I'm 21 years old. Every few weeks, I'll steal stuff from stores such as Barnes and Noble or Target. I've almost gotten caught twice, and I'm worried I will get caught eventually and face charges.
I don't think I have a serious problem, I don't do it for a high, I don't do it everytime I"m in a store, but when I want something and don't have the money for it, I'll usually slip it into my purse, and it's so easy that it feels like free stuff.
I almost got caught at Walmart, I set the alarm off walking out, but I had bought something, and the lady never checked my purse, she just let me go.
And at Barnes and Noble the alarm went off once but I just kept walking out and nobody seemed to notice. Do you think they will look back at cameras and see me stealing and then catch me if I go back to the store? I've avoided going to the Walmart because the woman who stopped me wrote down my transaction number and the time because I set off the alarm, so I figure if they looked back at cameras they would see me stealing and arrest me if I went back there.
Do stores like Target randomly watch their cameras often?
How do I stop doing this? Should I avoid going to stores alone? I really don't want to do this anymore, it's just so easy and free.
I really need to stop, the idea of getting caught and having this on my record terrifies me.
Any tips, other than "just stop it". Maybe from others who have dealt with this in their own lives?
Thanks.
Because of you prices go up and people like me, that actually pay for their items, have to pay those prices.
Quote:
I don't think I have a serious problem
You do have a serious problem, but not one that we can help you with. The first step is wanting to stop, which is where you're at, the second step sadly is getting help, which is what you don't want to hear.
It sounds like you have an addiction. Do you use drugs? Do you drink heavily? Sometimes it's the rush, or excitment of stealing that you are looking for. It's not really about the merchandise is it? Well, you really need to get help. You realize now that you have a problem, and that's good.
So, how to stop? You get into a 12 step program like Alcoholics Anonymous. There is a group, Here it is: http://www.shopliftersanonymous.com/
It is shoplifter's anonymous. It's "kin" to AA, and will help you. You will have meetings, with people who will, like you, stay anonymous.It's free and worldwide. There should be a meeting near you.
You should go now before you get arrested.
Now that you know you have a problem, and want to stop, you should commit yourself to doing the right thing. Free yourself of this addiction.
Ashriel disagrees: not helpful. I"m totally open to getting help. But I was looking more for advice, rather than admonishment. Stick to your expertise.
Time to read the rules. My post was opinion. It's against the rules to give a reddie for an opinion.
I gave you advice, if you don't like it then don't follow it, that's up to you.
As for my expertise, do you really think that people are limited to only one area of expertise? Don't let the title fool you, I'm not limited to pet knowledge.
I have a ferret that steals stuff too. It's pretty bad I think he has a problem.. Could you help me out ?
Emyth, if you don't have anything to add to this thread then please refrain from posting. This is not a chat site, this is a question and answer site.
If you need help with your ferret then post your question in the pet forum, don't hijack someone's thread. If you're just joking then your post is not appropriate for this site.
It's not free...I have to pay for it. Because of people like you stores have to raise their prices and those price increases come out of my pocket and make it hard for me to put food on the table for my family and my two growing children.
How do you stop? Next time you put something in your purse look over at the young mother who has had to clip coupons to feed her baby.
Alty might be a pet expert but she clearly knows stealing is wrong.
As far as the original post you do have a problem and you do need to seek help. If it wasn't a high or some thrill then you would be smart enough to stop. Your worried about being caught and arrested. Well so be it. Maybe the shame from your name being put in the papers and your friends and family finding out will stop you.
Do you think your job or friends would ever trust you if you were caught? How about your family? Do you want to be labeled a thief? I believe you do, unless you make the choice for help.
You did NOT give me advice, you gave me your opinion on my situation stating that I am the cause of the increase of prices for things in stores. Not helpful.
The one part of your post the might be considered advice is when you said I need to get help. However that isn't really advice, because you gave me no actual where, why, how, when on the whole "get help" thing.
And your "advice" giving definitely shows that we are all limited to certain areas of expertise. Sorry to be blunt, but perhaps think before posting opinions rather than advice.
I always find it amusing when people come here for advice and then get angry when they're told the truth.
You steal, you're a thief, so yes, you are responsible for the increase in prices because the store has to recoup their losses somehow. You may not want to hear it, but that doesn't make it any less true.
As for where you can get help, start with a psychologist or psychiatrist, find out why you feel the need to steal. You say you don't do it for a high, so obviously there's another reason why. Only you know that reason.
Your comment about my advice, well, that's your opinion. My reputation here speaks for itself, so be as blunt as you want. I'm going to do what you should do which is ignore your opinion.
This site has many members. You have insulted one that is highly respected by giving her a "reddie" incorrectly. You will not get the help you are asking for by telling people how to answer your questions. If you feel that an answer is not helping you, just disregard it.
I suggest you re-read the site rules.
Basically when you throw a question out there, you get what you get.
The last thing you want to do is to get everyone angry here. Trust me, I know. I did it too. I didn't know exactly how the "agree/disagree" system worked.
If you want help, try to be more understanding. The reputation system is based on correct/incorrect answers. Altenweg's response was not factually incorrect. Prices DO in fact go up to offset shoplifting.
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