Shoplifting mums!

[nellypope]

I have a 11 week old baby and find it difficult to carry a shopping basket as well as push my buggy around my local Budgens. I have a very convienient compartment below the main seat and was wondering if i could use it as a shopping basket to transport my comestables to the checkout...... or do i face a shoplifting charge when caught loading my items in the isles? I have never stolen so much as a pick and mix before and would be horrified if i was acused.
Merry christmas eveyone and thanks in advance for the ace advice.

[Postdog]

In the past, I have stuffed beer packs in my post bag to carry until the checkout with no problem.

Seriously, theft is only theft if you intend not to pay. Get out without paying and they will do you.

[R1Geezer]

perfectly ok! In fact for a laugh if you stuff things ino your pockets too and look all suspicious then the staff will follow you round and then get really wound up when you get them all out at the checkout to pay. All the time real shoplifters will be having a field day. There's nothing they can do unless you actually leave the store without paying.

[ChuckFickens]

you can stuff your pockets full of stuff while your walking around the shop if you want. until you actually leave or attempt to leave you have not commited an offence, if they did stop you in the shop they would have to prove you intended to leave without paying, which would be impossible.

It will probably attract the attention of store detectives and you may get stopped as you leave, but as long as you've paid for everything there would be nothing they can do.

[cherrychapstick]

no you can't be done for shop lifting until you exit the shop without paying for your goods ,you may get some suspicious looks but don't let it bother you ,if it is your local supermarket then if you do this everytime they will get used to you ,just remember when taking basket out to check the compartment incase anything had accidentally fell out

hope you had a nice christmas and all the best for 2010

[Mamyalynne]

Before a lot of the supermarkets had enough baskets to go round, I would fill my shopping bag and the empty it at the till and shake iit upside down, never any bother.

[factor-fiction]

I am not convinced by the answers so far. I think it would be unwise to put items in your pocket before going to the till. Regarding nellypope's question, I suggest asking your local Budgen's shop whether this is okay before you try it.

[B00]

I work in a Co op and loads of mums (and sometimes dads too) do this, I see nothing wring with it.

[sara3]

true, you haven't committed an offence until you try to leave the premises but it sounds like you're trying to behave in a suspicious manner, particularly with your choice of header.

[tamborine]

You cant be accused of theft till you have left the store with goods - carry them wherever but get a receipt before you exit.

[cherrychapstick]

i actually challenged someone who had put something in his jacket he was known to us and tried to keep us talking so we weren't suspicious ,although he had been seen by myself and i knew what he had took i told him to go and put it back or pay for it ,he did put it back a few days later my manager said that i shouldnt have said anything to him whilst in the shop i should have let him leave then do something that is how i know you cannot be done for it untill you leave the shop

[rachael88]

i work in a shop and you are not a shoplifter unless you leave the shop if they pull you when you are in the shop they are in the wrong

[cherrychapstick]

yes i know i was in the wrong ,he was known to us though but he could have got me done with harassment so i was lucky

[rachael88]

o dear u were lucky

[cherrychapstick]

yep i was but done now and learnt something new ,need to make mistakes to be able to learn i suppose,best of it is ive been in retail since i was 19 but it was one thing i was never taught nearly learnt the hard way im 34 now

[rachael88]

well they say you learn from mistakes no matter how old you are or how wise

[bushbaby_de]

do they not have the special trolleys with the baby seat in it? then you could leave the buggy in the car and avoid the problem

[Mamyalynne]

Not evryone drives I never did so was a coach built pram or a buggy

[bednobs]

i walk with 2 rutches so can't manage a basket. I regularly put things in my handbag strapped accross me and then get them out to pay and have never encountered a problem

[leandrews]

So long as you don't try to leave the store without paying for it, it's OK.

[socket2008]

I saw someone in Tesco once walking around drinking a coke. We saw them later at the checkout putting through the empty bottle through to be scanned.