Gas at $0.36/gallon

[n3tee]

I got gas the other day.
prepaid the cashier with $44.00 filled up with $22.00 at 4.474 gallons went back to the cashier and got my change. I put it in my pocket. When I got home I took my change out. I had $42.00. The cashier made a serious error with the Change . I only paid $2.00 for the gas. I was not about to drive an hour and a half, to fix the error that cashier made. So, it is their loss. I did not keep the receipt. So, the calculated cost per gallon was $0.365. It was an off brand Store I can't remember the name.

It was an odd I normal pay with Credit Card. Which I did not have with me.

It may never happen again.
The when I started driving gas was $0.89/gallon back when I was 16 years old in November 1984

I get about 23-25 mpg.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/his2336.png

[Badgerland]

I don't know who you are referring to when you say, "their loss" as something like that will usually come out of the pocket of the minimum wage working class cashier that made the mistake in math. Do that person a favor and either send the difference back to the station in the mail or donate it to charity...nothing is EVER free in this world except goodwill and generosity. :(

[Green Tea V]

I got gas the other day.
prepaid the cashier with $44.00 filled up with $22.00 at 5.50gallons with back to the cashier and got my change put it in my pocket. When I got home I took my change out. I had $42.00. The cashier error. I only paid $2.00 for the gas. I am not about to drive an hour, and fix the error the cashier made. So, its there loss. So, I calculated $0.36/gallon.

It may never happen again.
The when I started driving gas was $0.89/gallon back when I was 16 years old in November 1984

I get about 23-25 mpg.

you're spelling is reflective of your character

[jpod]

I'm agree with Badgerland. My youngest daughter is working in a convenience store this summer. She has to make up the shortages out of her own pocket. And if the shortage is large enough she can be terminated. Just a letter to the store might be very helpful to the clerk who made the error.

Beyond that I don't have any opinion except to say that I don't think one's spelling is reflective of one's character.

JPO

[Honda 367]

I think it would be honorable for you to call the store and make it right for the mistake. If you kept the receipt, it would show the telephone number or at least the store name so you can probably find it. You don't have to drive hour and half for someone else's mistake but you can call and let them know that either you can mail the check to them or that you can stop by next time you are in that area if you go by there regularly.

if it had been a penny, I don't think it would make a huge difference but that amount is quite substantial. I hope there are still people out there who value honesty. I would hate to see that clerk get fired or have to pay out of own pocket. Just my thought.

[Davecr-v]

I remember a few months back I changed my credit debit card # because of some website scam anyways a few times I filled up and was only charged a buck for a tank because instead of doing credit the machine did debit. Ohh well lucky I guess; it dosen't work anymore.

[Black Pearl]

n3tee. Actually you have no moral obligation to return the money. It was a mistake by the cashier and you were not responsible or even aware of the error.

As some of the members have noted, the error won't go against some giant corporation representing about microsecond of profits. It is going to go against the cashier and it represents about 2 1/2 hours of lost wages.

I am sure you didn't quite get the reaction that you were expecting. And if it had been Exxon-Mobil's mistake--hey bully for you! We would be patting you on the back and letting you buy us beer, but it wasn't. The members that have criticized your actions are good guys--I would consider them online friends (even if Badgerland did make that comment about my engine bay). They were not flaming you but rather stating an ethical opinion. I read your other posts, you seem OK in my book. And really no one can fault you. It is simply your good fortune and the cashier's bad fortune. C'est la vie.

When I started working in a gas station in 1967, there were a couple of nights that I went home in the hole. Back then gas was $0.279 for regular and I made a buck hour. I worked from 6 to 11 at night. We had a guy that would come in, see a new employee, and say give me 5. He had a large car and it probably took 20 to 25 gallons to fill it. So I put in 5 bucks. He wanted 5 gallons. He got me. $3.60 out of my pocket. Later the same night. A lady wanted $2.00. I started the pump and started cleaning her windows. She wanted the oil checked. I forgot to watch the pump. I put over $4.00 in her car. "Sorry, I only have $2.00 on me." That night I went home with less money in my pocket than I came to work with. I did manage minor revenge with our give me 5 joker. Everytime he would pull that on someone when I was around, I would yell almost at top of my lungs "Sir is that 5 dollars or 5 gallons?" making it quite obvious that he was pulling crap.

Well those were the days...but your case is different. You didn't pull any crap. It was just a mistake--you were not even involved, just the recipient of a mistake. You don't have the moral obligation to return the money.

What you do have is a wonderful opportunity to make something right. And it won't cost you a thing other than a little time and a stamp. Think about it. Your own private chance to make the world a slightly better place.

Oh, if spelling and grammar are reflections of character, I should be a serial killer.

[docsoma]

Black Pearl,

What a wonderful story and truly an eloquent rationale. You Sir are a gentleman!

