is this shoplifting?

[Anonymous]

If you pay for it, it's not shoplifting. If you eat it but don't pay for it, it's shoplifting. That said, in this case it was clearly a mistake, and Safeway's handling of the situation was absolutely atrocious.

[Anonymous]

They were new in town, I guess they didn't have anybody to call to come and get the child.

[Anonymous]

Is this like driving while black of flying while muslim?

[Anonymous]

I think I would call it an "accident" rather than shoplifting -- assuming everything we have been told is true. Walking out with an item that you intended to purchase, but forgot to, is simply not shoplifting, and I would hope that any staff or security guards dealing with these types of situations would have some ability to make a reasonable assessment. You have to purposely be trying to steal an item for me to consider it shoplifting. Regarding whether it's okay to eat while you shop, I feel that the culture around this behavior has changed dramatically in the past decade or two. I remember as a child that no one would ever just open up packages and start eating in the grocery store. However, now a days most supermarkets offer not just tiny samples, but enough food to practically constitute dinner. Many also offer tons of ready made food and blur the line into a restaurant. Places like Whole Foods encourages you to open packages, have some, and enjoy the shopping experience. All that to say that I would feel completely comfortable eating a pre-made sandwich while shopping. And yes, I myself have been in situations where I came very close to forgetting to pay for a particular item, so I have great sympathy for this family. Shopping with three cranky kids in a brand new store could be just the recipe to have an honest accident.

[Anonymous]

I eat food all the time before I pay for it, but I always pay for it. I don't consider that shoplifting unless and until I leave the store without paying for it. Hell, if the line is long I want to start grazing. i.e., if I am at Subway I eat the chips before it is my turn to pay.

[Anonymous]

If you eat it before your pay for it you have committed a crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Whole Foods with my 5 year old this afternoon. On our way to the store, he polished off an entire bag of pretzels. My goal was to take him in with a full tummy. In the store, he asked for a poppy seed bagel and milk (one of those Horizon boxes) and I let him eat and drink as we shopped because it made the shopping "experience" much easier. I told the cashier (she scanned his milk) and she could also see him chowing on the bagel and all was good.

So, no, I don't think it's shoplifting.

You sound like a piece of work. As long as it makes it easier for you, no problem making the cashier scan a dirty milk box and have to remember to check your kids mouth for anything else. Never mind the crumbs and spilled milk in the aisles. Selfish people never stop to think what would happen if everyone acted like they do. Like you said, it made the experience much easier...for you. Maybe you should teach your kid restraint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I eat food all the time before I pay for it, but I always pay for it. I don't consider that shoplifting unless and until I leave the store without paying for it. Hell, if the line is long I want to start grazing. i.e., if I am at Subway I eat the chips before it is my turn to pay.

Grazing...yep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I would call it an "accident" rather than shoplifting -- assuming everything we have been told is true. Walking out with an item that you intended to purchase, but forgot to, is simply not shoplifting, and I would hope that any staff or security guards dealing with these types of situations would have some ability to make a reasonable assessment. You have to purposely be trying to steal an item for me to consider it shoplifting. Regarding whether it's okay to eat while you shop, I feel that the culture around this behavior has changed dramatically in the past decade or two. I remember as a child that no one would ever just open up packages and start eating in the grocery store. However, now a days most supermarkets offer not just tiny samples, but enough food to practically constitute dinner. Many also offer tons of ready made food and blur the line into a restaurant. Places like Whole Foods encourages you to open packages, have some, and enjoy the shopping experience. All that to say that I would feel completely comfortable eating a pre-made sandwich while shopping. And yes, I myself have been in situations where I came very close to forgetting to pay for a particular item, so I have great sympathy for this family. Shopping with three cranky kids in a brand new store could be just the recipe to have an honest accident.

Like most crimes, it all depends on how you look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you eat it before your pay for it you have committed a crime.

show me a source for that if you don't mind. I don't see how that could possibly be true. You have not left the premises yet, so how could that possibly be shoplifting? You always have the chance to pay on the way out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Whole Foods with my 5 year old this afternoon. On our way to the store, he polished off an entire bag of pretzels. My goal was to take him in with a full tummy. In the store, he asked for a poppy seed bagel and milk (one of those Horizon boxes) and I let him eat and drink as we shopped because it made the shopping "experience" much easier. I told the cashier (she scanned his milk) and she could also see him chowing on the bagel and all was good.

So, no, I don't think it's shoplifting.

You sound like a piece of work. As long as it makes it easier for you, no problem making the cashier scan a dirty milk box and have to remember to check your kids mouth for anything else. Never mind the crumbs and spilled milk in the aisles. Selfish people never stop to think what would happen if everyone acted like they do. Like you said, it made the experience much easier...for you. Maybe you should teach your kid restraint.

PP you are a moron. Kids do this all the time and you pay on the way out. who cares?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Feed your damn kids before you shop! Then you won't have this problem.

Perhaps you should have paid better attention to the article. It was the parents who ate the sandwiches. If you brushed up your reading comprehension, you wouldn't have this problem.

[Anonymous]

yes. absolutely yes, that is stealing. there is no grey area here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you eat it before your pay for it you have committed a crime.

Really? Do you not eat at restaurants either before you pay? I have asked clerks at my local Safeway if i could open a package for my kids before paying and there was no problem. But of course we have always paid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes. absolutely yes, that is stealing. there is no grey area here.

Blah blah blah. Now go back to your miserable life.