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Be honest, zero judgment - how often do you steal from supermarket self-checkouts?

1000 replies

Alwaysthelastone · 29/09/2026 08:48

My theory is, “decent, up-standing” people do it a lot more than they’d ever admit. Let’s try to stop this thread descending into judgement and criticism of people who are just answering the question honestly. Otherwise they just won’t be honest. No judgement from me, as long as we’re talking large chain supermarkets only. I’ll admit that I sometimes forget to weigh fruit & veg, get to the till and can’t be bothered going back so don’t bother paying. Occasionally in the past when money’s been tight I haven’t paid for a few of the more expensive items like laundry detergent, nappies, the odd bottle of wine. But we’re talking 3 or 4 times I year. I’m not some sort of serial shoplifter and I consider myself a decent person (although I’m sure I’ll swiftly be told I’m not on here 🤣) anyway, would be interested to hear how often the mostly upstanding, middle-class MN population really does it…

OP posts:
Chemenger · 29/09/2026 08:49

Never

Bringemout · 29/09/2026 08:49

Never, I just wouldn’t ever steal anything.

Pedant61 · 29/09/2026 08:49

Never. Why would you assume that anyone on here is a thief?

Poppingby · 29/09/2026 08:49

Literally never.

SaveMeNow2024 · 29/09/2026 08:50

Um, what?? Absolutely never!

Lindy2 · 29/09/2026 08:50

Never. I'm not a thief.

HangingOver · 29/09/2026 08:50

Never

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 29/09/2026 08:50

Never.

Capyhugs · 29/09/2026 08:50

Never. If I can't afford it, I don't get it.
If I knew you in real life, I'd definitely think less of you.

workshy46 · 29/09/2026 08:50

never , I’m not a thief.

MargotLovesTom · 29/09/2026 08:50

I've not done it.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 29/09/2026 08:51

One, I don't use self-checkouts unless I absolutely have to.

Two, if I did use them I wouldn't steal because I'm not a thief.

And yes, I'm aware that sounds self-righteous. I couldn't care less.

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 29/09/2026 08:51

Never. I never even stole anything when I was homeless.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 29/09/2026 08:51

Never. I worked in a supermarket for years and I know the frustration and impotence of standing at the till and watching people knowingly steal. I wouldn't do it unless I was absolutely starving, on the streets with no money at all.

BCBird · 29/09/2026 08:51

Stopped reading after a couple of lines. Never

GreenFootstool · 29/09/2026 08:51

Never.

The only time I have even inadvertently walked out a shop without paying for an item, I ran back in to apologise and pay. I had a bottle of squash under my arm when I went to the till with a few items and somehow forgot it was there - and the lass serving me didn't spot it either. I was mortified for weeks when I went back in that shop.

Integrity is what you do when no one is watching. I stand very strongly by my personal integrity.

Bookaholic73 · 29/09/2026 08:52

Umm, never! Surely that’s the norm!

Sayjng that, when I worked in a supermarket many moons ago, the most prolific shoplifter was a very upstanding member of the community. She was a lawyer, very well off and you’d never think she’d try and shoplift. We’re talking about trying to walk out with a whole trolley full of expensive food and drinks. 🤯

Clambakestripstothecape · 29/09/2026 08:52

I don't know how you'd steal. Even the stuff I'm willing to pay for baffles the till and someone has to come over to approve it.

GudrunB · 29/09/2026 08:52

Never and cannot imagine that anyone I know does this.

carbdisminds · 29/09/2026 08:52

Never. But I did do a naughty thing out of impatience on the weekend, we were in Lidl and bought one of those baby pumpkin things, it should have been 39p but it wasn’t in the weigh options and no barcode, it was ridiculously busy, one staff member on like 12 self service points, so I put it through as a peach at 19p so I guess I technically stole 20p…I managed to sleep ok!

Tallestone · 29/09/2026 08:52

Never

HelpMeGetThrough · 29/09/2026 08:52

Never done it, never would do it.

MrTiddlesTheCat · 29/09/2026 08:53

Never. I'm so honest that when I collected my shopping and found extra items I hadn't ordered or paid for, I took them back. The staff were very surprised though.

CherryBlossom321 · 29/09/2026 08:53

I’ve never and I wouldn’t, but I have a friend who works in retail and has shared many times how common it is. Including folks dressed in smart designer clothing taking a pack of steaks and a bottle of wine for example. I don’t get it really.

BendoftheBeginning · 29/09/2026 08:53

Never. Is this a cry for help, OP?

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