Five finger discounts - My recent experiences

JayM on 03/07/2014 - 15:06
Last edited 05/07/2014 - 08:28

Was in Woolies today and an older gentleman (~70?) in a large brown jacket was in the chocolate aisle standing next to the $1 chocolate bars. My spidey senses were tingling and I decided to keep an eye on him, pretending to examine how unhealthy for me each choccy bar was. He grabbed about 5 large Picnic bars then whilst there were a few people around continued to stuff said Picnics into the top pocket of his jacket. He also grabbed some Cherry Ripes and put them into his "shopping bags" all whilst I was watching, hoping to deter him. I hate stealing as I once did it when I was 15 and realised the error of my ways and how it impacts businesses.

Decided to tell the first staff member I saw whilst waiting at the checkout who i thought would then tell a manager or someone. As i was scanning my own chocolates I kept an eye on what the person who i told was doing. They didn't do anything. Just kept walking around the main counter having a joke with another staff member then started "guarding" the self-service checkouts. I guess there's not a huge amount they can do?

It happened previously about 2 months ago but in Coles. I was also in the chocolate aisle and saw a middle aged couple lean over and grab a hand full of chocolates. As with the older guy above i had my suspicions. I finished buying my own chocolates and walked to the self-service checkout bays only to find said couple already there and none of the chocolates they had picked up were anywhere to be seen, only some fruit and bags of things (that are not easily concealable in a jacket for instance). I told the self-service checkout guard but by that time the couple had already left the shop and I was told they can't do anything once the person has left the premises.

If you're wondering why I hang around chocolate aisles a lot it's because I run a social club at work :).

General Discussion

Comments

  • Freakycat on 04/07/2014 - 19:53

    Not worth steal about $5 of chocolate and got send to jail/pay heavy fine. One of the shops in my area only sells a chocolate block for $0.5 and $1 for Lindt choc blocks. Why they need to take the risk? They should just pay for it when it is discounted like 1/2 price.

  • ankor on 04/07/2014 - 20:22

    You should get other members of the social club to patrol the chocolate aisles.

    • JayM on 04/07/2014 - 21:04

      I'm the only one doing the social club but i had my own stealing issue when I had drinks. Every weekend i'd lose about 6-8 drinks through people stealing them. Pissed me off to no end.

  • Tihocan on 04/07/2014 - 22:03

    When my wife was a cashier she busted someone trying to steal $90 of meat, hidden under some other bags.
    It's just amazing what some people will try to get away with.

  • Cheap Rich Guy on 04/07/2014 - 22:21
    +7

    If we had proper punishments and deterrents for these crimes, like in Singapore where you would receive several lashes with the rattan on the backside for shoplifting, the number of people offending would fall dramatically.
    The offenders are fully aware of the slap on the wrist punishment they will receive, even if they are caught.

    • dbrent12 on 05/07/2014 - 19:21
      +5

      Ooh kinky

  • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2014 - 22:58

    I saw a woman steal a rockmelon once. It was bizarre to witness and took me a few minutes to realise that she was actually stealing it. Just seemed such a weird thing to steal!

    She paid for her other fruit and vege and then as she was walking away from the fruit shop she just helped herself to it. It is possible that she pre-paid it, but highly unlikely given the way she did it and lack of proper bag for it.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2014 - 23:21
    +2

    Shrinkage is such a b*tch if you're in retail. If everyone in the world did retail, there would be no stealing. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

    Smartest thing I've seen is someone putting a lot of expensive items into a hair colouring box (because they always seem empty and excessively large). Then buy the hair colouring ie. $15 with $100+ worth of stuff inside.

