I took my 1yo daughter to the supermarket to buy some groceries like I normally do. My daughter was in a stroller where she can sit and see everything around her. At the checkout counter she grabbed one of the sweets on display and played with it, while I was busy bagging my stuff (they don't do it for you in Germany and you have to be fast) and so I didn't notice her having that sweet, until I was at the door leading outside. She was sucking at the plastic wrapper so there was no returning it. Nobody seemed to have noticed, so I internally debated going back and then decided to do the right thing and go back to pay for it.

I went back to the register and told the cashier what had happened. She told me to wait and said something over the phone and then told me to be patient, someone will be here in a moment. She then proceded to check out another person and then two security guards came. They checked every item in my bags and looked if it was on the receipt. I asked them what was going on and that I just want to pay for the sweet, my daughter accidentally took. But they had non of it, proceded to check every last of my items and then told me as it was just minor item I stole, that they won't call the police and just ban me from the store. I was like wtf? I tried to get the cashier to back me up, but she was just like - they are the guards, not my problem... I told them again, that I came back when I noticed my accident and they were like - yeah, good for us and bad for you and told me that I need to go now!

Now I am banned from shopping in the only supermarket in walking distance. I don't have a car (which is normal in Germany) and now I have to take the bus (expensive!!!) to buy groceries or only go shopping, when my husband is home and can take care of our daughter so I can use my bike. And only because I wanted to be nice. The sweet was 59ct and will now cost me invaluable together time with my husband or around 60€ a month for public transportation tickets. I should have just left when nobody noticed my daughters little thievery.

TL:DR My 1yo daughter grabbed a sweet, nobody noticed, I went back to pay for it and got banned from the supermarket.

-edit-

Wow, thanks for the awards <3

-2nd edit-

I'm a shy person. I won't complain on the phone or in person, just not a thing I do. And honestly, I'm not sure I want to shop there again. But the other possibilities are very inconvenient for me. I'm going to post some reviews on their website and on social media and see what happens. If they apologize and lift the ban, that would be great news for me. Thank you for your kind words, ideas and compassion. :)

-3rd edit-

Wow, I was away for an hour or two and this blew up quickly. You guys are insane :D Thank you so much for your help and appreciation and the awards! And for the 700 comments, now I need some time to actually read all of them.