What I Saw in the Produce Section Today...

[N.Bailey]

Little one's still get happy meals, so they'd have a hard time just snatching it and for the past several years---I've paid prior to them traying the food.


In any case--folks are justifying and stretching to fit their needs. Their kids wont' grow up to become axe murderers--but it doesn't make it right.

You've opted to compare two completely different business models to illustrate the point.

I don't pay for car repairs in advance either. They put in the parts, do the service and then I pay. But to be sure that I do pay, they don't give me the car back until I do.

But whatever justifications you need to make yourself feel better--you go ahead and keep on coming up with them.

I'm still waiting on you to list the statute of theft in any one of these great 50 states. YOU called it stealing. So back that up!

 

[N.Bailey]

Free samples is a customer service decision to facilitate the sale of their products.

Cracking open juice boxes and wheat thins b/c your starving and thirsty is entirely different.

As stated--the cashier isn't going to comment, but that doesn't mean it is okay. The cashier wont' care about free samples--b/c it is known what is being sampled in the store that day and what the business practice is. Showing up with the half empty box of wheat thins b/c you couldn't keep control of yourself--is not the business practice of the store.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion that it shouldn't be done, but that does NOT make it illegal. And unless it is illegal (or if the store wishes to make it their policy), your opinion doesn't trump someone else's, period. End of story, no need to justify anything to you or anyone else (though I personally don't open packing in the store).

 

[N.Bailey]

It's just an excuse.

Sure my 17 month old whined a time or two b/c I wouldn't open an unpaid for pack of goldfish--but he learned real quick that until we pay the person up front for it--he isn't getting any.

Perhaps keeping snacks in the diaper bag will help. Or waltzing up front to pay for the item.

But in reality--you are doing what conveniences you--but that doesn't mean you had no options or no other choices and are simply justifying what was easier for you on that particular day.

Unless it's illegal (or against store policy), opening an item you fully intend on buying is yet ANOTHER option. An option it appears that many utilize. Sure, they could waltz up and pay for the item, or they could choose to do as they see fit.

 

[mjkacmom]

It just isn't that hard to go and pay for it first and so far noone has really come up with a good reason of why they could not.

#1 - because I don't have to - people do it in front of the store owner, manager, and employees, and no one says a thing. I think if they thought of it as theft, they might.

#2 - our store is HUGE, with a lot of customers at all times (15 registers, all manned), crowded, narrow aisles, and long lines. I really don't want to prolong a horrible experience, especially with a fussy toddler.

#3 - because I don't have to.

 

[N.Bailey]

Not at all--but that isn't the same as saying that the store is "fine" with it.

My comments on the board are not active in my life where I go and condemn all for eating their oreos before paying. So no worries--I'm not bumping carts into offenders or ratting them out to store management.

People can do what they wish.

It just isn't that hard to go and pay for it first and so far noone has really come up with a good reason of why they could not.

And so far, you've not sited a single source that it's even slightly against store policy. Stores have options at their disposal to deal with issues that arise that they may wish to correct.

 

[ticktock]

Yup, this. When someone is convinced utterly that they are doing nothing wrong, no justifications are needed. And just because you are convinced it is wrong doesn't make it so; don't do it if you think it's wrong but it doesn't mean any one person gets to decide what's "correct" or not for everyone else.

Just curious. Do you or anyone else who believes this way think it's OK for the current government to force people to purchase health care? Do you think it's OK for some people to decide what's "correct" or not for everone else in that situation? Because it seems to me I see the same people who defend small and petty liberties defending the states vicious assault on individual rights that this bill represents.

My opinion is people can eat things they fully intend to pay for as long as the store doesn't have a policy against it. It may be a bit tacky but I'm not the manners police. Of course I don't think people should stick their nose into anyones life in ANY manner unless the other person is directly harming someone else. But of course I'm not a hypocrite.

 

[bumbershoot]

For everyone who says the cashier doesn't mind....she/he is not going to tell you if they do.

If it's the company's policy that it is not allowed, then why isn't the cashier telling the people? Obviously it's just one cashier's sense of annoyance, not all cashiers and not the company.

If it's against policy, they MUST tell the customers. If they aren't telling customers policy, then the cashiers need to be disciplined.

