A recent SDM conversation

[Zonny]

I went into the downtown Halifax SDM last week, looking for a cold sore remedy (I've only ever had one!). So anyhow, I got what I wanted, went to the checkout and also requested a 6-49 ticket and a scratch ticket.

When she gave me my total, it wasn't right, I saw she hadn't charged me for my 6-49 ticket. I pointed it out.

Me: Sorry, that's not right, you didn't charge me for my 6-49.
Cashier: You didn't ask me for a 6-49 ticket.
Me: Um, you gave it to me.
Cashier: Oh. Oh look, I charged you, right there (pointing at screen to the scratch ticket I'd bought).
Me: No, that's the scratch ticket.
Cashier: Oh. Oh, you're right. Hope you win for being honest.
Me (in my head): How hard do I need to work to do the right thing?

I guess for many people, the first response to their doing something wrong is, "I didn't do it, it's your fault."

[sisyphe]

Lol, a couple times I've had cashiers freak out and get angry at me when I pointed out they gave me back too much change.

[redhdlois]

[Zonny]

Some folks might ask why I pointed it out, but I can't help it, I believe in karma, and also in doing the right thing. This is probably wrong of me to think, but I wish people would be more appreciative of my honesty. A couple weeks ago I bought three pairs of diabetic socks for my Mom at a Lawtons home health store (about $8 a pair). When I went out I realized i'd only been charged for two, and so I went back in, there was a line and didn't want to wait again, so I insisted on leaving one behind. The clerk could not have cared less.

[carlyincanada]

Great for you for being honest! Image all the lost revenue for the stores due to cashier errors!

Good luck hope you win something

[SummerRainbow]

Great for you for being honest! Image all the lost revenue for the stores due to cashier errors!

Good luck hope you win something

The lost revenue is offset by all the times we get home and realize we were overcharged or charged for something that didn't make it into the bag.

[Natalka]

Great for you and good luck on the ticket!

I've been in similar situations over the years - and there have been a few times that I was told 'don't worry about it' or 'just take it' since I pointed it out - and not in a dismissive way, but in a good way, with thanks for being honest.

[stevstevd]

The lost revenue is offset by all the times we get home and realize we were overcharged or charged for something that didn't make it into the bag.

THIS! And I can guarantee you this happens more often than the opposite. Perfect example is cell phone / cable companies. How many times was our bill to small there? How many people don't check their bills, and never realize they've been over paying, or paying higher rates than they were supposed to, and so on.

Human nature to defend when being pointed out a mistake. More often than not, I bet the cashiers are accused of something incorrect when in fact the customer was in fault. It's a shame, because the 'customer is always right' attitude has been ruined because so many customers were not, lol. Personally, I couldn't ever stand to have that sort of job. Dealing with rude customers claiming to be right, talking down on you, etc. when 9 times out of 10, they were in fact wrong. Ruins it for the 1 time out of 10 person.

[sunny3]

Proud of you! I'm one of those too. We all have a different way of seeing things. I like feeling I did right and I sleep well at night knowing that as well. I also like knowing that I'm modeling good behavior and ethics to others (all ages). I bet you made that cashier think: "what would I do?" and perhaps she may have had a moment of reflection on her own behavior.

[anisa]

i would have done the same!

the worst i had was a girl at bulk barn who was so BAD at figuring out her mistake. she kept wanting to give me more and more money as my change back, and i kept telling her no, you are supposed to give me less, take some of this money back. she kept arguing with me LOL. her logic in adding and subtracting was scary, because this was her job. i didn't give her an extra toonie after she punched in my money, i gave it to her all together, she just punched in $20 instead of $22, and it all went downhill from there.

you are right, sometimes you have to really work hard just to do the right thing

[anisa]

The lost revenue is offset by all the times we get home and realize we were overcharged or charged for something that didn't make it into the bag.

it should be more about personal peace and satisfaction when you do the right thing because it is just the right thing to do.

[Zonny]

i would have done the same!

the worst i had was a girl at bulk barn who was so BAD at figuring out her mistake. she kept wanting to give me more and more money as my change back, and i kept telling her no, you are supposed to give me less, take some of this money back. she kept arguing with me LOL. her logic in adding and subtracting was scary, because this was her job. i didn't give her an extra toonie after she punched in my money, i gave it to her all together, she just punched in $20 instead of $22, and it all went downhill from there.

you are right, sometimes you have to really work hard just to do the right thing

I worked in retail for years, I know how management gets upset when your till is short. I couldn't knowingly do it to someone else.

One time last year I had a voucher for a bonus 20 air miles at Sobeys when you made a certain purchase. Well, the cashier put it through as a $20 Air Miles voucher. I realized it right away, but was hurrying to catch a bus and really did not have time to go to customer service about it after, so I kept my mouth shut. I called them from home and came in the next day to repay it. The customer service clerk seemed perplexed that I'd come in to give back $20. It seems like people don't expect most folks to do the right thing. But I can't do otherwise.