot afford the real thing? That’s so smart and a definite deterrence against unwanted photos.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
So far I have not had anyone come into my shop and take pictures of my baskets. I also cover my baskets in fabric for an upscale look. And they are pricey. They will pick the basket up, turn it around and look up under the basket and then they will ask me how did I do that. But I will not reveal. I designed my baskets like that in order that they be unique.
Hi Terri,
So customers want to know about your secret technique? That sounds familiar.
Good for you not revealing your uniqueness and for pricing your product in the range it belongs.
With all of that, watch out. Seems like a camera could be on its way to your shop at any moment!
Shirley