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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:
Witchend · 18/02/2017 18:20

If you wouldn't worry if they'd overcharged you by £10 then leave it.
If you would be expecting a refund in that case you should return it.

Trainspotting1984 · 18/02/2017 18:21

It basically depends what sort of mood I'm in, but for all that hassle no I wouldn't bother.

Trainspotting1984 · 18/02/2017 18:22

I find MN really bonkers on the subject of theft. Like the word itself is BUT ITS THEFT! You do realise the point of ethics and morals is they mean different things to different people don't you?

Funnyface1 · 18/02/2017 18:27

I did this once but only got as far as the car so was able to go back in. I would call and ask if they are able to take payments over the phone, then explain if it's a yes. If not I would leave it. It's not ideal and I wouldn't make a habit of it but the world won't end for £10.

Anatidae · 18/02/2017 18:27

I walked out of the supermarket with a bag of nappies on the pram hook having paid for the rest of the stuff - rushed back in in a panic and paid for them - checkout person looked at me like I was insane!

I've also gone back to pay for a tub of yoghurt that didn't get put on the conveyor.

It'll only prey on your mind - call them, explain and pay over the phone.

novemberontrumpwatch · 18/02/2017 18:38

I think I'd be embarrassed and not want them to know my name, but that's easily solved by Googling the address and posting the tenner back with a letter of explanation.

Sandsnake · 18/02/2017 18:42

Another who thinks that it's straightforward - you call up and offer to pay. It was an innocent mistake but I think ethically it will become theft should you fail to do anything now that you've realised. If it was the store who had made a mistake (such as a thread on here recently about a large online retailer who had accidentally forgotten to take payment) then it's more of a grey area. However, as it's your mistake on this occasion you definitely have the duty to put it right.

Salmotrutta · 18/02/2017 18:42

Ethics and morals might mean different things to different people but the law is the same for everyone.

And I'm fairly sure it's against the law to remove goods from a shop without paying - so, its theft.

neveradullmoment99 · 18/02/2017 18:48

No, just keep it. I wouldnt bother.

reuset · 18/02/2017 18:49

They watch the cctv afterwards for this sort of thing. I'd confess before you get the knock on the door, OP.

reuset · 18/02/2017 18:49
Grin
neveradullmoment99 · 18/02/2017 18:51

In my life, i have done this and have never gone back. I don't feel guilty. I would never dream of doing it deliberately.

Trainspotting1984 · 18/02/2017 18:51

"Today 18:42 Salmotrutta

Ethics and morals might mean different things to different people but the law is the same for everyone.

And I'm fairly sure it's against the law to remove goods from a shop without paying - so, its theft."

But....so? What are the implications
Of being able to call it theft for you?

Maryann1975 · 18/02/2017 18:52

Was it a small independent shop? To me, that makes it mor important for you to phone and confess and offer to pay over the phone. I imagine they have really small profit margins and are struggling to make a living (the independents in our town are anyway).
A big, chain shop, yes, really you should phone, but I think it's something we all do at some point in our lives by mistake and I could probably forgive you for this if you do nothing more about it.

neveradullmoment99 · 18/02/2017 18:52

The supermarkets can afford to cheat you a million times over. Doritos cost me £1 and on some occasions a price hike of a £1 extra to £2???? Tesco in particular try and confuse you over the price of things with their pricing practice. No i wouldnt have any qualms. No, they wont come for you.

archersfan22 · 18/02/2017 19:02

I have done this too by accident - at Hobbycraft I put some things in the bottom of the pushchair, paid for the item in my hand when I got to the till and forgot about the rest... Fortunately I noticed before I got out of the shopping centre and went back - the checkout lady was lovely about it.
I wouldn't be driving a 200mile round trip to return the item but would pay for it or return it. Depends on whether it's something you want/would use (am guessing so since you intended to buy it rather than child putting it in buggy) and whether it's easily postable.

BaconMaker · 18/02/2017 19:03

I've done that loads of time - if it was a supermarket I just bought it back next time and said nothing about it. If it was a small shop I just went back apologised and paid. Never a biggie.

IntoTheDeep · 18/02/2017 19:07

My local police Facebook page frequently has CCTV images posted with captions along the lines of "please tell us if you know who this is. We would like to speak to them regarding an alleged shoplifting at X shop in X town on X date"

limitedperiodonly · 18/02/2017 19:08

I put some things in the bottom of the pushchair, paid for the item in my hand when I got to the till and forgot about the rest...

It's known in legal circles as the Richard Madeley Defence

Trainspotting1984 · 18/02/2017 19:09

Today 19:07 IntoTheDeep

My local police Facebook page frequently has CCTV images posted with captions along the lines of "please tell us if you know who this is. We would like to speak to them regarding an alleged shoplifting at X shop in X town on X date"

This is not the same as the situation described. This is someone who has been witnessed shoplifting. Don't be a drama queen Grin

GreyStars · 18/02/2017 19:13

this is not the same situation as being described

But surely most shoplifters do try to look innocent... and putting something on a buggy/under it would be exactly what they would do

I don't think they enter shops in striped shirts, masks and a bag marked SWAG on it Grin

GreyStars · 18/02/2017 19:13

Well not the smart ones anyway...

MrsTarzan1 · 18/02/2017 19:15

I'd also forget about it. I am shocked how many suggest you should phone and pay by card!

RayofFuckingSunshine · 18/02/2017 19:18

*Salmotrutta
*
The situation the OP describes is not theft, by the legal definition.

A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.

Not the case here.

OP, just call them and pay or send a postal order/cheque.

CoffeeBreakIn5 · 18/02/2017 19:21

I did this once with broccoli, it was my first outing with my pfb and I'd put the car seat into the trolley. The broccoli had gone underneath it and I didn't realise until I was unpacking the shopping into the boot. I got myself into a bit of a state and ran myself and pfb back into the shop to pay for it: the lady on the checkout looked at me like I was unhinged. I think I probably was at the time Blush.

Anyway, give them a ring and pay for it. I fully agree that you could end up being in the paper as one of those grainy images, it's the way that most shoplifters operate. Plus, you'll feel better about it.

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