  • Phoenixsun6 on 04/07/2014 - 23:35
    +19

    I went through a pretty dark period of shoplifting a few years ago, I had separated from the mother of my children and was struggling financially. I was trying to work things out with this girl to get the family back together by proving that I had changed for the better and that I could provide for us.
    What a lie that was… Every week for about 6 weeks straight I used the same strategy at the same woollies store. I would grab 6-7 of those green shopping bags from the boot of my car, and look for a fairly long discarded woollies receipt in the car park before I headed in. Walking through the isles I would start casually filling up the bags with the groceries I needed that week. When I was finished I would grab the receipt that I had found in the car park and leave it hanging out of one of the bags strategically placed so that anyone or any staff member would quickly see the receipt and not suspect anything.

    As this particular store was directly joined to woolies liquor it allowed me to walk straight in and casually walk around for a while as I picked out something to drink (I saw buying the grog as a way to not raise suspicion as walking into the liquor and walking out with nothing may trigger something). Once I had picked something I walked up to the counter placing the trolley (and the receipt) in the best place possible for the person serving me to see. This worked perfectly until the last two times I did it.

    The second last time a security guard followed me all the way out to my car. Stupidly I tried it one more time.. The last time I did it I got to the liquor store but this time I could see the person at the counter was slightly on edge, so I decided to test the water and started asking them a few questions about beer specials etc. I could tell something wasn't right so I delayed a bit longer, the person at the counter got on the phone and a few mins later, a man who I could only assume was the store manager showed up. At that stage I was really panicked and started asking him a few questions as well. I knew that if I had of walked out that exit I would have been in big trouble, so instead I walked straight up to the nearest checkout and paid for all of the stuff in the trolley.

    I felt like scum for what I did and still do to this very day. I hadn't ever shoplifted before then and I haven't done it since, I have never told a single soul about it. I guess you could say I was lucky I never got caught but a lot of the time I feel like it would have been better if I had been caught, you know.. Do the crime, do the time

    • Tal_Shiar on 05/07/2014 - 00:45
      +2

      Having a close call stopped me from shop lifting too, though I was a kid and probably rebelling for attention at the age I shoplifted at

    • JayM on 05/07/2014 - 08:43
      +6

      Very interesting story, thanks for sharing. I've noticed there are many reasons for why people steal.

      Like yours above to show to someone that you can provide for a family.

      The adrenaline rush of the situation. I remember the thrill of stealing. Keeping an eye out for people etc.

      For snacks that they can't afford

      To 'stick' it to authorities and show that they can't be caught or that they can get away with it.

      Self service checkouts have made it easier to steal too.

      I think people do need to be caught and then suffer the consequences otherwise who knows what will happen. I was caught whilst stealing chocolates, i was about 1 week away from starting on the more expensive and harder things like books or smaller electronic products.

      If people are allowed to get away with the small things then what are they going to attempt next? Old or young.

      • cloudy on 06/07/2014 - 10:22
        +2

        I completely agreed with you JayM. I had a friend who moved from small things to DVDs and games, but once eventually got caught, had his photo taken to be put on a wall of shame he is now a completely different person for the better.

        The sooner small theives are caught and slapped on the wrist the better for the community in the long run. And generally it starts with the supermarket. I think we should all give a damn about petty theives, and well done JayM for doing what u did, even though it didnt result in much.

      • HN Professional on 10/07/2014 - 19:57

        I wish all serial killers were caught at the stage of setting fires/harming small animals.

    • pitufon on 07/07/2014 - 20:08

      I wonder how many people will try this now.

  • fomal on 04/07/2014 - 23:37

    One of my mates work in Coles, and it is complicated to stop a customer to do a check on him/herself.

    Basicly if the customer refused to be checked by the guards, the guards need to contact local police to do the check.

    If the customer said that he had an urgent matter and could not come until the police come, you can't really do much to stop the customer to leave the store…

  • pointblank on 05/07/2014 - 00:03
    +6

    Went to Woolies in Brisbane CBD once and after walking out of the self serve area a large guy stopped me and said, "Excuse me sir, I'm from Woolworths loss and reclamation , do you mind accompanying me back into the store so we can discuss an incident"
    I shat myself and started feeling my pockets for something I might have taken. I said, "sure." But just at that another man called him over. The other dude had just stopped a lady from leaving through the entrance gate. The guy talking to me just muttered something to himself then walked off with the lady and the other staff member. I just stood there for about 10 seconds until I realised he wasn't coming back. Thought it was rude of him to not at least say sorry.

