Hasn't this happened to everyone at least once?

[Shockeye]

Wal-Mart Charges $175 for 'Stolen' Manure

Aug 22, 7:52 AM (ET)

BROWNSVILLE, Ore. (AP) - It could have happened to anyone: Charles Gastorf and his wife, Cheryl, forgot to pay the $10 tab for 10 bags of steer manure during a recent shopping trip to their local Wal-Mart.

The two say that in the confusion of shopping on that March day they simply forgot to add in the cost of the manure. When the Gastorfs explained their forgetfulness to Lebanon City Attorney Tom McHill, he dropped shoplifting charges against them.

That could have been the end of the story - except for the letter from the world's largest retailer that soon arrived in their mailbox, demanding $175 in civil damages.

That's when the Gastorfs learned about a little-known Oregon law that allows retailers to pursue civil penalties regardless of whether a person is found guilty or innocent of theft.

The Gastorfs - who live in a manufactured home and are retired - spoke to an attorney, who told them that challenging the action in court could cost them several thousand dollars, much more than the $175 civil claim.

So the Gastorfs paid Wal-Mart the money.

"We wouldn't want to embark on a life of crime at our ages and become manure thieves. I mean, if you were going to steal something, would you steal manure?" Gastorf said.

But Shardon Weber, a spokeswoman for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart, told The Albany Democrat Herald that the company has decided to refund the Gastorfs' $175.

"It simply seems like the right thing to do," she said.

[WayAbvPar]

Fuck Wal*Mart. I hate every goddamned thing about that place. I will never set foot in one as long as I live.

[Mesozoic]

The right thing to do?  Are they going for a PR victory here?

Wal-Mart:  "Beating chump change out of old people - and then giving it back out of love."

[Dren]

The right thing to do?  Are they going for a PR victory here?

Wal-Mart:  "Beating chump change out of old people - and then giving it back out of love."

Nice.  Coffee.  Nose.  Thanks.

I've never had a sig.  Now I do.

[Roac]

It's the first step in old people indoctrination.  First make them grovel to not get beaten over an honest mistake.  Make them understand that Wal-Mart is good.  Wal-Mart is love.  Next, kill all job opportunities in the local area for seniors - except for Wal-Mart.  Family owned business bad; Wal-Mart good.  Now generously offer them jobs as door greeters, and make them wear a fucking smile every day to work.  And you'd better ask for more when you get off your shift.  Lastly, Wal-Mart will be seen as a social savior for keeping old people off the street, and from rotting in their own homes.  Leave us, and your children will put you in The Home. 

[Paelos]

I think we are missing something key here:

That's when the Gastorfs learned about a little-known Oregon law that allows retailers to pursue civil penalties regardless of whether a person is found guilty or innocent of theft.

So regardless of innocence, you can be charged with a civil case over SHOPLIFTING. Hey Oregon, it's time to get out the old striking pen on that piece of legislation.