[LiteraryLark]

I confess that I am a shoplifter, and it is becoming more frequent. It's been going on for a year now, but it's not a compulsion. It's more of a window of opportunity. Donuts and energy drinks are my top "choice", because when I go grocery shopping I can eat the donut as I shop and no one notices, and I have been caught twice at the self-checkout when they noticed I had an empty Redbull in my cart, and once because they saw me pull it out and drink it while I was shopping, but I played the dumb kid card "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot all about it!" There was a time at a thrift store where I was buying hair clips and they forgot to scan a couple and I said nothing. Today at Walmart, there was a huge line at the self-checkout, the worker was freaking out because two out of four of the checkstands were down, and right in front of them as I was checking out I realized that the shirt I wanted had no tag, and trust me, my first thought was to ask the lady for help, but clearly she was in a panic and the people behind me were angry because of the long wait, so I acted like I was scanned it twice, set it aside, then wrung up my other items.

I never walk into a store with the intention of stealing because when I go out I have a list of things to buy and 99.9% of the time I pay for everything. But this "window of opportunity" of getting away with free stuff keeps popping up and not only do I feel bad but I'm also afraid that one day I'll get caught and I'll get arrested, especially with the added Christmas security. What can I do? I think today at Walmart was just a hot mess. If it was a casual day, and all the self-checkout checkstands were open and no one was in a big hurry for the holidays, I would have asked for help or would have run back and got a sweater with a tag, but like everyone else I was in a hurry and stressed with my mind on making things perfect for my brother and just wanted to get home, but I still feel bad that I didn't pay for it. I just feel really bad and I don't know what to do.

[leejosepho]

I once stole a pack of smokes and then later paid for it by taking a new pack I had already paid for and dropping it at the register to pay for it again.

You have proved your ability to capitalize upon a window of opportunity, now make use of the character displayed by your honesty here to overcome that temptation and in the future only do what you know is right.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm sorry you're struggling with this You look honestly sorry for this.

[TishaBuv]

You are taking very inexpensive things. Maybe the real reason you are doing it is more about feeling some small bit of power because you feel small yourself.

Be careful not to let this escalate. You'll be so embarrassed to get confronted about this from the store. Remember there are video cameras everywhere.

[PumpkinPieHead]

When I was a teen, I shoplifted a few times. Tisha is right, I didn't realize it at the time, but it was something about having power when you feel like your life is out of control.
Now, as an adult, I have my ish together and no longer feel the compulsion. Please, stop now before you do get caught and have a record that will haunt you for life. I googled resources for kleptomania help, and this looks pretty credible: The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending & Hoarding

I dislike self check out and it has been a while but there have been a couple of times when I was buying a bunch of stuff, the item wasn't in the system, and I placed it in the bag! (No help available) So now I only shop in the lines with a cashier. Just don't want to see you get in trouble. Maybe avoid the self check out lines like I do?

There is a condition known as kleptomania where the person literally cannot help or resist the urge to steal ... You say you feel bad and don't know what to do, I think it's good you can acknowledge it's bad to steal, but that doesn't make you a bad person or in need of judgment ... If you have a therapist, discuss this with them ... If it ends up that you do have it (kleptomania), then start treatment for it because, yeah, it would totally suck to get caught and tossed in jail over some kind of issue that most judicial systems don't give a fig about whether you can help it or not ... Plus, if you are in treatment for it, then it may even help (reduced sentence, fines etc. ) in the event that you do get caught!

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...n/con-20033010

Sincerely,
Pfrog!

[*Laurie*]

You posted that your shoplifting isn't a compulsion...are you sure? It sounds like it is kind of compulsive.

I can understand the temptation you're dealing with. Problem is, eventually you will get caught. You really will. That would be not only embarrassing, but it could become expensive and a big, huge problem in your life.

The other thing I'm concerned about is that while you're stealing small stuff now, I'm afraid you will become more confident and not be able to resist stealing larger or more expensive items. That could seriously land you in jail.

[gayleggg]

It can become addictive which increases the odds of getting caught. And it gets very expensive when you get caught there's bail and a lawyer not to mention being dressed in an orange jumpsuit. Then there's therapy and community service plus possible jail time.

Stop while you still can. I know it's not easy but you are worth it.

No judgement, just worried about your future.

[Crazy Hitch]

I don't judge what you have written and it takes guts. I do worry about the day you do get caught with no excuse though like you managed to get away with one time. You just don't need that kind of thing. I don't know what to say that would make you stop; but I do hope you realise that you're skating on thin ice; and I say this with the very best of intent.

[Misssy2]

I don't feel bad when I shop lift...I think like someone mentioned it makes me feel "smarter" and "powerful". I do not do it often because I too am afraid that I will get caugh t and I do not like the rush of adrenline I feel walking out of the store (nervous anxiety).

I don't really know what to say except I found your post interesting and for myself..I stick to really small things. The other day I did take one clam cake from the "ready made food" bin in a local store and ate it walking thru the store. That way there was no evidence of an empty container or wrapper. I was starving...so I already had in my mind that IF someone had seen me and approached me I would say..I didn't want to buy them unless I "liked" them and I don't like them (which I do like them) so I didn't buy any...

[Gus1234U]

the one thing that helped me when i was in a shoplifting mode, was knowing that someone cared more about ME than the crime, or the disfunction. my T at the time was alarmed at what getting caught might do to my mental health, more than WHY i would do such a thing....

now i find that i hang on to a spiritual belief system, morality or whatever, to help me pay what's owed. that is the gift i give myself~

[unaluna]

Not to mention, if / when your family found out? This seems self-destructive, bigly.

You clearly realise this is wrong and it has to stop before you get into serious trouble.

To give you the other side, in our store we have a board with our losses chalked up, losses are damage, wastage and theft - these impact on our annual bonus. It doesn't matter if sales are high, our losses can negate this. Shoplifters literally steal our bonus - so the impact of this on ordinary people (as opposed to the big store name) is real. If you get the urge maybe looking at the ordinary workers in the store might help you override the urge, they are min wage and many rely on their bonus.

I personally feel self scan has a lot to answer for, people like you who may not have been tempted before suddenly find it's easy to do. Perhaps going to the checkout when available may be a good temptation avoidance plan.

Lastly please be aware just because you haven't been caught doesn't mean the staff aren't aware, sometimes they are just waiting for the moment they have you red handed. I would hate to read a post from you where that happened, please count your lucky stars and take action to stop - avoid self scan, shop with others and remember the dear cost this can have to yourself and others.