Page 8 | Should I tell Tesco I basically stole £300 from them?

loamy · 2025-09-19T19:25:21+00:00

Just checked my banking app and had around £300 more than I was expecting. Turns out that one of our shops was cancelled by dh but it still showed up for delivery. Husband wasn’t in so son accepted the order AND we got the refund. So it’s actually funny because our texts shows us getting our wires crossed. Husband thought I had unilaterally decided to reorder. He asked “so you did decide to do the shop in the end” and I answered in the affirmative as I very coincidentally happened to go into M and S for some bits my daughter wanted to try. And it was that I thought he was referring to. I thought her was being sexy cause dd went a bit overboard with the cookies, dips etc Anyway, it’s been about three weeks. I guess this has slipped through. Wouls you tell Tesco? I’m surprised that the idea of being sneaky flashed in my mind. It was a pricier shop as DH ordered a few nicer bottles of wine to enjoy for a family event.

McSteamyorMcdreamy · 19/09/2025 23:05

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:02

By heck, that's a great way to behave.

Refute the argument (we should do what is morally and legally right in all circumstances) rather than just launch into ad hom attacks.

I gave you a heinous example because I thought you might see what equivocating about bending the rules might mean in such circumstances.

But, apparently you don't want to think about the logical extension of finding reasons not to do the right thing at all times.

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No.

Your "argument" is fucking disgusting.

Tesco have made an electronic error. ELECTRONIC error.

searchinghere · 19/09/2025 23:06

So is there even a law being broken?

According to google a company would be in the wrong if they delivered unsolicited goods then demanded payment.

frecklejuice · 19/09/2025 23:06

Na same thing happened to me the one and only time I did an Asda order, just take it as one of life’s little wins. The amount they lose with shoplifters won’t even be anywhere near the little £300 they have lost to you.

DontReinMeIn · 19/09/2025 23:07

searchinghere · 19/09/2025 23:06

So is there even a law being broken?

According to google a company would be in the wrong if they delivered unsolicited goods then demanded payment.

Well, exactly. They had attempted to cancel. Tesco delivered it anyway. They can’t demand payment.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 19/09/2025 23:07

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:02

By heck, that's a great way to behave.

Refute the argument (we should do what is morally and legally right in all circumstances) rather than just launch into ad hom attacks.

I gave you a heinous example because I thought you might see what equivocating about bending the rules might mean in such circumstances.

But, apparently you don't want to think about the logical extension of finding reasons not to do the right thing at all times.

Show quote history

You're showing yourself to be rigid and only capable of linear thinking. Life is full of nuance snd exceptions.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/09/2025 23:09

OP, make sure you dim the lights, pull down the blinds, keep the television on a low volume, watch out for the blue lights. 🚔
If you feel bad. Tell them the food can be collected, they won't bother, enjoy your snacks.

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:09

searchinghere · 19/09/2025 22:57

This cannot be serious. 🤦‍♀️😭

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I am serious.

I find it worrying that people here think it's OK to steal because they find a justification in their head.

I give you an example where we would hate any kind of justification and for some reason you want to clutch your pearls ... because SA.

Would you have engaged if I'd chosen a different law, like driving just over the drink drive limit? Would you find arguments to excuse that?

MaybeItWasMe · 19/09/2025 23:09

loamy · 19/09/2025 20:30

Sarcy not sexy

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Glad you clarified. Was a bit confused re. the sexiness of M&S biscuits…

babyproblems · 19/09/2025 23:12

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 22:22

If you genuinely believe this then don't shop at Tesco.

Or are we all allowed to steal from people we don't much like??

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I don’t shop at Tesco 😁 I do our weekly shop at a supermarket that has really strong values around food quality and staff pay. I swapped supermarkets for good about three years ago because I did not want to support the ‘mainstream’ supermarket brands- because of the food quality erosion and their low cost staffing business models.

afianceeatlast · 19/09/2025 23:13

Nope I wouldn’t

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:13

Mumtobabyhavoc · 19/09/2025 23:07

You're showing yourself to be rigid and only capable of linear thinking. Life is full of nuance snd exceptions.

