Supermarkets

From Steal This Wiki

Go back to Free Food

Return to original Table of Contents

Beware the temptation to be a petty shoplifter. You are truly resisting oppression, not just being an angry wannabe revolutionary. Even an angry youth, once fingerprinted, will be in the database for life. How many promising brothers and sisters have successfully fought a political persecution only to be later sent behind bars for a maximum sentence on a shoplifting charge. To lower ourselves in the eyes of the public demeans our cause. We are not in the 60's anymore - we need leaders that inspire popular resistance to the corpgov. Be aware of modern technique for only the worst of emergencies.

Consider the story of Tre Arrow a leader in the eco-green movement who was slapped with some arson charges in 2001 to get him out of circulation. After escaping safely to Canada he is at the time of this writing sitting in a Canadian prison, fighting for asylum against the Canadian courts who want to deport him to the United States. All for being caught shoplifting bolt cutters. If the movement needs something so badly try to find other avenues to acquire it, and consider shoplifting an absolute last resort which should, if possible, never be undertaken by someone actively trying to evade authorities.

This book/wiki is no substitute for knowing both the laws and enforcement of those laws in the different states and localities. For example some states allow store employees to make a citizens arrest for shoplifting and in others they can talk tough and hope you stick around until a sworn law enforcement officer arrives to collect you. Understand that an officer will usually not take an employee in for assault or false imprisonment even if he did improperly apprehend you.

Contents 1 Supermarkets 2 Store Specific Information 2.1 Safeway 2.2 Albertsons 2.3 Ralph's 2.4 Tesco 2.5 Sam's Club/Wal-Mart 3 Getting food extra cheap 3.1 Sample Surfing 3.2 Discount Stores 3.3 Coupons 3.4 Shopping List 4 Scams 4.1 Self Check-Out 4.2 Dumpster Diving 4.3 Lifting a Meal 4.4 Marketing Scams 4.5 Munchies and Hungries 4.6 Papers Please 4.7 Gift Cards 4.8 UPC Tricks 5 Club Card Warning 6 Working at a Store

Supermarkets

In spite of massive markups and increasing food costs, there are still a few ways to get out of a supermarket without getting totally robbed. Shoplifting is a good way to send a known activist off to jail for a long time when no other charges will stick, so think before you steal.

"Please do not steal from local owned stores for many have been closing down because of loss. In urban areas there are not very many local owned stores anymore. Loss and the supermarkets undercutting price until the local store closes, are main reasons why my store could not survive." - author unknown

Store Specific Information

When these tidbits were posted we assume they were based on accurate information, times change and so do policies. Talk to a sack boy or some other unsuspecting worker hiding in the dairy cooler getting high on whippets, if they have been around more than three months they know the security policy backwards and forwards. Then ask them to dump a dozen cases of beer down the trash chute for you so they will have some booze to drink at your "Tear Down The System" party later that night.

Watch out for cowboy types who are willing to trade their crappy job for the thrill of tackling a shoplifter, it will still land you in the backseat of a cop car.

Safeway

The easiest things to steal from Safeway are deli items; the hardest items are liquor. If you want some bread or other deli stuff, tell the deli clerk that you'll pay for it up front. Then, when you get to the front cashiers, tell them you paid for your items at the deli. They will believe it pretty much every time. Other easy targets include small personal items and items that are stocked in the corners of aisles. This chain does have operational security cameras, but they are located on the ceiling and easy to spot.

A great way to get lots of free stuff is to simply walk into the back room and take items out of the overstock. This is the best way to get free beer as there are rarely working security cams in the back room. If caught, say that you were looking for the restroom. Otherwise, simply fill a bag and walk out the emergency exit, taking care not to be seen by any of the stockers.

Unfortunately, Safeway doesn't have open dumpsters, so there's no chance of a free meal that way.

This chain may or may not have sensors, depending on the location. Most don't.

This chain has a "no chase" policy -- if someone sees you stealing, they're not supposed to chase you.

Albertsons

Albertsons has no sensors, so walking out with items is easy.

This chain has a "no chase" policy.

Ralph's

Ralph's has anti-theft detectors, but they only go off on alcohol and things like that.

This chain has a "no chase" policy.

Tesco

Tesco is the UK's largest supermarket chain. Fortunately, there are many loopholes in their store design that will allow you ample opportunities for "discounts."

• The number of cameras the store deploys in the isles based on three variables: 1) the rate of theft in the area, 2) the size of the store, 3) the value of the isle's items. An isle with bread in a low traffic store in a small town is very unlikely to have a camera. Alcohol isles are an exception -- these almost always have cameras, and they are often watched.

• The self-checkout lanes offer many opportunities for shoplifting:
  • In most small stores, there will be one (extremely bored) clerk per four terminals. Although this makes things harder, it's still quite do-able.
  • The easiest method for shoplifting through the self-checkout line requires some sleight-of-hand, and some math. When shopping, for each expensive item, get a cheap item of identical (or as close as you can get to identical) weight. When checking out, pick up your items two at a time, one in each hand. Now here comes the tricky part -- with one hand, scan the cheap item, and place the expensive item in the bag, simultaneously placing the cheap item back in your basket. If done right, you should be able to look completely natural while doing this (although it will take some practice to fine-tune this method.) Note: the weight sensors in the terminals have a very small tolerance -- so if your cheap item isn't close enough to your expensive item, you may get caught out. If you do get caught, simply scan the other item, and you're home free.
  • The terminals run a custom application on top of Windows 2000. This is as stable as it sounds -- they're always crashing, not registering items, etc. Use this to your advantage if you get caught ("Oh! I thought it rang that up... I guess not...")

