Item not scanned in clothing store - wwyd?

[ItsBritneyBitchhhh]

To keep it short and simple, today I was in Primark doing an exchange.

The Sales Assistant scanned the items that I was bringing back, no issue there. I was swappig the items for a handful of kid’s shorts. p

There were two shorts that were similar in style but they were NOT a set. They were priced individually for £3 each and each had their own tag. The Sales Assistant scanned one pair and just folded the two together. I realised at the time but said nothing at all.

Once the exchange was completed, I only had to pay £1.25 as opposed to £4.25. This is a non issue as it’s done now but as I walked out of the shop, I wondered what other people have done.

So lovely Mumsnetters, what would you have done? Would you have walked away knowing you just paid £3 less than you should have? Or would you have mentioned something to the Sales Assistant once he scanned the item?

Hmmmm, in Primarni I’d have probably done the same as you. In a charity shop I would have spoken up.

Yes I would have spoken up as I have such struggles with guilt it would eat me alive.

Just walked out. Honestly, I leak cash all the time often due to situations outside my control (eg public transport fail means I miss my exercise class. No refund). I’d have taken this one.

I'm not a thief I would have said something.
You stood there happily knowing what was going on.Am sure others will agree Primark make millions so it's ok to steal.
Is this a boast post?

If I’d noticed at the time then I would’ve told the cashier, as they’re the one who will get shit if the till doesn’t balance. I’d rather not risk someone’s job for the sake of a 3 quid saving (though I’d hope they are allowed some margin for error). If I didn’t realise until I got home then I wouldn’t worry about it.

I’d go home and google and discover that in 2021 the company that owns primark made a billion in profit and so I’d feel a bit easier that they could afford the loss of £3.

I would have mentioned it.
Similar happened in a pub ordering food and drink. We had 2 different people serving, and I thought we had a tab. I went to pay tbe bill, but realised and mentioned we hadn't been charged for the glass of wine. £8.I paid. He was so grateful

If you noticed at the time you should have said something, I'm sure you would have explained what had happened if by chance a tag had been left on and security had checked your bag on the way out and found an item that had not been paid for in the bag.

@KarmaStar not sure how you can boast about saving 3 quid but okay!

@Merkins I get what you mean. I worked in Retail Management for around 5 years so I know there would be no consequence for the Sales Assistant on the till! The only time the tills wouldn’t balance is if he’d given me more (or less) change than expected. The only time the store will realise that they’re £3 down is when they next have their Audit. Each store has a certain amount of financial loss they can have due to theft, delivery issues or mistakes at the till. He’ll be unaffected.

Interesting responses so far though!

I probably wouldn't have said anything either.

The till will balance as the item was never scanned back in - it's just their stock that will be wrong when they next do a count.

See now in this situation, I would have said something too but I’m not really sure how/why it’s different…

I realised at the time but said nothing at all. I'd have said something. You have no morals.

Because its cheap at primark so you don't value it

If I noticed at the time I’d tell them. If I realised when I’d got home or further on in the shopping trip I’d not bother.

I wouldn’t say something in this situation but I would in an independent shop, a pub or similar. Partly because Primark go out of their way to ensure that they do their customers no favours eg I had some items with tags on but had lost the receipt and they wouldn’t even let me exchange for a different size of the same item. Most other shops would allow that without a receipt.

I have no idea.

I always like to think I'd manage to take the win and run but I just can't stop my mouth opening and being honest! (And it isn't always beneficial!)

Having said that I brought stuff in matalan the other week and it's all self service.

I took back a load of items for a refund. One of those items wasn't even on the receipt as it hadn't scanned.

I was likely someone just found guilty of murder 🫣🤣

No I wouldn't say anything. It's highly unlikely they will even notice if it's just one small item. Don't worry about it. It's a multi billion ££ company not a little old lady on a state pension 😉

Id just walk away. And would never think about it again.

I've done similar in primark, I think the value was more though - although no more than a tenner.

I'd gone in to grab a few comfy bits for post surgery. Went to the till to pay, the shop assistant wasn't focusing on me or my items as was having a chat with her colleague and didn't scan something.

I said nothing - partly because it wouldn't have happened if she'd been focusing, partly because I was begrudging having to buy some stuff I wouldn't get use out of again, but mainly because it was Primark.

I have pointed out errors in corner shops, small businesses etc.

I wouldn't have noticed to be 100% honest. I buy to much in Primark

I would say something. I’d feel too guilty otherwise. I’ve even gone back to a store when I didn’t realise they put something in my bag I hadn’t paid for (although they did make me feel like I was a shoplifter with ‘buyers remorse). I guess I’m minorly judgy about it, but mainly my honesty is driven by knowing how bad I’d personally feel!

Theft is theft, justifying it or having different tiers of theft doesn't work for me. You know that he'd accidentally not scanned it, and didn't mention it. It doesn't matter if it's 50p of £500 to me, I won't do either.

Happened to me twice recently I was in a shop the one assistant said the items were a pound each the till assistant charged me 50p each then I went to a market stall picked something up from the market stall she said three pounds I said its front the two pound box she gave me four pound change and wandered off I gave my two pound "profit" to a homeless guy today so 🤷‍♀️ it evens out

Nah, you're fine 😁

Next time I would fess up though.

Happened to me recently but it was a £22 pair of shorts. I hadn't realised but my DD (eagle eyes 👀) did and told me on the way out of the store. I took it back and paid.