Do You Scrutinize Your Receipts? You Should

This isn't the first time it has come to my attention that marked prices don't always ring up at the check stand.  I've heard of store rip offs for years.  I would LIKE to think it is a computer issue or an input issue, but darn it, it is either happening more, or I'm paying better attention to what's always been happening.

It's become a little more challenging too now that we have scanned prices and not price tags that we can compare and contrast once we get home or better yet before.

I wrote earlier about the new Safeway Just 4 U program of personalizing sales.  I've noticed that since I print my personalized list after scanning for items that I might want to purchase that are on sale, I can compare that list to my receipt.  Often those prices don't match up and I'm not getting the sale price.

I also have been seeing it at Wal-Mart.  Often their individual items DO have the tags or price on them so it's easier to check.  But if you have a lot of items in your cart, it can be hard to catch if the price doesn't ring up right.  I recently had 5 items and used the self-check (which I almost never do because it makes me feel like an idiot, somehow).  4 of the 5 items rang up higher than the marked price.  And my choice was, did I want to light the customer service light, wait for a rep, explain the situation and wait for it to be corrected while there are others glaring at me waiting their turn...and all for perhaps a few cents difference?  In this instance I chose to just suck it up and pay and leave.

If the majority of people don't notice, don't check, don't pay attention, and further don't challenge it when it happens, this will translate into a LOT of extra income for stores.  The question is, is it an intentional scam or is it accidental?  Stores will always (to my knowledge) fix a pricing error but do they bank on the fact that we won't notice or ask?

I find it disturbing.  The pace of the world keeps getting faster and faster.  I find more tension in store lines than ever before.  Seems Americans think they shouldn't have to wait for ANYTHING, and they don't plan ahead allowing themselves enough time to complete a task...so they take it out on the clerk or the person ahead of them in line.  Now truly...that's their issue, not mine...but I feel the tension and the rolled eyes and the huffing and puffing and it makes shopping a rather unpleasant event.

This is an older article (from 2009) about retail rip-offs.  The issue I'm addressing falls into their top 6 retail rip-offs.

Have you been aware of this trend?  Do you think it is intentional or accidental?  Are you paying attention to your receipts to be sure you are getting the same price at check out that the item shows on the shelf or tag?  Is the store actually deducting all of your coupons and discounts or do you bother to look?  Do you feel comfortable or pressured about pursuing correction when you've been charged the right amount?  If you're paying close attention, are wrong prices always in favor of the store or the customer...equally or disproportionately one way or another?  What about if the price rings up LOWER than it is marked, do you ever report that?  Do you report if you are given the wrong change but it's in your favor?  How do you feel about the pace of the check-out experience or about the impatience of customers?  Weigh in.

Here's a link to an older video about retail rip offs, or more aptly, the mark up on certain items.