Merchandise you did not pay for

[MooCowSteph]

So you just finished shopping and later, when checking your receipt, you realize something was not rung up by the cashier. What do you do, assuming you didn’t realize at the time that the item was not paid for?

 

[space_ghost]

…this must be a trick question…

i think you know the answer… Pay for it…

http://mediasoftware.free.fr/index.1.jpg

 

[SeekerJen]

I lugged the item back in (which was a 2.5 gallon jug of water) and went through the self-check out. I figured my only other option was to leave it on the undershelf of the cart- which was how I missed it in the first place- and take the whole cart back into the store. Unfortunately DH needed the water for his aquarium, so I was stuck lugging and waiting in line.

If I’d gotten home and realized it, I don’t know that I would have gone back right away, but since I usually make a couple of trips per week to the grocery store, I probably would have just waited until the next one and taken care of it then.

 

[ncjohn]

On my good days I’m either going to go back, or call the store and inform them and let them make the call.

On my lesser days, if it’s a small item I might let it slide and feel guilty about it later.

 

[Joseph_Bilodeau]

Other:

By all means, the item must be paid for or returned, but first telephone the store, explain to the manager what happened and arrange to come back to pay for or return the item.

This once happened to a former co-worker. She tried to bring the item back to the store to pay for it, but when she entered the store with it, an undeactivated security tag on the item set of an alarm (that had failed to go off when she first left the store with the item), and store security guards called the police to arrest her as a shoplifter. The thing got straightened out eventually, but she was definitely angry about the incident and I think that store lost her business forever.

 

[Celia]

Joseph Bilodeau:

Other:

By all means, the item must be paid for or returned, but first telephone the store, explain to the manager what happened and arrange to come back to pay for or return the item.

This once happened to a former co-worker. She tried to bring the item back to the store to pay for it, but when she entered the store with it, an undeactivated security tag on the item set of an alarm (that had failed to go off when she first left the store with the item), and store security guards called the police to arrest her as a shoplifter. The thing got straightened out eventually, but she was definitely angry about the incident and I think that store lost her business forever.

Yes, I second that - call first. And get the name of who you talked to. It makes life easier for everyone.
What I don’t get is sometimes those things won’t set off the alarm when you’re leaving, but it will when you’re coming back in.

 

[CantorRick]

Do the RIGHT THING.

Pay for the item(s).

Richard

 

[MooCowSteph]

SeekerJen:

If I’d gotten home and realized it, I don’t know that I would have gone back right away, but since I usually make a couple of trips per week to the grocery store, I probably would have just waited until the next one and taken care of it then.

I tend to agree with this, although I have to say that if it was something small like a can of corn, I probably would do nothing. (I probably would never have noticed that I didn’t pay for it in the first place). When it is a more expensive item, I feel more compelled to return to the store and pay for it. I would not go out of my way, however, if for example, I purchased the item while shopping a good distance from my home. I guess I probably should…but I doubt I would.

 

[carol_marie]

I agree with Steph - if it’s a can of corn or something small (less than $1.00) and I don’t normally go to that store (so I’d have to go out of my way to go back) AND it wasn’t my fault then I probably would let it slide thinking that it’s some sort of balance in the universe for all the times I’m sure I’m overcharged but don’t notice.

The exception would be if it costs more than a $1.00 OR I frequent the store so I don’t have to go out of my way to pay for it the next time I’m in there OR if my children are aware we weren’t charged.
If they hear me say, “Oh we didn’t pay for this…” Then I feel I MUST make a point to show them that we need to be honest & pay for the item.

 

[MooCowSteph]

carol marie:

if my children are aware we weren’t charged.
If they hear me say, “Oh we didn’t pay for this…” Then I feel I MUST make a point to show them that we need to be honest & pay for the item.

That is a very good point.

A side note - my husband spent 15 minutes on the phone with the store in question in my situation, trying to get a manager. After several transfers and lines which rang for minutes, he was disconnected. I’m now debating if the good Lord just really wanted me to have a free pair of maternity pants! In all seriousness, I guess I should give it another try.

 

[wcknight]

If it’s trivial I ignore it. If it is big, I will go back or pay the next time.

I try to catch things up front. I can usually guess what the total amount on a purchase is and if it is way off, I can tell if something was left off. AND if it is way over, I can catch if I am being overcharged.

 

[Della]

MooCowSteph:

That is a very good point.

A side note - my husband spent 15 minutes on the phone with the store in question in my situation, trying to get a manager. After several transfers and lines which rang for minutes, he was disconnected. I’m now debating if the good Lord just really wanted me to have a free pair of maternity pants! In all seriousness, I guess I should give it another try.

I’d just forget it. A pair of maternity pants isn’t worth all that hassle. With all the mark-ups and mark-downs and other nonsense in the retail industry, it hardly matters at all. And don’t lose and sleep over it. I can guarantee you the store manger won’t.

 

[carol_marie]

MooCowSteph:

That is a very good point.

A side note - my husband spent 15 minutes on the phone with the store in question in my situation, trying to get a manager. After several transfers and lines which rang for minutes, he was disconnected. I’m now debating if the good Lord just really wanted me to have a free pair of maternity pants! In all seriousness, I guess I should give it another try.

I don’t think I’d try to tackle the phone again… I hate being transfered all over the place. And with the cost of gas, I don’t think I’d haul back to the store if it was any distance… Maybe you could drop the store’s corporate office/customer service an email stating that you weren’t charged for a pair of pants, - tried to contact them via phone to no avail & if THEY want your $, they can contact you. I bet they won’t and you’ll know you did your best.

 

[Santa_Cruz]

ncjohn:

On my good days I’m either going to go back, or call the store and inform them and let them make the call.

On my lesser days, if it’s a small item I might let it slide and feel guilty about it later.

Before I came back to the church I would do same as you, but now I would bring it back. I would call ahead, that seems like a very good idea. Today I try to be a witness to to the faith in all that i do and it’s hard enough as it is without adding someone else’s mistake to my plate.

 

[Lonevoice]

Go back and PAY!

JMHO

 

[Uh_oh]

A pair of maternity pants doesnt constitute grave matter. I dont think you have an obligation to make restitution for something you didn’t mean to do and was the store’s mistake.

 

[Firebug]

If it is something of small value, (like, under $2.00), I wouldn’t worry about it, because these stores here…They like to charge you twice for some things! Because of this, I usually keep a good eye on their computer screen to be sure things look right, and if something didn’t ring up, I’d catch it anyways. But the real thing to do, is pay them back.