Subsequent occurrences ensue, marked by fortuitous pilferage from Laurel and Hardy's establishment by an opportunistic customer, while the duo contends with an array of misfortunes, including an unintentional intrusion into Mrs. Hall's abode facilitated by a mishap with a ladder and a pavementside platform during a sign maintenance endeavor.

Meanwhile, the persistent pilferage perpetrated by a recurring shoplifter, initially inconspicuous but progressively audacious, serves as a parallel narrative thread, emblematic of the duo's waning vigilance amidst their escalating feud with Hall.

[6] In its review of Tit for Tat, the paper also alludes to news reports that Laurel and Hardy's partnership had recently ended due to Stan's recurring disputes with producer Hal Roach:[7][8]Newest L&H short, and perhaps the last, since they split recently, is another topnotch two-reeler with a sufficiency of laughs and novel situation accompaniment...Stan and Oliver are in the electric business...One bit neatly worked up is a man walking in and out of the electric store and walking out with increasingly large bundles.

Each time the partners return to the store they encounter the thief, but are so occupied with their row with the grocer that the pay no attention to him....[9]Motion Picture Herald, yet another influential trade publication in 1935, gives the film a somewhat restrained, clinical assessment in its March 10 issue, describing the short as a "Good Comedy" with "numerous laugh-provoking situations".

[10] In addition to providing reviews and news about the film industry, Motion Picture Herald regularly published the reactions of theater owners or "exhibitors" to the features and shorts they presented.

In the April 20 issue of Motion Picture Herald, he grades it "Just fair" and remarks that his theater simply "got by" in screening it, suggesting that the film, as least in Anamosa, had not been very successful in boosting ticket sales.