Possibly just caught accidentally shoplifting

[EmbarrassedMum92]

Just went to return some bits to Primark that didn't fit and get DS some new vests. Went downstairs to go and pay and put the vests under my pram when I was in the lift as they kept falling off the top of my buggy. Returned the items and completely forgot to pay for the vests and walked out the shop with them not realising. I noticed a security guard was behind me when I was walking to the bus but I didn't think anything of it and he didn't say anything and must of lost me at some point. I only realised when I got home about the vests. :( I'm suffer badly from anxiety and I'm really worried that the store are going to contact the police or something. The vests only cost £6 and I'm happy to return them but also worried I may get in trouble if I do :(

[thesearethegoodolddays]

Can you call the store to explain? And say you'll go back in tomorrow to pay for them?

[Griselda1]

Don't worry, just give them a call. I'm sure the security guard wasn't looking for you as you couldn't have been difficult to find.

[Peridot1]

I shoplifted some vitamins once. Realised when I got home. Went back next day and bought another jar of the same ones and told the shop assistant to keep them and explained what had happened. She was amazed I’d come back.

[DetectorSpective]

If its going to make you anxious I would do as above, call the store and offer to pay over the phone. They'll probably let you off.

I did similar at Pets At Home once, bought two lots of chicken feed but only paid for one as they didn't scan the other. Didnt realise until I got home and checked the receipt. I rang them to apologise and pay, they laughed and told me it was fine.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

If the security guard didn’t stop you then it was probably just a coincidence that they were behind you - if you’re seen shoplifting then they’ll apprehend you on your way out of the store.

It’s really not a big deal. Just go back to the store with the items, explain you forgot to pay for them and ask to do so. The shop assistants will probably be a bit perplexed because I expect it’s very rare anyone actually returns to pay, but they’re not going to phone the police.

[EmbarrassedMum92]

Thanks everyone. I'm sat here crying like an idiot whilst DH looks at me like I have two heads and tells me Primark aren't going to call the police over a £6 pair of vests.

[Bbang]

Oh good I’ve done this with nappies, it was my local supermarket so I went back apologised profusely and paid for them. Embarrassing but I had to just do it 😑

[pilates]

To relieve your stress, I would pop in and pay for them when you can.

[Palavah]

If you go back/call and offer to pay they are not going to call the police, nor would it be in the public interest for the police to get involved.

[CitizenFame]

If you do, call them first. Something similar happened to a disabled relative of mine who put an item in the foot of their wheelchair because they had no other space. They realised they left without paying for it so went back about ten minutes later. The security guard wheeled them into the staff quarters and was extremely hostile to the point they ended up in tears and was late picking their child up from school. All this over an item that cost no more than £10 and went back only ten minutes after the rest of the purchase and an explanation as to what happened. This occurred in a shop which is a chain and shares its name with an item of footwear. I told them if that ever happened again just don’t even bother going back and paying for it next time (not that they go there anymore after that).

[EmbarrassedMum92]

Thanks everyone. This was about 2 hours ago. Would they possibly of already called the police if the guard did happen to be following me? I'm aware that I probably sound a bit mad.

[listsandbudgets]

Yes phone and explain or just go back and talk to them. I doubt you're going to get into trouble for taking steps to rectify your mistake.

If its any consolation, when do.was toddling I had him on reins in superdrug. I was quite distracted and he was playing up anyway. I got stopped at the door by a female security guard who took me to one side and said quite nicely " we know you didn't notice as we saw you had your back turned but please can we have back the box of tampax he's shoved inside his coat". I didn't go in that branch of super drug for about 2 years afterwards!!

[CitizenFame]

So yes, you could end up being in trouble, and I’d think about going back and explaining it after what happened in my post above.

[KingaRoo]

I did this once in a cafe. It was the sort when you pay on leaving. I'd been there a couple of hours, working on my laptop and chatting to the cafe owner. Then I left and it was only when I was halfway home in the car that I realised I hadn't paid! Stopped in a layby and called the cafe and paid over the phone using my card. They said it actually happens quite often as in most cafes you pay when you order. I felt awful at the time but much better once I'd called and paid.

[Yankathebear]

Just call them.

[AvoidingRealHumans]

Could your husband take them back and explain and pay for them, he can tell them you were too mortified to come back after realising your mistake.

[rhowton]

I accidentally hung about 6 children items on my pushchair as I was walking around. My DD said she needed a wee and had to rush out to the nearest M&S for her to go to the toilet! Walked home, still didn't notice and called up to explain what had happened, and they took payment over the phone and trusted i had told them what I had "stolen" 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 I now always double check, as when I shop, I still hang things on the pushchairs

[SpacePug]

I've done this before, shopping in Sainsbury's with pram, hung a t shirt on it for my son and forgot it was on there, paid for everything else and left. Realised on the wall home and went straight back, just took the top to the cigs desk and apologised and paid. I also work in a similar shop myself and if/when people do that (usually it's fuel they forgot to pay for) I just try to laugh with them and said don't worry at least you remembered. They always feel awful but it's a common thing to do so try not to worry

[Wroxie]

Last summer I managed to pay for some tampons and shampoo at the self check-out and then walk out the door with eyeliner clutched in my hand the entire time that I hadn't paid for - I realised it when I was back at my car on the other side of town and unlocking the door. I didn't have time to go back that day but I took it back the next day, gave it back to one of the staff members, and we had a good laugh (I didn't actually want it, in the end, which the staff member was fine with - I would have paid for it if they'd asked).

This is totally fine, this sort of stuff happens all the time and they'll be surprised and pleased if you come back.

[Wroxie]

Don't listen to @CitizenFame, you're not going to be in trouble. What a mean thing to say to someone who is already anxious!

[ChilliMum]

Just call them / go back and explain your mistake. I have had to do this twice and both times it's not been a problem. I am sure it happens to everyone at least once:

One time when ds was a baby he stole a dress from monsoon - I only noticed when we popped in Costa for a cup of tea about 20 minutes later he was clutching it in his sticky hands with a huge grin.

Another time dd stole a pair of shoes from mothercare. I had left her looking at some toys while I queued to pay for some items. After we left I noticed she was walking really slow and when I looked she had swapped her own shoes for a (far too big) sparkly pair off the shelf .

Both Mothercare and Monsoon staff were lovely about it.

[DartmoorDoughnut]

I did this with milk, it was underneath the pushchair and everything else was in my bag and I just forgot all about it until I got home! Phoned up to apologise and they were lovely and told me not to worry about it and thanked me for letting them know, but I felt super guilty!

[DianaT1969]

Have you called them OP? That's much easier than obsessing online about the police. In 2 mins you'll feel fine.

[DartmoorDoughnut]

I did offer to pay over the phone btw!

[AngelsWithSilverWings]

I did similar in M&S years ago when I was pushing DD in her buggy. I hung an item on the back of the buggy and forgot to take it off when I paid for my other items. Realised about 20 mins after I'd left the shop. Rushed back to M&S and explained. They couldn't believe that I'd bothered to come back to pay!