What I Saw in the Produce Section Today...

[*BTMRR*]

The military commissary where I used to shop had a permanent sign mounted right above the grapes that said something like, "According to Regulation XYZ, consuming any amount of store merchandise before paying for it is shoplifting and is punishable by fines or jail time."
Another store nearby had a sign on the cold beverage case saying about the same thing. Those military people don't mess around.

No one in my family eats or drinks in the store at all. I just can't bring myself to allow it, even if it's not a "per pound" item like produce.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The military commissary where I used to shop had a permanent sign mounted right above the grapes that said something like, "According to Regulation XYZ, consuming any amount of store merchandise before paying for it is shoplifting and is punishable by fines or jail time."
Another store nearby had a sign on the cold beverage case saying about the same thing. Those military people don't mess around.

No one in my family eats or drinks in the store at all. I just can't bring myself to allow it, even if it's not a "per pound" item like produce.

Me either. I cashiered for Winn Dixie. While such signs were not posted for customers, they had no trouble with telling us we'd be fired for consuming unpaid for merchandise even if the intent was to purchase it. Things we'd consume slowly, we'd have to keep the receipt taped to it--like a bottle of water or other drink. At all times, we had to be able to prove that it had been purchased.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

One grocery store I sometimes go to has produce for sale for the kids right at the front door--put a quarter in the piggy bank and take an apple, banana, or whatever else they have that day. They intend for the kid to eat it in the store. Other stores I frequent have snack bars, coffee shops etc. So I don't think eating in the store is the issue.

That's different. You've paid for the fruit then.

If you grab a box of cookies off the shelf and start eating them, you are eating something that does not yet belong to you. It's the store's property until you hand over the money for it.

Like a previous poster said, why not carry a granola bar with you if you think you can't make it without eating something?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It doesn't surprise me. There are some people who do that in the deli department here. They will order a pound of ham, turkey, cheese etc. and then ask to taste each one. It's cold cuts people! You buy the same brand every week! It does not change! Go buy a sandwich and leave the deli guys alone.

We've asked for tastes of different kinds of deli meats before because we were debating between brands, and trust me there is a difference (our local store has 4 types of Prosciotto and each is different from the texture to saltiness).

I was at our local Wegmans and a manager came up to me asking if this older gentleman that I was standing near bagging some lettuce in was my father. I said no, actually I barely even noticed the guy, but I took quick notice and he was standing there carefully examing the lettuce he was holding plucking each leaf off of it that wasn't perfect and throwing it in the trash. It was kind of humorous and sad at the same time.

 

[mhsjax]

I don't know about manners, but I won't open snacks in the grocery for DS5 b/c I don't want to teach him patience and that the world doesn't revolve around him. My BIGGEST pet peeve with kids these days is the sense of entitlement they have... UGH, drives. me. CRAZY!!!

I know it's something very small and seemingly insignificant, but I've seen first hand how the small things lead to big things. Polite, well rounded, empathetic adults (or rude, selfish, egocentric adults) don't just end up that way... they become that way after years and years of practice!

So, if I teach my child that it's OK to open a pack of cookies before paying for them b/c he wants them NOW...then he will come to expect that in every facet of life. "I want ice cream for breakfast, why should I have to wait?? I want it now." -type thing- KWIM? That leads to all kinds of "I don't want to wait, and shouldn't have to, I want it NOW" attitudes... which is SO not good.

Just my opinion

On a side note... I never go into a store unless we are BOTH fed and watered b/c I know we'll BOTH be cranky otherwise. If a child is SO hungry that they just can't wait until the car or they get home for a snack; then maybe it's not the right time to be at the grocery store and better planning is in order. (Spoken to everyone, not directed at whoever I quoted!)

I disagree, a few snacks in the store, (not produce) but maybe a cookie or piece of lunch meat isn't going to make a rude child. I get tons of comments on how well mannered my kids are, by strangers and also by parents of their friends.

In my case with my youngest, he had severe blood sugar issues, he needed to eat often and we never knew when his blood sugar was going to drop. His father had a very strange work schedule so I couldn't plan to go to the store when he was home.

As far as teaching kids patience, I disagree with that also. As I stated, sometimes my kids got a cracker or cookie at the store out of a box that I planned to purchase. They are the most patient kids I know of. Due to some financial reasons, we couldn't celebrate the boys birthdays in Jan. Well guess what, here it is the middle of March and they just asked the other day, if we could do something over spring break for their birthday.

I think this excuse about teaching patience holds as much water as not letting kids watch certain things on TV because kids will pick up bad habits. Well they won't, if you don't let them.

Rant over.

