by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: October 16, 2009   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

Shoplifting can hurt more than just the business from which you are stealing. It causes a tidal wave of other problems that aren't apparent on the surface. These are things that you should think about when you think about shoplifting.

Here are some of the people that shoplifting hurts:

The Thief- If you get caught shoplifting, you will be charged with theft. You will be arrested and taken to jail. You will then have to go before a judge and your record will be permanently damaged. You will be publicly embarrassed if your local newspaper prints information about these things as well. It isn't worth the cost to your name and reputation to shoplift from any store. You can also be charged with a felony if you steal over $500. This will make it very difficult to get a job later on and you will have to pay restitution to boot.

The Business- When you shoplift, you hurt the business from which you have stolen from. You take away profits that they would otherwise be making. Shoplifting from a merchandiser is the same thing as breaking into someone's home. It costs the store time and money to deal with shoplifters. They will also have to go to court which wastes time and money.

Other Customers- Paying customers end up paying one of the biggest prices for your shoplifting habits. The more that is stolen from a store, the more a customer has to pay for other items. The prices rise when there is loss to the store. It is always passed on to the consumer in the end. That means that when you actually purchase something with money, you are also paying for what someone else shoplifted. It doesn't sound very fair, does it?

Shoplifting is a bad habit to get into. If you can't afford something, you can't have it. That is just how life works. Leave the merchandise on the store shelf where it belongs if you have no intention of purchasing it legally. It isn't worth the cost to you or any of the other people that this affects deeply. If you aren't working, start working. If you don't make enough money, look for legal ways to make more money. Don't take what isn't yours. You wouldn't want someone to do it to you, so don't expect others to feel any differently about it.

If you get caught shoplifting, it can ruin your life. Don't let materialism bring you down to that level. Understand what you need and take care of that first. Pay for it legally. If you don't need it but still want it, find a way to earn it. Be fair to all of those people who choose to do things the right way.

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