[X-Brawn]

While I feel, and agree, that n3tee was not only rude and a douche bag to point out the cashier's there is a matter of principal. Yes, I've been given more change then due on one occasion but I had been shorted before by the same cashier for a similar amount. It broke even.

Now, when an error like that occurs, it helps to show the honesty and integrity to go back and politely and kindly return the "change." You might be surprised at the kind of reward you get for doing that!

[cr-vtec]

Black Pearl's right, it's not your fault the cashier made a mistake. All you have to do is make the right choice, return it or keep it. It's really up to you. I know what I would do. :)






you're spelling is reflective of your character

From now on, I'll use spell check.

[GoGreen]

That's why I am a fan of this forum...

Everyone who weighed in had something to offer.

Not all the opinions were elequent, but the forum allows for good and open communication - regardless of whether or not you agree with the opinions expressed by other members.

Because of the written and somewhat anonymous nature of this format, it can allow for some strong words - maybe something one would not express in person, but as BP pointed out, it was a reaction to the situation, not necessarily to the individual.

Next time I have a moral or ethical dilemma, or a burning question about life, I am going to post it here! :)

[Craving This]

Black Pearl's right, it's not your fault the cashier made a mistake. All you have to do is make the right choice, return it or keep it. It's really up to you. I know what I would do. :)




Originally Posted by Green Tea V View Post
you're spelling is reflective of your character



From now on, I'll use spell check.

The only thing is Spell Check won't correct you even if you use the wrong form of the word....
YOU'RE = YOU ARE
PROPER USE IS YOUR "your spelling is reflective..." not "you're"

anyway i worked in retail about 14 years ago and if i were short i never had to pay out of pocket to cover any shortages. Companies have a certain amount of overage for mistakes like that. I'm sure the cashier was written up for the shortage but I highly doubt it had to come out of their pocket. It would be the "nice ethical" thing to do to mail it back- but the fact of the matter is the deed is done.
Even if you mail the money back the owner- or manager might not even tell the cashier that the mistake was corrected and WHO knows who opens that mail they may even pocket the money themselves....
Lesson here is realize there is a mistake before too much time passes or even before leaving the store. I usually count the money as the cashier is counting it out of the draw- I guess that's just a habit from working in retail. It would be the nice thing to do, but you correcting the issue now might, and probably won't make a difference.. Just start to check your change before leaving the store....

[Black Pearl]

I caught the no capitalization and no period (grammar and punctuation & not spelling, ergo not character reflective) but I missed the wrong usage of the contraction (usage, alas, again not character reflective).

I worked in a gas station for 3 years while in college and for year after I got out of the service (in the 60s and 70s) Any shortage that could attributed to me was taken out of my pay. My son worked at a gas station and conveniece store several years ago--same story. I know several guys at work with teenagers working at these places and they are responsible for driveoffs as well shortages. Being in retail sales and working in a ma-pa gas station / convenience stores are two entirely different worlds.

Good point on checking your change, and your absolutely right about somebody pocketing the money. Writing a check to the gas station would discourage that to a degree, but it would not guarantee that the employee if docked would actually see the cash.

Counting your change does remind of a story. We had a lady (of the genre of people that my wife would describe as a sea hag) that always counted her S&H green stamps but would throw her change into her change purse uncounted. If you gypped her a stamp she would raise hell to no end. One day in my infinite 20 year old wisdom, I decided to gyp her a stamp and a quarter. I gave her the stamps (1 short) and the change (a quarter short--with the shorted stamp and quarter in my hand ready to surrender). She threw her change into the change purse and began counting stamps. I got about 5 steps away, and in the melodous tones of a warthog I heard, "Young man, you gypped me an S&H Greenstamp!" She then proceeded giving me her usual butt chewing. I politely listened, and calmly said, "Yes, I did gyp you a stamp, but I also gypped you a quarter. You should count your change and not those stupid stamps." I handed both to her and calmly walked off. She went into a "wicked witch of the west" meltdown. She actually fired me! "Get in your car and go home. You no longer have a job here!" As she bubbled and fumed I walked in to the station and told the owner what I just done, and he almost fell out of his chair laughing, while the poor lady's jowls were flapping out curses on the island. She was back next week, never said a word about it.

[Badgerland]

That's why I am a fan of this forum.

Next time I have a moral or ethical dilemma, or a burning question about life, I am going to post it here! :)


I doubt that you will have a problem finding folks who will gladly share their opinions with you...:p ;). I've been told that sarcasm is my middle name; not a very flattering term of endearment and something I am trying to change.

[Badgerland]

anyway i worked in retail about 14 years ago and if i were short i never had to pay out of pocket to cover any shortages. Companies have a certain amount of overage for mistakes like that. I'm sure the cashier was written up for the shortage but I highly doubt it had to come out of their pocket. It would be the "nice ethical" thing to do to mail it back- but the fact of the matter is the deed is done.
Even if you mail the money back the owner- or manager might not even tell the cashier that the mistake was corrected and WHO knows who opens that mail they may even pocket the money themselves....
Lesson here is realize there is a mistake before too much time passes or even before leaving the store. I usually count the money as the cashier is counting it out of the draw- I guess that's just a habit from working in retail. It would be the nice thing to do, but you correcting the issue now might, and probably won't make a difference.. Just start to check your change before leaving the store....


