Man's 'hack' for for getting expensive steak for cheap has got social media talking

On both sides of the pond, living expenses have risen dramatically over the past couple of years. From food and drink to water and electricity, it seems every outgoing has gone up thanks to inflation.

With that in mind, cost-saving hacks have gained even more interest online. Some, of course, look pretty dubious.

One man caused a stir on TikTok with his own hack that showed him purchasing a $41 steak for just $7. But how did he do it, and should someone call the police?

Well, maybe, as it turns out this particular shopper wasn’t exercising the best ethics with this ‘hack’.

A man films himself switching price labels on steaks - @southcentraljag via TikTok

Shared via @southcentraljag on TikTok, the video shows a man in the US switching price tags between products before taking them to the till.

Where he did it and who he is remains a mystery, but regardless of legality it seems he got away with it.

Even the bottom-end steaks can set you back a fair bob, and the same is true in the United States.

In the video, a 0.94lb pack of steak is marked up at $7.84, but the promised quality at that price clearly left something to be desired for this light-fingered shopper.

With some not-so-sneaky moves, he peeled the price label of this particular pack and stuck it over the corresponding one for a $41 steak.

Now, ethics and legality aside, you might be wondering what on Earth could justify a steak being sold at $41.

According to WCCO News, 2023 saw Minnesota beef prices soar amidst a cattle shortage.

Kelly Schmidt, CEO of Minnesota Beef Council, said: "[we’re] seeing record high cattle prices as well because the processors in the middle that need the beef to get to the restaurants and stores are really having to fight for that product."

Regardless, prices aren’t typically negotiable in supermarkets. Especially not when the ‘negotiation’ is tantamount to theft.

The comments section on this TikTok video was lively, to say the least.

Supermarket theft is a recipe for jail time - Rattankun Thongbun via Getty Images

"My ex went to jail for a year for that," said one abandoned lover.

"I think that's called shoplifting! Haha," noted another with more jollity than was warranted.

A third added: "As someone who's worked in a grocery store before, I'm amazed you got the sticker off so easy."

Others said they would try similar, so it sounds like this viral video made supermarket security staff a bit busier than normal.

In case it wasn’t obvious: FOODBible does not endorse this behaviour.