ChrisPerry
New member
Hello people, I recently made a very stupid mistake. I was caught shoplifiting an $18 wallet at sears. I know what I did was wrong, Ive learned my lesson and wont let it happen again. The loss prevention staff didnt press charges but they did say that I would get a a civil demand letter. The firm in this CA sears will be Civil Demand Associates, inc. I was told two different stories, one loss prevention guy said I would get charged 400 but he later said he was joking, the other said the max would probably be 5x the price of the shoplifted item, which by my calculation is no more than 100. Ive read online many different stories so Im not sure which is really the correct fine,
Its not really a fine I believe since this being settled without authority involvement, just a "demand". On the ethics and principles of the matter, I fell ashamed that I comminted such an error and feel I need to pay the punishment, within reason ofcourse. I think the 5x fee is fair and I would pay it without hesitation but as Ive heard many stories of people online who said that it usually is anything from300 to 500, I think that is too excessive and unfair.
My primary dilemma is if I get the latter fee, do I pay or not. On principle, even though I tried to steal, it does not give them a free pass to steal from me. Anyone out there have any suggestions or advice if they have been in a similar situation?
Reading online, Ive found the advice of a few lawyers that practice in CA on the matter, they say that these letters are meant to frighten people into paying the fee, that it has no legal repercussion unless you ignore the letter and the firm actually proceeds to sue you. However, most of the time, their intent is just to scare you into paying, they would not really pursue it if you dont pay because if they go to court, they would loose money. On this segment I ask if there is anyone out there that went through this type of situation and just ignored the letters? How did it work out?
Finally, Im am of the opinion that these fees are outrages and that people are really just being frightened and extorted into paying, which is really unfair. I understand the crime was wrong, I should have never done it but the punishment is just not fair. People might say that i should have though of that before I the incident or so, but the punishment does not fit the crime here. The law has a specific punishment that fits, it states that the victim business can ask for reimbursement from 50-500$ by taking into consideration the item stolen and any damages. Now how can a wallet thats worth 18$ warrant a 400$ fee when they recovered the stolen property? A lawyer has recommended either ignoring the letter or sending a 50$ token if you feel you owe them something.
Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, would be helpful if any or you out there went through similar situation. Any relevant thoughts or comments are also welcome.
Its not really a fine I believe since this being settled without authority involvement, just a "demand". On the ethics and principles of the matter, I fell ashamed that I comminted such an error and feel I need to pay the punishment, within reason ofcourse. I think the 5x fee is fair and I would pay it without hesitation but as Ive heard many stories of people online who said that it usually is anything from300 to 500, I think that is too excessive and unfair.
My primary dilemma is if I get the latter fee, do I pay or not. On principle, even though I tried to steal, it does not give them a free pass to steal from me. Anyone out there have any suggestions or advice if they have been in a similar situation?
Reading online, Ive found the advice of a few lawyers that practice in CA on the matter, they say that these letters are meant to frighten people into paying the fee, that it has no legal repercussion unless you ignore the letter and the firm actually proceeds to sue you. However, most of the time, their intent is just to scare you into paying, they would not really pursue it if you dont pay because if they go to court, they would loose money. On this segment I ask if there is anyone out there that went through this type of situation and just ignored the letters? How did it work out?
Finally, Im am of the opinion that these fees are outrages and that people are really just being frightened and extorted into paying, which is really unfair. I understand the crime was wrong, I should have never done it but the punishment is just not fair. People might say that i should have though of that before I the incident or so, but the punishment does not fit the crime here. The law has a specific punishment that fits, it states that the victim business can ask for reimbursement from 50-500$ by taking into consideration the item stolen and any damages. Now how can a wallet thats worth 18$ warrant a 400$ fee when they recovered the stolen property? A lawyer has recommended either ignoring the letter or sending a 50$ token if you feel you owe them something.
Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, would be helpful if any or you out there went through similar situation. Any relevant thoughts or comments are also welcome.