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Don't take shit from Wal-Mart

from: or they'll take shit from you
67.164.61.245
05-08-23
15:10:39

The Associated Press Published: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 BROWNSVILLE - It could have happened to anyone: Charles Gastorf and his wife, Cheryl, forgot to pay the $10 tab for the 10 bags of steer manure during a recent shopping trip to their local Wal-Mart. The two had spent more than $100 at the store that March day, but because of some confusion had neglected to add in the cost of the manure. When the Gastorfs explained their forgetfulness to Lebanon City Attorney Tom McHill, he dropped shoplifting charges. advertisement And 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 an Oregon law that allows retailers to pursue civil penalties regardless of whether a person is found guilty or innocent of theft. Charles and Cheryl Gastorf - 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. So on May 2, Cheryl Gastorf bought a $175 money order and mailed it to Wal-Mart in Arkansas. "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. A spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., told The Albany Democrat Herald that the company has the right to seek civil recovery. But, Shardon Weber told the newspaper, "After researching the incident, we have decided to refund Mr. Gastorf the money that he has already paid. It simply seems like the right thing to do."

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