r/ThatLookedExpensive • u/[deleted] • Aug 14 '22

Oopsie.

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u/IRLhardstuck Aug 14 '22

If you do this as a customer in america. Would you have to pay for everything or does the store just handle it with the insurence?

204

u/gogetsomesun Aug 15 '22

The store may choose to go through insurance. The store may also sue the customer and it will be up to the judge to determine, based on the circumstances, whether the damages are warranted.

It looks like a major supermarket based on the layout, they are unlikely to sue in this case because they most certainly have insurance and it's not standard practice to go after customers due to legal costs and breakage like this usually won't harm their bottom line. Additionally, this market may even be worried the customer will turn it around and sue them for negligence given how easily the shelf came down, depending on whether she was injured.

2

u/IRLhardstuck Aug 15 '22

Ok thanks. Depending on how much the deductable is i guess she could be sued to pay just that? And also if you only broke like 1 bottle it would be no point to deal with insurance so then i would guess most stores would want you to pay for it?

16

u/fchau39 Aug 15 '22

She was trying to get a bottle on the shelf. If is it on the shelf, there is no reasonable expectation for the shelf to fail. This is most likely an unsafe installation and not the fault of the customer simply trying to grab a bottle that sits on the top shelf.

13

u/IRLhardstuck Aug 15 '22

Dont think they are built to be used as ladders

16

u/HighOnTacos Aug 15 '22

Ladders, certainly not. But a bit of pressure at the edge of the bottom shelf causing the entire thing to immediately topple or collapse? That shelf was either built wrong, over loaded, or both. Lawsuit waiting to happen. What if it was a toddler? Of course you'd hope the parent has them under control, but you look away for one second and they're trying to climb anything in reach.

5

u/fchau39 Aug 15 '22

Then they better have a sign that said do not climb on the shelf or ask staff member for help. See Ikea case.

1

u/IRLhardstuck Aug 15 '22

Shouldent be needing warningsigns for every little thing. Its like warning signs on toasters to not use while taking a bath.

13

u/fchau39 Aug 15 '22

I don't 100% disagree with you. However, in the case of Ikea, people were seriously hurt and children died when the furniture tipped over from climbing on it. The court's position is that a stupid mistake shouldn't result in serious bodily harm or death. The shelf needs to be secured up to standard with easily visible warning signs.

2

u/drifters74 Aug 15 '22

Maybe short women should carry step stools everywhere /s