Am I in trouble? Caught by CCTV

[Black_Cat]

I could do with some advice.

The other day I stupidly picked a customers poppy plants (pulled all the heads off and pocketed them), only a handful but it's been caught on CCTV.

He has confronted me for it saying he wants compensating or will go to the Police and to RM. Not sure what to do, how much trouble could I be in if I don't pay him? Feels like blackmail.

[Skuse]

Can you tell us why you did it ? Don’t know what will happen but if they make a complaint there will be an investigation..my advice would be buy some new plants and apologise this will probably do it if the person is reasonable

[Kenfandango]

I assume as you picked just the heads that you wanted the seeds to plant your own? Or for the lovely, lovely opium...
Either way I'd profusely apologise, ask how you can make it up to them and generally suck up to them as much as possible lest they go to the local paper with the footage, as you know the Mail and Sun would pick that story right up

[scoobydo79]

You don’t need advice You need a psychiatrist.

[twoloops]

Just tell your manager what you did, tell your manager what he said, do not make anything up, just tell the truth, I think that will be the end of it, do not have anymore conversations with the customer.

[2pints]

give him £20

[no1postie]

at least you are suffering guilt and shame,but sadly this is why a lot of customers hate royal mail and blame us for everything from breaking letterboxes, gates, scratching cars and scaring the cat ! it seems you have learnt a lesson here. i would talk to the customer, cap in hand and appologise before it gets silly, and offer to pay whatever makes them happy, most people are reasonable if they see you are genuine. then talk to your dom and say you think it is resolved, therfore one less email for him/her to worry about, and one less bollocking for you. we have all done stupid things in our lives and i think you deserve to be able to make it right. lesson learnt, good luck, move on, all the best mate.

[chickenwittle]

Just tell your manager what you did, tell your manager what he said, do not make anything up, just tell the truth, I think that will be the end of it, do not have anymore conversations with the customer.

Absolutely not , that won’t solve the problem with the customer,chat to the customer, apologies and ask how to compensate, say it was a moment of madness on your behalf.

[Kenfandango]

The real problem will be that whenever your manager finds out they'll know exactly who you are on here!

[Gasman11]

Your mistake is in not asking if you can take a few seed pods really, although most people wouldn't be bothered by what you've done in the slightest, you've just happened to have done it to one of those types who'd complain about anything. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

[scotboyblue]

Tell him, that your head was up your backside and apologise, then slip him some money to replace the plants. No need to go to management. Unless a complaint has been lodged.

[no1postie]

bake him some nice bread with poppy seeds ?

[yellowbelly]

The real problem will be that whenever your manager finds out they'll know exactly who you are on here!

This is their first post so shouldn't be a problem....

[enskied]

Maybe you are. However the customer is blackmailing you, a more serious offence.

One single Poppy head can have Over 500 /1000 seeds, so why a hand full? Or why not knock and ask?

As said blackmail is the bigger crime. He has demanded compensation or else.

[WASD]

My advice is do not give him a dime! He can easily go against his word, ask for more, and still grass you up.

Say you're sorry, you did wrong, and ask if he would accept something from the garden centre as an apology as you feel that is right. You'll buy and deliver a small plant that is of reasonable value, no more than £15.

Police won't give a toss as long as it's not for naughty use. Even then i expect they won't care, they know who the naughty people are around estates and don't care.

I'd not bother saying anything to management either. If they wanna penalise you they will regardless of your honesty to admit fault or not. Don't deny it if management confront you and just say you did offer to buy him a new plant to say sorry.