Shopping in Stores: Changed your mind on an item. Do you put it back or leave it anywhere?

United States
August 6, 2016 7:44pm CST
I am sure we are all guilty of adding items to our cart, but after strolling around the store - we may: change our minds, found something better, didn't bring enough cash, not within budget, etc. Whatever the reason may be, do you put the item back to where it belongs -or- do you just leave the item anywhere? I came across this thought while shopping at Target today! We went to go pick up a few household essentials and we were debating whether or not to purchase a new bath mat for the tub (but upon reading the reviews, it wasn't all that great). Since we were already at the register, we told the lady we didn't want the mat anymore and she gladly took it and placed it underneath her counter. However, I always see random items scattered/misplaced in the store. In my opinion, it is job security of those who put the items scattered around - but if its an item you really want and the store says it's in stock, you might be out of luck because someone "misplaced" the item. And, I hate it when I see cold items that are supposed to be frozen, or cold just left out in the clothes section or office supply for example - that's at a lost for the store! What do you do?
13 people like this
16 responses
@toniganzon (72554)
• Philippines
7 Aug 16
Depends. When i'm still near the rack where I took it, I put it back. But when I'm already far away, I just leave it where I'm standing.
2 people like this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Me too, it depends where I'm at in the store. I wouldn't walk all the way back if I'm already close to the front. :) But if it is something cold I would put it back to an area that is cold or the same area.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72554)
• Philippines
7 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby Yep, i do the same.
2 people like this
• United States
7 Aug 16
@toniganzon Me too. :)
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
9 Aug 16
I always put the item back where it belongs
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Aug 16
That is very sweet of you :)
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
@RubyHawk I never have, I was a hostess (never got tip though) but it was a summer job years back!
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
15 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby I used to work in retail.
1 person likes this
• Peoria, Arizona
7 Aug 16
I always put things back, I do not have the conscious to not put anything back. I feel like it is a waste and sometimes kids might grab something and it could hurt them. When I worked in retail it was terrible of how much stuff people actually left around. And how sticky things get. Even before that I would not just leave an idea there, i would take it back to make it easier for the workers, but after I worked in retail I made sure to even pick up items that were left around and put them back.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
That's very sweet of you. I think of it as job security if people don't put things back. Especially when it comes to cold items ~ I see that annoying or items people EAT and not pay for.
• Peoria, Arizona
16 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby I hate to see things go to waste it is such a shame.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Aug 16
I always return the item on the rack which I decide not to buy.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
Even if you are all the way at the front to check out? :)
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
@sunrisefan Oh hehe :P
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby No. I don't wait to check out to decide. Right then and there near the rack I decide if I will buy the item or not.
1 person likes this
• India
7 Aug 16
I usually put the item back to the shelf from where I picked the item. I don't like mismanaged shelves and I think it's my duty to keep things at the right place.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
That's nice of you. I think it as job security if items aren't put back for the workers.
1 person likes this
• India
16 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby Agree. Our small favour can keep their happiness long.
@Raj7779 (3657)
• Canada
7 Aug 16
I always put them back on the rack where I first saw them
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
That is very sweet of you :)
1 person likes this
@Raj7779 (3657)
• Canada
16 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby thank you.
@GardenGerty (160998)
• United States
7 Aug 16
I take it back especially if it is cold. If it is not convenient to take back I take it to a cashier or to the service desk. Yes, the computers often say that there are things in stock that cannot be found and warehouse will not send more unless it is sold or there is an adjustment.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Yes, I do the same and if it's cold ~ I'll generally put it in the cold section but if I am near - I'll return it to the right spot.
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
7 Aug 16
I always try to put it back and I would never put frozen or refrigerated items out of the freezer or the fridge...
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Same! There are people who do!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
7 Aug 16
Yes I do bring it back most of the time because it doesn't fit the little budget that i have.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Thats nice you bring it back to the place you got it from. :)
@LeaPea2417 (37384)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7 Aug 16
I always put them back on the rack where I first saw them.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
That is very nice of you. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
i always put schtuff back where i found 't. e'en if'n i see somethin' somebody else's jest left where e'er, i'll take that back's well. i don't comprehend why our society's so lazy? heck, most'll not e'en put their carts'n those lil corrals - e'en if'n such's right next to where they parked :(
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
That's very sweet of you. :) I hate it when people don't put the carts back also!
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby me, too. i've 'd a few smack 'nto my trucks through the years (high winds, loose shoppin' carts - not a good thingy 's they go racin' 'cross the parkin' lot...).
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
7 Aug 16
yes. there are some who appreciate even thrash.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Yes.
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
7 Aug 16
I will go all the way back to put that item on its rightful place (ni matter wherever I am in the shop) or ask the employee attending the place to what to do with it. They often take it back and do that job. If not there, there is always the register. I just don't put it anywhere. Since I don't own the shop I should be responsible with things I pick. Just like when you are a guest at someone's place. We are careful with their things, right? Then why not the shops?
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Yes totally! But sometimes items are alway misplaced as is so I won't put them back. Generally I'll put it back, hand it over and sometimes I will put it at the shelf but I feel guilty so I don't always. Though its job security for people to do those jobs or else they won't have much to do!
1 person likes this
• Guernsey
7 Aug 16
I'm putting it back because I know how it feels to organize items in a store.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
Very nice of you ;)
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
7 Aug 16
I always put it back.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
You are very nice. :) I won't walk by generally if I am near check out. Most likely I give it to the cashier. But I have walked back if I have time!
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
If it is a food item I always put it back in the food section where it belongs. I don't always put other items back specially if I am already on the other side of the store and sometimes I just can't remember where I got an item from. With clothes I normally always put them back in the right section or I give them back to the person at the dressing rooms.
• United States
7 Aug 16
@CaseyRoss9966 Same here with food. :)
• United States
7 Aug 16
Same here! With food I don't often buy cold foods without thinking not to get it but it's wrong of people just to toss it to melt or get ruined. If they don't want to put it back give it at check out or something!
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 16
@infatuatedbby I normally don't put foods back because if I pick them up then there is a good chance I am buying it.
1 person likes this