I accidentally stole my shopping

[RollercoasterCoaster]

Used the Sainsbury’s smart shop app for the first time the other day. Had the baby with me so I wasn’t really concentrating properly at the checkout because he was starting to get restless. Half read a message on the app at the till which said “congratulations you’re all done” or similar. Thinking I’d loaded card details into the app I thought great that was easy and walked out.

Used it again today and realised it says, congratulations you’re all done... now pick payment method. So i haven’t paid for my shopping I got the first time.

No-one stopped me walking out. What should I do, it was “only” around £6 worth, will they track the non-payment to the app sometime? Or should I let someone know? Make an extra donation to the food bank trolly to make up for it? I feel awful for not realising I hadn’t paid

I did something similar, but it was a hell of a lot more than £6.

I went into customer services and told them what I'd accidentally done and asked them how I could pay back what I owed and they told me not to worry about it.

Did you pay for it today then?

It was an accident and only a few quid, I don’t think they’ll be sending out the special services to track you down! You know better now so just don’t do it again.

Just forget about it. Many years ago, I had a very difficult trip to the supermarket with my three very young kids. When I was loading up the car, I realised I had accidentally stolen a bag of kitty litter. I just couldn't face getting the kids back out of their car seats and going back to the supermarket, so I drove home. I have continued shopping there for many years without problem. It was just a mistake, so don't feel bad.

It's really confusing.

I've found that by the time you have scanned everything using the app which isn't as easy as it could be at all, then the rigmarole of getting the scanned shop through the till, that you might as well just have done it the normal way.

Pointless.

Honestly go to or call up customer services. The chances are high they'll forgive you the debt or indeed do what one store did for me in a similar situation and sent round flowers for me and a gift for my toddler, as well as forgiving me.

You are taking a huge risk confessing to this on here...expect a SWAT team and helicopter to be raiding your home any time soon
(See glasses from pubs thread )

Seriously though just ring or use the contact option online and explain what happened

Tell customer services because its bothering you. They will do precisely bog all but your mind will be clear of it, so thats what makes it worth doing. And then yes, give a £6 donation to the food bank to even things up.

I accidentally stole an eyeliner from Sainsbury's as it was so small it got left in the trolley. I was worrying about reimbursing them when we went shopping with my DD and they charged us for something that wasn't in the bag. I felt better after that.

Just forget it as it was a mistake and not done intentionally.
I’m sure you won’t let this happen again .

I once stole a cheese grater from Ikea - we had stashed it n the pushchair basket before getting a trolley, and forgot about it.

I also once inadvertently stole 8 pints of milk from Asda - again from stashing them nonchalantly in the pushchair basket thingie, whilst hooking a shopping basket over my arm. I'm afraid, on realising once I got home, I figured Asda could live with the loss.

Pushchairs are obvs a massive risk for inadvertent shoplifting

Agree with pp just pop over to customer services next time you are in and explain. For £6 it's not worth it playing on your mind.

I’d phone or email and ask what to do. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I suspect they won’t ask you to pay. You can then do nothing!

An email to the central customer services might help them see there is a problem with the app. If you made this mistake I bet a lot of other people have too.

theflushedzebra I see your cheese grater and raise you an Ikea rug. It was on offer so we were pleased because we were literally furnishing an entire house. It was only a week or so later I realised it wasn't on the receipt. I did briefly wonder what to do about it.

Contact Sainsburys customer services to let them know, you'll feel better.

You did not steal it intentionally, so don't annoy the staff with this.
If you want next time you are in there stick something in their food bank

Maybe log it with 101 just so they’re aware.

Seriously though, don’t worry about it.

I’d go in tomorrow, explain and pay for it.

When I was there again and realised my mistake- I would have paid for it. Asked how to at the customer service desk. The mistake is easy to make- but just as easy to rectify.

Don't worry about it. Honestly, I imagine that most people accidentally forget to pay for something at some point in their lives, in a moment of distraction. I have.

I stole a bag of carrots from m&s once..
I had been shopping in sainsburys and when I got to the m&s checkout they blended in with the sainsburys bags. It was only when I got to the car (at the other end of the shopping centre) I realized. I didn't go back but about 10 years later I still feel guilty!

Contact customer services. Maybe they’ll find a way for you to pay, maybe they’ll waive it. Either way, you’ll know you’ve done the right thing.

I refuelled, a whole tanks worth, and had no money to pay...my purse was not in my bag, it was still still on the sofa from when I ordered and paid for something online.

I'm also pretty sure I left B&Q or similar with an unintentional steal. Was mortified when I got home and it struck me.

I would have to own up as I couldn't live with myself if I didn't and it's the right thing to do.

I once got home after a big shop from Morrisons and on going through my receipt realised that I'd only been charged for 1 dehumidifier instead of 2.
Each one was around £30 and I was mortified.

What worried me most was that someone in the stock room, or something, might get in trouble for my mistake. I also knew I'd never get a decent night's sleep if I didn't sort it out.

I rang them up and explained, and offered to pay over the phone or pop in later on in the week when I was in the area.
I was passed over to a manager as they didn't quite know what to do, and as he couldn't believe I'd been so honest, he actually let me off paying.

I told the chap at sainsburys I had 4 croissants / pain au chocolat etc, not 6. I felt very guilty. It was a mistake. I didn’t tell them next time I went in because they and all the customers would have thought me bonkers for £1.60. I had to restrain myself though, its one of the little shops so no customer service, so I picked the lesser of 2 evils.

In your shoes, I’d go to customer service and explain.