Is it stealing if

[HotKentuckyMama]

Yes, it is stealing.  In the retail world it is called Shrink.  Shrink is tied into profit/lack of profit and is why employees cry of low wages.  i know  the first thing you are going to say is a few grapes is not a loss of profit...ok, but what if you say that and the lady behind you and the gentleman behind her and the guy behind him?  Unfortunately it is why shopping is also not the same experience it was years ago.  You used to be able to walk into a store and shop around and just enjoy an afternoon "out shopping".  Now, if you are just walking around a store and just want to enjoy some time out of the house, it is not the same.  When you just walk around the store now, you are a flag to security.  There is too much mistrust in the retail world and there are valid reasons why.

[adriarobi]

It is "stealing", but stores overlook it to sell.

I don't do that. I don't think it is fair to do that. It is selfish, and gives a bad example to our kids.  "I can sneak food, as long it is in small amounts, and have a good excuse....tasting to see if I wanna buy."

Also, those fruits you are sampling are covered with chemicals. They need to be washed when you get home.

 

[ktheodos]

My mom always tasted the grapes before she bought them -- I wondered about that.  She didn't walk around the store "munching" on them -- that does seem like stealing.... like opening a bag of chips, walking around the store eating them, then throwing the  bag away.

Agree - if it's something by weight that you're eating, than yes, it's stealing! If it's like a box of crackers and you open it while in line but pay for the whole thing, not a big deal to me...just weird.

Tasting one grape or cherry or something in an open bag I do not think is stealing if you buy the bag. But if you eat them as you go thru the store and don't pay for anything then yes you are a thief.  If you eat half the bag and it sells by weight so you only pay for half of what you took then you are stealing.  But tasting a couple grapes then buying the bag I wouldn't classify as stealing.

[annadote]

I'd have to say it is stealing. You haven't paid for them and even if you do, the fruit will weigh less when it is rung up at the register. So they are never paid for at all.

[heidi0902]

Yes, stealing. Drives me nuts.

[lguzman1]

I believe that it is, sorry!

[fillfran82]

You sample the fruit as you shop? I munch some grapes as I shop at WalMart/Target but I end up not buying any.

Hello!

I don't know if it is legal or not but it seems dishonest. Always put your self in the owner's shoes and you will know whether it is right or wrong.

[mrisha]

Yes it's stealing.  But I have a question.  How do you go to a store and eat something such as grapes that are loaded on a table at grocery stores?  Do you ever wonder how dirty and filthy food like that is?    SMDH.

[bremer51]

If you take a candy bar off the shelf and eat it while you shop and don't pay for it, it's stealing. If you grab an apple and eat while you shop, it's stealing.  If you munch grapes while shopping, its stealing.