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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Was I unreasonable to do this?

180 replies

KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:24

So..done my usual supermarket shop this evening and noticed the food/toy donation trolley looking a bit bare.

I paid for my shopping as usual, then went back round the aisles and picked out two toys worth around £10 each and put them in the bank (didn't pay)

Supermarkets make a huge profit and felt sad for families in hostels etc this Christmas!

OP posts:
SnobblyBobbly · 21/12/2023 22:45

I work for a charity & pick up from a supermarket collection point at Christmas. I don't know what I'd do if the items set the alarms off when I took them out- I'd be worried the security staff had thought I was the one who'd stolen them!

I kind of get what you're trying to do, but these things have knock on effects that maybe you haven't considered.

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 21/12/2023 22:46

If this is real and you have kids, I feel sad that they have a thief as a mother.

PrimalOwl10 · 21/12/2023 22:46

Wtf

Edinburghguy · 21/12/2023 22:47

I can see what you were trying to do but stealing isn’t the answer.

You have mucked up the shop’s stock count and possibly cast suspicion on somebody else. Also, how do you know the supermarket are not donating in another way or will add to the bank at some point.

If you feel so passionate about it, could you not afford a tenner? If not, some good quality toys from your own home. Failing that, why not volunteer.

So many things you could have done but you chose to steal OP.

Toottooot · 21/12/2023 22:47

Did you not think the reason it was empty might have been because it had just been emptied? None of the shops local to me are accepting toy donations now anyway - the deadline was last week.

clingon1012 · 21/12/2023 22:48

You felt sad for those families so you stole for them instead of contributing yourself?

Bridgertonned · 21/12/2023 22:52

It's been a while since I worked in retail, but when I did stores had stock checking software that would calculate a % missing, ie difference between stock we had and stock sold. It was the shop floor staff who were berated over this.

Well done, you might have made life even shittier for minimum wage retail staff at Christmas, so thoughtful of you!

Original poster
KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:54

Not stealing as technically never left the store! I make monthly donations to charity, plus the items didn't have the tags/stickers on 😊

OP posts:
LisaD1 · 21/12/2023 22:57

I read that and just thought you sound like a twat.

if You got a kick out of your actions you probably need to take a long hard look at your own life.

Original poster
KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:57

And if it make a child smile this Christmas then no harm is done!

OP posts:
Dita73 · 21/12/2023 22:58

I see you’re trying to pull off a whole “Robin Hood” thing but you’ve failed. Idiotic thing to do

puddypud · 21/12/2023 22:58

KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:57

And if it make a child smile this Christmas then no harm is done!

I won't make anyone smile if the alarms get set off and the poor charity officer has to put the stolen toys back. Some barcodes will set off an alarm if they haven't been scanned.

Your smugness is embarrassing. You're not to Good Samaritan you think you've been here.

Original poster
KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:59

Ok ok I get it, I'll take that one on the chin I was being unreasonable and will make an additional payment to my local charity. Thanks guys

OP posts:
puddypud · 21/12/2023 22:59

If you felt that sad you'd buy the toys and drop them at this hostel yourself.

Bonjovispjs · 21/12/2023 23:01

You're an idiot 🤦🏻‍♀️

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 23:02

KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:59

Ok ok I get it, I'll take that one on the chin I was being unreasonable and will make an additional payment to my local charity. Thanks guys

Just because the majority on Mumsnet think YABU it doesn’t mean you are

Floralnomad · 21/12/2023 23:02

The box was likely empty because the shop empties it regularly to stop people stealing out of it - that’s what happens in our local Tesco . Anyhow YABVU , if you want to buy toys to give away then that’s fine but you don’t steal toys to give to charity .

Hankunamatata · 21/12/2023 23:04

Yes cos stealing is all about Christmas spirit

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 21/12/2023 23:05

That's not really how these things work...

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 21/12/2023 23:05

KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:59

Ok ok I get it, I'll take that one on the chin I was being unreasonable and will make an additional payment to my local charity. Thanks guys

Or just go back and pay for the stuff at the shop you thought it was okay to steal from?

tomatoontoast · 21/12/2023 23:08

Are people really this thick?

I honestly can't believe you thought this was a good idea OP. I think the staff would have enough to keep them busy this year without chasing missing stock.

Wendysfriend · 21/12/2023 23:11

That's a pretty scummy thing to do.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 21/12/2023 23:21

KissyMissy · 21/12/2023 22:54

Not stealing as technically never left the store! I make monthly donations to charity, plus the items didn't have the tags/stickers on 😊

Of course it was stealing. You took the items with the intention of permanently depriving the supermarket of its property. Try going back to the supermarket, grovelling, and pay for the items?

But you're not going to do that because you have no concept of shame, have you?

Els1e · 21/12/2023 23:21

Yabu. Charity starts at home. Not you dictating to others (ie shop workers) what their employers should spend money on.

tensmum1964 · 22/12/2023 05:03

I'm flabbergasted by how upset people are getting. I think it was genius 😅

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