This thread is cracking me up. Ok here's one for ya...I once went into a Safeway and you know those soup and salad bars...well this old lady was standing at the soup crock and eating her lunch straight from the crock.. I almost gagged. I kept thinking of all those other people behind her who would get soup. And no I didnt inform any employees because there was an employee standing right there watching her. Ewwwwww, my husband used to get soup from those things but now he will not touch them.

AAUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH.

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!)

Yeah, we make strong attempts at being fed and watered too. Things get too difficult if we don't.

But TJs is often the last on our stops, and they are usually sampling something in the store...if what they are sampling isn't OK for us (vegetarian with some ingredient sensitivity problems), the smell of whatever it is is usually driving us mad...that's when the banana solution can be handy for DS.

My guy is 5 too. We live in a condo building full of long-retired people. And they LOVE him. He is kind and polite and speaks to them directly. He opens doors for people and always wants to socialize with them. DH and DS went to a party a neighbor gave at Yuletime. The party-giver is the daughter of our immediate neighbor, who is a well known "western" painter. DS insisted on bringing one of his own watercolors as a gift for the hostess, and the hostess showed it off. Her father invited DS to come to his classes at the fairgrounds, and admired his painting.

My point is, he is kind and polite, and does nice things for others...even though he's had a banana at TJs before it was paid for.

There's no slippery slope there. We try hard to meet his needs now, so he doesn't have to revert to childhood to try to meet childish needs as an adult, and one of those needs is to not torture his empty belly when food is *right* there. And we are still not used to having to bring food, b/c he was exclusively nursed until nearly a year, and continued to nurse like a typical newborn until he was nearly 3...his food was always right at hand, and we didn't have to start bringing other food for him for quite awhile...so I never had the diaper bag filled with cheerios (he's still never had that brand) etc etc, and it's only becoming second nature to bring food in this last year.

Anyway, having a banana at TJs 10 minutes before we pay for it isn't going to turn him into a psychopath. And I don't think it would happen with your 5 year old either.

That said, it bugs me to do it (b/c I'm afraid I'll forget! and the weird looks I've gotten from cashiers when I come back in to pay for something I forgot just bugs me...like they've NEVER seen an honest person before and cannot believe I came back in...one even told me "wow, I wouldn't have done that"...what??????), so I do my best to keep his tummy filled so we don't have to resort to the TJs banana.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I am really pretty surprised this thread is still going and that people have such strong opinions on this. Assuming that you're actually going to pay for the item, I never considered that eating it ahead of time would be such a big deal.

(I am not talking about the situations where people don't intend to pay, and I can understand why that would incite a strong reaction.)

This has turned into an interesting thread!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I agree - but then again, maybe it's just because I was raised that way and that's how I raised my children as well..

The first rule of grocery shopping (and staying within your budget) is: "Never shop when you're hungry." So - perhaps that might be the downfall of people who need to eat or drink (or feed their children) while shopping.. I know when I was a kid our grocery shopping was always done on a Friday night - after we had eaten dinner - so we were all pretty full.. I didn't have a set day or time when my kids were growing up, but I always made sure they're weren't hungry or thirsty before heading out.. The added bonus (aside from the budget aspect) is that they weren't cranky and begging for everything under the sun.. LOL..

I'll make sure between baseball practice, soccer practice, baseball games, soccer games, trips to home depot, trips to the doctor's office, religion class, church, school, work, etc., etc., etc. that the 1st thing on my mind will be making sure my kids are fed and watered before I step foot in my local supermarket.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Cold cuts come out of a package? At our deli section, you select the meat or cheese you want, and they slice it up for you (after you tell them how thin you want it - even the deli machine at the store entrance allows you to select very thin, thin, regular, or thick). There are at least 20 types of ham to choose from!

Yes, the shrink wrap packaging. Next time you're at the deli counter take a look at the hunks of meat in the case. Those are all unopened. Now when you ask for say Boar's Head ham, they don't usually take it out of the case, they grab it from an open fridge behind them. Sometimes (depending on how long it's been since they cut open the shrink wrap, the meat they grab isn't as pink as the meat that's hasn't had its shrink wrap cut open, which means the meat is getting old. That's what I meant.

 

[C.Ann]

I'll make sure between baseball practice, soccer practice, baseball games, soccer games, trips to home depot, trips to the doctor's office, religion class, church, school, work, etc., etc., etc. that the 1st thing on my mind will be making sure my kids are fed and watered before I step foot in my local supermarket.