    • Cheeper on 05/07/2014 - 12:16
      +11

      Most security staff are on an ego high… they must think they are some junior james bond or the like LOL
      They have a job to do but there is no need for their rude & ignorant attitude.

      Airport security staff are usually the worst.. total pigs some of them.

  • Mumbles on 05/07/2014 - 07:33
    +7

    It bugs me that the employees are repeatedly failing to prevent this older gentleman from stealing. It bugs me heaps because I usually get stopped and asked to open my back pack. I live within walking distance to all the supermarkets so I walk for exercise wearing tracksuit and a back pack. Seems silly that they prefer to stop the honest shoppers but miss the thieves.

    • Cheeper on 05/07/2014 - 12:14

      The assistants may get sick of being abused by bogans also??

  • kobrien456 on 05/07/2014 - 08:12
    +1

    What a hero.

  • Lukeram on 05/07/2014 - 09:11

    This didn't happen to take place on the Sydney North Shore did it?

    Old guy was notorious for filling his pockets, buying a tin of sardines and asking for 10 bags. He was polite and friendly, I realised what he was up to after seeing him unload his pockets in the disabled toilets.

    • JayM on 05/07/2014 - 21:29

      Nope, this happened in Canberra.

  • croc330 on 05/07/2014 - 09:15

    What's almost as bad is when you have some assistant manager at Woolies who thinks she is allowed to fish through your wife's trolley full of shopping from 4 other stores in the shopping centre. To be treated like a crim without any reason is bad enough, but to see some bellicose little (insert expletive) opening your bags inside the trolley is another. Spoke to manager, no apology. At this point we no longer shop there.

    • Cheeper on 05/07/2014 - 12:13
      +3

      This is a right of any business that you enter. You know that.
      If you don't like it then take your stuff and put it in your car before entering.
      Businesses have a right to apprehend thieves and checking your trolley / bags in no way implies that you are a thief.
      It must be a case of "attitude" as I never have a problem with them checking what I am taking out of their business.

      I would loveeee to go to your business where you let anyone take out what they like without paying for it.. :-)

      • Daabido on 06/07/2014 - 11:20
        +2

        "This is a right of any business that you enter. You know that."

        BS. They may ask to inspect your bags but you are under no obligation to oblige them. If you refuse, they may exclude you from shopping at their store, but that is their only recourse.

    • cloudy on 06/07/2014 - 10:17
      +2

      I think it's to be applauded that some people "give enough for a stuff" to ask to check bags, etc.

  • letmecry on 05/07/2014 - 11:49
    -1

    No wonder why stuff in Australia is very expensive.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 21:36
      +4

      Fairly certain that theft is not unique to Australia LOL

      • juventino on 06/07/2014 - 01:05
        +2

        though you have to admit the punishment for theft is very lenient in Australia compared to others.

  • grumpyhermit on 05/07/2014 - 12:25

    I've seen many people get a fist full of nuts from the self serve scoop when they are grocery shopping

    I doubt that it is allowed but nobody cares!

    • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 23:27
      -1

      and here I was all along thinking they were samples to try in store being offered by the greedy corporates

  • silverrat23 on 05/07/2014 - 13:07
    +1

    Seeing someone steal bread down his pants was the most bizarre act of theft I have seen (so far).

    • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 21:38
      +1

      I stopped a guy who had a bottle of vodka stuffed down his pants.

      He handed it over to me (he was just a teenager). Was still warm from his body.

      shudder. lol

      • juventino on 06/07/2014 - 15:03
        +1

        he has the hot for you :)

      • avihs on 07/07/2014 - 18:34
        +1

        I feel sorry for the Johnnie Walker

      • timmypete on 10/07/2014 - 11:30

        Happened to me on more than a few occasions too. On this note, its almost like the makers of Cougar bourbon wanted their stuff to get nicked. The shape of the old bottles made it super easy to pocket without leaving an obvious shape on the thieve's waistline.

