I remember being at the DUS Hilton & pulling items out to look at them. Didn't notice until midway through that there was a 'sensor'. Yikes - called down to the front desk, but no charge. Evidently their sensor was on a timer.

Earlier this year I pulled stuff out of the Grosvenor House minibar to put something in that would spoil. There was no sensor, but I couldn't remember the order everything was stacked in the mini-bar & thought I might get charged if the attendant thought something was missing when I put it all back in a day later. I left a note hanging inside the minibar explaining.

I've seen some hotels where the minibar sensors are quite strict, and others where stuff is just put in & they keep a tally.

Do agree that consuming items & then putting cans back in is very tacky.

Cheers.