Page 2 | Possibly just caught accidentally shoplifting

KurtansCurtains · 27/09/2020 15:17

They aren't going to call the police over six quid. I've worked in retail and they have to prove that you've left the store without paying for them (i.e they have to get you going out the door with them before they can stop you when you can either prove you've paid or haven't). As you weren't stopped, you've essentially gotten away with it (I don't mean that snarkily, it's meant to put your mind at ease).

If you're still feeling anxious about, either phone up and tell them what happened or take them back to the store and explain. No one will take you into the office and accuse you of shoplifting (as seen upthread). You made an honest mistake and I'll bet they'll be amazed that you've come back in more than anything.

OfficeMonkee · 27/09/2020 15:18

Call them and explain or go back, whichever you can do sooner to ease your anxiety. I used to work in retail and sometimes the shop knows who is stealing and records the evidence to build a case, it will be better to go and pay them as soon as you can.

Notimeforaname · 27/09/2020 15:22

Yep.call them op.

Igotthemheavyboobs · 27/09/2020 15:23

@Wroxie

Last summer I managed to pay for some tampons and shampoo at the self check-out and then walk out the door with eyeliner clutched in my hand the entire time that I hadn't paid for - I realised it when I was back at my car on the other side of town and unlocking the door. I didn't have time to go back that day but I took it back the next day, gave it back to one of the staff members, and we had a good laugh (I didn't actually want it, in the end, which the staff member was fine with - I would have paid for it if they'd asked).

This is totally fine, this sort of stuff happens all the time and they'll be surprised and pleased if you come back.

I did this with gum once, but I was at the human tills. She watched me pick them up, hold onto them, pay for everything and walk out. She didn't even say anything! I realised when I was half way out of the door, turned back, apologised and she just told me not to worry about it. It was really odd.

CarrieMoonbeams · 27/09/2020 15:25

One of my dogs stole a ball from a pet shop this afternoon! I'd only taken him in to buy him a present because he's had an operation so he's been a bit bored since he can't go out for proper walks with the others. I must have been distracted while I was choosing something nice for him, and hadn't noticed that he'd shoved a rubber ball in his chops!

I only noticed as I was putting him back in the car, I couldn't work out why he was turning his head away from me!

At least I was able to go straight back in to the shop, and they (just) managed to scan the barcode through the slobbers. They said it happens all the time though, dogs, kids and adults walk out with things by mistake.

Please don't worry OP, a quick phone call to the store will sort it, it'll only take a few minutes then you can relax.

GirlCalledJames · 27/09/2020 15:26

I can’t see why a security guard wouldn’t have apprehended you when he first saw you, you don’t sound very threatening.
I also can’t imagine that the police would care if they called them. I used to work in a shop and we never called the police even for much more valuable items, only for thefts of cash.

MintyMabel · 27/09/2020 15:28

I’m sat here crying like an idiot

Does seem like an extreme response.

merryhouse · 27/09/2020 15:34

During lockdown when Tesco were still having massive queues for the checkouts I darted in between shoppers to pick up a bag of tortilla chips and a tube of Pringles.

It was only when I got out the receipt to work out how much S2 owed me for them that I realised that in the rush I hadn't scanned them.

Couldn't face going back to explain... next time we bought tortilla chips and Pringles I scanned each one twice

redlockscelt · 27/09/2020 15:34

@DetectorSpective

If its going to make you anxious I would do as above, call the store and offer to pay over the phone. They'll probably let you off.

I did similar at Pets At Home once, bought two lots of chicken feed but only paid for one as they didn't scan the other. Didnt realise until I got home and checked the receipt. I rang them to apologise and pay, they laughed and told me it was fine.

Well it was only chicken feed after all.

Laaalaaaa · 27/09/2020 15:35

If the security guard had clocked you, he would have stopped you the second you walked out of the store. From my memory of working in retail 20 years ago, you cannot be stopped and accused of shoplifting until you have left the premises - even if you blatantly stuff items into your bag. That was our policy at least.

Lovemusic33 · 27/09/2020 15:38

Stop worrying, if they seriously thought you had taken something they would have stopped you not just followed you for a bit. Primark are not going to be bothered about £6’s worth of clothing going missing, believe me they get a lot of things taken by people.

