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

[Alwaysthelastone]

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…

It is a judgemental thread because nearly everyone on it thinks that stealing is wrong (thank goodness).

What did you expect?

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.

Absolute scruff that you are. I nick the tinned caviar when money is tight.

The OP said she wasn’t judging; that’s her prerogative. I’m happy to judge people with sad hobbies.

Never. The other week I waas kindly let off 50p in a local shop when she said they only took cash, and I didn't have enough cash on me and the nearest ATM was out of order. I dropped round to the shop the following week to give her the 50p (and a bit extra into the tip jar for being so nice). When I was an incredibly poor single parent and literally couldn't afford to buy cheese, and used to habitually walk along the street with my eyes on the pavement hoping to find lost change, I still wouldn't have stolen a thing. It's not down to what you can get away with, it's self-respect and what you think of yourself.

Never and I don't understand your post. You can weigh fruit and veg at the till.

Zero

Genuinely never 😂
Not deliberately anyway! I’ve occasionally noticed I’ve been undercharged for things and if it’s a big store I won’t bother going back, though I would if it was smaller independent.

Who'd admit it on here? You'd get flamed!

I think there's been occasions when I haven't been massively careful and I thought I'd beeped something through but it didn't register. I've only noticed that a couple times when I check my receipt later so it's certainly not intentional. I think it's happened maybe three times, with one item? That I'm aware of.

I did steal a chocolate bar or sweets from the petrol station next to my school occasionally. When I had no money for food. And a couple of bits of makeup as a teen. But it's morally wrong and I wouldn't dream of stealing now as an adult. I never got 'addicted' to it like some girls I knew.

I never have. Not to say I haven't been tempted to violence when the silly machine repeatedly tells me I haven't bagged something when I clearly have!

ETA: I have accidentally-then-intentionally stolen items from Asda when shopping with a toddler who's grabbed something from a low shelf and I haven't noticed. I'd discover the theft while loading the toddler back into the car and couldn't be bothered with the faff to go back in again and pay. DC are big teenagers now.

This thread is so Mumsnet! 290 something comments full of women rushing to let everyone know they have never and would never shoplift.

The thread was supposed to be for people who do shoplift!

I did unintentionally yesterday (a chocolate bar at the bottom of my tote bag) ; I felt bad about it when I realised, did not go back to the shop to pay but neither did I get a righteous or powerful "high" doing so. It's unlikely I'll do it again and I'll remember to check my bag thoroughly!

not on purpose,
at covid times when doing big shop in Lidl (when using big trolley with little platform at the bottom) case of 6 fizzy drink was not paid, found out at home when checking receipt.
not using that kind of trolley anymore

Never. But I do sometimes resent how suspicious the staff are sometimes at self checkout tills and now I know why.

I would never do this ,as have been brought up not to take anything thats not mine!

I really don't. You're on camera anyway. Do you think they don't see you?

Never intentionally, once when I had my daughter in the pram I missed getting some blueberry's off the bottom though

Well, it shouldn’t be! That’s the point if the thread!

Oh I challenge rules allllll the time. I ask why, I strive to get them changed (I suspect we’d be friends because I am also annoying with it!).

But I would never (within reason) break rules, I will follow them fastidiously and sometimes maliciously until the rule is changed.

The question was "interested to know how often the mostly upstanding, middle-class MN population really does it"

Never is a valid answer to that question.

I'm far too scared of getting caught! If I knew I wouldn't be caught, I might be tempted for shits and giggles. or if money is tight. But I don't think I'd risk a criminal record and knowing me I'd do it once and I'd get caught! I know plenty people that do though, and I have (genuinely!) accidentally not paid for things before but I didn't go back and pay after I realised - because, well why would I at that point?

I’ve been known to steal carrier bags if I’ve forgotten to bring mine in

Never on purpose, but my then toddlers have shoplifted without me realising! Putting things in the pram when I'm not looking kind of thing. I did use to check the basket before leaving a shop just to make sure, but then I'd sometimes find a small cucumber or something in the foot muff instead 🤦🏻‍♀️

I always panic when I'm using the scan as you shop thing and I get stopped for a random check. Even though I know I haven't stolen anything, I always worry that I'll have forgotten to scan something!! I feel like I probably look really guilty too as I'm so worried about it.

Never. I found a clove of garlic in the trolley once when I got to the car, and went back & paid for it. For my own peace of mind, not because Sainsbury's can't afford to lose 20p.
Maybe the thieves were never taught right from wrong. I may do other things I'm not proud of (eg. relationships-wise) but I do like a clear conscience re stealing.

I don’t pay for the bags for life.. I pretend to scan them. I once had a £40 fine for parking longer than I was supposed to in a then empty car park as my car had broken down. Sent them evidence but nope £40 fine, so until I get that £40 back, I’m not scanning the bags for life. Tesco make millions in profit, I don’t feel guilty.
I also know of few people who would definitely say on here that they would never do it, but I know privately they do, so I honestly don’t believe half the responses on here.

The OP has obviously never run a business? If she did though.bet she wouldn't like it done to her? Please think ahead.