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Original poster

Shoplifted by accident, should I take it back?

199 replies

guiltymind · 18/02/2017 16:49

Been on holiday for half term with kids. We went to a shop that is unique (there isn't one near us for about 100 miles). We were looking at some things, and I put something on the buggy (about 10 pounds). I was fully intending to pay for it but then 2 year old DD started to have a tantrum and I had to rush out of the store. It was only when I got back that I emptied the buggy and found that I still had it! I feel incredibly guilty, someone please tell me what to do....Blush

OP posts:
Hisstory · 18/02/2017 17:20

I'm curious why you are asking? Are you hoping that everyone will tell you to keep it? This type of thread comes up from time to time and some people say they would keep it and other people say they wouldn't.

I'd always take it back or at least call them even if it was from a big store. I don't give it any thought.

Trollspoopglitter · 18/02/2017 17:23

I sympathise with that horrid feeling of stupidity. I once walked out with a pair of earrings in my hand out of shop, next door to Costa chatting to kids entire time. Ordered our food and it wasn't u til I had to put whatever was in my hand down on counter to retrieve my money... Did I realise I was clutching a pair of earrings. Which I took off one of the DC reprimanding them not to touch anything else. And then there was the ackward conversation with the barista asking if she can just hold on to my order as I had inadvertently shoplifted from next door. Followed by the apologetic explanation of how I accidentally walked out with unpaid item and didn't realise til I needed a free hand. I think the salesperson was a bit horrified nothing beeped as I sailed by their alarms. Blush

OnHold · 18/02/2017 17:25

I doubt any of you would drive 100 miles to return it.

Hercules12 · 18/02/2017 17:28

Surely you just phone the shop and offer to pay over the phone? Confused

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 18/02/2017 17:28

I'd post it back if I was 100 miles away or pay over the phone

Hisstory · 18/02/2017 17:29

I doubt any of you would drive 100 miles to return it

Most people have said they would phone. If not you could post it.

FruSkogKattOla · 18/02/2017 17:31

"I doubt any of you would drive 100 miles to return it." No, I wouldn't.

But I would phone the shop so that I could pay them.

reuset · 18/02/2017 17:33

It's 100 miles away? I didn't spot that. You still need to call and pay or post it back.

It's not on to keep it.

Tanfastic · 18/02/2017 17:35

Yes pay for it!

If it makes you feel better I once had one of ds's parties at a soft play type centre, 25 odd kids, total mayhem. At the end of the party I just packed up the pressies and drove the three and a half miles home.

It was only after about another hour it dawned on me that I hadn't paid 😂. I obvs rang them and explained and drove straight back and settled up.

Gileswithachainsaw · 18/02/2017 17:36

Definitely call the shop and offer to pay over the phone.

The guilt just isn't worth it.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 18/02/2017 17:36

Sorry but you can't just forget about it. Genuine shoplifting can destroy people's livelihoods - add on top of that the people who take things by accident.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 18/02/2017 17:37

Sorry that should then say "and don't take it back" which is as bad as shoplifting IMO.

Liiinoo · 18/02/2017 17:39

Ring. Explain. Pay. No brainer

EveOnline2016 · 18/02/2017 17:40

I would phone them and pay for the item over the phone. If this wasn't possible I would sent cash by registered post.

When the tills are down in some stores the retail worker has to pay it back.

Mulberry72 · 18/02/2017 17:46

I would phone them and pay or take it back.

You know it's the right thing to do.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 18/02/2017 17:50

Post it or pay over the phone.

How you failed to notice it unti you got home is strange, didn't you fold the buggy up at any point whist on holiday?

The fact you are asking rather than just calling says you had no plans to rectify.

Shockers · 18/02/2017 17:53

Post a cheque and a letter to explain!

(Do cheques still exist?)

NavyandWhite · 18/02/2017 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

like7 · 18/02/2017 17:56

Ring and pay over the phone, or send a cheque. They will be pleased and you will feel pleased with yourself too. Just do it - it was an innocent mistake, but now put it right!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 18/02/2017 17:58

Ring and offer to pay over the phone or bank transfer.

ephemeralfairy · 18/02/2017 18:05

When the tills are down in some stores the retail worker has to pay it back

The till won't be down though because the transaction hasn't been processed. It's the stock levels that will register the discrepancy.

I work in retail (big high street chain) and we have no facilities for taking payment over the phone. We don't take cheques either.
Just stick it in the post.

limitedperiodonly · 18/02/2017 18:07

I put something on the buggy (about 10 pounds).

In price or weight? Obviously 10lbs of diamonds would be worth a bit more than 10lb of spuds.

terrythetrex · 18/02/2017 18:11

I'd forget about it.

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 18/02/2017 18:16

Definitely ring them and pay. Or if you're too embarrassed, post them cash or a cheque.

Salmotrutta · 18/02/2017 18:19

I'd phone and explain - find out if you can pay by card as others have suggested.

I can't believe people saying they'd just keep it - that's just theft.

It's like those people who buy clothing, wear it for a night out or whatever with the tags still on then return it!

Someone I know breezily told me once that they did that and I was shocked.

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