Undercharged at the store. What do you do?

[daughtersrus]

I was at Meijer today picking up some sale items. I had 6 cases of beer (on sale for $9.99/case) and several other items. I asked the clerk if she needed all of them up on the belt or just one. She asked how many I had and then said just to put one up. I was in a hurry plus I had two of my daycare children with me so I swiped my debit card, punched in my pin # and left. It wasn't until I got home and looked at my receipt that I realized that she only charged me for one case.

I know what I'm going to do but I wonder what others do in this situation.

 

[feedindy]

It depends on the amount. If the cashier misses one of my canned goods, I'm probably not going to stand in line to pay $.50 for their error. If it is a higher value, like your situation, I would go to the service counter with my receipt the next time I am there. I likely wouldn't make a special trip, but I might call to let them know what happened if I'm not planning to be there within a few days.

 

[Piecey]

You bought six cases of beer with two daycare children? I'm confused.

Anyway, I'm with Feedindy-- I'd call them (more so their inventory doesn't get screwed up) and tell them that the next time I was in I would come pay the difference. I wouldn't make a special trip.

 

[dodukes]

Wow, i guess i dont have morals, i wouldnt go back and pay for it, especially if you arleady got home. If i was still in the store, yes or at the car, maybe. But home, no way, im not making a special trip for that and you may get the cashier in trouble to boot.

 

[Davidsmommy]

You bought six cases of beer with two daycare children? I'm confused.

Anyway, I'm with Feedindy-- I'd call them (more so their inventory doesn't get screwed up) and tell them that the next time I was in I would come pay the difference. I wouldn't make a special trip.

What exactly are you confused about? She was shopping with her daycare kids and happened to be buying beer. Is there some law where you aren't allowed to shop with daycare children present?

OP, I would go back with my receipt and tell the customer service desk. I would offer to pay.

 

[Piecey]

What exactly are you confused about? She was shopping with her daycare kids and happened to be buying beer. Is there some law where you aren't allowed to shop with daycare children present?

OP, I would go back with my receipt and tell the customer service desk. I would offer to pay.

Uh, I was confused because here daycare children can't leave the daycare without written consent of the parents PER TRIP.

I'd personally be pretty irritated if a daycare person took my kid to a supermarket without me knowing it-- much less to buy 6 cases of beer.

 

[swea_pea1]

What would you do if you were charged for 6 but only bought one?

To me, it doesn't matter if a mistake is in my favor or not. If I'd miss the money (and $50 I would surely miss) then I figure the store would also miss it. Either way, a mistake was made and needs to be corrected. I'd go back and pay the remaining amount.

 

[Davidsmommy]

Well, I am sure that the daycare (probably an IN-HOME daycare) provider has consent to take the children out. My children have gone to a few in home daycares and it is in fact quite normal for the provider to take the children on normal outings (much like the outings a SAHM would take them on). In fact, it is in many cases preferred (many people would rather have their child in a setting more like a home than an institutional setting).

My best friend took care of both of my kids at different times in her in home daycare and she often took them to the grocery store (much like I do as a sahm now!) - and I am sure she bought beer on occasion (as do I lol). Especially at holiday time when we were planning our annual party.

 

[Piecey]

Well, I am sure that the daycare (probably an IN-HOME daycare) provider has consent to take the children out. My children have gone to a few in home daycares and it is in fact quite normal for the provider to take the children on normal outings (much like the outings a SAHM would take them on). In fact, it is in many cases preferred (many people would rather have their child in a setting more like a home than an institutional setting).

My best friend took care of both of my kids at different times in her in home daycare and she often took them to the grocery store (much like I do as a sahm now!) - and I am sure she bought beer on occasion (as do I lol). Especially at holiday time when we were planning our annual party.

I wasn't trying to be mean, I was just confused. You can't do that here.. an in-home "daycare" is still a "daycare" and has the same laws here.

My friends family is opening a daycare right now so I'm pretty up on the daycare laws at the moment.