    • Veedub on 06/07/2014 - 10:59
      +1

      Making a hot dog or a sausage roll I suppose…?

  • PurchaseAnxiety on 05/07/2014 - 14:26
    +1

    I become friends with a guy in high school who I had known for a while, but not well. We started hanging out more and one day we went to the shops after school (because that was the cool thing to do back then). We walk into a Kmart because he says he needed some scissors. We walk into the stationery asile, and he finds what he's after. He then rips open the packet and stuffs it into his school bag, even with a staffie about 2 meters away. Admittedly he was pretty clever about it. It took me a moment to realise what he was doing, and i was looking right at him. He also only picked things that would easily be concealed in a school bag. We left the shop and I was kind of freaked out because I had never even had a detention at school; I was a 'good kid'. We then went to a different store, and sure enough, he lifted a few more things, and even encouraged me to act as a decoy. We didn't stay friends much longer after that.

  • Tech5 on 05/07/2014 - 15:45

    Hmmm.. I actually sometimes store small things in my pockets. Now I see how that could end badly for me…

  • lplau on 05/07/2014 - 17:23

    The store staff don't do anything as it is a OH&S thing. The store itself has instructed staff not to take matters into their own hands.

    They can however call the cops though, I have seen it happen quite a few times, if the person is in the store long enough.

    Basically if the employee gets injured because he/she stopped a thief from stealing (e.g. the guy pulls a knife out and knifes you), then you can claim work cover and potentially sue your company for dangerous work conditions.

    They cannot arrest you until you step 1 foot outside the store too, as that is when under law you have actually stolen. I believe you are well in your rights to store items in your pockets while you are browsing, however once you walk out of the store with the items, that is when you are classified as stealing.

    I have seen a person attempt to steal a bottle of wine by sticking it down his leg, pretending he had a huge third leg. Obviously he got caught by the security guard (which are paid to take down thieves and prob have insurance for doing this sorta stuff). Then they called the cops while he was subdued.

  • toffee on 05/07/2014 - 19:40
    +3

    Remember being in a liquorland and the girls at the desk caught two bogan girls putting a pack of bacardi breezers in their bags. They just refused to open their bags to show them what the staff knew they had taken and walked out.

    I was waiting to pay and told them I didn't mind waiting if they needed to report it or do something. They just said it's considered wastage and there's nothing they can do.

    While I'm pulling out my credit card for the $200 of grog in my trolley thinking "so I can just walk out of here if I want?". Yet I still paid.

    I believe most people will pay out of convention. You get something you pay for it.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 21:00

    For every item, service or product stolen, companies wont lose a cent!

    We poor shoppers will pay for the shoplifters groceries!
    Also for what morons in store, open, test, eat, damage or refund without a decent reason.
    So, Dont do it
    Dont let them do it
    Any idea?

    • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 23:26

      Try before you buy is a good policy

  • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 21:41

    Girls at my high school used to shoplift stuff from the local Westfields, now that I think of it.

    They'd go in and try on clothes, then walk out wearing some of the clothes underneath their uniforms.

    Their bags had nothing stolen in them, and I suppose any unsuspecting staff wouldn't even think to ask them to reveal what's under their clothes - which is part of the genius, I guess… I doubt anyone would dare ask them to lift their tops up or pull their skirts/pants down lol.

    Classy girls.

    • lplau on 05/07/2014 - 22:30

      Yup, but if they get caught which is just one day they will, then they will have a criminal record and bye bye to their futures as more and more jobs are doing crim checks now.

      • [Deactivated] on 06/07/2014 - 00:03

        Some girls were either caught or suspected of stealing, so were simply banned from entering the Westfields. I wasn't close friends with any of them so I don't know the full story but they were definitely only ever banned, no police or charges etc.

