Would you go back to a store and pay for something you accidently were not charged for?

[Anonymous]

Let's say, you get home from a store, and you're looking at your receipt, and you realize you were only charged for 4 out of 5 items in your bag. Would you go back to the store and pay for the fifth item?

Yes, absolutely! I'd drive back to the store and pay for it.

Yes, I'd pay for it if I were still in the parking lot, but if I were at home already, I'd just keep it. Not wasting my gas for their mistake!

Nope, their mistake, I'm keeping it!

[Ez-Bri-Z]

I actually had this happen with a large purchase once. It was a large flat screen TV where I was putting like $500 down (when these flat screens were still pretty expensive) and then financing the rest just so I could build more credit. I fill out all the paperwork, get a receipt, they bring me the TV, load it and we head out.

By the time I was on the highway I realized I still had the $500 in cash and a receipt saying I paid it so I'm pretty sure I would have had an argument if it went to legal purposes but I told my dad to turn the car around and take me back to the store so I could give it to them.

That sales guy was so relieved. I am pretty sure it would have come from his check and that just feels kinda gross to do to someone.

[Asker]

Wow! That's insane! I bet that guy was practically hugging you after you returned! My soul would not have allowed me to keep that $500. When I used to cashier when I was younger, if even $5 was not accounted for on your register, it was practically a Spanish Inquisition of torture lights and accusations and reviewing cameras to figure out where it was, let alone $500!

[Ez-Bri-Z]

Lol no hugs but yeah definitely glad to see me. He was visibly relieved

[Anonymous]

It honestly depends what it was. Like, a small hairbrush, no, probably not, but a more expensive blouse or sweater, probably.

As a former/current cashier, I would sometimes purposely let small things through (the machine wouldn't scan it, the person was already struggling with money, etc.). Those stores were making enough that they could handle -$2 every once in a while. It was also always to people who were genuinely polite and respectful, or those who needed something to boost their day, even if it was small. 🤔

[andreasderjuengere]

That nominates you for the ''Robin Hood Award''
I like that.

[Opinion Owner]

@andreasderjuengere eh, I just figure that there's more important things than money in this world 😅

[Asker]

But that's stealing from the company. Is that justified seeing as how that is their business and their money? Would it be okay if someone just occasionally opened your door and gave away some of your items from your house?

[Opinion Owner]

You are conflating a public business with private property. It may be considered stealing, but I'm not so invested in the capitalist idea that money is worth more than a person's general wellbeing.

[Asker]

There are clearly other ways to help people rather than stealing from your job. You could have just as easily opened your own wallet and given them the money to pay for that small item, but you justify it with "but the company has money," and therefore you tell yourself that makes you a good person, but it's still you committing a crime one that could have seen you fired and possibly in jail. You are only extremely lucky you never got caught.

[Opinion Owner]

You assume I haven't paid for people before as well.

I never said I was a good person, but I appreciate that you think I am one :)

[Opinion Owner]

I'm sorry that you consider people only worth as much as their monetary value.

[Asker]

Anyone can justify a crime until it affects them. "Stealing is fine, as long as it's not someone doing it to you."

[andreasderjuengere]

@''Asker'' - larger businesses have a ''theft factor'' calculated into their pricing; it's an average sum of stuff getting lost; it's similar to food that is outdated and spoilt.
No one ''steals'' here - unless it's the company itself.

[NamerOfStars]

Depending on what it was, I'd either go back right away, or take care of it on my next visit. At a grocery store I used to shop at, the machine kept redispensing coins- it'd count them as being added against the total, but give them back. I realized this when it handed me back a quarter. I'd've taken care of it then, but the place was closing in two minutes. It ended up being a few days before I went back, but I did give the quarter to the incredulous lady at the counter. I don't think she believed me.

[Andres77]

If I'm still in the store I'll bring it to their attention. If I made it home I'm not going back. Unless it was a huge error and I think they'd lose their job or something.

[MCheetah]

It depends on the store. A mom and pop store; I'd pay for the item the next day or as soon as it was convenient. A big chain like Walmart or Target? Nah! The only time this has ever happened to me though was through an Amazon order. They somehow ended up shipping me the same bundle order twice. It was like a box of five items I ordered and I got two of them. I did end up sending back the second one to them.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

It has happened several times. I went back to get clarification. Sometimes, the store owners' amazement & gratitude for my honesty & morality rewarded me whatever merchandise free of charge.

[45Fstraight]

I've had to do that more than once. I wouldn't jump in my car a drive back, but I might stop in the next time I'm headed that way (depending on the store).

[andreasderjuengere]

If it's the little store round the corner - privately owned - I'll of course fix the situation.
If it's the huge and greedy supermarket chain: who cares.

[exitseven]

I have done both. It depends on my mood. Once however my bank made a thousand dollar error in my favor and I brought it to their attention.

[Asker]

You really do have to bring up bank errors or things like paycheck errors, because when they audit, and they will, they're going to find out anyway, and then at a most inconvenient time, you'll be down a $1,000.

[slatyb]

Only if it were fairly expensive. I'm not going back to pay for some $5 grocery item.

[ThePolishKnight37]

Not saying i would go right back, but I would take it back my next chance.

[Asker]

I mean it's not your fault, so yeah, lol

[Vietnemin]

It depends on how I’m feeling about the store but overall yes

[EnglishEuropean]

If it's a major purchase like a TV, yes. If it's something under £2 value it's just "natural wastage".

[Joshua0213]

Absolutely cause normally I shop at locally owned stores so would want to help them, but if it was like a Walmart or something I defintely wouldn't

[abc3643]

Yes and I have done that in fact.

[nolabels]

I have, and I haven't.

[SuccessfulHornDog]

Yes, If it was a small business I would go back.

[msc545]

I might if it wasn't inconvenient for me.

[anylolone]

And be awkward about it.

[JesseJayNeak]

I'd do it before leaving the store

[888theGreat]

I have , so yes