 

[Davidsmommy]

I certainly am not up on the laws in WV (I am in NY lol), but I do know that here my friend is lisenced, pays taxes, etc. and goes through all the checks etc. to operate out of her home. It actually seems like way too much work to me to have just a couple kids - but she does it. As long as she has the appropriate carseats, and the parents consent, she can take kids out. It actually works well for her (besides the grocery store lol) because her kids are a tad older and she has activities, etc. So, the daycare kids go too. Some people might not like it, but I thought it was good for my kids.

I mean, my daughter (3) gets dragged to all her brother's things (he's 7) - if I had to work, I would happily allow my friend to drag her places to know she was safe and loved. It is just a different type of set-up I guess.

 

[Lisa_M]

I'm not sure what I would do. On one hand, you should go back because it is for a large amount, plus with it being a restricted item, if it looks like 5 cases got stolen (missing from the inventory) it could mean trouble for the store. On the other hand, if you go back, the cashier will get in trouble and may get fired for the error, especially because of the type of item.

I'd probably end up bringing it back, but then again I got a free laptop delivered to me in error and brought it back to the store.

 

[msmayor]

What's confusing to me is that you didn't even realize you were undercharged right away.

I'm sorry, but if I knew I had $60 worth of beer to pay for and the total didn't hit at least $60 red flags would go up in my brain right away. This was not a $2 or $3 mistake.

You should absolutely go back to the store and pay for it. You have the product, you should pay for it. No question in my mind.

 

[heartsy77]

Ok in home daycare provider here ( actually in NY state I am called licensed family daycare provider = up to 8 kids @ a time). I have all the parents sign a form that I may take their kids where I want when ever I want. Sometimes it is trips to the pumpkin farm etc. sometimes they are trip to the grocery store. I can't say I have bought beer with my daycare kids but I could have and not remembered! My point is she did not ask IF it was appropriate for her to buy the beer she asked is she should tell the store she was under charged! Cut the girl some slack we are a very underpaid, under appreciated and over worked group in our profession!

 

[IluvDISNEYLAND!]

Uh, I was confused because here daycare children can't leave the daycare without written consent of the parents PER TRIP.

I'd personally be pretty irritated if a daycare person took my kid to a supermarket without me knowing it-- much less to buy 6 cases of beer.

I agree with you, I would not be happy if a daycare worker took my kids out with them to buy beer.

 

[ohiominnie]

What's confusing to me is that you didn't even realize you were undercharged right away.

That doesn't surprise me. There are many times when I'm flustered in the line with trying to keep my kids in sight and trying to keep my bread from being smooshed, and getting my credit card out (and make sure I get it back) and all of that......that sometimes I don't look at my total. Just yesterday I swiped my card without even knowing the price. I didn't know what it was until I got home and looked at it closer.

 

[WDWHo]

Hmmm it depends. Funny enough something happened yesterday like this. I was at a bed and bath store and bought 4 memory foam pillows at $69.99 each plus other items. The girl ringing me up was a total jerk. I had a 20% off coupon (one item) I wanted to make sure it came off the $69,99 item and when I asked she ignored me, I asked again she told me to "relax". Just really nasty to me. My total was over $340 but when I got outside I realized as I was driving home she didnt charge me for one pillow.........I didnt go back. Was I wrong, yeah, do I feel bad, not so much.

I did get a coupon today in the mail for 20% off my total order, so that would have just about covered the extra unringed pillow, so I am ok with it.

 

[msmayor]

Hmmm it depends. Funny enough something happened yesterday like this. I was at a bed and bath store and bought 4 memory foam pillows at $69.99 each plus other items. The girl ringing me up was a total jerk. I had a 20% off coupon (one item) I wanted to make sure it came off the $69,99 item and when I asked she ignored me, I asked again she told me to "relax". Just really nasty to me. My total was over $340 but when I got outside I realized as I was driving home she didnt charge me for one pillow.........I didnt go back. Was I wrong, yeah, do I feel bad, not so much.

