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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

13 year old wrongly accused of shoplifting Weetabix

293 replies

nojellybabies · 22/01/2019 19:34

He went to Tesos to buy Weetabix and butter. This is what he said:

As he put the Weetabix in his bag a female employee came up to him and challenged him saying “what are you doing with that Weetabix?” She called the manager over who said “what’sgoing On?” My son (who hates having to explain himself to strangers and struggles with this sort of thing) said “did you think I was stealing it?” . She replied “yes, you have to use a basket” then moved away.

He paid at self service. As he walked out of the shop the manger called him back and there, in the lobby, in front of a crowd of bystanders took his bag and searched it then demanded the receipt for the Weetabix. Which my son produced. The manager said “sorry you can go”. Interested bystanders told him to go home and tell his family to complain.

He was seriously distraught. Several episodes of Father Ted later he is still feeling humiliated and as if everyone in town now thinks he is a criminal. Even the “my lovely horse” episode only helped a bit.:(

I’ve spoken to the general complaints line and asked the man there (who started apologising when I said the word “Weetabix”-I mean who the hell shoplifts Weetabix?) to get the shop to write to my son to apologise.

I haven’t marched down there because I don’t want to embarrass him further. I am trying to stress all the things he did right to him.

Something is surely wrong with the training here? AIBU?
And Weetabix?!? admittedly he bought some butter too but all the same...

OP posts:
Tribblesarelovely · 22/01/2019 20:50

I’ve never heard of anyone putting unpaid for shopping in a bag instead of a basket or trolley. Surely if you do that , you must be prepared to be accused of shoplifting ?

whiteworld · 22/01/2019 20:50

Always take a basket. I agree it would look suspicious to put shopping in a bag/rucksack. Why would you?

Nicknacky · 22/01/2019 20:50

So if you go into a shop and pick up one item you put it in your handbag until you get to the till? Really?

nojellybabies · 22/01/2019 20:51

Who in their right mind puts shopping in their bag before paying for it!!

Me :)

OP posts:
formerbabe · 22/01/2019 20:51

If I thought a young teenager was stealing a box of cereal, my first instinct would be immense sympathy and concern.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 22/01/2019 20:51

@Myimaginarycathasfleas I find that really weird! Unless they’ve followed you round how do they know you didn’t put a £25 joint of beef in the bottom which never comes out?!

Could be because I’m not in the least bit furtive about it.

Could be karma - I have my fair share of frisking to contend with because I have a replacement knee joint which sets off the alarm in airport security. I have to factor in time for the obligatory pat down whenever I travel! 😁

nojellybabies · 22/01/2019 20:52

“Should we all hide the bottom half of our giant weetabix in a bag now father? What is the church’s official position?”

Oops sorry getting mixed up now.thanks for replies

OP posts:
princessTiasmum · 22/01/2019 20:53

As far as i knew people suspected of shoplifting were not supoosed to be challenged until they stepped outside

SofiaAmes · 22/01/2019 20:53

Shopping trolleys and baskets are the filthiest things you will come across in your day. Way worse than the public toilets. Covered in bacteria. I always use my own bags. I don't know if it's different in the UK, but here in the USA, you actually have to leave the store without paying for the item before they can charge you with shoplifting. Just putting it in your bag (or down your trousers if you really are shoplifting) is not enough, so they wouldn't bother stopping someone. I would definitely write a letter to the store and post on social media about the incident.

CantstandmLMs · 22/01/2019 20:53

I always put stuff straight into my bag for life if I'm going in for a few items. I wouldn't put them straight into a backpack or handbag though as that would feel suspect.

nojellybabies · 22/01/2019 20:54

Flowers fomerbabe.
Me too.

OP posts:
RiddleyW · 22/01/2019 20:54

I always put stuff in my bag. Why would I want to carry a basket and bag.

BishopBrennansArse · 22/01/2019 20:55

The reason I say you have to wait until the person attempts to leave without paying is because it was in my training when I worked in retail.

It's the law, there's no intent to deprive if they're still in the shop.

toddlepod · 22/01/2019 20:55

Shit
In Ireland it's fairly common practice to put stuff in a carrier bag as you walk around the shop, take it all out again at the checkout and repack!

Nicknacky · 22/01/2019 20:56

So people buying two items put them straight into their own bags? Why? Just carry them.

Mybigmessyhair · 22/01/2019 20:56

Happened to me, only walked round a shop in 30 seconds looking for something and the alarm goes off when leaving, I told the lady I didn’t touch anything but wanted me to tip my bag out at the door in front of everyone was absolutely fuming

What turned out was setting alarm off was I got a purse for Xmas as a present and there was a metal strip inside the purse, had the purse a few years as well but strip must of moved and started setting alarms off,( I thought it was part of purse btw!)
Anyway I said to the girl I only came in that door saw nothing walked out that door, she was going through my bag my other bag of shopping etc, so I emailed head office explained
Was livid how I was treated.

Email head office and complain

Rudgie47 · 22/01/2019 20:56

This reply has been deleted

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RiddleyW · 22/01/2019 20:56

Depends how big the items are.

RiddleyW · 22/01/2019 20:57

No one puts them in their bag first apart from shoplifters

Err yes they do.

toddlepod · 22/01/2019 20:58

nojellybabies

It was Tesco's biggest breakfast cereal section, I understand. I read that somewhere.

cavycavy · 22/01/2019 20:58

I’ve seen many shoppers with a trolley and all their bags in the trolley. They pack their shopping into the bags as they go around. Then out of the bags onto the conveyer belt then back into the bags.

If nothing else it ensures you don’t over load your trolley beyond what your bags can accommodate for, say, the walk home.

I think it’s perfectly accceptanle to walk around a store with a bag for life, loading it as you shop to ensure you don’t exceed the bags space and your strength to carry it, and then unload the bag onto the conveyor belt.

Also, bags for life are pretty big and clumsy. Carrying them and a basket is a bit of a handful.

ExFury · 22/01/2019 20:58

No one puts them in their bag first apart from shoplifters

And all the people on the thread who’ve stated they do exactly that...

Nicknacky · 22/01/2019 20:59

Riddley A box of weetabix and a butter. Not difficult to carry by hand.

nojellybabies · 22/01/2019 20:59

Mybigmessyhair
I think the public search thing was awful (for you and my ds). Usually if I set off an alarm the guard is very polite and assumes the best unless proven otherwise...

OP posts:
JC4PMPLZ · 22/01/2019 21:00

This is an education. I have never heard of people not using a basket or trolley, except for when they keep it in their hands. Is it different darn saarf?

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