It's just a point of "ethics" as you stated. As I read the OP' first post it sounded like bravado that the cashier made a mistake and gave too much change...this is what I was reacting to. Posting on forums doesn't leave much for the "tone" of the message that is being sent and things can very easily be misunderstood. That said, your qoute of "the deed is done" needs some attention. It doesn't matter if the deed is done, you can still choose to do the right thing. Years ago we were on vacation and visited an old church and were we were down in the gift shop. My daughter, (then 5) saw and wanted a "trinket" but we told her no...well when we got home we found it in her luggage. We made her write a letter to the shop - return the trinket and then supply the cost of said trinket as restitution for the deed done. We thought that was the end of it until we got a beautiful letter from the head priest thanking our daughter for her honesty and the donation. You never know how a small act can have a ripple effect in somebodies life.

anyway...enough ranting...ethics aren't something that should be turned off\on depending on the situation.

[Craving This]

It's just a point of "ethics" as you stated. As I read the OP' first post it sounded like bravado that the cashier made a mistake and gave too much change...this is what I was reacting to. Posting on forums doesn't leave much for the "tone" of the message that is being sent and things can very easily be misunderstood. That said, your qoute of "the deed is done" needs some attention. It doesn't matter if the deed is done, you can still choose to do the right thing. Years ago we were on vacation and visited an old church and were we were down in the gift shop. My daughter, (then 5) saw and wanted a "trinket" but we told her no...well when we got home we found it in her luggage. We made her write a letter to the shop - return the trinket and then supply the cost of said trinket as restitution for the deed done. We thought that was the end of it until we got a beautiful letter from the head priest thanking our daughter for her honesty and the donation. You never know how a small act can have a ripple effect in somebodies life.

anyway...enough ranting...ethics aren't something that should be turned off\on depending on the situation.



i totally agree that the right action should be taken, because in the first place i wouldn't have walked out of the gas station without counting my change. And if it were too much I would have given it back.
That's my moral of my ethics, but let me explain my statement saying the deed is done, who's to say that the money would be returned in the right hands if sent back- he said that it was too far to drive back because it was like an hour away this being said if the money is mailed back how does he know that the wrong would be corrected, just because an "old church" with priests wrote you a letter thanking you for returning the trinket doesn't mean that all people would do this. gas station are highly different then churches.
Gas stations have such a high turn around of employees, the person that was the cashier may not even be working there anymore... I was just saying that the money may not even land in the right hands or even be recognized that it was returned.
Maybe that person should take the extra money and donate to a good cause like their local SPCA help out some homeless animals.
In no way shape or form am i'm cheering that this person got most of their money back and spent .36 cents a gallon on gas, but I was just stating that sending back the money could be not as productive as one would HOPE it would be.

[Badgerland]

I agree with you that the money probably would not have gotten to the right hands...there for some of the other posters suggestions about calling the station would be valid as would donating money to some worthwhile charity in lieu of sending it back to the store. It's a mute point for me as I never carry cash and always use my credit cards so I can't imagine it happening to me. Let's not belabor the point here, I think we both agree in principal.:)

[n3tee]

I would of gladly returned the money, if I would of caught the mistake before I left. I did not take the receipt.

I was in a area where I never been before. Probable will never be going there again.

I don't remember what the name of the gas station was. It was a weird name. Or I would of mailed it back to them.

I did donate the money to a friend in need of gas money. It helped him get to work for the rest of the week.

I normal don't use cash. Always Credit or Debit card. It was odd that I had money on me at the time.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/his2336.png

[Black Pearl]

Thanks for posting back. You could have told us all to stuff our opinions where the sun don't shine and go to hell. You have done the right thing, and in a small way have made the world, indeed, a better place. Good for you!

[n3tee]

Thanks for posting back. You could have told us all to stuff our opinions where the sun don't shine and go to hell. You have done the right thing, and in a small way have made the world, indeed, a better place. Good for you!

Haven't been online in a while. Sorry.:(
Very busy at work, overtime. and house stuff.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/his2336.png

[jpod]

n3tee, good to hear from you again.

I was going to ask you a question here about how your V is doing in the sand, but decided to start a new thread. Any feedback about your driving experiences on the beach would be appreciated. Look for a thread titled "Itachi-san in the sand?".

JPO

[Badgerland]

n3tee, glad to hear that you helped out a friend in need. You got slammed hard on something that wasn't even your fault. Generosity is a priceless gift.

:D

[Honda 367]

n3tee, I agree with my colleagues above and commend you for your courage and transparency. I usually carry less than $10 in cash and use cards. Keep on posting.