Or you could just keep a few snacks and bottles of water in the car..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I'm still waiting on you to list the statute of theft in any one of these great 50 states. YOU called it stealing. So back that up!

That will never happen because there has to be intent. That would be almost impossible to prove. I would love to meet any P.O. that would actually arrest someone for having a snapple while they are shopping with 2 carts full like I do.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm still waiting on you to list the statute of theft in any one of these great 50 states. YOU called it stealing. So back that up!

No need to.

But feel free to post the policies of stores that permit you to open up foods you haven't paid for that state they are "okay with it".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion that it shouldn't be done, but that does NOT make it illegal. And unless it is illegal (or if the store wishes to make it their policy), your opinion doesn't trump someone else's, period. End of story, no need to justify anything to you or anyone else (though I personally don't open packing in the store).

While I consider it stealing, yes, you are correct legally it isn't.
However, just b/c the store looks the other way--there is no existing policy in any store that states you can freely open up packaging and munch to your hearts content if you plan on paying.

However as an employee--if I committed that act, my employer did consider it stealing and would have me fire don the spot regardless of intent to purchase. So I do view it differently.

 

[C.Ann]

This is something I don't agree with at all. It's not mine until I pay for it, period. I have enough self control, and expect my kids to have enough self control to make it through a grocery store without eating something we didn't pay for.

And just to be clear, for those who do eat and drink in the store and then pay at the check out, I do not consider it "stealing" - unless there is a store policy that states as much.. I'm just not comfortable consuming items that technically aren't "mine to consume" until I have paid for them.. If others are comfortable in doing so - or feel there is a real "need" to do so - then we simply have a difference of opinions..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Or you could just keep a few snacks and bottles of water in the car..

Yes, because walking into the grocery store with a bag of groceries from home won't make them think you stole the stuff?
Of course everyone loves hot water and melted snacks.
Also- I do usually have a drink in my car that I drink before I go in. However if the store is a million degrees or I feel ill do you think the manager or cashier would rather I leave without buying the 2 carts full of food or would they prefer I open a gatorade to get me through and pay for it on the way out?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And so far, you've not sited a single source that it's even slightly against store policy. Stores have options at their disposal to deal with issues that arise that they may wish to correct.

So far noone has provided a single source that stated that it is company policy that blesses this innocent act of good will towards men to hush grumbling tummies.

But whatever--it's an opinion as everyone else's.

I just find it hard to believe that it is so difficult to pay for something in advance and thus far noone has really proven that either. But I can appreciate that they are choosing to do something out of convenience.

Noone said that I had to agree with them--in fact, many posted as such.

Such animosity over this--perhaps it is snack time or dinner time for you fine folks.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes, because walking into the grocery store with a bag of groceries from home won't make them think you stole the stuff?

You lost me right about here.. I guess I'm just not understanding why there would be a need for eating and drinking while in the store shopping..

But as I said, it's just a difference of opinions.. Unless you have no intent of paying for the consumed items, I don't think you have to worry about it..

 

[N.Bailey]

No need to.

But feel free to post the policies of stores that permit you to open up foods you haven't paid for that state they are "okay with it".

You called it stealing. Even if the store would have such a policy, it still wouldn't make it theft. A policy against such practices would give the establishment the right to ban you from shopping there if you didn't comply, legally, they CANNOT have you arrested UNLESS you've committed theft. In every state in this nation, this would NEVER qualify as theft or in your words, stealing.

I realize you don't need to (as you said above), because facts obviously aren't relevant to your opinions.

Now, since so many people have stated that they do this regularly, and not one has mentioned being approached, I have to say, I highly doubt the store has a problem with the practice. If they did, they do have the recourse to deal with it.

 

[N.Bailey]

While I consider it stealing, yes, you are correct legally it isn't.
However, just b/c the store looks the other way--there is no existing policy in any store that states you can freely open up packaging and munch to your hearts content if you plan on paying.

However as an employee--if I committed that act, my employer did consider it stealing and would have me fire don the spot regardless of intent to purchase. So I do view it differently.

Thank you for stating that you feel it's ok that you define the term, "stealing" to mean any old thing you want it to mean. I gotcha!!! I'll remember that in the future.