Get this - I had it when I walked in the store to get the new issue, I remember getting it out to show the security guard...and that's it. I can NOT find it anywhere. I can only assume I left it there, inadvertently gave it to the guard or simply dropped it etc. Infuriating, huh? I did pay by card so I can prove the transaction and I would've used my Tesco club card so this should have a record of what I bought in said transaction. Plus I know what time it was so they could literally check the video and WATCH me! Still, I was absolutely incensed when I realized I no longer have the receipt from the original purchase as I realize this greatly diminishes my claim.

Wow - that's incredibly helpful. Thanks so much, Zamzara!!

Yes I read the CAb report already and you're right - very encouraging indeed! It's one of the main things that got me to relax about the whole situation. JonCris hasn't logged into this site since the 21st so I presume he must be on holiday. I actually received the letter from the civil recovery group yesterday, they are requesting £40 (£30 if i pay now...of course!). Not at all the £100 fee I worried about but still extortionate. I plan to contact the CAB and find out what they recommend - I imagine with such a negligable amount of money I could fight the case quite easily? Or is nothing easy when it comes to civil recovery... Lemme know what you guys think and wish me luck!

Thanks old_andrew2007 I hope he gets back soon! He does very much appear to be the expert. In the meantime, if anyone else has any advice, I'm all ears!

Thanks everyone who's been replying!! I wrote to JonCris but he hasn't actually logged into the site since last Monday so I'm still waiting I'm afraid! And to be fair, my number one gripe with the entire situation is that if Tesco had done THEIR job properly and stocked up-to-date products the entire situation would've been avoided. I'm already planning to let Heat know that Tesco is stocking old issues of their magazine. I'm sorta relaxing more, at first I could barely sleep I was so worried. Coming here actually helped/hindered me. It scared me to realize what the fees they charge can be and how frightening and intimidating their letters will be, but it also spurred me on to fight them upon seeing relentless stories of their totally unjustified appeals for money. I just wanted some advice from other people (like JonCris) who've dealt with this before to let me know what my next step should be. Shall I contact Tesco directly? Shall I just wait to receive the letter asking for money or go to them first? Shall I ignore the whole thing? Hopefully he'll get back to me soon and offer some peace of mind.

Thank you old_andrew2007, I already wrote to Jon yesterday but he hasn't yet read the message. So I'm just waiting!

Hi, Yesterday, Tuesday, I went to my local Tesco to buy the new issue of Heat magazine (new issues are released every Tuesday); I have to buy it for my work (I work at a competing celeb weekly). I picked up Heat and Look, paid at the till, went back to work. When I got back to my desk, I realized the copy of Heat I had was actually LAST WEEK's issue which I hadn't noticed when I purchased it. I was pretty ticked off as they shouldn't be selling out of date goods and as I work at a mag myself, I know how important it is to up to date, Heat wouldn't be happy to know heir stuff is being sold out of date. ANYWAYS - went back that night, about 4 hrs later, to get a new one, took my receipt and everything. They did have the new issue now but the old issue was still on the shelf as well. The customer service desk was rammed so I thought screw it - I put my out of date issue back on the shelf, picked up a new one and just put it in my bag. I then shopped around for my dinner, paid and left. On my way out the security stopped me, immediately I knew why. He'd seen me on cctv, gone to retrieve my old issue of heat and started asking me for my name. I was so flabbergasted I didn't really know what to do. I did say that the old issue was one I'd bought that day and I had the receipt, I then just presumed they wanted me to pay for the new one or something. To be honest, I was somewhat scared as this has never happened to me before, I just sorta wanted to get outta there! Anyways, he starts asking for my name and address which I give, I still have no idea what is going on and am sorta laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Eventually I'm taken to a backroom, where the manager is and the security calls up the civil recovery people. At this point I am getting pretty nervous. The manager asked me why I did it, by this point I realize it doesn't matter as the security guard didn't seem to care and stupidly I just say it was a mistake but I do add that they were selling an out of date issue. (I was somewhat thrown by the entire situation and was getting nervous about being arrested or something ridiculous so rather than putting up a huge fight, I just wanted to comply and leave. I'd already explained to the security guard and seen that it made no difference. I figured I'd just get on with this and take it up with head office. Also I had no idea what was happening, I didn't know what civil recovery is etc and no one was really telling me anything despite my repeated questioning of, "So what's happening now? Who is he on the phone to? What is going on??") Eventually they verify my address, ban me for 6 months (which is REALLY annoying) and give me the civil recovery notice. My head is spinning a bit as I have no idea what any of this means and the gravity of what is happening hits me. The guard was describing my physical appearance to the people on the phone, I started to wonder if this meant I was getting a record or something. And again, neither of them would tell me what was happening. I remained purposely very helpful, offering anything they needed, very smiley etc as I figured this would quicken things. I THINK I signed something, but I can't remember for sure. Again, I was sorta in shock and scared and was just trying to capitulate to get out of there. I didn't want to make more trouble. This was a mistake I realize...! I was told I'd receive a letter regarding my fine (this was the first mention of a fine) but in my view I do not see the problem. I was simply returning one item, and taking another of equal value AND it was their fault for selling the out-of-date in any case!! I'm worried though as I don't think I made myself clear about this. I told the guard but not the manager (who btw was the most unhappy woman I have ever met and CLEARLY took an instant dislike to me.) at least not clearly enough. I realize this was a huge mistake, but again, I was just trying to be as polite and helpful as I could, I didn't want to make the situation worse even though the entire time I was thinking "this isn't right...". No police were called or anything. So basically - what do I do now? I tried to phone the civil recovery people to find out what my fine is but the phone number doesn't work (I've tried both from my mobile and landline). I mean it was for £1.65 magazine which they still have in any case, but after reading horror stories on here I'm now terrified they're going to charge me £150 or something. Have I totally screwed myself by not fighting for my rights more at the time? Or can I write a letter explaining and get off of this? They could literally look at the CCTV footage from 4 hours previous to see me buying the old issue, I was wearing a very bright jacket so I'd be easy to spot! Any advice would be helpful, I'm a decent law-abiding person and this has gotten me trembling with worry about the fine, my 'record' etc. At the same time I'm getting more and more angry as I realize that I don't think I was in the wrong. If I'd gone to the customer service it would have been fine, I could have shown them the receipt and just swapped. It would've been the exact same thing, the only difference being it would've taken twice the time. I just skipped the middle man. Also - as I work at a magazine, I know a lot of people in the industry and am tempted to go to them with the story (particularly heat magazine itself!). Any thoughts people??? PS - how long does it normally take to receive the civil recovery letter? Sorry this is so long, thanks for taking the time to read and any advice would be very welcome!!