🚀 go-pugleaf

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