Is tasting fruit or vegetables allowed?

"No! By law, you are not allowed to taste grapes or tomatoes before buying them. No matter how tempting it may be: legally speaking, it is theft, formerly known as theft by mouth. Store managers are often accommodating, but if someone insists, the customer has to pay for a single strawberry."

Can packaging simply be opened?

"Yes and no. It depends on the product in question. The supermarket must be able to sell the product without any problems once it has been opened. For example, customers can look inside egg packs to see if all the eggs are still intact or smell the shampoo - but they should not open sealed goods. It is also forbidden to open honey and jam jars. By the way: instructions such as 'Opening the goods obliges you to buy them' are ineffective."

What about reading magazines?

"Leafing through magazines or reading the table of contents is generally not a problem. However, reading them in full or even solving crossword puzzles is prohibited. And: anyone who damages a magazine or newspaper while reading it may be required to buy it."

The yogurt falls - do I have to replace it?

"No. If a customer accidentally drops something, they don't have to pay for the product - depending on the value of the damage. The supermarket is usually accommodating here. However, the person responsible has a duty to report what they have dropped and broken. In the event of negligent damage, they must pay for the goods in any case."

Is it forbidden to eat goods before paying?

"Absolutely! Until the purchase has been paid for at the checkout, chocolate, water or baked goods belong to the supermarket. If a customer does get hungry or thirsty, they should clearly signal to the cashier immediately that the goods will be paid for later."

Can I also return damaged returnable bottles?

"Yes, but you should always make sure that the deposit label is still legible and therefore usable. Interesting fact: Stores with more than 200 square meters in size also have to take back one-way deposits from beverage brands that they don't even have in their range."

Own bag and shopping cart

Customers are not allowed to transport goods in their own bag instead of in a shopping cart. Otherwise it is not obvious to the supermarket staff that they still want to pay for the goods. Legally, this is therefore considered theft. However, a bag check may only be carried out if there is concrete suspicion of theft. The customer can refuse to allow the store manager or security to check the bags - in the end, only the police may do this.

Shopping carts may not be removed from the supermarket parking lot or courtyard without special permission - otherwise this is also legally considered theft.