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Yielding Wealth | Personal Finance

Do You Dispute Prices at the Cash Register?

by miranda on October 22nd, 2008

bullseye_v2546705_.gifToday I read a story from the San Francisco Chronicle about how Target is paying $1.7 million in order to settle a penalty for overcharging customers in California. This got me to thinking: How much attention do I pay to the prices ringing up at the cash register?

I also thought this: How much would the difference be for me to dispute prices at the cash register?

There have been instances (recently buying a new bicycle helmet for my son comes to mind) when I have disputed a price at the cash register. If I note a sale price or a low price on the shelf, and the item rings up for more, I’ll dispute if the difference is more than two dollars.

But what about the principle of the thing? Does this mean that I should be disputing even the smallest differences? In these economic times, it is clear that many people are pinching every penny and trying to make every dollar count. And I’ve noticed that I’ve become more vigilant at the cash register. This flap with Target is going to make me even more watchful, I think.

What about you? Do you dispute prices at the cash register? And how small a difference is too small?

image source: Target.com

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11 opinions for Do You Dispute Prices at the Cash Register?

  • FFB
    Oct 22, 2008 at 12:55 pm

    I will dispute a price but sometimes it depends on the environment. Not trees and stuff environment. I mean if I have the kids with me and the place is packed and crazy. Then I might let a small difference go. Otherwise I’ll fight for the price. Sometimes I feel like I might be cheap but then I consider it’s the principle of the matter. But I can’t say I always argue. At times it’s not worth it.

  • miranda
    Oct 22, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts, FFB. I agree that environment plays a roll. It’s hard to justify fighting over 50 cents when there’s a line stretching behind you and the kids are impatient.

  • Mr. ToughMoneyLove
    Oct 22, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    I watch and question prices when necessary. This is particularly the case in a clothing store when clothes are hanging on a rack with a discount sign hanging over it. You need to watch those prices carefully.

  • miranda
    Oct 22, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks for Sharing Mr. I agree that it is important to watch prices carefully in some cases — especially since some stores don’t have all the sale and discount prices keyed in properly.

  • Ashley @ Wide Open Wallet
    Oct 22, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    Checking out is such a hoopla with my two year old that honestly, I don’t even look at the total most times, let alone the individual prices of things. I hate that, but jeeze, I only have one brain and it’s usually being used up making sure my toddler isn’t opening candy or running off.

  • miranda
    Oct 22, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    Thanks, Ashley! I agree that there are plenty of responsibilities that keep us from watching the price. After all, our brains are wired to do only one thing at a time. My husband likes to come shopping, too, so it makes it easier, since he can keep an eye on our son while I watch the register.

  • Sean
    Oct 23, 2008 at 10:43 am

    Hehe… before reading your last comment, I was going to say that DW’s brain is wired for this stuff. The more I see her in action, the more I’m amazed how much rings up wrong. Lines are not too much of an issue if you can shop at off-peak hours. Now concentration… with one baby, maybe we can divide and conquer. If we ever have two babies, we probably have to let a lot of stuff slide. :-)

  • Miranda
    Oct 23, 2008 at 11:09 am

    Thanks for sharing, Sean! We’ve started shopping off-peak as well. We’re talking like 8:30 in the morning. We’d like to go mid-week, but our schedules just don’t work for that. So we go at 8:30 am on Friday mornings. It does make for a more pleasant shopping experience overall.

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    Oct 26, 2008 at 8:42 am

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  • Abigail
    Oct 27, 2008 at 12:07 am

    I wrote a piece about this too. I do dispute at the register. I’m finicky, just like my mom.

    I know that once I’m home, I will forget to return things. So I would rather take care of it at the store.

  • miranda
    Oct 27, 2008 at 6:25 am

    Thanks for sharing, Abigail. I, too, have a hard time bringing things back to the store once I get them home. You have to remember the receipt and leave any tags on, etc.

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