Do people have no shame any more?

[tachetastic]

I don't know if the worst part of this story is the fact that its theft or the fact people don't care.

I was in Tesco this morning buying eggs (the normal type, not chocolate) and a couple were standing by the egg display swapping the eggs from two half-dozen boxes of the fancy premium brand eggs into a box for 12 Tesco own-brand eggs. They weren't even being subtle about it. He was just standing there holding the boxes while she swapped the eggs over. He then double checked that the designer eggs she had put in the Tesco box were all unbroken, and then they put the expensive box containing the cheap eggs back on the shelf and put the cheap box with the expensive eggs in their trolley, and off they went.

During all of this I and three other customers were just standing openly watching them and casting glances at each other.

The difference in price was probably about 50p per box, so about a quid in total. But is that the point? Are the eggs so much better that it's worth a heist, or are people just so pissed off with the CoL crisis that anything they can do to feel that they are getting something for nothing is worth while?

The couple so clearly didn't care that I couldn't see the point in telling them it was theft, but when they left I moved the two boxes containing the cheap eggs to one side and left them open, so nobody would pick them up not realising they weren't the fancy eggs.

AIBU, this is fine and large supermarkets have it coming?

or AINBU, this is still theft and cheeky fuckery of the highest order?

And more interestingly, what cheeky fuckers have you seen lately who could beat this?

Ha, some of us have done just that. Nothing gets done.

Interesting one, OP.

I would never report someone for stealing basic foods - I work with too many families who have to take it in turns to skip a meal..... You never know if someone is shop lifting out of sheer desperation.

However, in this case the couple could clearly afford eggs, they just preferred the fancy-schmancy ones.

Still doubt I would report it myself - I just wouldn't feel strongly enough about it to risk the possible fall out - but I wouldn't judge someone who did, either.

Do you really imagine the court staff would have nipped out to get a bag of shopping for him?

"scum" is a very harsh word. If you feel so strongly about people committing such a minor theft, what on earth would you do people who actually steal items/amounts of any significance - tax evaders for example? Bring back the death penalty?

No, but it would make a nice ending to the story, wouldn't it?

You're privelaged. Rule of law is colonialism and from the patriarchy. Capitalism is bad. ✊

Stealing is still wrong though. If they get caught and want to spin a sob story then that’s up to them.

Who is?

Purely thinking from the supermarket's pov - and I'm not saying that it's right or fair in any way - but the family clearly did spend a lot and probably do so every week. Plus they also have a position of power: claim to be respectable members of the community, threaten to go to the local paper, tell all of their associates and be all over social media to expose the shop for 'falsely' accusing them of theft etc.

In stark contrast, the homeless man probably comes in to nick stuff all the time without ever spending any money, might put off other customers if he's dishevelled and stinky, and won't come across as respectable or an upright citizen whatsoever. Moreover there's only one of him and, if he lives out on the streets, sporadic diet (and may be an alcoholic and/or junkie), he's physically highly unlikely to be able to put up much of a fight. To be blunt - and not excusing theft - he's very low-hanging fruit for their security guards.

So they should be allowed the posh eggs?

Then who gets the cheap eggs in your ideal world? Or are there no cheap eggs because all eggs are created equal?

Food should be free for all. 👊

I swear so many people have totally lost the plot since lockdown. Just feels like law and order is in the bin at the moment.

I bought some nutella, got home and there was a hole in the foil wrap and a finger sized hole in the spread 😬

Please tell me you didn't eat any.

Oh that's vile🤮

Okay so you are on the wind up. Got it.

Do you work? Do you get paid?

I am sure you can go completely off grid if the idea of capitalism is so offensive 😂

Well I guess that works for berries and nuts but I'm not sure the Burford Brown eggs they were snaffling (or whatever they were) were free for anyone.

People swap spouses and you clutch pearls over eggs. It's cringe.

It's the fact that they are fine with someone else unwittingly paying the higher price for the cheap eggs which is so selfish.
The supermarket isn't actually losing out on anything, it's the person who buys the other box of eggs. I know it's just eggs but that attitude is so selfish and entitled.

They probably have to err very much on the safe side - even to the point of paranoia. Yes, these people were thieving scum, but I doubt they were damaging or endangering any of the eggs that were still there after they left.

A bit like if somebody changes their mind about buying butter and then just abandons it in the middle of the crisps, shop rules will dictate that it has to be thrown away if found by a member of staff, as it could have been out of the fridge for ages and/or deliberately interfered with... BUT if you as a fellow customer saw them take it and then, one minute later, put it straight down on the other shelf in favour of a multi-pack of Monster Munch, you could safely return it to the right place in the fridge, if you were so-minded.

except all the amazon fresh shops have closed because the technology isnt working

Perhaps the shops will move to a model where the only items on the shelves are empty display models and you take a ticket that you present at check out. They could even pre-load the checkout areas when you take a ticket

I know of a couple who own multiple properties and have got money coming out of their ears, holidays every month kind of thing, who swap the eggs in the small box for those in the large box and put the small box through at the check out. You're right, OP, absolutely shameless.

Are you okay? What have relationships got to do with it.

Thank you I was looking forward to visiting one, next time I was in London. I’m NE England so only read about it online! @BorneBackCeaselesslyIntoThePas

I WOULD report spouse swapping in Tesco. I do have limits.

Especially if they've been left out of the fridge too long.

🙄