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…

I have learned that I am one of those people who if I step even the slightest bit out of line get caught and severely punished. Plus I have an over developed conscience. I feel bad about things I haven’t even done.

Never ever! My word. I don’t think this is normal or common at all. I used to work for Sainsbury’s and they cracked down on thieves hard but it didn’t happen that often.

To all those saying it cant be done because of scales etc at the checkout, my mince incident happened when I was using the hand held scanner as I shopped.
Im guessing that would be where most thefts occur.

Probably doing scan as you shop. And stealing things on the way round by "accidentally" not scanning them.

I don't think many people will admit to it OP, but loads of people do it. One of the first things I was taught when I went into retail work was that well off people are just as capable of shoplifting.

I wouldn't deliberately do it, but a friend of mine was treated like absolute shit when she returned to pay for something she realised she hadn't scanned. They accused her of changing her mind about stealing. After witnessing that I don't think I would return to rectify a mistake which I know technically counts as stealing.

I would struggle to judge someone properly poor doing this to get essentials tbh.

Never.

You asked about what "stops" me. I don't need to be stopped, there is no want or desire to steal and so I don't need to be prevented by fear of anything. I have no issue with a system where you exchange money for goods and services. If I don't have enough money I don't get the things. No one needs wine, there are own brand laundry detergents that will do the job, nappies too. If I really couldn't afford even basic nappies then there are places that would give me some actual help to sort the situation out rather than have a temporary "fix" of stealing them.

Never. I accidentally left without paying for something once and went back from the car park and paid for it.

Never. You can never be a decent person if you steel from shops.

Holy crap, OP. I work in Waitrose and the amount of hard, hard work by honest partners all day and all night to get our stock on the shelves, day in day out, for just above minimum wage. Margins are very tight, cutback after cutback, staff not being replaced so we all have even more to do on each shift. And you think it's OK to steal? It's so depressing and demoralising. Theft is incredibly serious. No it isn't somehow better because it's a large chain. DON'T STEAL.

Oh and I'm writing this on my break. I just had a pocket search by the manager on my way up.

Never?! I once walked out of Boots holding onto something without paying when I was like 19 and didn’t realise and then was wracked with fear that I would go back and they would arrest me. But they didn’t care and I just paid for it. That fear would put me off ever trying to actually steal something (plus obviously it’s a bad thing to do!).

Solo parent on benefits in a council house, and never.

It's bad enough living as a statistic that everyone thinks you're a scrounger already. Haven't stolen and never will.

I work part time and get benefit top up.

I believe morally it is wrong to take something that doesn't belong to you and have brought my son up the same. Infact I have even paid for other peoples shopping before that have not had enough, forgot their card, card not worked etc that have then become upset at the till

I go to bed knowing society might judge me but at least I know in my heart I do my best and live to my standards and integrity

It's funny but have found the people I have met/know that do this kind of thing tend to also be the high earners I know.
I work in education/with young people and families and the parents that don't pay the school contributions, trips, fundraising money etc are all the ones that earn a lot more than most.
I find people with the least are often the most generous

Never. And I don't know why you thought you might get one bit of solidarity on here, or anywhere.
It is just wrong.

Never. There are cameras at the till and I have so much more to lose by stealing and being caught.

Never have. Often donate a can of beans to charity tub nearby.

Err, literally Never. I think this says a lot about you OP.

Never because I'm a decent person and not a thief.

I've never done it. I did accidentally miss scanning something once but I paid the next time I went in. I frequent that shop a lot.

What difference does 'large chain supermarkets only' have. They still pass on the cost of theft through their prices.

Never, I'm not a thief and I don't believe the majority do it, either.

Why do you think it's ok for you to do this, OP?

I always use the self check out tills and I’ve accidentally forgotten to scan the odd bag a few times but I’ve never knowingly stolen anything. If I can’t afford it, which is often as I’m on carers allowance, I don’t get it.

Those that steal are just helping to whack up the prices for us more honest folk.

Never. You have decide if you are that person or not. I point out in restaurants if they undercharge as well as overcharge. I’ve left a note under the wiper when I pranged a parked car. I think it’s the right thing to do and the right example to set my kids.

Never, ever, because I'm not dishonest and I'm not a thief @Alwaysthelastone sadly, you clearly are and are happy to risk that showing on a DBS check.

Once, when he was a baby, DS pulled two pairs of tights into the buggy. I returned them and apologised as soon as possible.

Never. I'm wondering why you're asking though ... are we likely to see an article somewhere "*% of Mumsnetters admit to stealing from self check outs"?

Um never - it’s morally wrong to steal

If money is tight, you just don’t get wine - it’s disgraceful that you stole it. OP you need to examine your moral compass.

But you said you also nick nappies, laundry detergent and wine. They are prime things that skanks steal. And if anyone ever stopped you and queried it they would know you deliberately stole. Bananas are one thing but nappies and wine are in the top five things that shop lifters go for.

You are a repeated shoplifter and you think it’s harmless and quite funny.

Never ever intentionally, but I once walked out of our local supermarket with a pack of toilet rolls hooked on my baby's pushchair. I'd hung it there because it didn't fit in my basket while I was one handed shopping with said baby in pushchair. I didn't realise until I'd walked 2 miles home. 😳