friend vs. ex-employer
Somebody I know quite well used to work for a large high-street pharmaceutical company that WASN'T Superdrug. I say used to because after a year the recession was kicking in and they were looking to lay staff off. As he only worked a few hours over the weekend he was the first to go with very little notice. While working there he notcied a flaw in their returns policy and after a few months returned to test his theory.

This companys return policy was "if you have a reciept, you can return it for a refund, or a new item". If you didn't have a reciept the you could exhange for an item of the same or less value, or get a Boots gift card for the remaning balance.

He picked up a make-up set from the shelf (~£15) went up to the check-out and spun some tale about his mum not wanting this and could he have a reciept. The girl explained that she couldnt give a refund as he didn't have the reciept and he could only exchange it (when he of course knew) so he went and picked some DVD-RW's, some CD Markers, a drink and returned to the checkout which he then swapped the make up kit for (even though he hadn't bought it). He left the store with the produts and a £7 gift card to spend in any branch of Boots. (whoops)

I have been told that many people do this on a dily basis and get away with it, though you may not be so lucky.

EDIT: yes, this is technically fraud but as they "forgot" to pay him due holiday money he saw it as fair game.
(tb2571989 dies at precisely, Fri 18 Jun 2010, 11:21, 10 replies)

Mmmmm
A high street pharmacy that isn’t Superdrug and gives out Boot’s Gift Cards....who could it be?
( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Fri 18 Jun 2010, 11:37, closed)

This is the same returns policy that every company has, it's not restricted to Boots. People who do this on a daily basis aren't "getting round the policy and getting away with it", they are simply stealing. I'm sure he's very proud.
(Borderline Schizo, Fri 18 Jun 2010, 11:38, closed)

IANAL but
I have it on good authority that it is perfectly ok to steal from large corporations.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 9:19, closed)

I always see vans on the road with shoplifting signs on them
I thought thats a bit cheeky, taking a van with you... then the missus pointed out it said shop FITTING
(TwinkleFuckingToes Has a ingrown toe nail, Fri 18 Jun 2010, 11:47, closed)

yup, i mis read that too
and lebanese restaurant as lesbianese restaurant
( monstrinho do biscoito teeeshurts = www.nogunarmy.com, Fri 18 Jun 2010, 15:24, closed)

Company I work for test and repairs aircraft jacks...
The sign on our lorry "aircraft jacking systems" gets a giggle from contractors who misread it as "aircraft hijacking systems".
( snee held his breath since, Mon 21 Jun 2010, 12:07, closed)

Surely you could also go into any shop with a receipt, pick up another item, and take it for a refund?

Hardly a flaw in their returns policy, and still just stealing
(jono_h, Sat 19 Jun 2010, 7:21, closed)

EDIT: yes, this is technically fraud but as they "forgot" to pay him due holiday money he saw it as fair game.
no it's not, it actually theft.
which makes your friend a thief.
simple.
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Sat 19 Jun 2010, 12:32, closed)

Why theft and not fraud?
you claim that you bought an item, and then they give you a refund. Not sure if claiming you bought the item counts as theft, or just deception.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 9:21, closed)

because...
it is dishonestly appropriat[ing] property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.

For what we tend to think of as theft the dishonestly appropriating tends to be slipping the item into a pocket, but the Theft Act 1968 uses the above definition
(teebie jeebie, Mon 21 Jun 2010, 14:20, closed)