Hypothetical Question Here

In a situation where lines are wrapped around the buildings then NO, it's not fair to the people waiting in line nor is it fair to the cashier. While I agree it would be much more convenient, I think its still WRONG.

I have seen people do this with, say, a newspaper in a convenience store on a really crowded, busy morning, but I would not attempt something like that at Macy's or Kohls.
It's not so much that it's "stealing" it's just more of a statement of "betterness" or "entitledness" if that makes sense.
A big part of life is going thru channels, policies and procedures and waiting for your turn (I'm pretty sure we all learned this in Kindergarten!) so to do what you described (in the exception of a TRUE emergency--I'd run a red light, horn blaring, in a second if I was getting someone to the hospital) is just to put self above society.
Personally, I NEVER play into those types of marketing gimmicks that jack so many consumers around from October thru January! NOT worth it IMO, so I just "don't play" that game.

If it's paid for it's not technically wrong, but you know it's going to screw the cashier up. With that being said, you didn't ask about the cashier, or the inventory, being able to return the item later, etc., etc., etc., as most of your answers have taken the whole thing in a different direction. It's paid for, it's not stealing. It's not the "right way" to make a purchase, but that wasn't the question either.

I think it's perfectly fine. Before I pick my kids up at the daycare I drop by the liquor store and grab a few bottles of mommy's anti-headache medicine and since i'm running late I just toss the cash on the counter and go. i haven't been arrested yet.

NO. Like the other moms said, retail items have to be scanned and everything is computerized now. Plus it's just wrong.
What if you then needed a receipt?
What if security saw you leave, they could charge you.
And on Black Friday, if you throw down $15 and say I am buying this, whose to say the cashier you spoke to will be the one who has the time to hande the money.
I have also worked Black Friday at 5AM. It is not fun and I would not mess with the system. THe clerks are only paid minimun wage and are too harried to deal with one more person who can't wait their turn.

Libby!!!!

IF you worked in retail on the cash register end - you would know that this isn't right. The cashiers drawer would not be balanced and the item would not be accounted for in the inventory.

While it's "paid" for - it's not accounted for...and since you don't have a receipt for the item:
1. you cannot return it and get full credit for it.
2. if security saw you leave with it WITHOUT a receipt - you could be charged with theft/stealing.

So in my eyes? No, it's wrong.

And how will the Cashier's cash drawer be reconciled? Even if it is over?
And the item, would not have been in the system because it was not scanned, as Riley said.

Then, that $15 will be for what? It is not in the system, it is not tied into the inventory, it is like ghost money. Except, an item from the store... is gone.
But there is no proof of that item being bought... per the Cashier's input of said item into the cash register and store system.
So... the Cashier, if dishonest, could easily just pocket that $15 himself or herself.
Then, that is stealing.
The cash register and store's computer system... would not show that something was bought.
There was no item to scan into the store system/cash register... because... you just handed them $15 but left the store... because you were in a hurry.

What a circle of events.

I have never thought if this. Hmmm no, probably not for me. Im a cheapass and id rather wait :)

the register wouldn't balance out at the end of the night, inventory would be off as well. So without having her scan the items, would it be stealing? NO. You paid for the items, but you really wouldn't have a recept to prove it. Good question, but a bad idea all the way around.

Nope, I wouldn't do it. I shop online for Black Friday. :) I work for an online company that makes it easy to shop Black Friday on (and off) line, so I avoid the lines & crowds! LOL

I do this in places that 'know me' all the time, in small towns I've often just waved the item in the general direction of the cashier and they put it on my 'tab'/ know I'll come back later to pay for it. I've 'honor systemed' many purchases (no cashier at all) in certain areas. I'll occasionally do it for service related things in places where I'm a stranger.

I don't do it at any place that the item has to be scanned/entered into a computer.

technically no its not cause you did pay for. too bad for all the red tape that goes around that. Although then you could use the technology in your favor and have them pull up the video surveillance!

Back in the old days that would have worked great! Can you picture that poor cashier standing there will all the money being tossed to her and competely lost? Then get employee of the month because of her till alone being so over it brings the store out of the red.

Retail isn't about "estimating"... that person's drawer would need to balance at the end of his/her shift and it wouldn't- meaning that they would get in a ton of trouble. Beyond that, there is a need to keep accurate inventory. If they don't scan it, they can't track it and they can't charge it.

It's not stealing, but it's also not the right thing to do and would inconvenience a lot of people- not to mention possibly get the cashier canned.