Hotel Theft, Etc.

Over the years, we have heard stories of people stealing towels, etc. from their hotel room. I don't know about you but (1) it's theft, pure and simple, (2) if I did it, my bag would burst open in the lobby, at the feet of the concierge - during a police convention, (3) do you really want to look at the stolen items day after day!
Anyway, I have a personal embarrassment to relate. you know the little (exorbitantly priced!) bar fridges in rooms? Well, ours was beautiful in design, thought it was another chest for our clothes, opened it and voila! Anything one could hope for in food and drink. My eyes drank it all in and then I just had to pick up a bottle of juice - it's lovely label beckoned to me.

"Thank you, Ma'am, your purchase has just been recorded by computer and added to your room tab."
I set juice back, closed up the fridge with it's fancy brass handle and carried on.

Check out time comes and brought bill up on the TV - they have the MC number already so they are not worried but I am! $4.75 for the "purchased" juice. Little did I know, there are sensors under each item - you lift it, you've bought it. Nice.

The icing on the cake was a charge to the room for purchases from the hotel pharmacy. I say pharmacy loosely as it was more if a beauty boutique but I digress. Anyway, thought I'd let the juice thing go cause I messed with their bounty but protested the pharmacy charges.

The desk very kindly removed the pharmacy charge, then asked if there was anything else they could do for me.

"Well, now that you mention it, I didn't use any bar items and there is a charge."

Desk: "Ah, Madame Peasant, you lift item, you pay. But we will credit that, also."

I really want to go back to that hotel cause it's so out of my league - wonder what will happen next?