This chain will chase you if you get caught shoplifting (although usually the clerks are too lazy and or apathetic to chase you more than a couple dozen meters).

The items in the bakery section will be marked down to a penny right before closing time, so you can get dirt cheap bread in large quantities. By the next day it won't be too stale either, they mark it down as a precaution.

Sam's Club/Wal-Mart

If you can stomach it, get a job at the local Wal-Mart affiliate. Preferably as a janitor (or whatever jive name they give to the job at your store). This won't be hard as they can never retain people in this position, just tell them you are in transition and need some income for a couple of months. The janitors have to take care of the outside trash as well as the in-store stuff. During your rounds, put a ‘misplace’ DVD player, camera, or whatever in the bottom of the shopping cart used to collect the garbage; as if you plan on putting it back on the shelf later. Then go about your trash gathering. Lay the plastic bags on top of the item and make your way out the door to get the trash outside. The door greeters will cringe at the idea of digging through trash to make sure nothing is underneath, moreover, if caught you can simply argue that you planned on putting it back after the trash duties were done. Now just walk the item to your car or hand it off to a waiting friend. This method is also a useful and legitimate way of bringing items into the bathroom for theft. I recommend taking something that will give back to the Progressive Front, such as media equipment (paper/electronic) to set up underground media sources. This is particularly beneficial as you will be taking from the largest corporate monster, and funding the liberation of all people.

Getting food extra cheap

Sample Surfing

Many large chain deli's will give you a sample if you ask, enough corpgov fat and batter to tease but not enough to satisfy. Hit several stores and you might get enough to fill you up, many stores also have one day a week where vendors give lots of samples in the aisles.

Discount Stores

In some poorer neighborhoods, you can often find discount grocery stores that sell odd-lot packages of food. Often these are over-runs of stuff meant for regional chains with unfamiliar brand names, stuff that's close to the expiration date or major label items that were meant for export with English-language labels slapped on them (so don't be surprised if you see Arabic corn flakes or instant oatmeal with Chinese text). Many of the major odd-lot stores like Big Lots, Dollar General and 99 Cents Only sell this kind of food at a major discount. If something is in stock and you like it, buy it, since the supply of these bargains is spotty at best.

Bakery Outlet type stores sell breads, crackers, cakes, pies and cereals that are weeks (if not days) before their freshness dates expire. If you have access to a freezer, stock up!

Coupons

One of our writers sent a letter to a large US bakery company saying that French students were coming to the high school and that there would be a presentation on American foods. They were asked to donate products for the exchange students to sample. One week later four coupons arrived worth five dollars each for that corporations bakery products. This is a great totally legal way to get some basic food if you are low on cash, because even most junk food companies also make bread and other products that are better for you. This also works if you write a polite letter to complain or compliment their products or just to ask questions, this sometimes also works if you call the 1-800 info number.

Shopping List

Instead of reaching for the prepared foods try grabbing these foods which will last for a few days unrefrigerated. You can add or subtract items from this list by figuring the cost against the food value. Staple Ingredients (for staying put and saving money):

• Flour white or wheat
• Eggs
• Oil, shortening, or margarine
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Pasta
• Vegetables, assorted for stew and stir fry
• Dry beans
• Rice
• Oatmeal
• Sugar
• Tomato sauce packets
• Liquid soap
• Kerosene, charcoal, or Sterno fuel- as required for cooking

Used in smaller amounts:

• Salt
• Yeast- in a jar
• Baking powder- sealed can
• Aluminum foil-as needed
• Spices and condiments- as budget allows
• Ziploc and plastic grocery sacks
• Parmesan Cheese-as budget allows
• Vitamins

Ready to Eat(good to have in you pack if you have to move out):

• Ramen
• Fruits fresh and dried
• Canned meat or fish
• Crackers and bread
• Peanut butter
• Cheese
• Canned soup and vegetables

Scams

Self Check-Out

Make the self checkout lane work for you! Ring up more expensive foods as cabbage or bananas; they tend to be sold pretty cheap by the pound. There is usually one employee (if that) not very closely watching over four or more self checkout lines. Be aware of any product recalls, because if a product has been deemed unsafe (salmonella, e coli, etc) the clerk will be alerted if you enter the code for that product. This is probably not too big of a risk however.

Dumpster Diving

Many supermarkets still have open-top dumpsters where day-old food can be had for free! Happy hunting! Some even separate veggi and meat stuff.

