What would you do?
By hagirl
@hagirl (1295)
United States
December 10, 2009 3:05pm CST
Tuesday me and my BFF went shopping. It does not matter how much money we have we always hit the consignment stores and we seen this one we had never been in before. We went in there and I bought a pair of shoes and a cellphone holder(Longaberger). The bill was $10.60. I know this is not important to the male mylotters out there but we women know the longaberger piece was worth way more than that by itself. Anyway we got to talking to the salesperson about some jewerly I was trying on and then we ended up walking out of the store. We got to the stoplight and I got to thinking about how much cash I had on me to eat without using debit card. I looked at my friend and said Oh, God I forgot to pay for my stuff. We went through the stoplight and had to turn around and go back. Inside the store I went to the counter and told the woman I did not pay. She said Are you sure? I could have swore you gave me money. I said no I know I did not pay. so I paid for my items and started to leave. she thanked me for being so honest. MY question: What would you have done in this situation? Would you have went back or hoped for the best?
2 people like this
19 responses
@Triarc1983 (20)
• United States
10 Dec 09
It may sound like I'm exaggerating, but this story has really restored my faith in people. In a world lacking in morality and ethics, a world filled with hedonists and sociopaths who do their bidding without any concern or abandon, its nice to see that honest people still exist. For a warped cynic such as myself, that means a lot. Thank you for sharing your story of honesty and good character.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Dec 09
Personally I think you did the right thing. Because if you would have not paid for the items, and known you did not eventually that would be eating away at you and then you would feel guilty everytime you wore the item to where you eventually would have to give the item up. Even if it is embarassing going back in somewhere and admitting you did not pay for something you should have, the weight off your mind is the Best thing for sure. I would have done like you did and gone back in there and paid.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
11 Dec 09
HI,
Honestly... if I didn't pay for my items then I will go back there and pay. Being Honest is the best way to do. you did the right thing. some people never go back cuz you were already in the car.
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
11 Dec 09
People do not understand that is why all the prices go up in the first place. shoplifting is always rolling prices up at wal-mart instead of back. This was a small business owner trying to make a living. Not that I am cruel but I would have felt alot worse stiffing her instead of a large corporation which I would not do either one.
@I_LUV_U (2519)
• India
11 Dec 09
I'd have certainly gone back as you did and paid for my purchases, unless I've traversed a far distance away from it so the return would not be feasible just now. Then I would pay them the first thing on my next visit there, or I might even call them up asking someone to be sent if the sum was large. I would never intentionally cheat someone of their money capitalizing on their negligence or oblivion. I'd have to live with the fear and guilt that if or when I'd be found out I won't have the face to face their scorn.
@aguas_aj (498)
• Philippines
11 Dec 09
I usually experience that. There are times that the cashier forgets to punch the item I'm buying. and since I usually calculate the items I'm buying I do have a rough amount to be paid especially in grocery so, when there's a big difference and find out why, I'd tell the cashier. even in restaurant when they forget 1 or two orders we made, we remind them. Because for us, there is karma.And we wouldn't want
it especially if its my kid whose gonna take the pain of it.
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
11 Dec 09
My problem at grocery stores is usually trying to get the short end of the stick and I call them on that also. when you buy something on sale sometimes it does not ring up as such. I always check my sales receipts when I buy things on special for that reason. It seems alot of times these computerized registers do not catch everything. It is a honest mistake though.
@beabenitez (153)
• Philippines
11 Dec 09
same as u will go back. if people didnt see u, there is someone over there seeing all we are doing...it doesnt count here except from feeling better bout ourselves which is really a good ...but it really counts on the other realm
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I work in a store and I know how horrible it feels to be short at the end of a shift. I would have had to go back and pay. It is so so easy to do when you get to talking and it has happened to me. I was so so grateful when the person came back and paid. I've put in out of my pocket to make things right with my boss and especially when I know it was my fault for getting distracted.
@joyfulpraise (46)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Let's put it this way you got what you wanted and it's not free but a price that was good for you.should you pay? yes it's called "honesty" and it is or should be a way of life! It is so good!
@gayathri_nugur (125)
• India
11 Dec 09
I appreciate your kindness to go back to the shop and pay the money.that by mistake you came out of the shop and forgot to pay,If i wore in that position then i would have done the same thing,but till now in my life i have not faced such kind of situation.
@earndeep (168)
• India
11 Dec 09
This happened with me few times... When I go shopping with my friends I can forget about what I'm. Some times I've left what I've purchased & some times I have forgotten to pay the shopkeeper.
If the amount I've forgotten to pay is a larger then I'll just return back to the shop and pay for it else I'll pay him the next time I go there if it is a near by shop other wise any how I'll return an pay him...
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I have even ran off like you and forgot the stuff I have paid for already in the store. It is so embarrassing. Big one/ I even drove off from a gas pump one day got all the way home and realized what I had done. I called them and told them I would be in 2 days later on my way to college. They knew me and was actually glad it was me that had driven off because they knew they would get their money back.
@allknowing (136369)
• India
11 Dec 09
Any person with a good sense of morals would have done what you did and I belong there. It is a disgrace trying to get a mileage out of a poor sales girl's lack of presence of mind. Keep it up.
@FRANCISCOANDLEE (750)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Hi hagirl, Yes I would go back to the store and pay and I have in the past. Ive looked at my receipt in the past thinking why was this so cheap then I notice something not charged. I pull the product out of the bags and take it in with the receipt and let the cashier know they forgot something. I've even been given to much money a few times and had to take that back. I know if I didn't my conscience would get the best of me. I remember all to well working a register mistakes happen and nothing like coming up short on your shift. I was a manager for years and watched a poor girl cry her heart out in fear the money was coming out of her paycheck. I never want to think of someone going through that again. Its not a nice experience at all.
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I have even got more money at the bank and took it back.... One day I had to pick up the rent for my landlord and of course he gave me the receipts... I checked and had a extra $100/bill.. I knew where it came from so I called more landlord to see if they were behind and needed to pay extra this month he said NO.... I told him to call the people and that I would bring back to them when I came home... To beat it all this was a person that tried to argue one day with me in the parking lot about our children... Don't worry I got my say in and she walked away first.... But the lesson is it does not matter if it is a person you do not like you still need to be honest and you will be remembered that way.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I would have gone back. Keeping the money would have made someone else lose out.It could have affected your reputation if she had noticed it later. It could also have been a set up.
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
10 Dec 09
Yep, I'll do exactly the same thing. I know it sounds corny but Honesty is the best policy. I just couldn't imagine what would it be like when the salesperson gets short of sales because I didnt pay for the stuff I bought. I guess she has to pay for that or they'll take it out of her salary. That would be awful, especially if she really needed the money. Do to others what you want done to you, or something like that.
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
10 Dec 09
It is not even like that. Maybe for bigger items but the cash register is push in type not laser and no numbers are written down for the sale. So when you have over 100 pairs of shoes one pair would not even be missed.... It is the principle
1 person likes this
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I would have gone back to the store like you did. I have always been a strong believer in honesty is the best policy. I know it was an honest mistake, but you did the right thing by realizing what you did by going back to the store and corrected it. good job to you.
@Genericbe (1376)
• Philippines
10 Dec 09
Yes, I would go back to the store and inform the salesperson that I have not yet paid for the products..
It is a good attitude to be honest and with a clear conscience. That is a sign that you are a person of good values. It never attempt to cheat someone but honestly confront the situation and had the feeling of concern for others too.
Because if you care for others then they will do the same thing in return ..