 

[CathrynRose]

Okay, I admit it, I've let little ones eat the food before I purchased it. Most of the time, it was a bagel or roll, and I just put an empty bag in my cart for a reminder to let the cashier know. It was always food I hadn't planned on purchasing for home, so the store had an extra sale because I wanted to keep cranky kids happy so I could finish shopping.

One of my fondest memories as a child, was grocery shopping with my grandma, and her opening up the Sunmaid Raisin Bread, and I got a slice. I'd sit under the cart (remember that?) nibbling on my slice of raisin bread.

Keep doing that. Your kids will remember it.

BTW - she bought the load of bread.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

One of my fondest memories as a child, was grocery shopping with my grandma, and her opening up the Sunmaid Raisin Bread, and I got a slice. I'd sit under the cart (remember that?) nibbling on my slice of raisin bread.

Keep doing that. Your kids will remember it.

BTW - she bought the load of bread.

She really made up for that one slice!! LOL

 

[CathrynRose]

She really made up for that one slice!! LOL

Load / Loaf - whatever.

 

[C.Ann]

I would never consume food (or a beverage) in the store - or allow my children to do so - prior to paying for it.. As far as I'm concerned, it's not "mine" until I have paid for it.. I see it all the time though (especially when parents have their children with them) and on more than one occasion I have seen the parents place the empty wrapper/container someplace before getting in line so they don't have to pay for the consumed item..

I think "taste testing" should only take place when it is offered by the store - or there is a specific station set up with free samples..

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Last year I was at Walmart setting my items on the belt and the cashier was ringing them. My boys each had an ice cream bar, which I handed to them after she rang them up. They asked me if they could start eating them. I said, "Sure, they're paid for ". The cashier looked at me standing there with my credit card in hand and said, "No they're not." She was serious-never cracked a smile. I couldn't even think of anything to say to her, luckily. It wouldn't have been pretty.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would never consume food (or a beverage) in the store - or allow my children to do so - prior to paying for it.. As far as I'm concerned, it's not "mine" until I have paid for it.. I see it all the time though (especially when parents have their children with them) and on more than one occasion I have seen the parents place the empty wrapper/container someplace before getting in line so they don't have to pay for the consumed item..

I think "taste testing" should only take place when it is offered by the store - or there is a specific station set up with free samples..

I've grabbed a soda and drank it while shopping and then rang it up with the rest of my groceries.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We've asked for tastes of different kinds of deli meats before because we were debating between brands, and trust me there is a difference (our local store has 4 types of Prosciotto and each is different from the texture to saltiness).

I was at our local Wegmans and a manager came up to me asking if this older gentleman that I was standing near bagging some lettuce in was my father. I said no, actually I barely even noticed the guy, but I took quick notice and he was standing there carefully examing the lettuce he was holding plucking each leaf off of it that wasn't perfect and throwing it in the trash. It was kind of humorous and sad at the same time.

I am not talking about trying different brands. I only buy one brand because that is the only brand I like so I get that there is a difference. I am talking about the people who come in every week and ask for a "taste" of the same things. The Boarshead Ham tastes the same as it did last week. They didn't change the recipe. Of course they try 5-6 different cold cuts while asking the deli guy for "4 slices of ham, 2 slices of cheese, 6 slices of turkey" etc. And no- I am not kidding. They have a whole lunch while ordering. That is ridiculous.

Oh- and for those that say to plan your shopping better with your kids- sometimes that is not an option. Sometimes I have no choice because my DH is working a lot of hours. Sometimes a child is not feeling well and I have to get a few things that they need. Sometimes even when I plan well things go awry. Have any of you ever had a bad day? Ever make plans and then nothing works out? I am happy if that has never happened to you but I don't know anyone like that. I also have no idea if the store is going to be 100 degrees inside. So when the store is hot and I have to shop then yes, I am going to open a drink to have while I am shopping. I prefer that to getting sick. I always pay for my drink when I am checking out. The cashiers never have a problem with it regardless of what one poster said. I was a cashier many years ago and I never had a problem with it nor did anyone else that worked with me.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Last year I was at Walmart setting my items on the belt and the cashier was ringing them. My boys each had an ice cream bar, which I handed to them after she rang them up. They asked me if they could start eating them. I said, "Sure, they're paid for ". The cashier looked at me standing there with my credit card in hand and said, "No they're not." She was serious-never cracked a smile. I couldn't even think of anything to say to her, luckily. It wouldn't have been pretty.

At that point I would have told her to void everything but the ice cream bars, paid for those and left the store.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We have a very generous deli staff at our Publix. Whenever you order something, they offer you a slice first. When I order chicken fingers for my DS11, I ask them to keep one out after they weigh the package so he can have one now. Instead, they pull one out, and weigh the package after. They have found that customer service is #1 and they do well because of it.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

At that point I would have told her to void everything but the ice cream bars, paid for those and left the store.

