On Saturday, we were overcharged $2.37 for something else. I thought of the avocados I've been avoiding because they're too expensive. $2.37 could buy me enough avocados for a decent sized bowl of guacamole. So we spoke up. The clerk insisted he was in the right. We calmly, kindly, but persistently maintained we were overcharged. A manager was called, the error was discovered, the clerk blamed it on the computer, the refund was given (there was no one behind us in line, by the way).
Was it worth the little scene for $2.37?
There have been dozens of small examples like this which, cumulatively, add up to quite a bit. I dislike confrontation, but I don't like squandering our hard-earned money on incompetence, either.
Who am I to decide that 21 cents is insignificant, but $2.37 is worth mentioning?
Do you speak up when you're overcharged? If the clerk insists he's right, do you "let it go" or do you pursue the issue? At what point is it "not worth mentioning"?
10 comments:
If it's a dollar or more, yes. Anything under I probably wouldn't bat an eyelash. I am the epitome of a penny-pinching housewife so I'm there with ya. Good question!
The dollar rule sounds reasonable :-D. I know! When we go to such lengths to save $0.10 a can for something, it's so frustrating to see that eaten up by being overcharged elsewhere.
I suppose it is a case by case decision, but it does add up to a lot of money that we all work hard for. I think that is all in the manner that it is delivered in. It sounds like in your experience the customer was quite rude, and it colored the whole experience forevermore. Most people are usually gracious if approached in a manner that makes them feel respected and heard, instead of confronted or criticized. It is definitely a skill that I had to learn when course correcting employees that worked on my crews. I don't know about grocery stores, but in some businesses inventory and cash recipts have to balance at the end of every day and employees are held accountable to those balances. You might be doing a cashier a favor by pointing out an error.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you pulled a quarter out of your pocket and gave it to the woman...
In that case, ringing up 400 items for 0.21 was obnoxious of her to ask!
Honestly, I rarely speak up about these things. My Mom, on the other hand, is one of those super-coupon fanatics who will haggle / argue with salespersons until she gets an item for the price she thinks it ought to be. I am simultaneously appalled but amazed by this type of person: appalled because of the lack of shame or embarrassment I assume someone ought to have in pulling a prank like this (and she doesn't need to - she makes really good $) but amazed because perhaps her frugal no-shame life has allowed her to pay down some huge debts and get ahead financially.
I think honestly that the older you get, the less 'shame' you have. I've heard it said that in the first 25 years of life, you think it's all about you, and that everybody is watching you, and you're concerned with what everyone thinks of you; the next 25 thinking that you don't care what anyone thinks, and then the last 25 & beyond realizing that no one was really paying that much attention to you in the first place!
Although I'm chronologically in the very beginning of the 2nd quarter century of my life, I still identify with the attitude prevalent in the first, which means if it's less than 5$, I probably won't mention it, just to keep the peace. But also- realizing how hard I work for my $ and realizing the satisfaction from saving it (to use on something more fun than whatever it is I'm being overcharged for), I just might begin to speak up a bit more... and maybe I'll even use a coupon! ;)
I wholeheartedly agree with every sentiment :).
My mom used to spend hours on the phone dealing with overcharges on certain bills, and I was amazed by her tenacity and ability to right injustices :). I never thought I'd have enough courage to confront, but I think you're absolutely right... it increases with age (and the ability, hopefully, to hand it gracefully rather than angrily).
I always go back even if I feel bad for doing so - partly because of the principle of the thing, partly because my grovery store is SUPER NICE in dealing with issues and mostly because I was a very broke grad student for a long time 5+ years, and I will never forget that I looked at $1.00 how some people look at $100!
Nice to have a nice grocer! And you're right... $1 can go a long way :).
I definitely will bring it to the cashier's attention, no apologies. It's all good business. I also will bring it to their attention if they UNDERcharge me. That $.50 may seem like nothing but it does add up, and why should we feel that we are being picky? If you were $.50 short would you think the store was unreasonable for not letting you take it anyway? AND, if it is an inventory pricing error, that mere 50 cents an item adds up in the stores favor pretty fast if you figure 100 or more items sold. Sometimes "nice" translates to feeling obligated to not speak up for ourselves.
All good points, Becky :).
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