I remember reading an article a few months ago about returning to a store for a small refund on a price mistake. The writer was very persuasive in arguing that it wasn’t worth the time to bother with correcting a small pricing error.
I can’t recall where I saw it or who wrote it, but I remember thinking to myself “Man I am cheap. I always check my receipts and I always go back.” That very day I had been overcharged at Safeway $1.49. I usually keep the receipts in my wallet and get a refund the next time I am in the store. After reading the article I decided not to bother with all the trouble over such a small amount.
Can I tell you I still think about my $1.49? That is how cheap I am, and I have no problem waving the flag. I think it is especially important for couponers to really look at their receipts before leaving a store, since our transactions tend to be a bit more complicated. As a practice, I typically hand each coupon one by one to the cashier to ensure they are all scanned. If the cashier insists on taking them all, I watch very carefully as they will almost always skip a coupon or two. I also have a habit of counting my coupons in the check out line- it makes it easier to then count the coupons credited on the receipt and I know in two seconds if they missed one.
Anyway, back to the original point. Today I was overcharged more than $23 between two stores. You better bet I went back for refunds- it took just a few minutes. Those little transactions- just $1 here or $2 there- could easily add up to a few hundred dollars a year. So if you need to find me check the customer service line. I want my $1.49 back.
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday at WeareTHATfamily.
It takes a lot of time clip all those coupons! I don't think about the 1.49 so much as the time it took me to clip that coupon and put together the transaction!! Get your money… it's about your time and effort.
Sometimes I feel like you do and sometimes it is a little embarassing, but when they hand me my money I'm always glad I went to the trouble. Seeing the money in my hand makes a difference. I also call companies when I am unhappy with what I've bought. They are always nice and give me a refund or a coupon for a replacement.
I notice mistakes on my receipts all the time, especially @ Albertson's. Almost every trip, there is something wrong & I always check before leaving the store & then get it fixed. They are usually nice about it & give me my money back, just wish it rang up right to begin with!!
I am cheap too! Glad to know I am not the only one to do this! Great ideas on counting your coupons…I will have to remember that one 🙂
Last week Publix had Crystal Light for $3.99 BOGO. I was excited because I had a $2/2 and a buy 2 get a free Crystal Light Skin Essentials.I would pay $99 for all three. When I got home I realized I was charged $3.99 for the "free" product. I had paid $1.66 +tax per drink mix.(Still a Bargin). I drove around with that box of Crystal Light wondering if I should complain to the cashier for taking my coupon and not ringing it up. Finally, several days later I returned it and got my $3.99 +tax back. Needless to say, my husband thinks I'm crazy!…..
oops…I meant .99 for all three.
I noticed on the way home from Kroger my cashier missed two coupons. Granted it was only 2.00 but I think about where I could have better spend that two dollars, like at CVS. It really does pay, to pay attention because like you said. While 1.49 doesn't seem like a lot at the time it does add up, and also that 1.49 could be spent on other things.
I hand the cashier my coupons 1 by 1. So if I have a b1g1 free coupon I hand them that when product is scanned. It seems to save them time and me too, I still double check my receipt.
Great article! I think it is very important that we be aware of the prices of the items we buy and that we are charged correctly. This morning I purchased pacifiers at Publix for my son because they are on sale (and of course I had a coupon). After checking my receipt, I see that they rang up full price. When I go back, I will bring my receipt for a refund. Publix has a price guarantee. If the item rings up incorrectly, they will give you the product for free! They do not widely advertise this policy but I have received many items for free in the past few months. Other stores may also have this policy so it is certainly worth finding these mistakes!!
Amanda