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…

Erm never? Why would you? We have on occasion allowed our kids to eat a sandwich walking around, but we always scan the wrapper at the till.

I saw an Eastern European family who were pretending they didn't speak English get busted swapping around labels on steaks and joints of meat etc at the self checkout (I think it'd triggered the weight thing as it'd mismatched so the staff member looked at the items on the screen vs the bagging area). I can't believe they didn't ring the police the amount they were trying to steal, they had their kids with them too. Weirdly they didn't want any of the food items when the checkout woman put their food through for them... at the actual price!

So I imagine a lot of this goes on, switching labels around or just not scanning things at all. Of course you will get the odd well dressed person who does it for a thrill rather than not having the money (it's like a compulsive mental illness thing), but generally speaking I don't think it's something the general population do at large, if they did they'd do away with self checkouts.

I’ve never intentionally stolen anything (I say intentionally as I recall a very rare couple of times in my life where an item hasn’t scanned properly and I’ve only realised when I’ve got home & looked at the receipt). Not only would I never steal because of it being immoral, but also because I’d be absolutely mortified if I got caught.
I wouldn’t judge people who steal essentials if they cannot afford it. However I think those people only make up a tiny percentage of shop lifters. Most are people stealing to order, stealing to fund drug habits, or regular people who can afford it but steal because they get away with it. A relative of mine who used to work in the city before she retired, boasted more than once of purposely not scamming items in M&S. She could afford to pay, but clearly enjoyed the ‘thrill’ of getting it for free. 🙁

Never ever I think it's terrible

I sometimes don’t scan the carrier bag! But other than that, I always scan everything. However when i was young and had babies, i did occasionally ‘forget’ to scan a pack of nappies.

Never.

Never. That would be stealing.

I like a bargain but I draw the line at shoplifting and it horrifies me how many shops are being raided on a daily basis.

Its not a victimless crime, prices go up because of it and some businesses close because of it.

Occasional accidents, and I mean accidents, not intentional theft is one thing. Shoplifting which is what you describe you do, is another.

I can perceive that some people, who are truly desperate, do what they need to do to survive, I don't condone it, but I accept there are some people that fall through the cracks. That should be a minimal percentage of society and I can get my head around that and the shame is on us for allowing them to fall through the cracks.

But you aren't shoplifting to survive, you are shoplifting luxury items - wine, that is greed not necessity.

Never in a million years!

It’s theft!!

Never

The fact that it is wrong to steal. It wouldn't occur to me to steal because it is immoral, it is a crime and I can afford to pay for my shopping.

Shoplifting isn't the victimless crime you think it is. Prices are raised to cover the shortfall. The fact that you are so flippant about stealing and sound so uneducated about the implications means that I absolutely judge you harshly.

I was brought up properly and to understand how society works, and make no excuse about being on my moral high horse here - because stealing (unless it is out of dire necessity) is wrong, pure and simple.

If I saw someone trying to steal cheap bread, sanpro, nappies or other basic necessity I would probably offer to pay for them because to me it would look like they simply couldn't afford to pay for them and weren't doing it for the thrill or for the next drug fix.

I donate to foodbanks regularly BTW.

Never.
I would never steal.
My DC once grabbed something in Poundland whilst they were sitting in their buggy and I discovered it and took it back to the shop later.

Never?! Don't think wine is essential when you are broke either?

Love the way the OP has lumped in a bottle of wine with nappies and detergent for when money is tight. Like it is an essential.

Shame you can’t pick up some morals at the supermarket.

Never. I don't see how you can get away with it? The till will bleep at you.

Never. I accidentally left a half bottle of brandy in my trolley at Sainsburys a few months ago, after going through self checkout. I got outside and lifted my bags out and saw it. It didn't have a tag so didn't set the alarm off. I went back in, explained and paid.

That cannot be worth the faff, the fear of getting caught or the lasting memory that you stole something just to save a couple of quid.

I think this is just downright bizarre. You don't need to buy expensive wine or detergent. I live in Scotland and booze is more expensive here but you can still buy a bottle of wine for less than a fiver.

I once bought a box of wine and tapped the machine with my card but the transaction didn't go through (happens with Morrisons tills sometimes) and I went back the next day and paid

I don’t think not stealing is having particularly high morals

But yes we were taught right from wrong as children 🤣

Weren’t you OP??

tbh I don't even understand how people DO 😂 if I don't put an item on the plate properly it'll refuse to recognise it and I need help, let alone putting a whole box of nappies somewhere. and the ones with the cameras, I was using my own bag and genuinely doing nothing wrong but the cameras identified me possibly being dodgy with bags so again, called over a human. sometimes when the till plays up the staff don't check properly so I guess you could do it then, but they'd soon know your face.

not asking for dead btw, just saying I don't actually understand how people get away with it

Never. I've never shoplifted anything ever. I was taught not to steal and it's stuck.

I stole recently but completely by mistake. I was in a chain discount shop and saw 2 items for £2 each that I thought my children would like. I also bought an item that was reduced and chocolate. The reduced item was scanned first and it was 10p so I was really chuffed and was commenting on it to the checkout person. Paid with my card and headed home. Didn’t notice the total. Some hours later going through online banking and saw the amount was lower than it should have been. Found the receipt and they’d only scanned 1 of the 2 items that were the same.

Never. Wouldn't even enter my head to

If you steal from a shop you are a thief. Most people don't steal because aren't thiefs.

I've never done this and never would, unless I was homeless and absolutely desperate. I have never heard anyone say they do this either. Im sure people do but I dont think its as widespread as you think it is?

I do sometimes pay for a paper bag and realise I need more and grab another one without paying which is technically shoplifting I guess.

I don't, mainly because I'm a wimp and would be scared of getting caught, rather than moral reasons