Walmart isn't exactly known for their STELLAR customer service, which is why I don't shop there. I'd rather go to our local Wegmans and shop there, even if the price of something is a few cents more (which is not always the case).

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I am not talking about trying different brands. I only buy one brand because that is the only brand I like so I get that there is a difference. I am talking about the people who come in every week and ask for a "taste" of the same things. The Boarshead Ham tastes the same as it did last week. They didn't change the recipe. Of course they try 5-6 different cold cuts while asking the deli guy for "4 slices of ham, 2 slices of cheese, 6 slices of turkey" etc. And no- I am not kidding. They have a whole lunch while ordering. That is ridiculous.

Oh- and for those that say to plan your shopping better with your kids- sometimes that is not an option. Sometimes I have no choice because my DH is working a lot of hours. Sometimes a child is not feeling well and I have to get a few things that they need. Sometimes even when I plan well things go awry. Have any of you ever had a bad day? Ever make plans and then nothing works out? I am happy if that has never happened to you but I don't know anyone like that. I also have no idea if the store is going to be 100 degrees inside. So when the store is hot and I have to shop then yes, I am going to open a drink to have while I am shopping. I prefer that to getting sick. I always pay for my drink when I am checking out. The cashiers never have a problem with it regardless of what one poster said. I was a cashier many years ago and I never had a problem with it nor did anyone else that worked with me.

Usually I turn down the free cold cuts b/c I'm in a rush, but sometimes the kids will say that they want it. I can understand getting the sample each time b/c unless it's a newly opened package, the meat CAN taste different. If you get a slice from a pack that's open and it doesn't taste right, you can request that they open a new one and get your meat from there. I happened to be lucky once when I saw the package and the BH ham wasn't as pink as the unopened one, so I requested a new one.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Often, when I am shopping in allergy season, I will put a box of tissues in my cart and open and use them before I pay. But if that bothers you, next time I will sneeze on the cart handles and leave it for you to use after me.

I know. I should anticipate that I will probably be sniffly and bring tissues. I'm a pretty organized gal, usually. But I use a LOT of tissues when the pollen goes poof.

Then again, I also eat a grape before I buy. Grapes are usually 1.99 a pound in our area and come in 4+ lb. bags. If I'm going to take home $8 in grapes, I want to make sure they're not mushy or nasty first. I once figured out that if I have spent just $100 a week (Em. Sorry. Had a moment there.) at our local grocery store since I started shopping there, I've paid them nearly $80,000 as a loyal customer. I think they can spot me a grape.

 

[CathrynRose]

I thought of more 'eating in the store' we do.

My boys both love those 'tater babies' the deli sells. They're deep fried potato wedges.

When they would come to the store with me (separately), they got the little 1/4 bag, and munched them while we shopped. They both thought they were getting something special, their brother didn't get.

Those things are hot. They need to be eaten, immediately. Ever eat cold fries? They're gross.

I don't see what difference it makes, if it's paid for. It's not like I'm whipping out a bowl and a spoon and making them some cereal.

 

[Abbie]

When my kids were little, they knew when they went grocery shopping they would get a special treat of a donut they could munch on while shopping. It wasn't a bribe (although I wasn't above that!), it was just a nice little thing they got to do. Of course they were always paid for along with the rest of the groceries. Can't for the life of me figure out why it matters to anyone whether an item is paid for before or after consumption so long as it's being paid for.

A couple of people have raised the assumption that the food is not yours until it's paid for, which makes me wonder about restaurants. You are served food there, you eat it, but you don't pay for it until afterwards. How is that different? By the original logic, you should pay for your meal prior to consuming because it's not yours until it's paid for. And you can't say "because you don't know what your total will be until after you've eaten" because the same thing applies to grocery shopping!

 

[N.Bailey]

I've never opened anything in the store to eat it, but what's the deal if you have every intention of paying for it? I could see the possible argument that someone may eat it and then dispose of the packaging to get out of paying for it, but that changes the scenario and becomes petty theft. That's not sanctioned at all, but that's clearly not what's being discussed.

As for the produce section, these stories are just gross. There is no justification for going from fruit/veggie to fruit/veggie sampling everything (unless it's a sample that the store has put out, some do in our area - though I won't eat them). A grape here or there, I'm sure the store will have no problem with, but that's still between you and the store. Beyond that however, it too becomes theft.

We eat out in restaurants EVERY day of the week in this country and we mostly eat our food before we pay for it. Is that stealing too, if you plan on paying for the food you've eaten? Try having someone arrested for theft BEFORE they walk out of the store. Good luck with that!