Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I accidentally didn't pay in a shop today.

136 replies

Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:05

In mitigation (though I think it would count in a court), I'm highly stressed.

So I went through the self scan thing and it kept asking for approval because I was buying paracetamol. I paid no heed, cashier came and scanned them for me. Then I needed a bag, So she had to do that for me too. Last was the machine telling there was something undedected on the belt. I walked out and ignored the machine because it is forever going on at me.

Got to bus-stop, checked for wallet. Eh. I didn't have it. So if I had been caught doing this stressful thing, it's not as if I forgot to pay, (which I did) as I didn't even have the means to pay. They'd have thought it was pure theft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wallet is here at home. It was only £4, but Jesus I need to recover my senses.

OP posts:
LocoMoco · 03/12/2017 19:07

Take the things back tomorrow and pay. It's an easy mistake to make but also an easy one to rectify.

Original poster
Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:08

*though I don't think it would count in court

OP posts:
sooperdooper · 03/12/2017 19:10

Everyone will denounce me as an awful person who should rot in hell but I'd forget it and move on

Original poster
Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:10

Yes, will go back an pay tomorrow. But what if it had been something different and more expensive! Fucking Christ. My mind's not with me at the moment.

OP posts:
EmmaC78 · 03/12/2017 19:12

But it wasn't something different and more expensive. Just go in tomorrow and pay and that will be the end of it.

thewisestoldelf · 03/12/2017 19:13

Move on. It was a mistake

Sparklesocks · 03/12/2017 19:13

They wouldn’t take you to court over £4 OP, being £4 down on their till wouldn’t prompt them to check cctv and hunt you down.

Take the stuff back tomorrow and explain you made a mistake, they’ll probably be baffled you came back but it’ll ease your conscience.

ChristinaParsons · 03/12/2017 19:14

When my daughter was born there was a shelf thing under supermarket trolleys for large items. Trolleys no longer have these due to the amount of sleep deprived parents forgetting to pay for nappies. You are not the first person and you won’t be the last

Original poster
Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:15

I use an app on my phone telling me when next bus is coming and invariably forget something as I rush around if it says anything less than 6 minutes (in this case my wallet). I've previously forgotten my keys thanks to this app.

OP posts:
topcat2014 · 03/12/2017 19:17

It is sad that everyone thinks they will be baffled!.

You could probably find a telephone number for the store and give them a call (although, being Sunday, there may be no reply).

There is no 'minimum' for theft under the law - so you need to take action to pay for the goods.

It is one thing making a mistake (which you did, we all do), it is quite another making a conscious decision to continue that state of affairs.

nadinexo1 · 03/12/2017 19:18

I did the same thing today, walked out of topshop with a top on the pram that I'd put there to buy but then as my mind is all over the place I walked out with it after looking at other stuff and forgetting it was there, partner asked me later in another store why there was a top hanging off the pram handle I realised what id done and made him take it back as I was too embarrassed. we were only in the shop next door.

Original poster
Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:19

Forgetting my keys cost me £250.

I just feel so bad. If they had approached me, it's not as if I had my card on me! I'd probably be in a jail cell tonight.

OP posts:
MyBitchFaceIsNeverResting · 03/12/2017 19:19

I once walked out of B&M bargains with something relatively cheap, I’d stashed it on the pushchair to stop me having to carry it awkwardly and ended up totally forgetting about it. Walked down the street, spotted it, walked back and showed up full of apologies - the staff were amazed I’d bothered.

Original poster
Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:22

I'll take them back tomorrow, no worries about that. I've no receipt though, as obviously I didn't pay for the blinking things. They'll probably think I'm half raving mad (and they wouldn't be wrong).

OP posts:
subsy1a · 03/12/2017 19:22

We "bought" a book at Edinburgh Book Fest, I tracked it down on the shelves while DP queued to get it signed. It was after several shows that I suddenly realised that neither of us actually paid for it! They were quite surprised when we rushed in that afternoon to pay.

CoffeeBreakIn5 · 03/12/2017 19:22

Yeah I'd go back tomorrow. My DS once put a book under the pushchair in Mothercare once, it was £9.99 and I only realised when I unpacked the pushchair at the car, I went straight back - really embarrassing but they said it happens a lot.

swampytiggaa · 03/12/2017 19:26

i went to bravissimo to be fitted for a nursing bra. all good. got to the front doors of the shopping centre and realised that as well as the 2 bras i had paid for i had about 4 other possibilities hanging from the handle of the pram! never moved so fast in my life getting back to the shop to take them back. They were very nice about it but i was so embarrased!

Bubblebubblepop · 03/12/2017 19:27

Lol OP what a day! Just forget about it, no need to go back. Think of it as once tiny nice thing (£4!) in your crap day

Tazmum01 · 03/12/2017 19:28

My daughter once took off her shoes and put a pair of new boots on in M&S. She was in her pram at this point and they were four sizes too big for her. Didn't realise until I got back to the car, took them back but never did find her bloody shoes.

Littlecaf · 03/12/2017 19:28

I did this with chewing gum the other day. Did self scan for about £10 worth of other stuff, picked up gum on a whim and must have put it straight in my pocket. I checked the receipt when I found it later and I hadn’t paid. Felt awful. In my defence I had a crying baby in the pram. I didn’t go back & pay, but it is my regular Tesco’s and they could have picked me up next time if they were bothered.

I wouldn’t worry about it. But if you are going to have a sleepless night over it then I’d go back.

Original poster
Whoyagonna · 03/12/2017 19:30

I just can't believe I walked out. I think it was the machine telling me unexpected items on belt (me packing bag). I think I'm losing my mind. I did come out of hospital yesterday on strong sedation for a couple of days. Dementia setting in, I think. I've gone through self-scanners hundreds of times.

OP posts:
milkysmum · 03/12/2017 19:30

I'll be honest I wouldn't give this a second thought and wouldn't be embarrassing myself going back into the shop tomorow. Put it out of your head.

Tazmum01 · 03/12/2017 19:30

Also, walked out of new look with a top still on its hanger attached to my son (also in the pram) and inadvertently stole a pregnancy test from boots on top of the buggy. Prams have got a lot to answer for.

Tazmum01 · 03/12/2017 19:30

Baby brain... 😂

chirpyburbycheapsheep · 03/12/2017 19:33

Honestly, don't worry...I did the same with more shopping...got halfway home....I went back and explained to the man - he hadn't even noticed (he mentioned having to cancel a load of items) and was so pleased with my honesty that he wouldn't let me re-queue but fast tracked me to another checkout!

Am sure it happens all the time....