        • Soybeanus on 06/07/2014 - 19:38

          My whole school back in the day was banned from the Woolworths close by. I'm assuming due to the little kids stealing candy and energy drinks or whatever else. If I ever tried to buy anything by myself in uniform (which would usually be a tin of eclipse mints) they would say I wouldn't be allowed through next time. The older Asian ladies didn't seem to mind though. Oh and there was never an issue when my mum was there too. LOL

  • cheepwun on 05/07/2014 - 22:42
    +6

    Man in his 70s should be eating far better. Coles steals from us all. Man steals minor items from Coles. Coles steal from insurance companies, claiming higher thefts than actual. Insurance companies steal from us all. Banks steal from us all. Gov steals from us all. Chocolate multinationals steal from us all. Farmers go broke through predatory business practices of Coles and Woolworths and others. Life goes on.

    Elderly gentleman really should be eating better.
    http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/20080901_woolies…

    • arcticmonkey on 06/07/2014 - 10:25
      +4

      Some of the supermarket chains have disgusting practices. Compared to the poker machine revenue taken from poor communities in any given minute, a few items is nothing to them.

      Expect more stealing when pensioners and families can't afford to eat after Joe Hockey/the Liberal's budget comes in. As people in this thread have mentioned, stealing often occurs as a matter of necessity and to put food on the table.

      Good link as well, cheepwun. No wonder the ABC is being held to ransom by the Liberals as they're the only media outlet that tries to hold big business accountable.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2014 - 23:25
    +4

    Why do you care about protecting the profits of greedy corporations? Think of it as a type of corporate charity for the poor elderly.

    • JayM on 06/07/2014 - 09:11

      Good question. It's more a moral of the thing than anything. I don't care for the profits of big business but like some people have said, the flow on effects of stealing filter down.

      I want farmers to be paid reasonable rates for their goods and for items not to become more expensive for the average consumer. In this day of pensions and youth allowance becoming harder to get then why should a few people be able to get away with free when a majority are honest. Uni students and many more pensioners do it tough yet don't resort to stealing.

      Also if these people get away with stealing little things like chocolates now then what else will they be willing to try? No retailer is safe.

      • hahaboy on 07/07/2014 - 00:50
        +1

        I would think speaking to the guy himself instead of dobbing him in and him potentially being arrested for a fairly minor crime (in comparison to other crimes) would be a more appropriate action if morals are all you are worried about?

    • cloudy on 06/07/2014 - 10:35
      +5

      My parents used to have a fruit store, and I would occasionally catch stealers when we're busy serving. It's not just big corps. Everyone suffers from theft. Anyone who makes the distinction between who it is ok to steal from and who it is not I see as someone who has moral issues.

      Theft first comes with some simple and reasonable justification, I need food, the budget is tight, those who I steal from are rich, etc. and it nearly always ends up habitual, harming everyone.

      It's a slippery slope Hardya.

    • Malarkey on 07/07/2014 - 15:26

      'greedy corporations' pretty sure the reason the company exists is to make a profit…

    • Eivad on 11/07/2014 - 18:54

      Pretty sure the people who ultimately lose from this theft are the honest consumers

  • Risser on 06/07/2014 - 00:38
    +4

    Friend worked a Myer, the manager of one department had $$$ stock going missing all the time. New CCTV cameras caught him throwing it in the lockable dumpster after shift finished, then coming back after hours to unlock and collect. MYER fired him and he sued on the grounds that he was unaware it was against company policy… he won.

    • JayM on 06/07/2014 - 09:16
      +3

      Wow, just wow. So the law is almost against retailers too. That's seriously dodgy.

  • nikey2k27 on 06/07/2014 - 08:00
    -1

    People need staff at Woolworth donot care manger will care. We lost 22,000 in chocolate last year

    • Daabido on 06/07/2014 - 11:26
      +7

      Now in English please.

