The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has reported on thefts in which jewelers were followed from Canal Street in Manhattan, NY.
On Nov. 28, suspects stole a jeweler’s backpack containing rings in the Canal Street subway station at 2:10 p.m. The victim put his bag on the ground as he tried to remove a MetroCard from his wallet, according to JSA. The female suspect then told him he had dropped some money. After the jeweler picked up the cash, he realized that his backpack had been replaced by a bag he didn’t recognize, JSA reports.
And on Oct. 27, two jewelers returning to Great Neck, Long Island, from Canal Street were unloading their bags when some men distracted them and switched one of their bags.
On Nov. 10, a jeweler returning to Queens from Canal Street also had a bag switched, according to JSA.
JSA offers these recommendations:
It is an old trick to tell a jeweler that he has dropped money on the ground, and then to take the jeweler’s bag. When carrying product, jewelers need to be skeptical of all strangers who talk to them which could be a distraction attempt.
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When leaving sales calls jewelers must be alert for anyone following them. Whether the jeweler is in a car or on foot, it is wise to take evasive action, driving or walking in opposite directions, making U-turns and making abrupt changes in direction and movements to see if you are being followed.
Jewelers must know where their bags are at all times and must have control of those bags.
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
