🚀 go-pugleaf

trent <oozenet@trentland.com> wrote:
> Al wrote:
>> John A. Weeks III wrote:
>> > In article <cYOdnSNXmerXXiDenZ2dnUVZ_sydnZ2d@comcast.com>,
>> >  David Chesler <chesler@post.harvard.edu> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >>John A. Weeks III wrote:
>> >>
>> >>>                         The weight of facts in favor of
>> >>>the store owning the item is far greater than the weight of the
>> >>>facts of the perpetrator owning the item.
>> >>
>> >>  Possession is 9/10 of the law.  It is undisputed that OP had
>> >>the item when he was on the returns line.
>> >
>> >
>> > If that is your idea of law, then how would you propose to
>> > prosecute shoplifting?  If all I have to do is take an item
>> > and it becomes mine, then that gives a whole new meaning to
>> > shopping.  I never have to pay for anything again.
>> >
>> >
>> >>  Under the old common law what they did was not theft, although in
>> >>some cases it might be barritry, or consignment, or unlawful disposal
>> >>of goods lawfully obtained, or illegal conversion, all of which have
>> >>been crimes for a long time.  I don't know the statutes in MN, but
>> >>most likely all forms of taking what isn't yours are larceny.
>> >
>> >
>> > I don't think anyone disputes that.  The dispute is who owned
>> > the property--the store or the perpatrator.
>> >
>> >
>> >>>                                          As a result, the store
>> >>>should keep their item unless the perpetrator can prove otherwise.
>> >>
>> >>  "Should" is interesting.  Is that "should" as in "will maximize their
>> >>profits, because they'll piss off some customers, only some of whom
>> >>will make a stink, but they'll catch more would-be thieves this way"?
>> >
>> >
>> > It is worth pissing off a few customers to pervent retail theft.
>> > Consider that if a typical customer buys a typical $1000 item,
>> > the store might earn $50 in profit.  Yes, margins are that thin
>> > on stuff like computers and TV's.  If a thief takes a typical
>> > $1000 item, the store is out $950 for the cost of the item.
>> > That makes the loss of one item cost the same as the profit from
>> > 19 customers.  You also need to factor in the heard-like mentality
>> > of the great masses--if you catch a few high profile shoplifters
>> > and make a bit of news, everyone hears about it, which tends to
>> > help keep the honest people honest.
>> >
>> > -john-
>> >
>> 
>> This thread is the best troll ever. You folks have way too much time on
>> your hands. What if the guy had an actual problem? LOL
> 
> We are merely here for your entertainment.

SCONE