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Original poster

Lifetime ban from Sainsburys after accidentally leaving with wine in buggy

91 replies

TWMumma · 23/02/2014 23:41

I shop in Sainsburys every week both online and in store. Thousands spent every year. I am the classic Mum who buys something from nearly every dept. Last week I was doing a mini shop with DS & DH in double buggy, having to carry items on the hood as you can't push a double maclarens with one hand. I had put two bottles of wine in the bottom so they wouldn't roll off and smash on the floor. I paid at one of the self service check out tills and headed for the door where I was stopped by a undercover security guard. I had totally forgotten to pay for the wine. I was absolutely mortified and asked to pay for it immediately. I was told to wait for the manager who would decide whether to call the police. The security guard told me they weren't going to call the police but issued me with an immediate life time ban. I was stunned. It was an accident. I feel totally enraged but also let down. No common sense was used at all and the manager could not even be bothered to come and speak to me himself. There has got to be a better way for mums with buggys to shop! We are supposed the supermarkets biggest and most valued customers. I am still in shock....

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 23/02/2014 23:42

Shop elsewhere

Write to them

Stop thieving Wink

nancy75 · 23/02/2014 23:43

I worked in retail for many years, an awful lot of mums forgot to pay for stuff they had put in their buggy

Roseformeplease · 23/02/2014 23:43

Write to Head Office. Also, if you haven't left the shop it is not technically theft.

MisForMumNotMaid · 23/02/2014 23:46

A buggy board style trolley basket would help.

I've so nearly done this.

Write or email head office and explain.

Shop elsewhere.

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 23/02/2014 23:47

It's a tough one - what would you do if it was your shop and customers kept forgetting to pay.

That said, I do sympathise with you - and thank god they didn't call the police.

ravenAK · 23/02/2014 23:52

well, firstly, they had you bang to rights, frankly. If you use the buggy as a trolley it's your responsibility to then unload it all at the checkout.

Secondly: they aren't going to be able to enforce a lifetime Sainsbos ban on you, are they?

Just take your custom elsewhere for a bit. Their loss.

CocktailQueen · 23/02/2014 23:53

Fair enough - you can't blame the shop. They must lose thousands every year by people doing this. How are they to know you haven't done the same before?

You could try writing to head office and see what they say.

But you were lucky not to be prosecuted!

PatrickStarisabadbellend · 23/02/2014 23:54

I did something like this over 10 years ago and I was given a lifetime ban.
I still shop in the same place though.

KarenBrockman · 23/02/2014 23:55

I did that the first time I took a pram out, I went back to the shop to pay for the photo album.

Think of it as being lucky they didn't call the police OP.

FoxesRevenge · 24/02/2014 00:25

Sainsburys are supposed to prosecute every shoplifter apparently. They must have relaxed things a bit. You have been very lucky.

Floggingmolly · 24/02/2014 00:29

Wasn't Richard Madeley done for nicking washing powder in the same way? You got away lightly...

Youwillalwaysbemybaby · 24/02/2014 00:31

Someone needs to invent a better solution. It is all very well having a trolley with seats, but what do you do with the buggy?

I used to have one where I could kind of hook a basket on the handle, but that's not possible with many.

cafecito · 24/02/2014 00:42

ocado

cafecito · 24/02/2014 00:46

really don't worry about it, but some people do do this on purpose and for you it was a genuine accident. How are they to differentiate, however? Don't you think everyone who is caught will say what you said?

If it really inconveniences you feeling you can't go back in there, write to them and explain you had no option with the buggy -

I used to hate going into some shops with a pushchair as I would get a security guard shadowing me *I have never so much as stolen a pick n mix sweet and I am not a stereotypical thiefalike - clearly a conception that buggy mum = shoplifter is already very much engrained. It was a horrible feeling actually and I have made a point to never return to the places this happened

Withalittlesparkle · 24/02/2014 00:49

This reply has been deleted

The OP has privacy concerns about this post and so we've agreed to take it down.

cafecito · 24/02/2014 00:52

If your DH was in the buggy

and this is a regular occurrence

you are entitled to the wine

Bearandcub · 24/02/2014 01:10

cafecito Grin

Solo · 24/02/2014 01:21

With these bans, they do state that if you are seen/caught in Sainsbury's that they will, immediately call the police.

I know this because I have a banning letter in my possession. And it's not mine!!!

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 24/02/2014 01:24

Why was your DH in the buggy? He should have been carrying the wine!

Grennie · 24/02/2014 01:33

That sounds very upsetting. Of course from their point of view, they don't know that it was genuinely a mistake.

I would stay away from the shop for a bit, and then go back. The security guard will soon forget about you. And enjoy some of that wine.

HeGrewWhiskersOnHisChin · 24/02/2014 01:50

This is very easily done by mistake, but also a common trick.

I remember once I nearly 'stole' a pair of shoes from River Island. I tried them on and told the girl I wanted to buy them, so she gave me the box and told me to take it to the till! Shock

Obviously, only having 2 hands, I put the box on the hood of the pushchair and carried on shopping.

I was heading for the exit when I remembered I hadn't paid for the shoes. I would have been so embarrassed if I'd been stopped for shoplifting. Confused

I did once take part in a market research about shopping with young children. I mentioned how hard it was to push a buggy and hold a basket ... But this was a few years ago now and it's still just as hard. It's definitely something supermarkets should consider.

Original poster
TWMumma · 24/02/2014 08:38

I totally agree it's a tough one and they obv have to treat everyone in the same way using the terms set out in their policies and procedures. But life isn't black and white and human error does occur. My main issue is the lack of judgment and common sense used. The SG clearly didn't think I was intentionally trying to steal otherwise he would have called the police and the manager obv didn't think I was a threat otherwise he/ she would have bothered to come down and eye ball me.

I asked for them to review the CCTV footage so they could clearly see that it was an accident but that was way too much of a lengthy process they couldn't be bothered with there and then. I asked for them to follow this ups he contact me but have heard nothing.

I would happily shop elsewhere and will not doubt have to now. It's just the level of inconvenience as Sains it by far the biggest supermarket where I live, in fact there are 2 here!!

OP posts:
Original poster
TWMumma · 24/02/2014 08:39

DH was a typo. That would have definitely warranted a call to the police if he was at in the buggy at the time!

OP posts:
Original poster
TWMumma · 24/02/2014 08:41

There has got to be a a brilliant product designer out there who can design a basket that mums can use in conj with a buggy?!

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 24/02/2014 08:43

And dads could use it too