Stealing Technicality
 

I have a friend who collects gift cards. It's a cute hobby, I thought it was harmless, but then she told me she's stolen a few from stores before. This was a shock, but it raised a question in my head. What would a store do if they caught you stealing a gift card? Technically, it has no value if it's unactivated, but it is still store property.

I know there's another gift card thread, but I thought this was different enough to warrant its own topic.

Its lost revenue. They can't charge it with money from willing customers if its not there. No, you aren't stealing actively from them, but when a genuine customer *does* come along and the store doesn't have a gift card to put money onto, you've stolen that sale. Taking without permission is still shoplifting and its still a very harmful and repugnant behavior.

There is no "technicallly" about it, it's misdemenor theft and they can have her prosecuted if they catch her.

So it depends on the store, how badly they've been burned by shoplifting and what their policies on it are..

Lebell said it best.

Yep, yep.

Well, I wouldnt feel bad one bit about stealing at wal-mart or any other big store. I still dont though, because I don't have to and I really don't wanna take the risk of getting caught.

Why because they make billions of dollars in sales? I don't see how you can rationalize stealing from big corporations vs small stores.

IMHO, there is nothing lower than a petty thief. I can understand, and even sympathize, with those individuals in foreign nations that must resort to stealing in order to feed their familes when food is hoarded and controlled by an elitist force (see: Somalia). But, I have no pity for those individuals that are caught and punished under the law for theft, particullary those that justify their act by saying that multinational corporations are deserving as a result of greater sales volumes.

And, no, I don't download MP3s anymore. I admit to having once downloaded songs, but after having an epiphany on the issue (leading to my aforementioned opinion on theft), I have not downloaded an illegal mp3. Filesharing mp3s is theft too, and it doesn't matter what you think of RIAA. They're right.

Shame on your friend for stealing gift cards. I hope she gets caught and wises up, but preferably without jail time.

thought giftcards were worthless unless you activated them.

They are, but that's not the point being discussed. Stealing a seemingly worthless object is still stealing.

They're inventory. Like the Big Gulp cups at 7-11... you're not supposed to throw them out.

It has no redeemable value, can't buy stuff with it, but it was still produced ultimately at the expense fo the retailer.

Theft is theft. Period! While you may be more of a "bastard" for stealing from a Mom & Pop store, than from a Mega-Super-Wal-Corp, it's still stealing, no matter how many ways you try to dissect it. Two things that I hate most in the world...liars and thieves.

Besides, if you said to the cashier, "Look, I collect gift cards. Can I have one of these?" I'll bet they'd give you one. Hell, charge it up with $0.01 if you have to.

Remember, if you have to ask "is this stealing", the answer is "yes". I've yet to see this fail (in a serious context, that is).

What bothers me, is that it is seemingly "innocent" things like that, that drive up the prices for all of us. Stealing is stealing and it cost the retailer money which ultimately cost us, the consumers.

If it's not yours and you paid no money for it, bartered, services rendered, or some sort of "consideration" then it's easy, STEALING.

now to put this into SIMPLE terms.

is your friend willing to go thru the HASSLE of calling mom, dad, friends, from the local precinct to get bailed out for STEALING a less than $10 item?