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Original poster

Terrified. What do I do?

31 replies

Bluemind · 04/10/2018 09:37

NC but a regular

Have just been to the shop. Picked up some fans of pop from the shelf. Realised I needed my purse and stupidly put the cans in my bag. I then changed my mind and out them back in the shelf once I had got my purse out and put it in my jacket pocket. I saw a member of staff on the aisle at this point and continued to shop. I noticed the staff member speaking to a manager. I proceeded to get some bread and some bacon and went to the till. I noticed the same staff member above was watching me. I felt sick. I knew exactly what they must have thought they saw and left after paying. The manager was stood outside and watched me leave.

I realised I had forgot butter so went back. Straight to the butter and to the till. On leaving the manager approached me and said they had in CCTV me putting the cans of pop in my bag and that I had left without an attempt of paying. I told him I was just getting my purse from my bag and he was welcome to check my bag. He repeated that they have it on CCTV and that as I had left the store, I could have emptied the contents.

I said to him I promise I hadn't taken anything and he said the above again about CCTV and that they would be reporting it to the police.

I feel sick. It was a silly, empty minded thing to do. I can see exactly why they would think what they do. I feel so sick and nervous. I've never been in trouble and am terrified.

I didn't say anything about putting the cans back as I was so panicked when he spoke to me.

What do I do? I was in my car so assume he may report my reg no to the police?

Please be kind. I feel sick

OP posts:
DamnWhyAreAllTheUsernamesTaken · 04/10/2018 09:40

Oh no!! What a nightmare... could you ask them to do a stock count on the cans?

Dowser · 04/10/2018 09:41

If they haven’t taken you to the managers office and called the police I wouldn’t worry too much
If they have CCTV of you putting cans in your bag then they’ll have it of you taking them out again surely

TomHardyswife · 04/10/2018 09:43

Take a deep breath and try not to worry.

A lot of people do things absentmindedly whilst shopping.

It's a shame you felt so put on the spot that you didn't stick up for yourself and say that you put the cans back on the shelf.

If they have CCTV of you putting the cans in your bag, they will see the footage of you putting them back so don't worry.

Original poster
Bluemind · 04/10/2018 09:44

I am shaking. I feel so sick. I almost want to go back and plead with them... Stupid

OP posts:
TomHardyswife · 04/10/2018 09:50

Plead with them about what?

Don't go back in there just try and forget about it.

Sparklyfee · 04/10/2018 09:51

You could call them and tell them you were so scared at being confronted that you didn't point out you put the cans back.

Explain what happened and ask them to check the cctv further to show you putting the cans back

AnyFucker · 04/10/2018 09:53

If they thought you had stolen goods in your bag they should have stopped you when you 1st left the shop

Try not to worry. This is not going to go any further.

Villainelle · 04/10/2018 09:53

Don't worry about it. If they do ring the police, the first thing the police will do is check CCTV and see you putting the cans back.

I accidentally nicked two cans of coke out of my local shop last month! Put them in the basket of the buggy and totally forgot to pay. I went back to pay as soon as I noticed but still embarrassing Blush

Original poster
Bluemind · 04/10/2018 10:02

Perhaps as he thought I had taken them he was speaking to me as a scare tactic? Well, even though I haven't done anything, it's definitely worked

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 04/10/2018 10:14

That's absurd. I live in Los Angeles and single use plastic bags are banned here. And shopping trolleys are the most gross bacteria laden thing you encounter in a day. So I bring a reusable bag and put all my shopping in it as I walk through a store. The thought that someone might suggest that I stole something because I put it in my bag before paying for it is silly.

Original poster
Bluemind · 04/10/2018 10:17

Thanks for all your replies. I have asked that this thread be taken down. I feel so sick and embarrassed.

So thanks again all

OP posts:
SlowlyShrinking · 04/10/2018 10:19

You haven’t done anything illegal though have you, so there’s no case to answer and no explanation needed. Just forget it Flowers

ADastardlyThing · 04/10/2018 10:22

Agree with others if they didn't phone the police there and then you've got nothing to worry about. The CCTV will show you putting them back in the same place.

Probably just some fool with an ego complex chucking his weight around enjoying scaring you.

ADastardlyThing · 04/10/2018 10:25

Don't be embarrassed! I once accidentally walked right out of tesco with about £30 worth of shopping that I didn't pay for on the scan and shop, cue giant security guard legging it after me while I'm toddling off slow as you like without a care in the world. Blush. My horrified face made his day apparently Grin

Original poster
Bluemind · 04/10/2018 10:27

Should I ring them and tell them I put them back and to check their CCTV?

OP posts:
Fishforclues · 04/10/2018 10:28

There was no reason for them to keep watching the footage past the time you put them in your bag. Once they do they'll see you put them back. It'll be fine.

Singlenotsingle · 04/10/2018 10:33

Just stop worrying. It'll be fine

DeathyMcDeathStarFace · 04/10/2018 10:58

It's possible they don't actually have it on CCTV and were calling your bluff, saying they have it to scare you into confessing or paying (in this case for something you haven't got).

If you want to you can ask to see the CCTV footage and point out you returned the cans and ask to see that bit too. If they back off they probably don't even have CCTV. If they say they can't show it to you then ask them to contact the police and show them. As they didn't take you to an office and call the police at the time it's likely they have no footage. But they shouldn't be making accusations without proof, they should know that.

Or you could just ignore it and not let it stress you out.

Nicknamesalltaken · 04/10/2018 11:03

Ringing them will make you feel better, so yes. Tell them you put them back and to check the cctv.

They would have acted if there was a problem.

Original poster
Bluemind · 04/10/2018 11:03

They have those round camera things in the ceiling and I've seen one of those monitors as you walk in the shop where you can see yourself.

I'm so sorry to have flapped and panicked. I've never had anything like this happen in my life.

Have just spoken to my husband who has said they won't do anything - as said above - they would need to have taken custody of me so to speak to call the police.

I won't be going back to that shop again... Or taking my bag in with me. 5p bags all the way

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 04/10/2018 11:31

I'm confused to why you put the cans in your bag to get your purse at that point when you needed other things? I suppose the owner thought that too?

Nicknacky · 04/10/2018 11:54

Why did you need to get your purse out in the aisle? And why not put the cans on the shelf?

But apart from that I would put it behind you.

MakeYourOwnFuckingTea · 04/10/2018 12:33

Dastardly how did that happen? I've always wanted to use them but dh won't let me for this reason (as in too complicated, too much room for accusations etc)

ADastardlyThing · 04/10/2018 12:36

I had things on my mind and just put the scanner down next to the till and wheeled my trolly out the door! Cringe.

xFreePeaceSweetx · 04/10/2018 12:58

Twice I've used those scan and pack things. Twice I've been stopped and had everything double checked. HmmTook way longer than just using a manned checkout. I also found scanning everything a faff. Easier to just chuck stuff in and out of the trolley. Probably best just left to those with only a few items to buy.