Be careful with compactor type trash dumpsters, these are usually shielded so yippies cant jump in and root around when the stock boy hits the compress button. It is possible to bend the guards and reach in but never try to get in. Some compactors have exposed hydraulic hoses, these use quick connect connectors which are disconnected when the garbage truck comes, you could disconnect them when you dive the trash areas to "safe" the compactor, but be sure there is not an electrical assist or that you have not just removed the return line which would not disable the crushing direction. Most good stuff is ruined by compactors so the danger is almost never worth the risk unless you have an accomplice on the inside to load the compactor with good stuff for you and not hit the smash button.

Lifting a Meal

If you feel like eating, it is generally a better idea to load up a basket and then go into the bathroom and eat in one of the stalls. Leave a few items in your basket so you don't look suspicious. Then, you can put everything back or just take it. If you eat in the bathrooms, don't be stupid and remember to wash your hands. Nobody wants a sick Yippie. Another more risky option if the bathroom is out is you could eat some food (including deli food, just ask for them to bag it and you will pay with your other items) in a quiet aisle and ditch the container behind some boxes. Be careful, in some places you can be busted for shoplifting as soon as a security agent or employee sees you take only one bite, chances are they will probably kick you out on the first offense. But 'sampling' food can get you caught for 'theft for the purpose of consumption' or something sounding similar to that. Better to check the dumpsters in back and avoid a chance for quality time with Officer Friendly.

Marketing Scams

Most packaged, branded food is marked up like crazy. Healthier and noname foods tend to be cheaper. Good for you, if it turns out you have to pay. Look for these foods on the very bottom and top shelves. The brand name items the supermarket is pushing will be at the average person's eye level.

Munchies and Hungries

Most of us end up shopping (and shoplifting) when we are hungry or worse stoned and munchy. You will end up wasting your money on cheap packaged foods with little nutritional value. Plan shopping trips and take a list, stick to your well planned shopping list, corporations have special employees who plan the store shelf layout very carefully to seduce idiots into buying expensive junk. Plan your nutrition, make a diet to plan shopping, like an overweight person on a diet does, but count nutrients and calories for energy and value not weight loss. Marketing 101: Corpgov marketing strategies are known to work much better on hungry supermarket customers.

Papers Please

Another method is to enter a supermarket armed with shopping bags and a receipt(from said supermarket). Put what you want into a shopping cart. When you've got what you want, find a low traffic, low security area(The bedding section, garden center, discount aisle) and put your goods into the shopping bag(s). Then just walk right out(with the receipt in hand). If you're stopped, hand them the receipt, they usually won't take the time to check for each item. This works best during medium to peak business hours.

Gift Cards

Go to the corporate store and find the gift card on the shelf, the first one in the stack preferably. Walk around the store with it and memorize or write down the security information on the back of the card. It should be a series of numbers. Then return the card as if you decided against purchasing it. Then wait a month or two and check online to see if the card is activated because it was purchased. If yes, then use the card to make purchases online. Don’t worry about ruining Johnny’s birthday. Most of the corporate stores set up refund programs to stop bad press and keep people buying the cards. Please use the card in support of progressive causes (such as donations to legit non-profits) because we should be using these skills to help everyone.

UPC Tricks

Many supermarkets have a section near the back with marked-down items that are old or damaged, with the UPC written over with a new price. Cashiers ring up these items using the new price no questions asked, so one can do this for any item.

If you can find an old CueCat or other cheap bar code scanner you can scan some inexpensive or generic item that you find in the trash and then print new UPC's on sticker paper to stick onto goods at the market, be sure the description is close to what you are sticking or a sharp checker might bust you. Don't try this scam too often with the same checker or at the same store in case the management starts looking for you.

Photocopying UPC's and gluing/sticking them onto more expensive items should work especially if you are in a self service scan point. It is important to remember that most self service checkouts weigh the items as you add them to the bag so only fake the UPC on same weight items.

Club Card Warning

As tempting as a few pence off sounds, don't use a Clubcard. Ever. These little bastards will keep track of all your purchases, how you paid, when you bought them, and even what store you shopped at. A Clubcard is the easiest way to destroy any alibis you might need later on -- so don't use them. Some stores however allow you too use your phone number in place of a Clubcard, and since people can be generally forgetful, keep your eye out for someone manually entering their phone number and quickly memorize it. As a method of caution you should probably only use this number when the savings granted by the card are rather dramatic as even one or two uses may begin to show that another is using the account, at this point any stealth value is lost.

The US Department of Homeland Security openly claims to purchase an updated database from all major club card stores and credit card companies (credit and debit) so that they have instant access to who is buying what and when to fight "terror". Even a stolen club card number can be quickly attached to your profile even if your name is unknown and can be used to follow shopping and travel patterns.

Working at a Store

If you work at a store where the dumpsters are kept outside, then they can be used to smuggle out stock from inside. Particularly useful is if you work at the kiosk: When restocking the shelf with cigarettes, dropping some into the waste paper bin will mean that the cigarette pack will end up in the dumpster as soon as the bin is emptied. Simply return that night and retrieve! Also can be done with multipacks of alcohol: With crates of canned lager, the cans are normally smaller than usual. Thus, if one of the cans is damaged, the rest will have to be thrown out, as they can't be resold individually (they normally lack a barcode too). Again, retrieve them from the dumpster that night!