  • cantstanzya on 06/07/2014 - 11:46

    Snitches get stitches

  • tonka on 06/07/2014 - 11:57
    +4

    Here's a scenario

    Old dude lives an honorable upstanding life
    Sees the next generations make lying and cheating trendy.
    Gets ignored and pushed around in old age.
    Discovers respect is something only young people receive.
    Pays all his pension in tax cause he started smoking in the war plus the ads said it was cool.
    Decides whats the point of going without when this generation is too slack to protect their goods and doesn't even care.
    If he gets caught he can just make out like the doddering old fool people treat him as.
    Plus it relieves the boredom.

    This is my take, just cause I see the elderly get dumped on by society and maybe when I am old this is a way to get some payback.

  • p1 ama on 06/07/2014 - 12:57
    +1

    But the guy might not have been stealing. He might have just been putting it in his pocket for convenience and later paid for them.

    But I understand your sentiment about staff not caring though, at the end of the day, the staff are on a salary which is probably not dependent on whether the store makes a loss or not.

    It's the age old "agency problems".

  • zolinger on 06/07/2014 - 13:18
    -3

    You must be so proud of yourself. Catching a senior citizen in the act. What a joke.

    • Charity on 06/07/2014 - 18:59
      +1

      you should give the poor old man your home address. literally, the title. you are young enough to save up for another.

    • johnno07 on 07/07/2014 - 18:22

      So you'd be perfectly fine if someone was stealing from you and a third (innocent) party knew about it but, for fear of being called a "wannabe security guard", didn't inform you, and you continued to be systematically stolen from? I somehow doubt it.

      • stemcell on 08/07/2014 - 17:02
        -3

        johnno07 you're trying to spin this around from a corporate company which the post is about and transpose it so its theft from an individual, nice try but you really must try harder.

        From this moment I shall refer to you as Rumpleforeskin.

        • johnno07 on 08/07/2014 - 22:47
          +3

          You're a strange individual, stemcell.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2014 - 12:55
          +3

          Yeh, we all know it's okay to steal from a "corporate company", even though we know we're actually stealing from other shoppers who pay for it via higher prices. The same bankrupt mentality has it that it's okay to steal from people who are insured.

  • tonka on 06/07/2014 - 14:17
    -1

    If you truly believe someone is doing the wrong thing, in anything, you should tell them, not someone else.

    • johnno07 on 07/07/2014 - 19:24
      +5

      "G'day, Mr Milat! Just thought I should let you know that I don't really think you should be killing all of those hitch-hikers. Don't worry, I haven't told the police or anyone else about this. Gee - lovely day out here in Belanglo…"

      • tonka on 08/07/2014 - 02:19
        +2

        Yep. Man up!

        Seriously the cancer of society is apathy. If I see someone do something I believe is wrong I say something.

        Mostly just stuff like swearing in public in front of children, pushing in front of the elderly. Sometimes it is scary. I also try to compliment strangers I see doing something nice.

        I heard that they came poem ages ago and it really struck a chord.

        "In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."

      • tonka on 08/07/2014 - 10:28

        btw. I would hope that if anyone knew Milat and what he was doing that they would tell him it was wrong. Obviously when the stakes may be life and death you would act in the proper order.

  • Shwayne on 06/07/2014 - 14:46
    +1

    Cost of a few stolen chocolate bars: $20.

    Cost of dealing with a lawsuit for wrongly accusing a customer based on another customers accusations: $LOTS.

    Just tell the old man off yourself, because if you don't nobody will.

    • Daabido on 07/07/2014 - 14:53
      +1

      Chance of huff and puff and "I'm going to sue you" : Moderate
      Chance of a lawsuit : 0.

      Chance of an OzBargainer thinking everyone just sues everyone for the most trivial thing because they have absolutely no idea about the costs involved in starting a lawsuit: High.

