Do You Double-Check Your Receipt?
Yesterday, I did all of my food-shopping for the week. And since my husband and I rarely eat out, it was a pretty large haul. (After all, groceries are typically always cheaper than a meal at a restaurant.) So it wasn’t until I had left the store that I ran my eyes over the receipt. Everything seemed to match up with the items in my trunk—except for a charge of $7.50 for “Mango Tangerine.”
I have no idea what “Mango Tangerine” is, but I do know that I didn’t buy any mangoes and I didn’t buy any tangerines. Maybe that’s what pears are called nowadays? I did buy four of them.
Clearly I was charged for something that I didn’t purchase. I know that I should have gone back in the supermarket to dispute the charge and get my $7.50 back, but it was really cold outside, and I was in a rush to get home. But the costly experience got me thinking how many people actually check their receipt before leaving a store? Let me know in the poll below, and add any explanations in the comments.
I also keep a close eye on the computer as my items are being rung up. I’m a couponer, so I often have combinations of things that need to ring up just so!
I usually try to watch the computer as they go. One time though I was purchasing an item with a coupon attached that could be used in the moment. Instead of scanning the coupon to get the discount the cashier accidentally scanned the item twice, so I was charged double the full price for just one item. Luckily I noticed before getting out of the store and the customer service desk corrected it for me.
Great advice. $7.50 per shopping trip can add up to a lot after one year.
Yes, I always check. there were a couple times at one particular store where we found an item that didn’t correspond to anything we bought. we went back to ask the manager what it meant; she said that line item was a pack of cigarettes. we don’t smoke! after that happened twice (along with getting charged twice for one 2lb block of cheddar cheese), we stopped shopping there.
Being on Social Security, my budget is tight and $7.50 could get a decent lunch with a friend at Taco Bell! Gotta enjoy the small pleasures !
I don’t remember to check the receipt often, but I do keep an eye on the scanner most times. My mom is very good at checking the receipts and catches several mistakes a year. These mistakes happen in different stores, so I’d say maybe there’s roughly one mistake a year for each store where we live.