Shoplifting

[Mancmani]

I am ashamed to say I got caught shoplifting today. I am 62 yrs old. This was my first and last time . It was at John Lewis. They recovered the item which was a rucksack worth £150. It got slightly damaged in the process with the handle coming off. . The security guard gave me a lifetime ban. And made me write a letter of apology which I did write but just said I apologise for the incident and didnt mention shoplifting. The security gaurd said I will receive correspondence to claim for the damaged product cost and their security time cost. I have read various posts on this forum suggesting to ignore any correspondence received from either RPL or other agencies. I am embarrassed for what I did and will never do it again but now I'm really stressed what to do if i receive a letter and if the costs are extortionate

[PallasAthena]

You have read the threads so you know our general advice is to ignore RLP.

I am not sure where you stand about any claim for the damaged rucksack though. Let's see what others think. I wouldn't describe the handle coming off as "slight" damage, it sounds like significant damage which likely means it is unsellable and John Lewis will have to throw it out.

So unlike the other costs that RLP try to claim you may be liable for the £150 rucksack. What actually happened that caused the handle to come off?

If/ when you hear from RLP upload copy of the letter (with your name address and all identifying details covered up). People often report on here that they don't hear from RLP for a month or more.

[Mancmani]

When I took off the label it ripped the cloth handle off. Thanks you for your advice. I will upload the letter once I receive it. .

[Mancmani]

Hello I have received ed a letter dated 3 Oct from RLP, letter before claim. They have asked to pay £475, which includes £145 for the item recovered and damaged. I am thinking of calling them and saying I an afford to pay £175 if they agree to settle the claim. Can you please advise if this is what I should do?

[des8]

I would do nothing until such time as I received a formal "Letter of Claim".
It is quite possible that this will never arrive
However if it does, you will then need to ask them to substantiate the claim figures.
All John Lewis are entitled to is the wholesale cost of the damaged item, not the retail price.
They will then need to show a detailed breakdown of any costs they have incurred outside their normal operating costs.

Advice is to ignore unless and until......

You will receive more threatening letters, perhaps even from more toothless debt collectors, but no need to respond until you receive that "Letter of Claim".
I certainly would not offer any cash at this point

[Mancmani]

Thanks for the advice. I wont do anything yet. And will let uou know when I receive letter of claim

[Mancmani]

Hi, I have now received a 2nd letter from RLP. Please advise if I should not respond or call them to agree to pay a swlltlememt £150 instead of £470 which they are asking for. Letter attached.

[Mancmani]

Letter attached

[des8]

RLP are toothless, so why would you want to pay them anything?
The only company that has a possible claim against you is John Lewis, and that claim would be for the price they paid for the damaged item, not the retail price.

I would do nothing except file RLP's letter(s) and do nothing until such time as I received a formal "Letter of Claim".

[Sevvy]

Hi, des8, I've been reading through your threads about RLP and I have recently just had a fine come through by them. As I understand it there's nothing they can do if I don't pay it, but my mum won't stop arguing with me about it and keeps telling me to pay it. She said if I won't pay it she will but I don't want either of us to pay £175 for something we don't need to (and it's ridiculous as the thing I took was only worth £30 - I get I shouldn't have done it but I don't think £175 is warranted for this). No matter how many times I explain to my mum that this is civil and will have no consequences if left unpaid she won't listen to me. Is there anything I could say to make her calm down. I was hoping maybe you could explain it in better legal terms than me so I can show her. Thank you very much

[des8]

Sevvy

You should really have started your own thread, but as your here now why not show it to your mother.

We, and other consumer forums and advice groups, have been dealing with these incidents for the past 12 years or so and have not yet once been told our advice has lead to adverse consequences for the individual concerned.
It all stems back to a 2012 court case where a retailer on the advice of a recovery company took two admitted shoplifters to court and lost heavily (A Retailer v Ms B and Ms K Approved Judgment 09.05.12). No company has tried it since.

We have a whole section devoted to this subject ( https://legalbeagles.info/forums/for...oss-prevention) ) which you might like to show your mother.

My own opinion of firms like RLP is that they are little better than vigilantes and act as Judge Jury and executioner when they have a victim.
Worse than any thief as they extort money whilst pretending to be paragons of virtue and hiding behind legalese language designed to mislead the uninformed.

[Mancmani]

Hi, I have now received 4th letter from RLP, they have reduced the payment to £366 from £470, the value of goods not recovered is £145. On the letter they say if not paid in 21 days this could go to a ewcovery agent. As per your advice I am not responding at all, but concern3d they may send bailiffs which I dont wmat ro happen. Please advise

[Mancmani]

Sorry for typos

[atticus]

Do you realise that your name and address can be seen?

EXC - can you delete attachment in post #12?

[des8]

Unlikely that you will receive visits from debt collectors.
Most likely just more letters