Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Works for Me Wednesday - Don't Overpay!

I have this annoying habit that drives cashiers, clerks, waitresses and my husband crazy. But it saves me from paying too much for everything from vitamins to car service.

I am a receipt checker. I sit down with my receipt as soon as I get in the car and check every single line item to make sure I have not paid more for something or paid for something twice. And, you know what? I find mistakes on a weekly basis.

My husband has admitted that it both drives him crazy and makes him appreciative how much time I spend checking these things out. But, I must say, just in the last week I have been double charged for vitamins, jipped on CVS Extra Care Bucks (I just started CVSing and that is a whole other post!), been charged for extermination services I didn't receive, charged more than the price marked for grocery items, and even not charged for toothbrushes I had in my cart (which I am a stickler for returning and paying for 'cause my family owns retail stores and I apply the whole Golden Rule there) and all this happened at different places.

So, here's what works for me. Checking my receipts the minute I get into the car. I wait until the kids are buckled in and settled which means I may sometimes have to make a return trip into the store if it turns out they did botch the checkout. But, it is worth it to know I have only paid for what I've received. I have even been known to get my BlackBerry calculator out to double check that everything adds up. I'm obsessive that way. Still, in my defense, I have been rewarded for my diligence many times by finding extra money on the receipt in the form of overcharges and whatnot so I can't be totally crazy.

Anyways, that's what is working for me. Head over to Shannon's Dryer to see what is working for other moms this week...

14 comments:

Amy said...

I just started doing this a couple of weeks ago and am AMAZED by how often I am overcharged. It's crazy!

Anonymous said...

I have not even thought to do this I will have to start!

Susan said...

Oh man, I know this happens in Germany too. Hubs is good at this, but I am not good enough in German to argue with the cashier yet!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Great idea - I know my husband would appreciate this, too.

Smellyann said...

I used to do that all the time, but I have gotten out of the habit. I must start again!!!

Lisa said...

i just have a stupid photographic memory for the cost of every item I pick up at the grocery store. So I sit there and watch as each thing is being run up - and i make sure i get every deal. So i am the one who holds up the line at the grocery with her nitpicks!

Mary said...

Isn't it so aggravating to be overcharged so often? I hate when this happens.

Like you, I always check the receipts. I try to check things as they are being rung up, but obviously many times that is too difficult, especially with kids.

And I find that if I point out to the cashier that someting rings up at the wrong price or a coupon is not properly deducted, they get all annoyed at me. They eiher act like it's no big deal or they tell me there's nothing they can do. Ummm wrong on both counts.

If we were to ignore it everytime we were charged wrong, it would really add up to huge amounts of money wasted.

ames said...

Overcharging happens *that* often? Wow, I need to start doing this!

Land of Lovings said...

I guess I'm glad to know I'm not the only one being overcharged! Or maybe I'm not actually glad...you know what I mean.

I think I'm going to start keeping a total of how much I save catching mistakes. Then, I'll take the total as a bonus in my SAHM salary!

Tara said...

Well you are on top of things.. and definitely brave!! I check my receipt too, but If I find an error.. I can't seem to convince myself or my husband to go back in the store and point it out LOL We are both embarrassed!

Kris said...

I do the same thing. Our grocery store has a free mechanical horse the kids like to ride. While they do, I check my charges. That way if I need to go back, I'm already there! The kids don't mind..nothing a bribe about another horse ride doesn't cure!

Anonymous said...

It IS amazing how often things don't ring up as the advertised price. Good for you for making sure it's right! I'm the same way...known for going right back in and making it correct.

World's Greatest Mommy said...

I was just thinking about this the other day in line at the grocery store. When I was little, I always had to help unload, so that my mom could pay attention to what price the cashiers were ringing up. Now, I barely pay attention, and I bet I'm getting overcharged!

I think it will work better for me to just go grocery shopping after the kids go to bed.

Thanks for the good advice and reminders.

Anonymous said...

wow. i have not ever done this, but now i'm thinking i should start!
i am usually one of those people that cashiers hate because i watch each item be scanned to make sure the price is right. you have no idea how many eye rolls i get when i point out a problem!