If you ACCIDENTALLY left a store with something you had not paid for; Would you?

Question

A) Return and pay for what you had left with & why
B) Keep it & Why
C) Be at odds with yourself & why

I have ACCIDENTALLY left a couple of stores in my area with merchandise (TOTALLY UNINTENTIONAL) and I want to see how many people acted as I did. (Points to the most reasonable answer.)

Answer 1

Assuming you had intended to purchase the item, I would return and pay for it. Its not mine to take, whether intentional or not. There is no grey area.

If the cashier accidentally places an item that you had not intended to purchase (this happens a lot in grocery stores and discount dept stores), return the item to the coutesy desk next time you are there.

Shopping never should be seen as a lottery in which you are rewarded for a mistake. Even if the clerk made a mistake, or was rude to you, this does not change the fact you did not pay for an item.

To keep something once you realize the mistake, you have committed theft. Period.

Answer 2

I´ve lived that experience.
Once in Flagger street in Miami I was in a hurry . I thought on buying an underwear, I entered a store, took an underwear I had in in my hand, it was a very small thing. Suddenly completely unintentional I was out of the store. I had walked about 20 meters on the sidewalk when suddenly I realized I had the merchandise in my hand.
Immediately bewildered, I turned around and went back to the store as I got in, I even told the guard that I had not paid the merchandise and before he could answer I was in the cash register paying the $5.00 I owed.
All was OK.
Honesty is the best decision.

Answer 3

A,B & C) My daughter, she was 17 months old at the time, took part of the store decorations once. It was a small plastic pumpkin. She put it in a bag and I didn't know about it until we got home. I didn't take it back because the next day was Halloween and I figured they probably were not going to need or miss it but I still feel guilt over it!! It is not merchandise but it is also not stuff for people to just take, I also know they don't reuse the same decorations so it was also basically trash, weird item to determine what to do. Maybe I will take it back to them next Halloween! And my picture is on here so I am so going to be arrested now!!! Now that I am talking about it I guess I will take it back to them.
One time my son ate candy in the grocery store and he had finished it before we left, I forgot to pay for it and didn't realize for days, I paid for it the next time we went grocery shopping though.

Answer 4

I think I did not pay for my candy I bought- I found it not in the bag, but in my cart. It was sooo cold that I did not walk back in. I felt bad, yet lucky, but I would have paid for it if I had known I hadn't in the store. The coldness had something to do with my decision. I remember it, so yeah I feel a little bad, but it was not a lot of money and I told my students when they were stealing stuff on purpose how different it was than on accident. I told them that what I did was not right, but that I did not do it on purpose. Anyway, I guess I get a thumbs down probably for this answer. But at least it is being honest.

Answer 5

Obviously you've identified the fact that you've removed items from the store without paying as a problem, so, your only choice is to return the items to the store and pay for them. Simply explain to the manager that you believe you've inadvertantly walked out with the items ("I had several bags in my hands and didn't see this thing I was carrying" or "I'm not quite sure how this happened but...) then hand over your debit card and pay up. Then, make a point to check your arms, purse or whatever you are carrying every time you leave a store to make sure you aren't "unintentionally" carrying something out. You'll sleep better.

Answer 6

C) Be at odds with myself. I would feel extremly guilty and if it was a store where I knew the employees/owner and was comfortable I would probably go back in and explain and pay for the item. If it was a big box store and I didn't know anyone I would be scared of being accused of stealing and have a scene caused and feel even worse so I'd probably find a way to sneak the item back to the store or something.

Answer 7

I once left the grocery store with a case of drinks on the bottom shelf of the cart.I went through the check out without even noticing the drinks.And the clerk didn't notice them either.
When I got to my car,I realized this mistake and returned to the store to pay for them.I went to the same clerk and she got a big laugh from it.She said most people would have kept going,including her..It made me feel good!!! Doing what is right,is good for the soul....Plus it keeps the quilt away...

Answer 8

I got home with 3 pair of shoes, realized I had only paid for 2 pair. I called the store, told them what happened but I was unable to make it back that day, so I went back the next day to pay, the manager looked at me like I had a hole in my head, but he gave me an extra 30% off (the shoes were already 50% off) for coming back in to pay. He said that he had never had someone come back in to pay. I told him if I had worn the shoes, knowing I hadn't paid for them, I'd probably fall down and break my leg.
I also went back into a craft store to pay for a 99 cent rubber stamp when I noticed it was in the bag but not on the receipt.

You have to look at the big picture, and imagine how you would want to be treated if you were the business owner.

Answer 9

i have done the same thing but i return the item it was totally by accident that i left the store with the item by takeing the items back you mistakenly walk away with shows you are an honest person especially if the store never missed it. i could not sleep at night keeping any thing i did not pay for

Answer 10

I am not a religious man so what I do in that situation, that happens occasionally to me, is this. I go out side and say " god if you want me to return this to the store then make it rain before me" then I wait a minute. I f it doesn't rain I keep it cause that's what god wants. PS you cant try it if its already raining.

If it makes you feel better I once bought a 55inch TV, they brought it to my truck then brought out another because the checkout girl rang me up for two. I didn't realized the receipt had two charges at first cause I just swiped my Credit card. I walked back in and got my money back for one of the TVs but i drove home with both. They never said anything to me and it never rained after I did the God test so I put one in the living room and one in the basement game room.