      There's your insult. I await your lawsuit after you deposit $20,000 into your solicitor's trust account to start proceedings.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2014 - 14:46

        Maybe, but why do you think companies take extreme care in regard to accusing people of petty theft and "naming and shaming" or taking further action? Because it is expensive in both time and money, and damned difficult to prove someone intentionally stole something without an admission, which you'll rarely get from a consistently dishonest person.

  • KingstonTheNotSoWise on 06/07/2014 - 15:36
    +3

    It's true unfortunately you can't do much until they leave without paying. A customer actually has every right to put a product in their pocket or even their bag, you can't accuse them of theft because they never left the premises and they could easily argue they were just putting it there to carry, I think the only person who can actually accuse them outright is a security guard or security staff member. It's really stupid, similar situation with bags, when performing bag checks you can't touch the bag if you're just a staff member you can only look inside while they open it for you.
    Next time I'd suggest contacting the manager straight away, if you can find them, 99% of employees these days don't give a shit about the companies they work for; they all have a "it's not my money not my problem." attitude (yet I'm the 1 out of work for having the opposite attitude go figure) or politely "remind" the person just as they're about to leave that they forgot to pay for something.

  • aoeueoa on 06/07/2014 - 17:03
    +3

    Used to work in Officeworks retail. Saw a family (mum dad 2 kids) working together to distract staff while the dad picked up a printer and started walking out with it. I was aware of everything happening so told the store manager. Just so happens the regional loss-prevention manager was also in the store at the time examining our shrinkage stats. So the two managers and I follow the guy out to the car with his printer in hand and we stop him right there red-handed. Just so happens a police-car was right there too, blocked the car off and asked us what was up. Told him he was stealing the printer.

    So the cop takes his details down, returns the printer to us, and released him and his family. Few weeks later I find out the guy gave false details/ID and nothing came of it.

    You couldn't possibly ask for any more of the right people to be there to take the crime through the system. Multiple witnesses, store manager, loss prevention manager, police, and suspect all at the same party. But nothing came of it.

    I mean what else is there to do?

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 06/07/2014 - 17:27
      -1

      Police should have arrested him.

    • Charity on 06/07/2014 - 18:51
      +3

      you didn't have a judge, defence attorney, and court room in your pocket. of course nothing happened!

      P.S. don't forget to keep working hard and paying your taxes though!

    • [Deactivated] on 06/07/2014 - 20:20
      +1

      he should have taken 2 printers

    • altomic on 11/07/2014 - 08:34

      he had probably just stolen a printer that was 5% more expensive from JB and was price matching.

  • freemoneyhunter on 06/07/2014 - 17:14

    You should have taken a video of the two guys stealing chocolate bars and called Today Tonight

  • Charity on 06/07/2014 - 18:46
    +4

    After reading all of these comments, why does anyone actually pay for items at big box stores?

    Why are we waiting for "bargains"?

    It seems expensive to actually have a conscience. lol

    • arcticmonkey on 06/07/2014 - 20:20
      -1

      We should use the Royal Family as our examples.

      They get bargain first class holidays around the world for free! Where's the conscience there?

      • Baghern on 06/07/2014 - 21:25
        +2

        from what I hear the Royal family adds billions to the English economy

        Think why Governments waste money on football stadiums, the Royal family cost a lot less in those terms, when you look at the added 'entertainment/happyness' they provide to the UK

        • Daabido on 07/07/2014 - 15:02

          In 2012 the British Government received approximately $400 million from the profits from the Crown Lands (voluntarily handed over by the monarch) and paid out around $60 million to the Royal Family.

          What a bunch of freeloaders.

  • Soybeanus on 06/07/2014 - 19:32

    I saw a dirty, sad looking guy maybe in his early 30s stuff some chocolates into his jacket front pocket(the big type you can put both hands in the front) and he looked extremely agitated. Never seen anyone steel a rockmelon though. One day.

    • tonka on 06/07/2014 - 21:22
      +2

      Watermelon would be easier. Chuck it under shirt and call it junior.

      I think for rockmelons you would need to pinch 2 and take a very special 'holster' with you.

