An interesting question: Is this stealing or not? I wouldn't try it myself!!
By kbkbooks
@kbkbooks (7022)
Canada
March 22, 2008 10:00pm CST
I heard the neatest question on a radio talk show, and I thought it would make a great discussion here. It was NOT resolved on the radio, and I am pretty sure we cannot resolve it here, but I thought it would be fun. Let me preface the whole thing by saying, I would NEVER try this myself!! I don't think it's healthy (you'll see why) and I sure don't think it's honest or legal. Let me know what you think.
Ok... the radio talk show host said her friend had gone on a diet where she loses LOTS of weight VERY fast. The problem with this is that she has to keep replacing her wardrobe every week or two, and it was getting very expensive. So her solution was: Buy your preferred outfits at whatever store you like. When you lose enough weight to drop a size go back to the store with that outfit on. Go to the rack and pick up the next smallest size and simply change in the dressing room. Then hang the larger size back on the rack and walk out.
Is that stealing?
The first assumption was that you only wore the outfit once or twice before needing to exchange it because you lost weight. The second was that you kept the outfit in good condition and returned it clean. Since many stores will put returned merchandise back on the rack anyway, never really knowing if it had been worn or not, they figured what was the difference?
There were a lot of different answers from callers. Some said because the store wasn't losing anything, it wasn't stealing. Some said it was cheating other buyers because they were then buying used merchandise. Some said the person should save the tags and receipts and simply say they found out it was the wrong size when given for a gift either to them or from them, and exchange it honestly.
If I were going to do this, which I never would, I guess I would try the last option, but like I said, I just wouldn't do it. I don't believe in crash dieting and I don't believe this is honest or legal. Also, I was thinking about those security alarm tags that are fastened to the clothing and cannot be removed without ruining the clothes unless there is a special tool used.
7 people like this
13 responses
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
25 Mar 08
yes, it is stealing, she did not purchase the new identical dress - she did not exchange the old dress for legitimate reasons - and she purchased it under false pretenses. I think it is a rotten thing to do and indicative of a shallow character.
3 people like this
@4you4me4us (53)
• United States
24 Mar 08
OK um yes I think this is stealing... But First of all I wouldn't want to go to a store and buy something someone has already worn while being under the impression that I am buying something new... Second this messes up the stores records of for instance having 2 size 6's in a particular item, not knowing that someone has come and swapped it with a size 8, now leaving them with an incorrect stock quantity... Third you walk into the store wearing the truth and walk back out wearing a lie... Fourth this is deceptive, Fifth In my opinion the list of wrongs concerning this goes on and on... :)
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
24 Mar 08
So THAT'S why I occasionally find items without price tags ...
And secondly, what is really sad -- if she is not changing her lifestyle and learning how to moderate her eating and exercise program, she is just going to gain even more weight when she stops the program.
It is most definitely stealing, not from the store, but from the people who buy the used items as new. Sure, go ahead a wash it, mend whatever damage. Both adds wear and tear on the garment, and shouldn't be sold as new.
I would recommend she buy used clothing during the duration of her diet. It's no disgrace - I bought many suits from Goodwill during my college days that didn't take any of my rent money - and my employers couldn't care less that my clothes didn't come from Nordstrom. If her friends care, I would think she need new friends.
3 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
24 Mar 08
I think used clothing is a good idea too. Most of the time, I prefer to shop in used clothing stores anyway, as it ends up much cheaper and you can get some really nice stuff. I bought my husband about 5 total outfits one day for less than $10, and they were all nicer than what he already had at home!!
3 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
24 Mar 08
kbkbooks, my proposed solution:
a) I was always told (anyone can confirm?) that if clothes are bought at expensive stores such as Eddie Bauer, A&F, The Limited, (I'm sure you know what type of stores) if you did have weight loss then they would exchange the clothes so you could get another size or give a refund.
My friend said she had A&F clothes that they took back, and she was given a store credit so she could pick out new clothes.
