[survey77777]

If you saw someone steal something at Walmart or somewhere similar?

If you got home and realized that you had unintentionally stolen something from the same store?

[momoftwins]

In a huge store like Walmart or something, I probably wouldn't do much but give the person some dirty looks. Ideally, I would want to find a manager, but by the time that would happen in a store that big, the person would probably be long gone. If it was a smaller store though, I would probably alert a manager. I'm certainly not going to put myself in any danger though.

I have actually gotten home and realized I didn't get charged for something (as in unintentionally, possibly on both my part and the cashier). I know the right thing to do is to go back and pay, but when it's for something small like deodorant or toothpaste, I just don't bother! Shame on me. I figure we should break even considering how many times I've caught stores not charging me the sale price!

However, if my kids were with me and one of them had something as small as even a sticker and walked out with it....I'd haul em back in to pay. That one I'm a stickler for.

[MrsLMB]

When I worked at walmart not even the associates were allowed to confront a shoplifter, it had to be a manager and they usually had to wait until the person was outside the building to prove that they were actually shoplifting. So no, I wouldn't do anything.

My answer to the second question is no. I would feel guilty but people make mistakes on both ends. While I know it adds up, Walmart is prepared for these types of losses and I really have never seen it happen in my lifetime. It is pretty difficult to do, those cashiers are pretty thorough.

[speechteach42]

If it was something small I probably wouldn't say anything bc by the time I found a manager with a kid in tow the person would probably be long gone. If it was something big maybe I would try, but again I'm sure the person would be long gone by the time I could tell a manager. I have never accidentally stolen something major from a store. I stole a lemon from the grocery store a few months ago, and I've stolen a deoderant from Walmart before. I confess I didn't go back bc they were small things and I figure it makes up for all the times they've shorted me change or missed a coupon. If Ellie was old enough to know and saw what happened I probably would go back and pay so she won't grow up to be a criminal.

[survey77777]

I guess it is pretty unlikely that you could find an appropriate person to report to in a Walmart. I should have thought that out more. I remember once I was in a similar type store before the time of Walmarts and there was some woman crouched down behind a display who told me she was watching shoplifters. She may have been, or she could also have been a total whackadoo.

I have accidentally stolen a few times. I agree with what Betsy said that I have to figure it works out with all the times I get home and realize I was overcharged or they forgot to put something in the bag at a drive thru etc. I couldn't tell for sure but I think they may have missed charging us for a bag of sweet potatoes at Costco the other day and that is the one place I've never noticed a billing error on either side. I do however confess every time if I notice they forgot to charge me while I'm in line or give me too much change and then always have a small tinge of regret that I can't just let it slide. Growing up in a small business family I can't do it.

[momoftwins]

Originally Posted by MrsLMB

When I worked at walmart not even the associates were allowed to confront a shoplifter, it had to be a manager and they usually had to wait until the person was outside the building to prove that they were actually shoplifting. So no, I wouldn't do anything.

My answer to the second question is no. I would feel guilty but people make mistakes on both ends. While I know it adds up, Walmart is prepared for these types of losses and I really have never seen it happen in my lifetime. It is pretty difficult to do, those cashiers are pretty thorough.

When I worked in retail (MUCH smaller store) we weren't allowed to confront anyone whatsoever (managers included), even if we flat out saw them pocket something or even run out of the store with it. There were multiple times I knowingly took counterfeit bills because I wasn't allowed to get involved. We just called the cops as soon as they left and they usually got caught anyways. They were all about employee safety.