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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Not to rush back to the shop with unintentionally shoplifted item

55 replies

EndoplasmicReticulum · 09/02/2013 16:53

Went into town today, bought a new rucksack. Didn't look inside before buying it.

Got it home. Opened it up to look inside and there is a purse inside. Purse has a price sticker on for £9.99.

Now I suppose I've technically stolen this purse, although I didn't put it in the rucksack in the first place.

So I should take it back, right? But I wasn't planning to go to town again for another couple of weeks, I don't have time/inclination to make a special journey.

You're all going to tell me I have to take it back, I realise that.

But it would be OK to wait until I'm next passing, right?

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 09/02/2013 16:54

Yes of course it would. You'll be returning it - you shouldn't have to make an extra jorney for their mistake. They won't be out of pocket by waiting a few weeks for it. You could always ring them and tell them you'll bring it back soon or offer them the chance to come and pick it up.

Purple2012 · 09/02/2013 16:55

I would wait until you are next passing. It's not your fault and shouldn't have to make a special trip.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 09/02/2013 16:56

yes just take it next time you are passing. although if you ring to tell them they may say keep it saving you the worry.

AgentZigzag · 09/02/2013 16:56

I would say that'd be OK, why not?

There's no time limit.

I would say give them a bell just in case someone's got it in the neck for losing the purse, but I don't think their company's going to hinge on one £9.99 purse, so they won't have the police out on you just yet

zwischenzug · 09/02/2013 16:57

As long as it's in the next couple of weeks and not far far away in the future then yeah fine. Personally I wouldn't tell the shop about it I'd just stick it back on the shelf.

Skinnywhippet · 09/02/2013 16:58

I'd keep it!

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/02/2013 17:00

Call them and let them know. When I've done that they've just said not to worry.

willesden · 09/02/2013 17:01

Sounds like someone was planning to steal the purse in the rucksack and you foiled their little scam. Happens all the time. The staff on the till should have checked the inside of the bag. I would phone them to let them know, especially if it is a little shop like mine.

atacareercrossroads · 09/02/2013 17:04

Id have the intention to return it, but probably wouldn't

Original poster

EndoplasmicReticulum · 09/02/2013 17:12

Well it's obviously a cunning plan to use if I ever do want to shoplift anything.

Not a little shop, a big chain. I suspect when I do take it back I'll be met with a shrug of the shoulders by the teenagers who work there at the weekends. Who also should have looked inside the bag, I suspect.

I'd be more tempted to keep it if it was nice, but it's pink leather. Not my sort of thing at all.

OP posts:

HecateWhoopass · 09/02/2013 17:18

I didn't know that, willesden.

Thank you. I will now check inside anything I am buying to make sure there's nothing in it! Don't want to end up with someone thinking I was trying to nick something.

HecateWhoopass · 09/02/2013 17:19

sorry endo. yes. Take it back next time you go to town.

They have no way of knowing when you bought the rucksack anyway.

NTitled · 09/02/2013 17:19

Truly shocked by the idea of keeping it. I hope those posters are joking.

Geekster · 09/02/2013 17:20

A similar thing happened to me recently. I had bought a few items and they hadn't charged me for a purse that cost £5. I took it back and paid for it the next time I went. I would have felt guilty otherwise. But that's me and I don't think you would be entirely unreasonable to keep it, or take it back at your own convenience.

Original poster

EndoplasmicReticulum · 09/02/2013 17:26

Yes Hecate - if they had checked on the till I'd have been in trouble, wouldn't I? "Erm - I've never seen that before in my life, honestly"

Husband reckons that's why some shops have those plastic things through the zips to keep them closed until you've bought it.

OP posts:

Original poster

EndoplasmicReticulum · 09/02/2013 17:27

I do keep the extra stuff that sometimes arrives by mistake with my online shopping. The first time I spent ages on the phone to tell someone, assuming that they'd want to come and pick it up. But it seems they can't be bothered.

So the next time it happened, I kept it.

OP posts:

JenaiMorris · 09/02/2013 17:29

Give them a ring. I'm quite sure that in your shoes I'd intend to go back and then completely forget.

You could give it to a charity shop.

MrsSlocombesPussy · 09/02/2013 17:29

I once found someone's passport in a handbag I bought. I had no idea why anyone would put their passport in a handbag in Debenhams!

minicreamegg · 09/02/2013 17:32

Nope I'd keep it, I once bought a game for DS which was £15, I had to go to customer services to get the disc the lady was scanning down the receipt looking for it, I was scanning for it aswell and pointed out the £15 transaction. She checked the numbers on the receipt and box, then gave me the disc. Got home and realised that I had pointed out a snowsuit for £15 not the game. Never took it back and never thought about it again, it also made me think that she just pretended to check the numbers matched as they clearly never.

Locketjuice · 09/02/2013 17:57

I would keep it... Maybe that's just me though

Original poster

EndoplasmicReticulum · 09/02/2013 19:06

Jenai that's a good idea.

I am full of the intention to return it, but if I don't get round to it it could go to charity.

OP posts:

ChristmasJubilee · 09/02/2013 19:22

I once handed over a £10 note and was given change of £20. I had turned away and took a minute to realise I had the wrong change. I started to tell the snooty assistant who cut me off pointing to a sign stating that change should be checked before leaving the shop and gave me a lecture about how I could have put some of it in my purse. So I put the rest of it in my purse and kept it.

I feel no guilt!

clpsmum · 09/02/2013 20:17

I would keep it if I'm honest!!

yuleheart · 09/02/2013 20:27

I thought shop staff were trained to look inside bags as they scan them through the till.

BOB and LISA anyone? 'bottom of basket' and 'look inside always' (oh Asda how I hated working for you)

ThreeBeeOneGee · 09/02/2013 20:31

Don't mind either way, but kudos for managing not to split any infinitives in the thread title.

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