Would You Have Paid?

[becka]

I posted this as a poll so people could answer truthfully without being flamed for it.....

I stopped by the store yesterday afternoon to buy two cases of formula for DS. Each case is $44 (he takes a special formula since he is allergic to milk proteins and we have a family history of allergy to soy) for 6 cans. So these two cases are enough formula for approximately 12 days. Needless to say we spent A LOT of money on formula and with a new baby funds are quite a bit tighter than they used to be.

I also purchased 3 $7.00 books. When I got to the register the total rang up to $32 TOTAL! The cases of formula rang up at $4.99 and the kid at the register had NO idea that could not possibly be the right price.

So what do you do? Do you just write a check for $32 and get the heck out of there or do you tell them they made a mistake and your total should be about $90 higher?

 

[bumcat]

I have been in that situation before and did tell the cashier they made a mistake because it would bother me forever but that's just me. Man, that's expensive formula!

 

[2disneywego]

I probably would have said something. This has happened to me in the past, and it's a reflex for me to say, "But, that's not the right price".

 

[glo]

I would say something like, that doesn't seem quite right...Are you sure that everything was rung up right???

I do not think I would just write out the check...would feel to guilty.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Okay, let me be the first to say:

RUN!!!!

I would throw my money at him and run out the door as fast as I could! I think of it this way: They made the mistake, not you. It's kinda like when you see something on a rack that's labled $5 but you know it's really like $20. Well, they're the one's that put it with the $5 stuff so that's what you should pay. Kinda the same thing here. If it rang up $4.99, then that's what they want you to pay so I'm not complaining.

Ummm, by the way, where was this? I need to get some formula for my little man too

 

[Mamu]

Becka while we have all had this happen to us in the past. Let your conscience be your guide.

I would tell the clerk. I know how difficult it is when you child needs special formula. My 3rd child needed special formula which I had to order. Yes it was expensive, but we made it through that first year.

We have a program in Ma. that helps families purchase formula and nutritional food for infants and toddlers called WIC. Maybe your state has a program too. I would look into it. Every little bit helps especially if your on a tight budget.

 

[EROS]

I would have pointed out the mistake and paid the $117. My personal style: HONESTY is ALWAYS the BEST POLICY!!! .

If it was YOUR store, wouldn't you want a customer to report such an error???? If one takes advantage of another's mistakes, then one deserves no better in return...........

 

[Doctor P]

I try to be honest in these situations, and often it is rewarded. In restaurants, I always point out what I have not been charged for (and they often tell me not to worry about, it was their mistake and they appreciate the honesty). I figure if I am going to complain when a mistake is made against me, I should try to be honest when the reverse happens.

 

[becka]

Well it looks like I am in the minority on this one. I told the cashier that total couldn't be right because each case was $44. When I told DH he was a little disappointed that I didn't just pay the $32 but I told him I would feel too guilty about it.

DH told me that I was probably about the only one who would do that so I had to find out what others here would have done.

 

[Kallison]

I would have pointed out the mistake. So the kid made a mistake, we all make mistakes. Your gain hurts the overall store profit, which means we all will be paying higher prices to make up for it. There was just an article in our paper from a cashier at the grocery store who handed someone a $100 bill by mistake on a very busy day. She asked if they would please come forward as she received a three day suspension from her job and could not afford it, plus was having some rough times of her own. I also don't believe in keeping money found on the ground. I don't get it when someone is all happy they found a $50 bill, what about the person who lost it? It could be a senior citizen or some 10 year old who has been saving it for a year. Turn it in, sure there is the chance it will be kept by someone else, but it there is also a chance it will get returned to the rightful owner.

 

[caitycaity]

i definately would have pointed it out. i would have felt really guilty if i didn't.

 

[Mermaid02]

My son was on Nutramigen for the first year of his life so I know all about expensive formula...... I feel for you guys!

I have been a cashier and believe me I would have pointed out a mistake in MY favor..... so I would indeed point out such a HUGE mistake in their favor..... too bad they didn't have the "if it scans wrong you get it free" policy though!

 

[Towncrier]

I have been in a similar situation, although I was purchasing a length of chain to repair my kids' swing set. The chain was $1 a foot, and I purchased 20 feet. The cashier rang up the unit price for the chain and didn't multiply by 20. I mentioned it to the cashier, and I believe his exact words were "oh well". So I got a 95% discount on the chain. I suppose that I could have gone over to the service desk or asked to speak to the cashier's manager, but I figured that I had given the store the chance to correct their mistake. And they blew it. You did the right thing becka.

 

[Serena]

I would have been honest and paid the right amount, but I would have complained about it later. lol Oh man! Why couldn't I be dishonest just for today?

 

[believe]

I am one that always points out mistakes, even if it means I have to pay more. There have been times when they have just given it to me for what it came up as. One time I was trying to return paint, I had the receipt and everything. I had purchased it on sale, but the individual insisted on refunding me the regular price per can. I must have argued for a good 10 minutes, even mentioned they get someone else involved. Still they insisted...
Last week DH took the girls and I out for lunch. The waitress didn't charge for our drinks. I pointed this out, she said to not worry about it. When she gave us our change, she gave us $1.00 too much...I found her and returned the $1.00. I am a firm believer that if you take money that is not your's...it will disappear another way (unexpected bill pops up).

 

[SeaShelley]

I've thought about this all morning and I'm gonna have to say I'm in the minority here. I'd of paid the $32 and walked. I've read all the responses and see everyone's point. I'd of taken the break, knowing full well that it would probably not happen again.

 

[danacara]

Many stores have a policy whereby if an item rings up at an incorrect [lower] price, you get the item at that price.

You don't get a medal in heaven for being honest in this situation, but if you are the type who would think about it every time you fed the baby, it's probably not worth the guilt. I definitely don't think that God punishes you for taking the discount by sending you other bills - I just don't think that's really high on the God Priority List. If he did, he would also be nailing the store for that 100% markup they charged you in the first place.

Princess Aurora, pull up the car, babe! I would've been right behind you out the automatic doors with my cheap formula.

 

[helenabear]

I remember one time I was buying several pieces of luggage and a few other things from a store. The lady who rang me up wasn't paying attention and neither was I so when she scanned in a carry on, it didn't ring up properly. I didn't notice until I was halfway home that my total was nearly $70 less than what it should have been. When I got home I compared the receipt to the prices on the tags and sure enough the carry on was rung up incorrectly. I went all the way back to the store just so I could pay the difference. I just didn't feel right knowing that they lost out on so much money. So I would have done the same thing in this case as well and would have pointed out the wrong price.

 

[Redmic]

You cannot be an honest person and do dishonest things. I am an honest person and any time I have been in a similar situation I have always alerted the clerk to the error.

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by Redmic
You cannot be an honest person and do dishonest things.

Lot of black and white in that world