I think that it's not right to do what was described because the weight loss plan you described doesn't sound good for the body. Plus, if what I said was true then she should buy from stores that will give credit for her clothes :D
Pablo
3 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
24 Mar 08
I never heard that before, and I am not sure what the time limit would be... like some stores will exchange within ten days or thirty days or whatever with the receipt and tags. I agree with you, the kind of diet she was on didn't seem healthy if it makes your weight loss that fast. Besides, it probably wouldn't keep the weight off.
2 people like this
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
24 Mar 08
I agree with you, it is still stealing. I think in all stores in the mall they have this tags that when you are going out of the store the sound device will alarm if you steal something and it will become obvious. I will not do it its stealing.
3 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
24 Mar 08
That is a totally dishonest thing to do! I don't know how someone could live with themselves... that's just awful, and not something I am capable of, that's for sure. And as a consumer, I would be disgusted to find out that someone else wore something I bought at least one day. Ewww!
I much prefer the idea of holding onto the tags and receipts and then returning the outfit(s). But even then, I couldn't do that after wearing something even once out, unless there was something wrong with the clothing (bad stitching, or whatever).
There are so many outfits that can be worn and look decent even when they're a size or two too large. And if I were in that same situation, I'd simply go to a consignment shop, or any other second hand clothing store.
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
24 Mar 08
Consignment shop, now there is a good idea. I like that answer. And like you say, so many things look fine when they are a bit larger, too. Heck, most of the stuff my boys where is all baggy anyway. Howcome women can't get into that frame of mind? Personally I like loose fitting clothing, it's more comfortable.
2 people like this
@Krisss (1231)
• Australia
23 Mar 08
I don't think stealing is the right word for it, but its very dishonest and awful. Who wants to buy what they think are new clothes when someone else has been wearing them, and worse still, they have been worn.
I hate those security tags, I had an item of clothing damaged by one and the store would not refund my money. I always check things very carefully AFTER the tag has been removed.
3 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
24 Mar 08
It is definite that some of those tags do damage the clothing, no matter how carefully the clerks remove them. Some of them also make it difficult to try on the clothes! Those other little "magnetic" UPC tags that are just little and stick on the price tags or somewhere on the merchandise are less harmful, but also less secure. I don't know what the perfect solution is.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
24 Mar 08
If she keeps her recept, why not just go to the store and do honest exchange?
If the item is damage, than yes, it is steeling. I would say that honest exchange would be the only option. I rather buy at second hand than do such trick. Maybe store is not loosing, but customers do.
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
25 Mar 08
It does make a difference because all stock is controlled by computer in most shops these days, so the larger size has to be returned to the stock list.
It is technically stealing as she has taken a garment she didn't pay for. It doesn't matter she left the larger sized garment in it's place.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Mar 08
If it is not stealing it is certainly dishonest and who would want to wear her used clothing if they knew she had already worn the garments.the person should have been honest and returned the garment with all the tags but not have worn it my heavens I would not want to wear a yucky sweated on garment from this lady. and how did she manage to lose so quickly as all of us overweight people would love to know.She could not have got out of the store with a garment that had a security alarm on it.
3 people like this
@mom4kids (657)
• Canada
2 Apr 08
I think this is stealing and isn't right. I think perhaps if she did it honestly and tried to return the merchandise and exchange it this would be alright if the people at the store took it back. I mean if it doesn't fit her anymore and the store is willing to take a used item back then I think thats fine. But going in and just exchanging it yourself is wrong. It's being sneaky and dishonest. Even if the store isn't loosing out on anything the way she's going about it is wrong and I just wouldn't do it.
@kezabelle (2974)
•
23 Mar 08
The store might not lose out,but you would still be taking an item of clothing you had not gone to the checkout and paid for so in my opinion that is stealing.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
23 May 08
I would say that it is stealing as you are swapping without permission, if someone took your jeans and left their jeans (worth the same money) would you be unhappy? Most likely yes, so just because it is a store doesn't make it any different.
1 person likes this
