May Meds, Math and Mayhem

~ 1kindness2day
WP38 270418
photo: alexas fotos

I went to the pharmacy yesterday to pick up my prescription, tablets which cost $8 a box. As I was allowed to buy a maximum of 5 boxes, I did just that. I queued, paid with my credit card, took the boxes and left. And, no, silly me did not check the charge slip, which explains the mayhem that ensued.

You see, my credit card requires a signature for purchases above $10. The fact that I hadn’t been asked to sign anything for a $40 purchase only hit me as I was halfway down the escalator to leave the building. Upon checking the receipt, I found that I had been charged – you guessed it – $8 for all five boxes.

Dilemma! Go out the door (the car was right there!) and no one would be any wiser. Or go back up and pay the full price. I will be honest to say it was so tempting to head right out – I would have saved $32 and, I mean, who would have known?

I went back up.

There were two others ahead of me and so I queued – again. When it was my turn, the cashier was supremely confused at my explanation. “Did you not want 5 packs, then?”

“I want all five.”

“You’ve got five, haven’t ya?”

“Yes. But I paid for only one.”

“So?”

Believe me, it was really tempting then to just leave. “So I was charged for one box but I have five boxes.”

At which point the manager sauntered over. I retold my story. By this time there were three people behind me in the queue, all listening with great interest.

He glared. “So you tryin’ to pay for the other four you took?”

Hmm … that didn’t sound exactly right. Took?

“I didn’t take the other four. I came back to pay for the four boxes your cashier didn’t charge me for.”

“Oh.”

Yes. Oh.

“Lady,” said the gentleman behind me. “Just take your stuff and run. I’ll swear I never saw you.”

“You shouldn’t have come back!” chipped in the lady behind him. “I’d have just kept going. They don’t even get it!”

I checked with the third person, just so she didn’t feel left out. She cackled. “I say go. Not too late. I’ll hold them up if you like.”

Eventually, the manager got it. The cashier got it. The cashier also got it from the manager but that’s another story.

I paid the full amount and left. I will always cherish the support these total strangers offered. But I think I’ll go to some other pharmacy next time. And check my receipts before walking off.

Who knew it would take this much effort to right something?

What would you have done?

THANKS

Published by 1kindness2day

Observing life. Living life. Celebrating life. Commenting on life. One kind act at a time.

18 thoughts on “May Meds, Math and Mayhem”

  1. So frustrating! Yes, I’d have gone back to pay like you did, but they didn’t have to make it so hard for you and act like you were in the wrong. Yep, change your pharmacy. 😀
    I love the comments of your fellows in the queue. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  2. How does the saying go? Something like, it’s what you do when others aren’t watching that counts. Sometimes the world conspires against doing the right thing, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right thing to do, whether something little (like this) or something bigger.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. I’m with you. I would have gone back but it’s a bit disheartening that instead of thanking you for doing the right thing, the staff reacted that way. At least you felt supported by others in line and by knowing you did the right thing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I would of went back up too, my luck it would of caught up to me if I didn’t go back .. hahaha sadly you should not have been treated so badly . When you do the right thing and you get that in return is frustrating .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.