Show quote history

Life may be full of nuance and exceptions.

The law generally is not, just extenuating circumstances.

I thought people here had more respect for doing the right thing. Apparently stating that we should do the right thing even when it disadvantages us is an outmoded concept that makes me a troll.

DontReinMeIn · 19/09/2025 23:15

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:09

I am serious.

I find it worrying that people here think it's OK to steal because they find a justification in their head.

I give you an example where we would hate any kind of justification and for some reason you want to clutch your pearls ... because SA.

Would you have engaged if I'd chosen a different law, like driving just over the drink drive limit? Would you find arguments to excuse that?

Show quote history

As per PP it’s not theft. The order was cancelled. Tesco delivered unsolicited goods. They cannot then demand payment.

searchinghere · 19/09/2025 23:16

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:13

Life may be full of nuance and exceptions.

The law generally is not, just extenuating circumstances.

I thought people here had more respect for doing the right thing. Apparently stating that we should do the right thing even when it disadvantages us is an outmoded concept that makes me a troll.

Show quote history

There doesn’t seem to be any laws broken though.
OP received unsolicited goods she didn’t want/need. It would be unlawful for Tesco to demand payment for them.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 19/09/2025 23:16

It is not theft as the goods were not taken. The goods were mistakenly given. The onus is on the giver. The loss is the giver's "fault". However, it is a mistake.
The OP could notify the shop to advise of the error, but the OP is not guilty of theft.

warmapplepies · 19/09/2025 23:18

It’s fine 🤣

I once got a random extra crate of food from Morrisons - the driver just told me to keep it as it was more hassle than it was worth to take it back 🤣

allmymonkeys · 19/09/2025 23:18

I would pay them. Email customer services and explain the situation.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 19/09/2025 23:19

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:13

Life may be full of nuance and exceptions.

The law generally is not, just extenuating circumstances.

I thought people here had more respect for doing the right thing. Apparently stating that we should do the right thing even when it disadvantages us is an outmoded concept that makes me a troll.

Show quote history

The law and the right thing are not the same. 🙄

AliceMaforethought · 19/09/2025 23:21

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:13

Life may be full of nuance and exceptions.

The law generally is not, just extenuating circumstances.

I thought people here had more respect for doing the right thing. Apparently stating that we should do the right thing even when it disadvantages us is an outmoded concept that makes me a troll.

Show quote history

It isnt 'doing the right thing'. It is morally neutral, and I don't think the OP should give it another thought.

babyproblems · 19/09/2025 23:23

@CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone i think what the responses on this thread highlight actually is the general sentiment towards Tesco is that (generally) people see them as being greedy / undeserving of their £300 back. But most posters probably still shop there very regularly. Why? Because they don’t have another easy alternative.. well that’s what Tesco have created - little to no competition that’s as convenient to them. They’ve done that by keeping their costs as low as they can and expanding as much as they can. There’s a few big things they have / do in their business model that are dire for the rest of us:

plastic & packaging. Can you imagine the quantities all over the UK in houses and their shops, from products just bought at Tesco?? Why- so they can transport more and more efficiently (cheaper- for them).
pressure on farmers to sell and produc at lower and lower cost. This is having a knock on effect over time of reducing the variety of foods produced by farmers so we, as a population, are eating a less varied diet as time goes on. (Did you know to get the same nutrients from an apple in 1950, today you’d have to eat 10 of them??)
they prioritise food that transports easily and lasts - not the food that actually keeps us all healthy.

The low pay of staff is another reason I think they generally are not really a force for good. It normalizes this and allows other similar businesses to follow suit.
Of course Tesco are not the only ones guilty of the above within their business model.
However I think at the size they are; they could be a lot more responsible and be a better force for good in the industry.
Maybe if these things weren’t so, there would be more people here (customers aswell!) saying the money should be paid back…

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:23

searchinghere · 19/09/2025 23:16

There doesn’t seem to be any laws broken though.
OP received unsolicited goods she didn’t want/need. It would be unlawful for Tesco to demand payment for them.

