If, for a totally random example, one purchased several items from a certain popular DIY store and the lass at the till completely forgot to scan one item through, and then walk out of the store with no problem (having already gone through the tills) would I be justified in feeling very smug about it? Particularly if the said item happened to be rather pricey?

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Answers

Difficult one that bobster....but I do remember feeling rather smug on saturday when I found out i'd only been charged for 2 orange juices instead of 3 at a shopping centre cafe...

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

I bought two books of stamps at lunchtime then found I'd been given three!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

It's all coming out now! Call the police!

Except for me, since I've only given a hypothetical question...

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

It's theft Bobby, you should go back and pay for the item in question.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Hark at the shopowner!!!..
Possession is nine tenths of the law , Leg it mate...

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Aye, you'd go back if you were shortchanged and kick up a hell of a fuss.

Go on Bobby do the decent thing!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

As I said, I've done nowt.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

and ye shall be burnin in hell for yer trespasses lad...burn in hell I say!!!!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

"Be ye all warned, for verily I say unto you, your sins will find you out".

.................of course, if you (hypothetically) hadn't looked at the receipt...........

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

If it went through the till but you weren't charged, the cost will probably be passed on to the checkout girl. If it was pricey, that could be quite a lump out of her weekly, or even several weeklies.

If it was effectively as if you'd shoplifted it, I think I'd be inclined to count me blessings, otherwise give the poor lass the benefit of the doubt.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

And naturally, it's the hypothetical 'you' in all of the above, not wanting to cast nasturtiums on your character Bobby. :-))

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Continuing the hypos, how could it be theft or shoplifting if the item was presented for payment and simply not charged to the bill?

Perhaps our resident legal budgie eagle can explain?

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

If it was a Corporate monster such as B & Q or Homebase keep walking, if it was an independently run small business go back and confess. It's alright to conveniently forget to pay if the only people getting hurt are the fat cat directors of some global conglomerate (which I think you'll agree is a great word to introduce to the argument).

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

If it's a shop that scans bar codes then the item hasn't been scanned so they don't know its not there until they do a full stock check. The till operator won't be found out.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001