      • silverrat23 on 06/07/2014 - 23:08
        +1

        Watermelon would be easier. Chuck it under shirt and call it junior.

        You just made my day. Thank you!

  • mrluke on 07/07/2014 - 00:21
    -4

    Old man is obviously not a crook because a true crook only steals something if it's worth something… otherwise it's not worth the risk. So by that logic you only steal food if your starving… he's probably not starving but maybe he likes to give some chocolates to his grandkids and can't afford it on the pension.

    Do WW good, they should consider it a public service!

    If I need a bit more value for my dollar, I have been known to pull the odd swifty at the supermarket… bollocks to anyone who says they have never done it.

    My dear old grandmother has spent 70 years breaking the stalk of broccolis… "You don't eat the stalk… so why should you pay for it?"

    I apply the same logic to their larger than life advertising campaigns, and considering I only use self serve checkouts… I make sure I apply myself a good discount by weighing things as other things when the chance presents…

    Don't reckon I'm going to hell, I give them thousands each year so I deserve a few freebies!

    • Daabido on 07/07/2014 - 15:03
      +5

      All I read was "justification for my theft this, justification for my theft that".

    • cloudy on 07/07/2014 - 16:23
      +3

      Sirlothie, i just hope you don't procreate. The world can do with less of you and your dear ol' grandmother.

      • tonka on 07/07/2014 - 18:55

        I think the grandmother has a point. Yes I know the price per kilo value is for the whole vege but if Granny doesn't get that then she is just being smart.

        Besides you shouldn't dump on grannies regardless. They are supposed to be eccentric and are off limits.

        • mrluke on 07/07/2014 - 21:12

          It's great depression childhood learnt thrift… my Granny went from selling wild mushrooms on the side of the road in middle of nowhere to make enough to feed the family… to having the biggest house on the highest hill in one of the nicest suburbs… she still makes her own tomato sauce to save costs, brought up 7 children on 1 income as boilermaker to do it too… been comfortably retired for 30 years… half of the backyard is a vegie patch, and the fences are lined with fruit trees…

          I'm proud as punch of my grandparents!

        • mrluke on 07/07/2014 - 21:20
          -3

          And to all those giving me crap if you are not willing to have employees pricing my items, I did not sign a contract to know the difference between certain tomatoes, bananas, potatoes etc. when i entered the store!

          Sucker if u dont because believe me as having worked in and around supermarkets, you are already paying for it! ;)

          50% on everything at very least! Do they spend that 50% on making your shopping experience better? Doubt it. If you buy online, you pay 4x times its true cost before shipping…

          So I make sure I pay 50% max on anything… ;)

        • King Tightarse on 07/07/2014 - 21:22
          +3

          Gee I though to be retired was to have some dignity….
          Petty theft. That's sad. You probably come over as a touch dodgy in real life. Theres no hiding it. It emanates from you.

        • Ughhh on 07/07/2014 - 22:16

          @sirlothie:

          I did not sign a contract to know the difference between certain tomatoes, bananas, potatoes etc. when i entered the store!

          Errr when you pick veggies/fruits, they're clearly under a sign which labels what kind of tomato or banana it is, they're clearly priced too. Clearly a stupid excuse.

          Do they spend that 50% on making your shopping experience better?

          I doubt they can when there are people like you abusing the system. Those money are probably spent on security and other areas to make up for the loss.

          Why dont you make it a 100% off for yourself? Do you own a small business by any chance?

        • cheng2008 on 08/07/2014 - 00:52

          @sirlothie: Your granny sounds like she's an ozbargainer, whereas you're just plain stealing and making up excuses to make yourself feel better. There's a huge difference between you two.

          And no, supermarkets do not have 50% profit margin.

        • juventino on 08/07/2014 - 01:52
          +4

          @sirlothie:
          you're a pathetic human being.

          there are only 2-3 different types of the same fruits, clearly labelled. You just pick the most expensive one and scan the cheapest one.

          pathetic

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