self checkout stealing

[starshipsweremeanttofly]

Yes IABU.
I started this around 2 weeks ago, a shop I visit several times per week. The first time, I can't remember if it was an accident or a conscious choice. I put through most of the items and threw one in my bag unscanned. This shop doesn't weigh the items on self scanner and doesn't have security bleep things on the exit. I have been maybe once since where I paid for everything.
Has anyone else done this sort of thing? It's partly a rush I guess, sounds cringey to say it. Partly driven by money worries. I'm not in a great place mentally.
It's a big chain, not excusing it, just I'm sure someone will say I'm stealing from a small independent shop.
I'm just trying to understand myself and try to bloody stop.

What’s there to understand? You’re a thief.

Stop using the self checkout.

What do you want from this post? You’re a thief wether you steal from a big chain or a small independent.

I’m confused are you asking for permission to steal? I’ve never done this as they usually weigh the items so if something wasn’t scanned the staff would notice, but I wouldn’t do it intentionally anyway. Theft increase adds to tax increase.

It's theft. What are you hoping for, loads of people to tell you it's fine. This is not ok.

You’ll get caught and it will be so embarrassing. Your cheeks will burn with shame, everyone will look at you, whisper thief. The store probably do know and have cctv if each incident. They will look out for you eventually. Just stop now. Chuck some tins in the foodbank to try to balance the karma and don’t go to that store again if you can’t help yourself.

Most likely you will get caught if you continue, sometimes staff are monitoring what is scanned and what is packed. If you’re lucky they’ll think you just did it absent mindedly, but if it’s obvious nicking then it could be a very shameful experience to be caught in the act in front of staff and other shoppers.

If you are unable to stop you might need to seek help from a professional about where this compulsion comes from and how to stop it.

Are you stealing from the big chain store or a independent shop. Deliberately stealing from anywhere is unacceptable but you know that. Just stop doing it. Go to the tills instead. Dont embarrass yourself by getting caught nicking a can of beans

Oh give over.
Is there nothing on telly?

This is not ok.

Not being in a great place mentally is really no excuse to steal.

Stop using the self scan machine. That should remove temptation. Or go with someone. Or shop on-line. This has to stop.

It's Waitrose isn't it? They employ plain clothed security to act as shoppers at the self checkout.

You'll be caught, banned for life from there and they'll be a scene. They do the scene to put others off.

SIL works there.

Understand this - you are stealing and because you are then you are contributing to my food bill going up. Some people struggle to feed their families and you are making it harder for them to afford the food that they need.

Stop being so selfish and only thinking of yourself.

You'll be surprised how much money supermarkets lose every day due to this. Also take into account the poor person who is manning the checkouts and could potentially get into trouble because you keep stealing. It's so annoying when it happens and if I had my way self serve would be gone because they are nothing but trouble and give people the opportunity to steal. Don't for one minute think it's not impacting the business because it is. When stock is written off unaccounted for businesses have to make their money back somehow and everyone pays for theft in the long run.

I’m not sure what you’re expecting from this thread.

No one is going to say ‘oh they? Yeah we all do it, as you were’

And you will get caught, which will be mortifying. I recently had to have all my shopping checked at Tesco, as my delightful son put a pack of Haribo in the trolley when I wasn’t looking (and didn’t scan) and I was selected for a random check. When it flagged I hadn’t scanned the Haribo, a manger cane and scanned every single thing in my trolley. Luckily they were laughing as my son sheepishly admitted what he had done!

You’re a thief

There’s no excuse

I hope you get caught

I wonder how having a criminal record will affect your life?

Deliberately taking items without paying is stealing so YABU.

Having a genuine oops moment can happen to anyone, but we wouldn't be posting asking for opinions and we wouldn't be writing a thread with undertones that seem to be seeking an excuse to steal.

If you're tempted then you need to go to a staffed checkout.

Stop using the self checkout, use the manned checkout, simple. Or get a delivery. Then figure out whats lacking in your life that stealing a packet of biscuits is a 'rush'

What is the AIBU?

If you’re not in a good place mentally then please seek help from your gp.
Until you get this sorted don’t use the self serve checkouts, use the manned tills or order online.
It will be mortifying when you are caught and a lot of shops will always press for a prosecution, especially if they think someone is a repeat offender.

Are you actively choosing what to steal op? In other words are you stealing the most expensive items in your basket?
It clearly intentional on your part. I also don’t understand what you want from this post.

I have MH issues, as do many many people. It doesn’t excuse shitty behaviour.

There’s more to this post that you haven’t told us.

Well, you're thieving, which is pretty unreasonable.

you’ll have more than money worries when you get caught. Shame, criminal record, low, if not no, job prospects.
Deal with your money worries in a different way.

Well I’m sorry that you’re struggling and I hope you get sorted, but It’s not right to steal, OP. If you need something, you need to pay for it or put it back on the shelf.

If you’re struggling financially, could you not ask someone for help rather than stealing?

I think you need to address whatever is causing you to not be in a good place tbh.

Of course stealing is wrong and people shouldn't do it, but it does have an emotional need element as well as just 'being a thief'.

But yes as others say, do what you can to avoid temptation for the 'rush' eg avoid self-service.

It's so not worth it, not is is addressing whatever difficulties you have.

I think the PP''s advice about not using the self-check out is probably the most practical step you can take to take back control.

Surely you can manage that?