Shoplifted from Tesco. RLP Compensation - what to do?

[londonstudent19]

Hello all,

 

I am extremely embarrassed to have to post this

 

 

I was caught shoplifting from Tesco last month.

I had just found out the company I work for was going into liquidation

and therefore was having one of those days where you could cry at any misfortune that might happen to you.

 

 

I went to use the self check-out in a large London Tesco.

After scanning all the items through and put them into my own "Bag for life" it came to £47.00

and so I took out my debit card and went to pay,

 

 

after putting in my pin it said my card had been declined

and therefore I was waiting for the assistant to come over

and put a pin into the screen.

 

After waiting 5 minutes (One assistant to about 20 tills that all seemed to have a problem)

I saw red and picked up my bag and walked out.

I know this was the wrong thing to do and I have never regretted anything more.

 

As I was walking out a security guard stopped me and asked me to come with him, I said of course and followed him.

 

 

They took me to a room and checked though my bags, I was very calm and showed them everything I stole.

 

 

They asked for my I.D and they wrote down all my information into a book,

Then because there was someone kicking off in the store the guy came in

and said "Collect all your things, we need this cell" and so i collected everything he gave my ID back.

 

As i was leaving he said to me "You are banned from Tesco for a year

and you will receive a letter in the post with a amount of compensation you have to pay",

he then opened the door and I left.

 

A week later I come home to find a letter from "RLP" saying that I need to pay the amount of "£147" to cover Tesco's cost's.

 

1. Firstly is this a normal amount?

 

2. Did the man at Tesco do everything he was meant to do?

I have read alot of these Forums and alot say that people signed a form

saying they were aware they were going to get given a form with a compensation amount on?

 

3. What happens if i don't pay?

The Tesco in question is one off the biggest in Europe

and I see people get caught all the time in there?

Does this make any different.

 

4. Because the police were not called does this mean it will not get forwarded to the police if i don't pay?

 

5. Or do I just find the money somehow and pay it?

 

 

I really don't have the money now I have lost my job and have to pay for my studies.

 

Many Thanks in advance,

A very silly man.

[dx100uk]

simple answer is IGNORE RLP TOTALLY.

 

 

end of the matter

 

 

DO NOT DO IT AGAIN...

 

 

dx

[dx100uk]

Hello all,

 

I am extremely embarrassed to have to post this

 

I was caught shoplifting from Tesco last month.

I had just found out the company I work for was going into liquidation

and therefore was having one of those days where you could cry at any misfortune that might happen to you.

 

I went to use the self check-out in a large London Tesco.

After scanning all the items through and put them into my own "Bag for life" it came to £47.00

and so I took out my debit card and went to pay,

 

after putting in my pin it said my card had been declined

and therefore I was waiting for the assistant to come over

and put a pin into the screen

 

After waiting 5 minutes (One assistant to about 20 tills that all seemed to have a problem)

I saw red and picked up my bag and walked out.

I know this was the wrong thing to do and I have never regretted anything more.

 

As I was walking out a security guard stopped me and asked me to come with him, I said of course and followed him.

 

They took me to a room and checked though my bags, I was very calm and showed them everything I stole.

 

They asked for my I.D and they wrote down all my information into a book,

Then because there was someone kicking off in the store the guy came in

and said "Collect all your things, we need this cell" and so i collected everything he gave my ID back.

 

As i was leaving he said to me "You are banned from Tesco for a year

and you will receive a letter in the post with a amount of compensation you have to pay",

he then opened the door and I left.

 

A week later I come home to find a letter from "RLP" saying that I need to pay the amount of "£147" to cover Tesco's cost's.

 

1. Firstly is this a normal amount? - what do you mean by normal?

2. Did the man at Tesco do everything he was meant to do? - yes

I have read alot of these Forums and alot say that people signed a form

saying they were aware they were going to get given a form with a compensation amount on? - so what?

3. What happens if i don't pay? - nothing!! bar more scary letters

The Tesco in question is one off the biggest in Europe

and I see people get caught all the time in there?

Does this make any different. - nope.

4. Because the police were not called does this mean it will not get forwarded to the police if i don't pay? - correct never can

5. Or do I just find the money somehow and pay it? nope

 

I really don't have the money now I have lost my job and have to pay for my studies.

 

Many Thanks in advance,

A very silly man.

 

 

 

 

^^^^^^^

 

 

dx

[londonstudent19]

Thank you Dx, Trust me I will never do it again.

 

So you think I should just ignore RLP and get on with my life?

 

Thanks

[Old Cogger]

we do not think = ignore it

[dx100uk]

:rockon:

Thank you Dx, Trust me I will never do it again.

 

So you think I should just ignore RLP and get on with my life?

 

Thanks

[silverfox1961]

Hi and welcome. Thanks to all who have assisted so far. Now for a longer response. Grab a cuppa

 

RLP act for their client, Tesco (as well as other stores) We on CAG have seen their desperate tactics for quite a long time now and we have helped many people see through this ploy.

 

RLP can do nothing to you. If Tesco wanted to do so, they could instigate court action but they don't as it is not worth their while as it would cost them far more to sue than they would get back,

 

RLP will send many, many letters over the next few months and some may ridicule the advice you get from the internet. This is because they like to instill confusion and fear into you to 'encourage' payment.

 

The compensation claim has no basis in law. Tesco can only claim for certain things. The value of the goods and some admin charges, not the security costs involved which is what they try to do.

They claim that each event costs between £300 and £500 yet they have never provided a breakdown of these costs. Security staff are paid whether the apprehend a shoplifter or not. These costs are overheads incurred by the store as part of their operations.

 

Once the RLP letter chasing stops, they will then pass on this 'undisputed' amount to a pet debt collector who has even less power than RLP. You have to ask, if it IS 'undisputed' why is a DCA chasing it.

By virtue of a DCA chasing MUST mean that it IS disputed.

 

As others have said, ignore and if you waver, ignore some more and come here for a virtual slap.

 

It goes without saying............