Eating food in the supermarket and not paying for it

[Coco H]

wnadering around the supermarket - I saw a lady breaking off a section/branch/twig of grapes taking them out of the bag eating them and feeding them to her toddler. Clearly she couldn't pay for these as they couldn't be weighed once eaten, she wsn't buying any grapes anyway as she didn't pick up a bag so it can't have been stupidity or paying for a bag.

I might be quite chavy myself (have given my babies dummies. drive an impreza, have bought clotehs from supermarkets, next & primark oh and the red e-type) but I was quite shocked at the behaviour - she didn't even seem to care as lots of people were watching her and it was pretty blatant.

Is this quite common?

[GingerWizard]

people who do not have loyality cards do this as there reward.......

[ukwill]

R

[DrTre]

Grapes often come in those ziplock scannable bags now.
As in, they're all the same cost.

ETA I is a twaaat

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 15th April 16:40

[papabear]

It's a few grapes.

[Dyl]

Very common in the Tesco I work in. Quite often see empty sandwich packs, banana skins, etc. dumped on the shelves around the store...

Security seemed to have clamped down on it more recently using the CCTV, so you see the "offender" being confronted when at the checkout to pay the extra £x that they have eaten.

[K12beano]

Sounds like theft to me.

"A lady" you say? Doesn't sound like it to me.


I would be tempted to remind this person that their action means all the rest of us customers have to pay more. A bit like those who choose not to pay on the train!

But then I always wimp out from saying something.....

[Davi]

papabear said:

It's a few grapes.

it's theft.

If she reached over and "only" stole a couple of pound coins from the till, would that be okay?

to the OP - yes it's common, I tend to stand and stare at people I see doing it until they feel uncomfortable enough to stop

[marshalla]

papabear said:

It's a few grapes.

and the cost of them will be distributed amongst the honest customers, along with the cost of all the other stolen goods.

[Mrs BlueCerbera]

It does seem to be quite common, apparently its refered to as 'grazing'. I don't understand why people do this, surely it's possible to get round a supermarket without having to feed the child as they go along ?

[ShadownINja]

Them greedy bankers again. They're everywhere.

[HiRich]

Davi said:

to the OP - yes it's common, I tend to stand and stare at people I see doing it until they feel uncomfortable enough to stop

Try following her around the store, at a distance, occasionally talking into your lapel. Stand close to the till when she finally joins the queue and just watch.

[Zeemax_Mini]

I do fairly often pick up a sandwich or a drink to consume whilst doing my weekly shop (obviously pay for it at the end), but recently got stopped by security who weren't entirely friendly about it - I guess this is why!

[Mr Will]

Mrs BlueCerbera said:

It does seem to be quite common, apparently its refered to as 'grazing'. I don't understand why people do this, surely it's possible to get round a supermarket without having to feed the child as they go along ?

My one year old absolutely loves tomatoes. If I put some in the trolley she will point and them and go "Ma" repeatedly until she gets one. Yes I could ignore her and she would put up with it if I did, but why should I? I always make sure I buy ones that are priced per pack (not by weight or number) so there is no theft involved and she'll be perfectly happy sat in the trolley munching away on it. I don't see the harm in it and I've never had any complaints about it from other customers or shop staff.

[KenBlocksPants]

Get it in my local tesco all the time.

Generally pikeys at it as well. I can potentially just about understand if its to shut up a screaming kid as long as it is paid for at the till.

The number of times ive seen people chucking food down while on the big shop is staggering. I really wanns shout 'couldnt you wait until you at least got into your car let alone back home you big fat smelly cow'

[Ed.]

I have done with sandwiches, depends how hungry I am and how long the queue's are. Its not theft if you intend to pay for them.

[Lardydah]

Whenever I go shopping I can never resist the temptation to eat the tasty end part of the baguette before I get to the checkout. Sometimes get some funny looks, but what the hell. I'm going to be paying for it.

Probably wouldn't go as far as eating an apple though.

[KenBlocksPants]

Ed. said:

I have done with sandwiches, depends how hungry I am and how long the queue's are. Its not theft if you intend to pay for them.

Not really, but i guess at the time of eating you havent yet paid. The supermarket at that time doesnt know if you are going to pay or shove it at the back of the shelf on a quiet aisle and hope no-one notices!

[Mrs BlueCerbera]

Mr Will said:

Mrs BlueCerbera said:

It does seem to be quite common, apparently its refered to as 'grazing'. I don't understand why people do this, surely it's possible to get round a supermarket without having to feed the child as they go along ?

My one year old absolutely loves tomatoes. If I put some in the trolley she will point and them and go "Ma" repeatedly until she gets one. Yes I could ignore her and she would put up with it if I did, but why should I? I always make sure I buy ones that are priced per pack (not by weight or number) so there is no theft involved and she'll be perfectly happy sat in the trolley munching away on it. I don't see the harm in it and I've never had any complaints about it from other customers or shop staff.

I understand what you are saying and I'm sure you're not doing any harm. I guess I'm a bit old fashioned really and think that sometimes we should show some restraint/patience rather than going for the easy option. Maybe I just like making life more difficult for myself

[Acehood]

It's not stealing if you don't actually leave the store with said stolen goods.