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 Replies: 27 / Views: 3,852 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2200 Posts |
Twice in the last month, I've paid for a small purchase at a convenience store, and both times the cashier owed me one cent in change. But they didn't give it to me. They closed the register, looked at me as if to say, "Good to see you, have a good night" and then relaxed like our exchange was finished. I then reminded them that they owed a penny. Without objecting, they opened the register, fished out a cent and gave it to me.
No way did I suspect the clerk (it was a different person each time) was trying to steal money. My inkling was that they thought that I would not mind not getting my change back because it was so little. In other words, they knew full well that they owed me a penny, but that the penny was not a big deal for either of us if I didn't get it. But they were happy to give me the penny when I asked for it. But then again, they didn't apologize.
Just like how many people nowadays don't feel picking up loose change on the sidewalk is worth the effort, it seems that these clerks felt like it was okay not to give me my change because I wouldn't mind not getting it. But regardless of how the customer feels, it's their job to dole out correct change, period. But it's interesting how these kids (they were kids) seem to interpret the value of money differently than older people--which I think is the crux of this story.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
5392 Posts |
Guess they are just telling you ....................time for the cent to go!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
992 Posts |
Even if they did that fifty times a day, that's only $2.50 a week, they're not stealing, just being a.) lazy, b.) arrogant, and c.) chickencrap
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
They are probably just making assumptions based on people often telling them they don't want the cent.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6478 Posts |
Well, I would want the cent, what if it is an error/variety?
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Pillar of the Community
1153 Posts |
I vote all the above paxbrit, but mostly lazy
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2200 Posts |
Quote:
They are probably just making assumptions based on people often telling them they don't want the cent. I totally agree. Back in the 1980s I was a clerk in a convenience store, and I remember some people being in such a hurry that they told me to keep the change when I was about to give it to them. (So I did keep it.) |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
How many of us would leave a penny lying on the pavement?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
The reverse is also true. I routinely 'get' free money when it comes to cents. If my meal is $4.03 and I hand them a $5, I get a buck back. So I try to give them $4.10 to generate change. I get the dime back. I suspect that what we are seeing is laziness and a loss of simple math skills. Just easier to hand a buck back without the risk of doing poor math. And as for the register figuring the change; laziness in entering in the digits to see what digits you need to return to the patron. I'm less inclined to categorize it as indifference to the cent being meaningful. But perhaps the cashiers are told not to worry about a cent or two here-and-there.  P.S. I'm with Kid either way; I want the change that's owed for the thrill of finding something of value. I've received Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels, LWCs including Steel Pennies, and several foreign pieces to enjoy. Edited by Rackster
04/12/2015 09:36 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
There was a story not long ago about a person that worked in a bank. They realized that at interest time, almost everyone got something like their interest but there was that mysterious extra .001 or .002 or something like that that just didn't get added to people's accounts. So that person transferred all those little .001s and .002s, etc. to their own account. Did that for about 10 years. Would have gotten away with it except someone noticed a bank person with MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
Although to many a penny here and there may not seam like much, to the people doing that little cheating, could make the difference in a beer or two. You never know.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
632 Posts |
I work as a bartender/server and I frequently round change, but always in the guests favor. I wouldn't ever short anyone even if it is just a cent. For example, a bottle of budlight annoyingly comes to $3.51 after tax. Instead of pawing through the drawer for a hand full of change I'll give you two quarters and call it good. I guess it could be considered a "lazy" way to do it but it's just more convenient for everyone involved when it's strung out busy.
Edited by Elimist
04/12/2015 8:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2200 Posts |
Quote:
There was a story not long ago about a person that worked in a bank. They realized that at interest time, almost everyone got something like their interest but there was that mysterious extra .001 or .002 or something like that that just didn't get added to people's accounts. So that person transferred all those little .001s and .002s, etc. to their own account. Did that for about 10 years. Would have gotten away with it except someone noticed a bank person with MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. This was the basis of plot lines in the movies Office Space and Superman III. It's probably just an urban legend, because as tempting as it is to like this ploy, banks keep track of every single bit of money they have (I know I do) and they would catch on to the scheme pretty quickly. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Hey JustCarl... was that a true story you read? I thought it was just the plot of the 90s movie "Office Space" *woops, posted too soon without reading more ... forgot about superman 3 though Edited by Cascade
04/13/2015 09:05 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
509 Posts |
Does it irritate you more to not get the penny back or if something is 5.01 and you don't get the 0.99 to look through because of the generous cashier knocking off the .01?
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Moderator
United States
187565 Posts |
Yes, it is time for the cent to go.  I wonder if you were due three or four cents in change, would they give you a nickel? They should. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Interesting, my experience is the exact opposite. I find many people round in my favor when returning change so they don't have to mess with the pennies. Also, I'm frequently "forgiven" when I don't have a cent or two.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 3,852 |
Posted 04/11/2015 7:46 pm
