Is it theft?

[theGinsue]

Anything eaten before paying for it is technically stealing - particularly items sold by weight!

[Adawg38]

At Costco today there were a swarm of people there just to eat the samples for lunch.

[tmleadr03]

At Costco today there were a swarm of people there just to eat the samples for lunch.

I plan my trips to Costco around meal times. Am I a bad person?

[Adawg38]

I plan my trips to Costco around meal times. Am I a bad person?

Not unless you feel like one I guess.

[anomad]

I plan my trips to Costco around meal times. Am I a bad person?

I only go on a full stomach... Otherwise i buy the whole damn store!

[CO Hugh]

I plan my trips to Costco around meal times. Am I a bad person?

Nope, Costco and Sams encourages it. If you check the comics section, going to a club store for lunch sampling comes up occasionally.

The distinction between eating food and not paying (theft) and the samples, is consent. The store gives you the samples.

What would people think of taking one round of ammunition out of a box to test first? I think most see it is wrong.

The crucial issue is not the law, but honor and integrity.

[Mazin]

Anything eaten before paying for it is technically stealing - particularly items sold by weight!

^This

For me it call into question the Integrity of the person doing it as well.

[MrPrena]

No, the officer was nice enough to test out the food for our public safety.
Maybe officer was testing out HAV breakout, and assure consumer safety.
That will bring a consumer confidence on produce.

[ben4372]

Maybe he's been there for months and the is an understanding, like free coffee. The bigger question is why they have an armed officer. not very "hippy like" of them.

[Ah Pook]

"Grazing" is technically illegal. Bulk bins, salad bars, produce are all included. I doubt any produce departments care about tasting one grape but there are always those few that have to overdue it.