Lucy and I had a successful shopping experience at Target today. That is, until I discovered that I walked out of the store without paying for my gallon of milk.
p{color:gray}. Photo: “Whaddaya think? Does this make me an accomplice?”
It was a simple mistake — Lucy was fussy in the long checkout line, the milk was on the bottom of the cart, neither I nor the checker noticed. When I realized my mistake while loading the car, Lucy was already beginning to melt down for want of a nap. I was not about to go stand in that line again!
So, what am I to do? Should I try to pay for it next time I go to Target? Or is this sort of thing built into the pricing overhead? Who knew that motherhood would turn me into a common thief?
I think the right thing to do is to go to the service desk next time you’re there and offer to pay for it. Maybe they’ll take the money, by my guess is they’ll thank you for your honesty and let it go. But at least you’ll be totally above-board.
yes, they build it into the pricing overhead.
once I got to the parking lot at Walmart and discovered I had a toothbrush stuck to the bottom of one of the bags, which had never made it ourt of the cart. I was too tired, after hauling a baby and toddler around the shop, to go back in. But I felt guilty about my “theft”.
Since I live an hour from Walmart I decided to mail them a check for $1.03 (with explanatory note) to cover the brush plus tax. They sent me back a handwritten card signed by the head of accounting, saying that in all their years they had never ever had anyone do that before… and gave me a $5 gift card.
…not that it should be your motivation, but I guess sometimes it pays to be honest. :o) Other times I’ve done similar things and gotten yelled at or ignored, so it doesn’t always pay!
But mainly– wow, what a witness that can be, to be scrupulously honest in a dishonest world. It will make them shake their heads, and that might be a good thing. :o)
You are both smart, and have good ideas — I will do it. Kelly, I love your Walmart story!
We are the examples for our children. Even though it’s small, I’ve paid for a single gummy worm Kaia ate from the bulk bin. It was the lesson she needed.
I’ve also had to go back in line at ShopKo when I found something in the cart that never made it up. I was tempted just to leave it in the cart and go home, but the lesson was important.
Mailing them a check is a good idea. Saves you a trip, and still takes care of the bill.
This has happened to me 3 times at Target since Evan was born. I’ve walked out with The Office Season 1 DVD, a tube of lotion, and one more thing that I can’t remember. Every time, I would get everything (including baby) into the car, then find that last random item. It’s so aggravating to walk back into the store to pay, but that’s what I’ve done. I just want to feel like I’m modeling the right thing for Evan, even if he’s not really aware of what’s going on.
I also think the mailing a check idea is a good one. However, I’m not very organized, so if I didn’t pay for the item right at the moment, I’d probably put off sending the check or I’d forget to pay the next time I went to the store. I find that it’s better for me to bite the bullet and deal with the problem right away. I’m easily distracted. :)
I’m trying to be more thorough now when I go through the checkout line. Once was no big deal, the second time was a pain, but the third time was just embarrassing.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!