wombling in tesco - what's safe

atherlon

Idiophreak wrote: »

I don't think the size of Tesco has anything to do with it really.

The points, if you like, have already been paid for...

When I buy a DVD for £10, I'm not buying a DVD, I'm buying the DVD *and ten(or whatever) points* for that money.

So when womblers "steal" the points, they're stealing them from the new owners - ie the customers - not from Tesco.

Now...by throwing their points away, the "new owner" is effectively disowning the points - making them *nobodies*. And if something doesn't belong to anyone, can you really steal it?

I don't womble, and I have a strong sense of right and wrong, but I just don't think I can see it as stealing...

i agree with you 100%

if i go to macdonalds and buy a happy meal and then as im leaveing throw away the free toy , does that toy still belong to macdonads ??

if someone picked it up and gave the toy (still sealed in plastic bag) to thier child , would that be theft from macdonalds , as when macdonalds sold me the happy meal was the toy ment for me only ?

and i wonder why this countries going to the dogs , god help us all

Idiophreak

atherlon wrote: »

if someone picked it up and gave the toy (still sealed in plastic bag) to thier child , would that be theft from macdonalds , as when macdonalds sold me the happy meal was the toy ment for me only ?

Well, it fits within the definition of stealing as set out in the Theft Act 1968.... :rotfl:


More seriously, though, Tozer...
What parts of the act are you referring to here, specifically?

And does it clarify how you can steal something that doesn't belong to anyone?

Coupon-mad

Good point, idiophreak!

And this whole discussion seems to have got a somewhat pointless(!!:D pointless, geddit?!).

Those of us who womble are mainly advocating picking up till-spits (extra points offers) which the anti-brigade agree are OK anyway...Those still arguing that it's theft are continuing to assume we are picking up receipts - which is more risky and many of us don't even do that!

Tozer

Section 1 Theft Act.

A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.

Easy way round it is to not be dishonest. Be upfront with Tesco. After you have scrabbled around on the floor of the superstore looking for receipts (lol), say to the customer service person that the purchases were not made by you.

Bet you don't.

Tozer

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Good point, idiophreak!

And this whole discussion seems to have got a somewhat pointless(!!:D pointless, geddit?!).

Those of us who womble are mainly advocating picking up till-spits (extra points offers) which the anti-brigade agree are OK anyway...Those still arguing that it's theft are continuing to assume we are picking up receipts - which is more risky and many of us don't even do that!

Err, read some of the posts.

bravobeastie

I must admit, i'm not a womble, however, it isn't really commiting fraud against Tesco as they have already allocated these points. If the person they were allocated to don't want them, they will throw away the receipt. If they wanted the points they would have either been added or kept until they had their card.

I'm sure if you were to ask the 'owners' of these receipts if you could use their points, they would shrug their shoulders and say 'do what you want with it'

If it is illegal to 'womble' then how come so many Tesco club card points are for sale on ebay? Wouldn't this also be illegal and the sales cancelled?

Idiophreak

Tozer wrote: »

Section 1 Theft Act.

A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.

But that's just it. They don't belong to anyone. So *by definition* it isn't stealing..?

So, another one to put forward...I pick up a till spit, receipt, whatever...I go to the police station, hand it in. Wait six weeks (or whatever it is) for someone to claim it. They don't.

The points are then *legally* my own. No grey area. 100% belong to me. I then claim these points. Is this still wrong, by your definition, as the person who owns the points is not the person that bought them?

Tozer

Idiophreak wrote: »

But that's just it. They don't belong to anyone. So *by definition* it isn't stealing..?

So, another one to put forward...I pick up a till spit, receipt, whatever...I go to the police station, hand it in. Wait six weeks (or whatever it is) for someone to claim it. They don't.

The points are then *legally* my own. No grey area. 100% belong to me. I then claim these points. Is this still wrong, by your definition, as the person who owns the points is not the person that bought them?

You are confusing yourself. We are talking about a receipt which is used to appropriate points. As it is not your receipt and you are not entitled to those points (as is very clear in Tesco's terms and conditions) then you are attempting to dishonestly appropriate them.

Anyway, as I said, all you need to do is say "These receipts are not mine" thereby getting around the dishonesty requirement. But you won't!

Appreciate you think that there is no grey area. I agree. It is black and white but I don't reach the same conclusion as you.

Tozer

bravobeastie wrote: »

I must admit, i'm not a womble, however, it isn't really commiting fraud against Tesco as they have already allocated these points. If the person they were allocated to don't want them, they will throw away the receipt. If they wanted the points they would have either been added or kept until they had their card.

I'm sure if you were to ask the 'owners' of these receipts if you could use their points, they would shrug their shoulders and say 'do what you want with it'

If it is illegal to 'womble' then how come so many Tesco club card points are for sale on ebay? Wouldn't this also be illegal and the sales cancelled?

I think they are vouchers, not points, for sale on Ebay. They appear freely assignable as with anything under English law unless a restriction on assignment is imposed.

Coupon-mad

Tozer wrote: »

I think they are vouchers, not points, for sale on Ebay. They appear freely assignable as with anything under English law unless a restriction on assignment is imposed.

There are loads and LOADS of points coupons available on eBay - some in the form of till-spits and some in the form of named coupons that people receive with their cc vouchers. Of course the buyer has to go & buy the right item to use the extra points voucher (which I think is OK).

Tesco probably don't think it's OK but they haven't got eBay to stop such listings, so maybe they turn a blind eye as it brings in more customers to their stores.

And some sellers have sold receipts as well - it's less common but they are sometimes listed for sale so the buyers can claim the points. I think this is not OK - purely because Tesco will often notice too many receipts being added and will write a warning letter (I had one yonks ago which is why I only womble 'safe' points, in the form of till-spits). The next logical step after the warning would be removal of points.

I even picked up a till-spit in front of the Till manager I was discussing coupons with, last week! I said, 'oooh, good, extra points, I can buy that item'. She smiled & was completely unfazed (same as she had been with my coupons, she is a nice lady. Not sure I would have dared to pick up a till-spit in front of some other Tesco staff I could mention though).