At supermarkets is it okay to eat first then pay later?

[QuarterMillionMan]

At the supermarket is it ever okay to eat first then pay later? Grapes and cherries come to mind but I've seen people open beverages and sipping while shopping. Mom's would feed little kids Doritos or Fritos. On the shelves sometimes I'll see opened bags. I've seen half eaten apples on the floor. People that do that have no class. Parents need to teach their kids to be patient and show some impulse control themselves. And I hope no one claims diabetes saying they had to normalize blood sugar because they should be better prepared.

[LuckyRobin]

It's not okay with fruit. Fruit is paid for by the pound and if you are eating it as you shop you are cheating the store out of money. But it used to be okay to sample a grape to see if it was sweet or sour and a lot of old people still do that even though it is no longer allowed by stores. It was never okay to eat half a bunch of grapes though.

Most in-store bakeries will give a free cookie to children (and often their moms) so blood sugar crash could be mitigated by that. The deli at one of our local stores will also give a free mozzarella whip (sort of like string cheese) to children under 12.

I don't like to see it, but I'm also not all that irritated over a box of crackers being opened if there are small children and the item will get paid for. Putting it back on the shelf after eating some is theft. It's not exactly right to open something, but I'd rather see that than listen to children screaming because their parent didn't think to feed them before shopping and they are genuinely needing to be fed.

[kork13]

I've always found it to be kinda weird, but as long as you actually pay for it, then I don't see the problem... I've seen people bring up empty candy wrappers or soda bottles to the register, explain that they finished it while going through the store, and the cashier just rings it up normally... no big deal. So in my mind, as long as they're honest and upfront about the fact that they're doing it, I really don't care. But as already stated, if they're just eating/drinking something unpaid for, then either never tell the cashier they did so, or put it back on the shelf half-eaten (), that's just wrong, not to mention theft. So if a mom breaks open a box of crackers or cereal or whatever for a kid while shopping, I say "whatever", as long as it's paid for eventually.

[dojo]

I can easily go shopping and not need to eat, but few weeks ago I did open a bottle of water and started drinking it. I was very thirsty and, being pregnant, dehydration is not really a great idea. I just placed it on the counter with the other merchandise and paid for it as if it wasn't opened. I wouldn't leave stuff behind though, if I did open something I am paying for it.

[frugalharry]

I sometimes do eat chips and open bottled water while at the grocery store. Does that mean I have no class too?

I do think that it is okay as long as you are going to pay for it and not fruits or other consumables that can not be checked while at the counter.

[Mjenn]

Our grocery store has a 'take a piece of fruit' policy that allows all patrons to help themselves to a piece of fruit to eat around the store. Usually they have a bin of bananas or something in season, set up with a sign, but I have asked when the bin is not out, since my kid looks forward to it, and they say the policy is all the time -- so I do when shopping at that chain.

I also have opened things I plan to purchase -- like baby wipes or a snack pack -- I don't do it often, but it has happened in an emergency.

As for diabetics, I think your stance is pretty heartless, but only because I have type I in my family and have witnessed a few sticky situations, since it is an illness that takes time to get to know. My teenage cousin got turned away from the tiny shop in our town when, a short time after her diagnosis, she crashed while out on a run with some friends. Despite being regulars at the store, the shop keeper refused, not only to give her a candy bar, but also to lend her a phone to call her parents, to pick her up.

Thankfully, the police department was right next door. She went there instead used a phone, and none of our family or friends returned to the store again. Even the cop said something to the shopkeeper. Thankfully with a bit of sugar in a few short minutes everything was fine.

Maybe everyone could have been better prepared, it was not the shopkeepers problem, no. But everyone was new at grappling with this illness and learning. And a little kindness goes a long way.

I don't think, if you pay for what you consume, opening arandom item is a sign of anything in particular.

[dawnwes]

I have done this on rare occasions, particularly when the kids were little and really hungry and whiney in the store. I would prefer to open a bag or box of whatever and let them nibble while I shopped than have them crying and irritating other customers.

When I get to the register, I am always careful to warn the checker that a bag or box is opened so that he/she doesn't spill them all over the place when picked up.

I haven't done it in a long time (kids are older now), but I don't think it is wrong unless it is something paid for by weight.

[bjl584]

You probably shouldn't, but I've seen people bring half eaten bags of chips, and half drank bottles of drinks to the checkouts. I've never experienced an employee or a manager at a store complain about it to anyone, so I guess it isn't against any sort of rules at any of the stores that I shop at.

[disneysteve]

I see nothing wrong with snacking as you shop as long as you pay for what you ate.

At our market, you can weigh and label produce and bulk items yourself. I do occasionally buy something, weigh and label it, and then munch on it as I go. By the time I get to the register, the bag is a lot lighter but the label shows the original weight and price so I'm paying the proper amount.

All of that said, it is totally unacceptable to leave your trash on a shelf, on the floor, or anywhere else other than in a trash can.

When DD was younger, we would sometimes treat her with a donut or bagel from the bakery when we took her shopping. We always had to remember to tell the cashier about it since it was gone by the time we checked out. We used to joke with DD that we were going to put her on the conveyor so they could scan her belly.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My husband is horrified but it happened to me while pregnant. I broke into a bag of chips. I felt so guilty even though the intent was to pay. I never had done it but I figure at least I'm paying for it. Not usually with fruit. And like others have said I have also now done it with baked goods but I tell the cashier as I walk out my kid is eating x, y, or Z.

I see it as sort of people who also try on clothes they need right then and pay for it and walk out of the store like shoes or clothes. I have also done that when in an emergency my kid needed clothes.

[rennigade]

I think its kind of nasty personally. Way too many germs on those shopping carts to be handling that then putting food in my mouth. Not to mention there arent a lot of honest people out there. We've all seen the empty bottles/bags of chips laying around half eaten that people helped themselves to.

As to answer the question...no I dont think its ok to eat first then pay later. Chances are you arent going to die in the 30ish minutes you spend in the store if you're not stuffing your face with chips. And you're probably not going to dehydrate in that same time if you arent sipping on something. Suck it up...shop...and leave.

[disneysteve]

One thing that drives me nuts at the store and makes me just want to slap people is when they think the bulk food section is a free buffet. Almost every trip, I see someone reach into a bin and take a piece of candy or something without paying for it.

[bigdaddybus]

If you shop at my local walmart you will find items from the deli left on shelves (popcorn chicken is a popular one). That make it too easy to steal, so people do

[feh]

As to answer the question...no I dont think its ok to eat first then pay later.

I agree. It's not yours until it's paid for.

[fruitbowlk]

I grew up seeing my god-mother doing this but the truth is that when it comes to produce and anything eles that has to be weighted it is considered stealing. I don't do it.