What would you do if given more change than you were entitled to??

[rabbitearbandicoot]

The only reason I mention this first bit is because of what happened yesterday. Accidents happen, wrong change is given etc.

A few weeks ago, we went to this little coffee shop that we frequent. We have been going there for 10 years. It is very convenient for us when we go shopping in Woolworths, so we drop in for a coffee and a pie / cake. Well, on this ocassion, when I was presented with the bill by the owner, it seemed very high for what we had. I said to the lady "are you sure that's right?". she said:"Yes I checked it twice". So I paid the amount and went to the car. I couldn't help myself - I wrote down what we had and added up what it should have been. I have never done this before even though on a few ocassions I have been puzzled by the amount charged. But this time, it seemed it was $4.20 more than we should have been charged. Now, $4.20 doesn't
sound much but to some it is a lot, so this time, I went back. She (the owner of the cafe) recalulated what we had and, sure enough, she had overcharged us by $4.20. There was no apology except a rather rough "here's your change".

Since that day, if the owner is there, she is very curt with me whereas before that she was always all smiles and greetings. I thought to myself, she's probably just embarrassed, she'll get over it", so we kept going there.

We went again Yesterday. The owner was busy serving and so was her sister so this young girl (a trainee) served me. The total of the bill came to $16.10. I gave the girl $20 bill. The young girl gave me our food and change, which I carried over to our table. I put the change on the table and was speaking with a friend of mine when I noticed the change - counted it and there was $16.10. I drank the rest of my coffee, because the staff were still very busy, but then I took the change over to the desk and the owner's sister, who was making someone else's coffee, said to me "What's wrong, {my name}?". I said, I think your young trainee has made an error in the change. Our total came to $16.10, I gave the girl a $20 note and I have just noticed
that she has given me $16.10 change. She took the $16.10 and said "OK, I'll fix it up and bring your change to your table".

She (owner's sister)  brought the change and placed it on the table in front of me. She may have said something but neither I nor the friends I was sitting with heard it.

When we were leaving the cafe, I saw that the 3 staff were no longer busy so I went to the owner and asked "did your sister tell you what happened?". Owner:"Yes, she did". I quiped "Well, as you can see I am honest, and I pay for what I have". Owner:"I never said you weren't" was the reply with what I would describe as indifference. We left.

Now, I didn't expect that she would jump over the counter and give me a hug and tell me how pleased she was that I brought the $16.10 back, but is it unreasonable of me to expect a thank you (especially in view of what happened a few weeks ago), or am I being a little precious?

[*pepe]

the person you returned the money to should have said thank you, and may well have as you say you aren't sure.

the owner may have felt you were looking for a medal or something when you felt the need to approach her about it.

if you are not feeling comfortable going there or that your custom is unappreciated just go elsewhere.

[*pepe]

oh and to answer the question - i would return the extra money.

[bella_again]

Some people are just like that.  My policy is do the right thing even if it costs you and sometimes it does.  She could have been more polite I agree, there is no need for rudeness and personally I probably wouldn't go back.  I had a garage sale yesterday and I meet some amazing people, others though will ask how much something is and try and give you half that amount. Then there are those that will try and give you more because they have a generous spirit.

I've come to the conclusion people are people...  Take yourself somewhere else that values your custom.

[patchoo78]

I probably would have, and I have done in certain situations... 

One time Woolworth's were having a sausage sizzle for charity as they often do, They were selling sausage sandwiches for $2 each, a lady bought two and paid with a $20 note. She only got $14 change; she knew she got the wrong change and told them so, they disagreed. This is where I piped up and said "The correct change is $16, she bought two sandwiches which is $4. You need to give her $16 change"

There's something wrong when I'm correcting Woolworth's staff's adding up!

[cherry*135]

I am not making excuses for the owner/staff in this cafe but if they were very busy and the owners sister was helping out (does the sister usually work there?), when you approached  her, the sister she may have been flummoxed if there were lots of orders & had coffee orders on her mind. After you mentioned the incorrrect change she would have been thinking that the trainee shouldn't be making mistakes like that (in other words looking at the wrong change situations from the cafe's perspective not yours.)

If you like going to that cafe, keep going there. If you still feel they are not treating you as a good regular customer after a few more weeks, go somewhere else.

Never feel bad for pointing out you have been short changed. I point it out even if it is 20c.

I usually work out what I owe before I pay at cafes/restaraunts so challenge the amount when paying, if it is higher than it should be. Seems to happen a lot in those places.

[freddie*rooster]

Another scenario.

What would you do with a $50 note you found on the floor of a busy City Coles supermarket?

:^O

[j*oono]

I would hand it in because they have security cameras :^O

Seriously, yes I would hand back the money if I was given too much change.  

[freddie*rooster]

J*oono it was a cheap shopping day :O:^O We did ask at the desk if anyone had reported losing any money in the store.

[j*oono]

Well you did ask Freddie.  Chances are if you'd handed it over it would just go in someone elses pocket.