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If you look back at my previous posts you will see why it falls under the Theft Act.

Tesco could not demand payment for goods the OP didn't want but that doesnt entitle her to retain them.

It's the analogy of someone dropping their wallet (by accident) and you pocketing it without making any attempt to remedy the situation. Once you intend to permanently deprive someone of their property without paying for it then you're in that realm whether its cash or groceries.

Personally I find it amazing that OP doesnt just talk to them. If they charge her it's what she was prepared to pay anyway, if they gift it to her than all is good.

It's just the convoluted reasoning of why "it's only fair" to steal that's done my head in tonight.

Sarnpark · 19/09/2025 23:24

This year in profit, Tesco has made £1.6 billion (after tax)

AliceMaforethought · 19/09/2025 23:25

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:23

If you look back at my previous posts you will see why it falls under the Theft Act.

Tesco could not demand payment for goods the OP didn't want but that doesnt entitle her to retain them.

It's the analogy of someone dropping their wallet (by accident) and you pocketing it without making any attempt to remedy the situation. Once you intend to permanently deprive someone of their property without paying for it then you're in that realm whether its cash or groceries.

Personally I find it amazing that OP doesnt just talk to them. If they charge her it's what she was prepared to pay anyway, if they gift it to her than all is good.

It's just the convoluted reasoning of why "it's only fair" to steal that's done my head in tonight.

Show quote history

Your analogy is nonsensical. How can you compare perishable groceries to a wallet!?

McSteamyorMcdreamy · 19/09/2025 23:26

@CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone

It's NOT stealing!!! It literally isn't! Why are you so hell bent on doubling down on something that hasn't happened?!

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 19/09/2025 23:28

babyproblems · 19/09/2025 23:23

@CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone i think what the responses on this thread highlight actually is the general sentiment towards Tesco is that (generally) people see them as being greedy / undeserving of their £300 back. But most posters probably still shop there very regularly. Why? Because they don’t have another easy alternative.. well that’s what Tesco have created - little to no competition that’s as convenient to them. They’ve done that by keeping their costs as low as they can and expanding as much as they can. There’s a few big things they have / do in their business model that are dire for the rest of us:

plastic & packaging. Can you imagine the quantities all over the UK in houses and their shops, from products just bought at Tesco?? Why- so they can transport more and more efficiently (cheaper- for them).
pressure on farmers to sell and produc at lower and lower cost. This is having a knock on effect over time of reducing the variety of foods produced by farmers so we, as a population, are eating a less varied diet as time goes on. (Did you know to get the same nutrients from an apple in 1950, today you’d have to eat 10 of them??)
they prioritise food that transports easily and lasts - not the food that actually keeps us all healthy.

The low pay of staff is another reason I think they generally are not really a force for good. It normalizes this and allows other similar businesses to follow suit.
Of course Tesco are not the only ones guilty of the above within their business model.
However I think at the size they are; they could be a lot more responsible and be a better force for good in the industry.
Maybe if these things weren’t so, there would be more people here (customers aswell!) saying the money should be paid back…

I agree about Tesco business model.
I avoid them like the plague and would encourage others to do so.

But I still find the concept of "it's ok to steal from people we don't like" to be worrying.

Isn't that the abhorrent thought process that made gay bashing and racism acceptable in the 60s?

Could that thought process, if continued, take us back to those dark times?

afuckinggoat · 19/09/2025 23:30

lifeonmars100 · 19/09/2025 20:58

But you didn't steal it, you did not go into one of their stores and stuff £300 worth of products under your coat and in your pockets and then leg it out of the door. You cancelled it, they did not update their system and the order turned up, there was no intention on your part fo defraud Tesco. Technically it is theft because you have not paid for the things but I would have no qualms abotu keeping the stuff as they should have better processeses . , They are a massive company who made £2.3 billion in profits last financial year, it is not like a small independent business who would be really affected by such a loss.

I'm so sorry to derail the thread with something so unrelated, but my curiosity cannot overcome the peculiarity of the way you have spaced your post, @lifeonmars100
Is your keyboard broken? I must know the answer.