My husband and I went crazy at the DIY Handyman shop over the weekend to buy stuff for the house, so we had quite a stack of things to pay for at the cashier. I knew we probably overspent, but the bill still surprised me when it reached P9,000 plus.
I paid for the bill and then asked for the tape receipt. Rugs, check. Two different sizes of hooks, check. Car cleaning stuff, check.
“What’s this item that costs P4,200?” I thought my voice sounded really calm.
The cashier and her bagger checked each item and found that it really cost P99 but the scanner somehow made P4,200 appear on-screen. Great.
They voided the charge to my credit card and counted everything all over again, while my son complained of a missed meal and general tiredness at the things that adults worry about. I paid P5,121.23 instead of P9,291.48.
I was lucky it was a big item, that I spotted it and double-checked the tape receipt before I left the store. But what if these automatic scanners have been taking money from us without us knowing it? What if these are in increments of P50, or P100? Would we notice? What if they are already taking over the world?!! (kidding)
I once scoffed at my brother-in-law who checked each item in the tape receipt every time they went to the grocery. He may have a point after all. I just hate having to feel like I can’t trust something as simple as a scanner or barcode.
29 Responses to “Do you trust the bar code?”
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Pages: [6] 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All
April 29th, 2009 at 10:13 am
[...] Do you trust the bar code? [...]
February 25th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
My wife and I usually check our receipts to see if the prices are really what they are ! Bar coded or not ! And at least once a month I catch a price on items that are 30- 50 % reduced but not reduced on the tape receipt. I go at once to the information table and claim my excess payment ! Or give back the item !
That is always the way at discounter stores ! They try to take a cent from you without your permission !!
So, people, WATCH OUT, it is your money !!!
February 12th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Something is still wrong there. Here’s the reconciliation of the computation:
Previous wrong bill - P9,291.48
Deduct: wrong amount (4,200.00)
Add : right amount 99.00
Theoretical right amount P5,190.48
vs. final bill 5,121.23
Unlocated difference P 69.25
There is more than one error in the scanning!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:49 am
hi.
i experienced this many times in 7-11 outlets. either the barcode was on a wrong item, or the cashier was new..things like that..
so, better check the receipts while still on the store premises, as well as the items you bought for your peace of mind.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
It’s troublesome to check ever piece of grocery item price but it’s better than being ripped off.