Stopped by Loss Prevention When I Did Nothing Wrong
My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: MO
Hello,
I was confronted by a LPO in the aisle of a grocery store today. I had my toddler neice with me at the time and she was getting hungry and cranky, so I broke off a piece of one of the donuts we were buying from the bakery and gave it to her to tide her over. She ate that piece and I broke off another small chunk but she didn't want it, so I popped it in my mouth. Anyhow, 95% of the donut remained (along with the 5 others) and we were just about to the check out when an LPO stopped us and said 'Stop eating the donut!'. I kind of stared at him--thinking he was just a weirdo shopper offended for some reason--for a minute and then said 'Sir, we're going to pay for everything' and continued toward the checkout. Then he stood behind me and watched us check out, when I rang up the 6 donuts, he went to the cashier and asked how many I paid for and I realized he was LPO, not just an ornery customer. Anyhow, I was incredibly shaken and humiliated but left the store without being further harassed. My question is: will they check the receipt for my credit card info and get my address and come to arrest me, or send me a summons for court in the mail??
Re: Stopped for Shoplifting When I Did Nothing Wrong
While "lots of people do it" and grocery stores often turn a blind eye to parents who let their kids snack on something not yet purchased, until you purchase the food it's actually not your food to eat.
Re: Stopped for Shoplifting When I Did Nothing Wrong
From now on....if you need to feed a child in the store, purchase the item first then keep the receipt with you.
Years ago, I worked at a supermarket. A woman came up to me with an open bag of chips and said they were stale. Nice considering her kid had a whole handful. If someone did this now - I'd be calling LP.
Re: Stopped for Shoplifting When I Did Nothing Wrong
Thanks...I honestly didn't even think about it...it just seemed so reflexive (my mom did it with me when I was younger, I see other parents do it all the time, etc etc), especially since it wasn't a 'pay by weight' item and there was no way that the entire thing would have been consumed before we checked out...but you're right, it was not yet ours to consume. Regardless, since I didn't give any identifying info (and paid for everything as intended!), is there any likelihood of them using transaction records to locate my cc # and hunt me down or put my info out on some list/database? (I sound paranoid, I know...it was just such a truly bizarre and unnerving experience!)
Re: Stopped by Loss Prevention When I Did Nothing Wrong
So you only stole 5% of a doughnut. You should be ashamed.
Re: Stopped by Loss Prevention When I Did Nothing Wrong
Thanks, everyone! My overly-paranoid (embarassingly so!) mind is at ease.
Re: Stopped by Loss Prevention When I Did Nothing Wrong
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susuolsen
Thanks, everyone! My overly-paranoid (embarassingly so!) mind is at ease.
Many grocery stores give away cookies to kids in the bakery section. My kids get ones with cute little icing faces every time we shop, gratis. Deli samples are also a nice way to get a legal and free snack, especially if you are actually buying deli items... If you can afford it, shopping in these kind of places makes for an easier experience.
Re: Stopped by Loss Prevention When I Did Nothing Wrong
Quote:
Quoting
susuolsen
Thanks...I honestly didn't even think about it...it just seemed so reflexive (my mom did it with me when I was younger, I see other parents do it all the time, etc etc), especially since it wasn't a 'pay by weight' item and there was no way that the entire thing would have been consumed before we checked out...
My mom did it as well. I understand the concept, but I think it's of a different time.
Nothing is going to come of it.