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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

self checkout stealing

246 replies

starshipsweremeanttofly · 15/08/2020 19:55

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.

OP posts:
userabcname · 15/08/2020 20:47

Are you the poster who keeps posting about shoplifting? If you're so worried, here's an idea: stop shoplifting. HTH.

LonginesPrime · 15/08/2020 20:47

It's a big chain, not excusing it, just I'm sure someone will say I'm stealing from a small independent shop

OP, why did you feel the need to point out where you stole from? What's the difference in your head between these two types of shops that makes it ok to steal from one and not the other?

OnTheWheelOfLife · 15/08/2020 20:48

@Witchend

I think peoples responses are harsh. Of course OP knows it’s wrong, but kleptomania is a mental health issue and is usually down to other things, it’s not always because the person is a selfish sickness who wants free stuff.

I'm not sure you can diagnose kleptomania when the OP says she only started 2 weeks ago.

Where did I diagnose it? I simply stated that it is a real issue and doesn’t need horrid responses. Then I recommended the OP seeks medical advice.

But kleptomaniacs start somewhere. I am just trying to give advice rather than be judgmental and nasty for no reason.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/08/2020 20:49

@starshipsweremeanttofly - it makes no difference that you are stealing from a big chain supermarket, not a little independent.

These businesses do not absorb the cost of theft from their stores - they add it to the price everyone else pays. A percentage of the price of every item is to cover ‘shrinkage’ - that is loss from the store due to theft, breakage, spoilage. Basically we are all paying for your ‘rush’.

clarehhh · 15/08/2020 20:50

Always wrong and we all pay for these people. No excuse

Pixxie7 · 15/08/2020 20:50

I can’t believe you think this is ok, I would be mortified and have to go back to the shop.

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/08/2020 20:50

Who thinks OP isn’t being unreasonable and thievy?

monkeyonthetable · 15/08/2020 20:50

You've gone public with this because you want to stop. You've mentioned MH issues - get help for them immediately before this escalates. You could end up in serious trouble. And, as others have said, shoplifters put up the prices for all of us and a lot of people are really struggling now and will do without if prices keep rising.

Somanysocks · 15/08/2020 20:51

Well I hope you get caught. Am appalled at your thieving attitude and the fact that 8% think it's ok.

Mellonsprite · 15/08/2020 20:52

You’ll be caught and it will be so embarrassing. You need to stop going in that shop and stop using self service.

Lozza70 · 15/08/2020 20:53

Thief. That is the long and short of it. Does not matter if it a large chain or small independent. It’s stealing, it’s wrong, you know it but come on here looking for what? Permission? Approval? Stop doing it. Go to shops with no self checkout.

ruabon1 · 15/08/2020 20:53

Get others to shop or stop using self service.

Kinneddar · 15/08/2020 20:54

Has anyone else done this sort of thing

Yes other thieves and shoplifters because that's exactly what you are. See what kind of rush you get when you get and you have to walk right through the store in handcuffs with the Police to get taken to the station
Enjoy the rush when you get put in a cell. Enjoy the rush when you realise you have a criminal record

You will get caught. Its only a matter of time and its what you deserve

Blankblankblank · 15/08/2020 20:55

The store probably do know and have cctv if each incident

Yep and they are just gathering evidence. They will be clocking you each time you come in and pretty soon they will stop you as you leave, call the police and had over all the recordings. They let you do it a few times without grabbing you so, when they prosecute, there won’t be any chance of “oh I didn’t realise.....it was a mistake”.
Thieves also push the prices up for all the hard working people who pay for their items.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 15/08/2020 20:57

"This shop doesn't weigh the items on self scanner"

Not sure I'm going to fall for this. How does it work in that shop then?

gamerchick · 15/08/2020 21:00

You will get caught OP. If this is a cry for help, to get the attention you're craving or someon just to acknowledge the distress you're in. This way won't help you because the consequences will last way longer than your distress will.

You'll end up regretting it. Find another way before it escalates.

Tealeafs · 15/08/2020 21:00

Yeah I do this too at Lidl with bakery items.

PhilSwagielka · 15/08/2020 21:01

And to answer the question: no, I haven't because I'm extremely paranoid about being caught or found out. It's not worth it. I'd only do it if I was desperate, and I mean desperate. Like starving to death.

oakleaffy · 15/08/2020 21:03

@starshipsweremeanttofly Also... Stealing is really bad Karma.
You won't feel good about yourself.

Stolen items have a negative energy attached to them that will drag you down.

Maybe you think you are being ''clever''? 'Oh look, they don't suspect me, I must be a ''good at it'' thief.

But you CAN stop.

When I tried to steal the smoothie, It wasn't my intention...But in a crazy blood rush to the head, I thought ''I have drunk it now....maybe I can get away with not paying'''- it was £1.99.

I have seen women tussling with security guards at certain shops...it looks humiliating and embarrassing.

Try to make good the thieving?...As another poster said, drop stuff to an equivalent value into the food bank boxes...Or the animal charity boxes..Dogs and Cat's homes often have them for the poor abandoned animals at local shelters.

You will feel much better about yourself.

Chloemol · 15/08/2020 21:04

It’s people like you you steal that put the prices up for everyone else. Shops, including the larger chains loose hundreds of thousands to people like you

STOP. And stop using lack of money or mental health as a reason. Millions suffer the same and don’t steal

WhatifIfeellikeacat · 15/08/2020 21:06

A plain clothes man {I won't name the shop!} said ''Are you going to pay for the smoothie you drank?''....He had retrieved it from the bin by the self service till.

I was mortified, said ''I'm really sorry, no excuse for what I did''...and paid.
I was lucky he didn't call the police

So he didn't get a medal thenSad

WhatifIfeellikeacat · 15/08/2020 21:09

oakleaffy, your story just reminded me of an Australian film with Tony Colette, when her on-screen mum didn't pay for the slippers in the supermarket.

GoshHashana · 15/08/2020 21:09

Stop stealing!

Mrschips07 · 15/08/2020 21:11

Not quite the same thing, but I always accidentally steal garlic. The single bulbs seem to become invisible once I put it them my trolley. Its happened on three occasions now.

Honestly OP I say carry on, but only yourself to blame if you get caught.

Thefaceofboe · 15/08/2020 21:12

How could you do this without feeling guilty? I accidentally stole a nail varnish using the self check out in boots because I had lots of items (didn’t realise till I checked my receipt) and I went back and paid.