Is “you break it, you buy it” commonly enforced in your area?

16 comments

1. Not usually unless it was done intentionally or recklessly

2. Depends on the store the people doing it and local laws

3. I mean most of the people who work there don’t really care.

   Like if you shoplifted from Walmart you think the person making like 9/hour is really going to put themselves at risk to stop you taking that tv? Nah

4. I don’t recall the last time I saw someone break something in a store and buy it. Usually if you break something in a big nationwide store, the store takes the loss. In a small mom and pop shop, you may have to pay for what you broke.

5. It depends on how something is broken. If it’s an accident usually the business will be alright with just an apology, but if you are being wreckless or intentionally destroying stuff, you will almost certainly be forced to pay for it, or face a stealing/destruction of property charge

6. No. Not usually. Depends a bit on the store, but it’s hard to prove. I mean no one wants to go into legal action over a something that’s probably not as expensive as the lawyer you’d need to hire.

   Case in point. My toddler once grabbed onto a shelf at a small store and it fell over. It was full of glass jars of really nice, expensive, organic honey. The owner said he can’t ask us to pay for it but he was clearly upset and I fully understand it was my kid and my responsibility. I fucked up in not holding onto him more closely in there, so I paid for what I could afford (little more than half of it).

   BUT if I were an asshole and decided not to pay anything, the most the guy could really have done is ask me to leave and not come back.

7. If it’s an accident, no. It happens nothing you can do

8. It’s kind of an unwritten rule. You might get away with opening a box just to see what’s inside, but if you actually cause some damage, you’re liable.

9. Depends on the object and the nature of the damage

10. >I was confused when I first saw people smash stuff in supermarkets and never get charged for it.

    I don’t think the phrase really is something that applies to supermarkets. Any time I’ve seen “you break it you buy it” it’s been a gift shop, antique store, etc. Somewhere that has easily breakable tchotchkes.

11. If it was something really expensive or it was done intentionally. I dropped a container of fruit at the grocery store last year and offered to pay but they said it was fine. It was obvious to them it was an accident and I was flustered.

12. I don’t think it’s ever enforced unless it was malicious damage. Most places will have insurance that would cover it. They can ask you to pay, but can’t do much if you don’t.

13. I think that’s more common in maybe like antique stores or things of that nature. For the most part, if you accidentally break something in supermarket or department store, just apologize and they won’t care.

14. Yes

15. Only in small shops where the owners can’t afford to lose products

16. I mean at a lot of places sure. I’ve lived here a long time and gone to the same couple grocery stores for a long time. I’ve broke a couple bottles of wine by accident bumping them and they’ve told me not to worry about it.

    Knock over a bottle of macallan 25 at a liquor store that attitude is probably gonna be different.

    Largely they know hey you’re there as a patron of their business most likely. Starting a conflict even a minor one with you means you’re not likely to come back. They’ll probably make that money back on you eventually anyways.

    Plus people by and large are pretty decent and understanding if you aren’t an asshole.