son accidentally stole a wallet

BargainJunky

Rather than take your son to the store to pay for the item I would post it back to them with an apology letter. This way they have it back and they are none the wiser who has returned it.

If you both take it back in person it could open up a can of worms as they may think that you have caught him taking something and are trying to teach him a lesson.

mgdavid

meritaten wrote: »

um whats wrong with - I got home and found this wallet with my shopping? the shop will just take it and contact the owner. no blame no shame.

I gather it is a new wallet, it doesn't (yet) have an owner.

Person_one

elsien wrote: »

If it's going to cause him so much anxiety going back and you're sure it was a mistake, could he just post it back anonymously with an explanatory note?

This seems the simplest thing. The wallet gets back to where it belongs, your son can relax knowing he has done the right thing and you will save him a lot of anxiety from now until it is returned. No harm done to anyone.

Send it special delivery though!

Person_one

Mylo_The_Moggy wrote: »

I applaud your son for owning up, at least he had the guts to tell you. You have certaily brought him up well to realise when he makes mistakes & to own up.
Maybe call in to the shop, have a browse around, as though you are just generally shopping, stand where said wallets are displayed, put the one you have, in your hand, then go to the counter & pay as you normally would. TBH I bet no one even realises.

I bet most honest people would instantly look as suspicious as hell as soon as they tried this. I'd feel like an extra in a bad spy film! There's really no need for any subterfuge.

Armorica

While I can see the value in him taking it back - society isn't necessarily very believing of teenage boys. Post it back, or the money (and barcode), or take it back yourself.

iammumtoone

Person_one wrote: »

I bet most honest people would instantly look as suspicious as hell as soon as they tried this. I'd feel like an extra in a bad spy film! There's really no need for any subterfuge.

I agree.

Either post it back or go into the shop holding it and walk straight up to the counter to pay. Perhaps ask your son which he would feel more comfortable with. The only thing I would say is whatever method he chooses make sure it is his money thats paying for it whether it's the postage cost or the cost of the wallet.

Good luck I am sure he has learnt a lesson and will be more careful in future as if he had got caught ignorance is no defence! I am certain most people including myself have done similar I know when I did I felt lucky. Shops must hear all the time I forgot to pay used as an excuse I am sure they never believe it but in some of those cases it will be true. In my situation I thought no one would think I was trying to steel if you walk out with something so clearly in sight but I bet shoplifters also do this hoping the 'I forgot' defence stands.

Tiddlywinks

meritaten wrote: »

um whats wrong with - I got home and found this wallet with my shopping? the shop will just take it and contact the owner. no blame no shame.

Um... What's wrong with reading all the posts which showed the full story - it was a new wallet (off the shelf).

mgdavid

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Um... What's wrong with reading all the posts which showed the full story - it was a new wallet (off the shelf).

As I already said in post #23
Touche.....

JIL

I am surprised the alarms didn't go off as he left the store. I would phone first. You never know what could happen as you enter the store and alarms sound? I'm not sure how your son or the store security would react. I have bought a number of things and got home and the tags have been left on. I didn't notice on the way out of the store but heard them when I returned. Luckily I had receipts.

duchy

Don't be so silly
You are talking utter nonsense- I suspect you are trying to bully as the OP has mentioned her son has a disability which means he tends to get more anxious anyway. People like you are pathetic and despicable.

Marktheshark wrote: »

Having sat on the "other side" for literally hundreds of shop lifting hearings, I can tell you, leaving a shop with "concealed goods" was about as "intentional" as it comes, then to be escorted back by a parent who has a shaggy dog tale about them finding it at home by accident.
By now all 3 sets of eyebrows on the bench would be up.

If the shop, understand fine, but don't expect the bench at the youth court to do the same, they have heard every excuse going.

Several retailers have absolute zero tolerance on this issue and will always demand prosecution.

The choice of a CRO is only offered if the retailer agrees, pick the wrong one and a trip to the local juvenile court could be on the cards .