I did get a coupon today in the mail for 20% off my total order, so that would have just about covered the extra unringed pillow, so I am ok with it.

So if someone isn't nice to you, theft is okay? Because that's what it all boils down to...theft. You took something out of the store and didn't pay for it.

I'm sorry, but I think part of the problem in society today is that people simply don't do the right thing. They don't accept responsibility for things at times because its too inconvenient, or its someone else's fault.

Sorry, I don't buy any of it. If you leave a store without paying for something and either do it knowing it was unpaid for at the time OR realize it after you are home, you have a moral obligation to return and pay for the item.

Years ago, when my kids were little and we shopped, I'd grab a hard roll for them to snack on. I always tried to remember to tell the cashier about it but sometimes would forget, and always got back in line (even with cranky kids) with 50 cents to pay for it. My kids SAW that...it was important for me to teach them that paying for things is what is right in this world.

I was so proud of my daughter when she got a little older and was talking full sentences, and she'd remind me..."Mommy, we forgot to pay for the roll. We have to go back now!"

 

[pixiewings71]

Actually the OP didn't even ask what she should do, she already said she knew what she was going to do but she was curious as to what we would do. And why would the cashier get fired?? If a cashier got fired for a ringing error at my grocery store I honestly wouldn't shop there anymore. People make mistakes, she probably thought she hit the button to enter it x6 and it didn't go through. Happens to me all the time....altho my data entry is different from a cashiers data entry. Also, I find it hard to believe the store itself would get into trouble for being short some cases of beer.....I've never heard of that before. But, I could be wrong.

Anyway, OP, I would call the store and take the receipt back the next time, tell them what happened and see what they want you to do. You should probably just speak to the manager about it because they will tell you what to do.

 

[msmayor]

Actually the OP didn't even ask what she should do, she already said she knew what she was going to do but she was curious as to what we would do. And why would the cashier get fired?? If a cashier got fired for a ringing error at my grocery store I honestly wouldn't shop there anymore. People make mistakes, she probably thought she hit the button to enter it x6 and it didn't go through. Happens to me all the time....altho my data entry is different from a cashiers data entry. Also, I find it hard to believe the store itself would get into trouble for being short some cases of beer.....I've never heard of that before. But, I could be wrong.

Anyway, OP, I would call the store and take the receipt back the next time, tell them what happened and see what they want you to do. You should probably just speak to the manager about it because they will tell you what to do.

Considering that its alcohol, and such a high ticket item, the inventory numbers on it are probably very closely watched not just by store management but by officials responsible for enforcing the alcohol purchase laws in that state/community.

Being 'short' 5 individual cans of beer might not raise a flag, but 5 CASES? That's 120 cans, and definitely cause for concern.

 

[WDWHo]

So if someone isn't nice to you, theft is okay? Because that's what it all boils down to...theft. You took something out of the store and didn't pay for it.

I'm sorry, but I think part of the problem in society today is that people simply don't do the right thing. They don't accept responsibility for things at times because its too inconvenient, or its someone else's fault.

Sorry, I don't buy any of it. If you leave a store without paying for something and either do it knowing it was unpaid for at the time OR realize it after you are home, you have a moral obligation to return and pay for the item.

Years ago, when my kids were little and we shopped, I'd grab a hard roll for them to snack on. I always tried to remember to tell the cashier about it but sometimes would forget, and always got back in line (even with cranky kids) with 50 cents to pay for it. My kids SAW that...it was important for me to teach them that paying for things is what is right in this world.

I was so proud of my daughter when she got a little older and was talking full sentences, and she'd remind me..."Mommy, we forgot to pay for the roll. We have to go back now!"

Well I didnt STEAL. I presented my items at the register, and the moron who rung me up didnt do it properly. But I guess your just a better person then me and I will pray that one day I can be just like you, oh so perfect! LOL!