
Can You Munch Before Checkout? Understanding Grocery Store Laws in Texas
Sometimes when I go to the grocery store I get a little hungry. I mean who wouldn't? Walking around all the food can get your stomach grumbling. Would you ever catch me snacking before I check out, never! Ya girl is just too much of a scared-cat.
Even though I am terrified to do this, I have seen plenty of people munching in the grocery store. Some are walking up and down the aisles eating a banana or opening up a bag of chips for their kids. But is this illegal in Texas? The answer may shock you.
IS IT LEGAL TO SNACK BEFORE BUYING IN TEXAS?
This answer is a two-parter.
You may have a craving so bad that you need to open that bag of chips, technically this is legal. According to FindLaw.com, fixed-price items are okay as long as you pay for the item at check out. Even with this being legal, you may get some weird looks from the other customers and workers.
Items that are priced by weight are a different story. If you get a bag of grapes and eat a fourth of them, that's sales revenue the store won't be able to account for. This is considered stealing and will get you into trouble.
SHOULD YOU DO IT?
That's the real question! Yes, eating from the bag of chips may not get you into trouble but out of courtesy let's wait until you get out of the store. Those grapes may look tempting but let's leave them in the do not disturb pile in your basket. They aren't worth the jail time and a picture on the store's wall.
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