MitziK · 27/09/2020 15:39

@EmbarrassedMum92

Just went to return some bits to Primark that didn't fit and get DS some new vests. Went downstairs to go and pay and put the vests under my pram when I was in the lift as they kept falling off the top of my buggy. Returned the items and completely forgot to pay for the vests and walked out the shop with them not realising. I noticed a security guard was behind me when I was walking to the bus but I didn't think anything of it and he didn't say anything and must of lost me at some point. I only realised when I got home about the vests. :( I'm suffer badly from anxiety and I'm really worried that the store are going to contact the police or something. The vests only cost £6 and I'm happy to return them but also worried I may get in trouble if I do :(

What you did is exactly why people should use the baskets. It's also the way that deliberate shoplifters operate - as you can see, it's a very effective way of working.

However, they can't identify you. You can contact them, say you forgot and they'll be fine about it.

You don't need to beat yourself up about it or cry loads, it happens. Which is why you need to use the baskets in future!

SkepticalCat · 27/09/2020 15:39

I got out of a cab once without paying. Local taxi firm and the cab was dropping me at the station. I had overnight bags with me so the driver was asking me where I was going etc, plus my train was due in the next few minutes, and was a bit distracted.

So I got out, waved goodbye to the driver and hot-footed over the footbridge to my platform.

It was only when I reached the end of that first train journey and popped into M&S at the station to buy a sandwich that I suddenly realised that I hadn't paid for the cab. I was mortified and immediately phoned up to apologise. They laughed and thanked me for being honest (plus, as a regular, they knew where I lived ) and asked me to pay when I was next passing the cab office.

In your situation, OP, I would phone the store to explain and pay for the vests.

SkepticalCat · 27/09/2020 15:42

What you did is exactly why people should use the baskets. It's also the way that deliberate shoplifters operate - as you can see, it's a very effective way of working.

But it can be quite difficult sometimes to simultaneously hold a shopping basket whilst trying to push a push a pushchair, especially if the pushchair has two handles rather than a single bar.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 27/09/2020 15:42

Honestly OP, just phone or go back and explain and pay. They won't call the police over a £6 vest. Worst you would get is banned even if the security guard was following you. I doubt it though as he would have stopped you. I work in retail, its really easy to do. People have forgetful moments, they're human too and will understand.

Lindtballsrock · 27/09/2020 15:43

Have you rung them yet op?

CheetasOnFajitas · 27/09/2020 15:48

Oh no, do you think he took down the reg of your buggy?!

DeliciouslyFemale · 27/09/2020 15:50

I strongly suspect I was set up by a group of shoplifters once. I was in Mark de Pri 😉 and there was a group of boys who were the most obvious shoplifters you could imagine. They clocked me watching them and I mentioned it to security on the way out. A few shops away, one of the kids asked who the tee shirt was for, there, hooked on my stroller was a tee shirt. It’s hard to picture but where it was hooked, it was obviously not caught by accident. I think they did it in the hope that security would stop me. I went straight back and the security man was absolutely lovely, even though it had been trailed through the rain.

They did catch the boys.

oakleaffy · 27/09/2020 15:54

Sadly the pram/buggy/ bottom of trolley trick is as old as the hills, and Pikachu face when caught, but you are genuine otherwise wouldn’t be posting.
Just pay Primark, or if you feel worried just return the vests putting them on the display.

AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit · 27/09/2020 15:55

Honestly OP you're worrying over nothing. Just pop back in and pay, they'll be impressed with your honesty and you'll have a good laugh over it. I promise x

SBTLove · 27/09/2020 15:56

One of my DD helped herself to 2 winnie the pooh plates in Mothercare once, found them in the pram! Too embarrassed to go back, she used them for years 🙄🤣

category12 · 27/09/2020 16:03

The security guard would have stopped you just outside the store if he was going to.

popcornlover · 27/09/2020 16:08

The shop assistant was probably following you as he will be extra vigilant of lift users, but probably didn’t want the agro of apprehending a woman with a push chair in front of a load of people who would then give him grief for harassing a woman and child. So he let you go. Until next time you set foot in the store - you might find yourself barred. He will take your image from CCTV and put it on wall of shame in the staff room, so everyone can watch out for you.

Just a heads up.

Babyg1995 · 27/09/2020 16:08

Honestly op the security guard would have 100% stopped you if there was any suspicion your clearly really anxious it's a pack of vests if it makes you feel better go back and explain but I honestly wouldn't get worked up over it .

pinkpanther84 · 27/09/2020 16:10

I did this, I accidentally left some baby vests hanging on the pushchair in Primark, and forgot they were there when I came to pay. I phoned them when I got home as I was very anxious and paranoid that I might get into trouble. The person I spoke to was a bit perplexed by my call, I offered to pay over the phone but they said not to worry and it was their mistake and they apologised to me! I wish I hadn't bothered calling but at least it stopped me worrying