Some months ago I bought two items at Michael’s, a Cricut cartridge that was on sale and a package of little storage jars. I had a 50% off coupon to apply to the jars, because Michael’s coupons always stipulate they can’t be used on Cricut products. If I remember correctly, I think when the clerk first rang up the purchase, it didn’t show the cartridge as being on sale, so I had to show him where it was and that it was on sale. Then when he rang it up again, somehow it didn’t register as a Cricut product, and the computer in the register applied the coupon to it (it always applies to the highest-priced item). I tried to tell the clerk at that point that the coupon should not have applied to the cartridge, but he was very new and did not understand. I didn’t want to hold up the other people waiting, so I left, but my conscience still bothered me. If I did the math right, this netted me $15 in savings more than I should have had, and if it had been a $15 error in their favor, I would certainly have talked to the manager and gotten it straightened out. I felt I was obligated to do the same even if the error was in my favor.
I determined to go back in the next few days, ask to speak to the manager, and explain the situation. Even though in many cases like that the manager will say, “Don’t worry about it” rather than untangle it all, I still feel like at that point I have done everything I could.
But I felt awkward about it all, and with my tendency to procrastinate especially in regard to awkward things, I put it off until I forgot all about it and left the bag in my sewing room.
I rediscovered the bag yesterday just as I had left it. It feels even more awkward now.
What I’d like to do is just send them a check for $15 with a note telling them I was undercharged by that amount. But I don’t know if that would cause them more difficulty, if they’d have a way to ring something up to come out to $15. I could still bring the whole thing in and try to explain it, but it would be even more awkward and they’d be more likely to say to just forget about it. I am thinking, maybe wrongly, that they might be even a little irritated about having to deal with it.
Another solution that came to mind would be not to use the coupons Michael’s publishes nearly every week, paying full price rather than the 40-50% off, until I’ve “paid back” the $15 that way.
What do you think? (Well, besides thinking I am crazy….)
Stray Thoughts 
Well… my personal thoughts are that you are waaaaaaaaay overthinking this! Of course, I don’t feel awkward about this kind of thing either. I would take the bag back in there, explain and let them decide! $15 isn’t the end of the world either way – but how your “conscience” recovers IS. Not using the coupons isn’t really going to pay back, because the price is what the price IS unless you use the coupon… LOTS of people don’t use the coupons, and pay the full price. So, I think down the road, you might DO that, but then later think “oh, that didn’t work!” … and then you would still have a mess! (in your brain!) Therefore, take it back, talk to a manager, and let THEM decide whether $15 is worth their effort or not! Then it’s OFF you completely!
I’d take it back and talk to the manager. He/She is going to say forget about it, but you will have cleared your conscience. No, I don’t think you’re crazy! š
Did you ask your husband?
That’s what I usually do.
You DID point it out to the clerk who did NOT fix it.
You didn’t just pull a fast one and on purpose try to take money from them–that’s a totally different story.
I did discuss it with him way back when it first happened. He felt I had done as much as I was obligated to and that, having worked in retail sales, the sales people would probably rather not deal with it. Usually when we discuss a situation, he tells me his thoughts but also lets me follow the dictates of my conscience.
If I had thought the clerk understood what I was trying to tell him, I would just leave it at that, but since he was new and inexperienced, he didn’t realize what I meant by the fact that the coupon wasn’t supposed to apply to the item that it did. So that’s the sticking point for me.
What I would do is go back to the store and talk to the manager and let him or her decide. I wouldn’t fret over it however. š
Barbara, you and I are a lot alike. I know why you don’t want to go back to the store and have people look at you like you’re nuts, or even worse, bothersome. However, you do have your conscience to consider. As Melli said, just paying full price for things for awhile won’t cut it. You’ll still know you didn’t do the “right” thing.
You can make it easier on yourself and still do the right thing. Call the store and ask to speak to the manager. Tell him this story and see what he says.
Since we are a like, I know the phone is only slightly less awkward, but at this point your conscience isn’t exactly comfortable, either.
I said a prayer for you.
I’d go back, in person…and be sure to be prepared for an opportunity to share your testimony in a mini way. You can mention how you “answer to a Higher Authority” and how you try to follow what the Bible says, etc. I tend to think when these issues of conscience come along that I don’t identify Satan as the one affecting my pride from going back and doing what I feel is right. James 4:17, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
I agree with the others – I’d go back and talk to the manager and let him/her decide. You’ll feel so much better if you at least try to get it straightened out, and you just might get a chance to leave behind a good testimony! I don’t think you’re crazy at all; I think you’re honest! š
I agree with all above. I think it’ll be a testimony to them of your honesty. I mean, how many people would just walk away and say “Wow, what a great deal I got”. But going back even knowing, like everyone has said, that they’ll probably just say ‘not a problem’ will not only set your conscience right but show them that their are really good, honest Christ-like people out there. God’s love (which is what you’d really be showing)could be perfect timing for the person you speak to who may be frustrated and tired of dealing with stuff, and it might be just what they need to see and hear.
I believe God cares about the details in our lives and honors the smallest things and blesses us and others for it.
How’s that for a sermon!
Hmmm… I say let your conscience be your guide. To me, it’s better to have a clear conscience… I would take it back and talk to the manager and ask how he/she would like to handle it… plus, it speaks well for your testimony. š
I had a similar thing happen to me when I was buying items for the 1st Communion gift bags for my son’s class. The older lady that rang me out just didn’t seem to understand what she was doing. Certain items were 10% and others were 15% off and 2 items were not on sale at all. She kept getting confused and I tried to help her. At one point she did 15% off the total order (which gave me around another $12.00 discount) and I tried to point the mistake out to her. By this time she was frustrated and frustrated with me and told me that she knew what she was doing. But it was a Christian book store and I couldn’t let that mistake go (especially in a Christian book store!!) so I tried to point it out to the manager that was standing next to her. She glanced at it and said “Oh it’s fine”. At that point I felt I had nothing left to do.
You really tried the first time. But if it’s bothering you that badly, take it back one more time and try again. If they can’t/won’t rectify it at that point, you can have a clear conscience.
For your conscience’s sake, I’d take my receipt and all, go back in the store and talk to THE manager. š That way it will be settled for you. AND if the manager says to forget it, take it as the Lord just wanting to send a financial blessing your way!
Thanks, all. š