Where do I stand when you are under charged?

jorichrose

Before Christmas I went shopping and bought about £50 worth of goods from one store. There was a mistake with the till and so the transaction had to be redone. Then whilst chatting to the vendor I did the chip and pin thing and left the store happy.

I had a great response on Christmas Day to the items bought and thought what a great store it was and that I would use it again.

Today I have checked my statement and find that I was only charge 5p for the transaction. I have checked my receipts and the till receipt says £49.25 but the chip and pin receipt does indeed say 5p.

What should I do now? I am I obliged to tell the store or is it just up to my conscience? Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

THanks

woohoo_postingid

How much has been taken from your account?

deanos

Well you dont have to say anything if you dont want to i doubt they will come after you !

woohoo_postingid

Sorry, just re-read it. It is really up to you. If it was a huge company I would be less inclined to say anything. If it was a small one person business, I may feel sorry for them

cookiemonster25

just ask your self if they would have recified the mistake if they had overcharged you (once you had left the shop)??? probably not so smile and enjoy the bargain :rudolf:

Rubyru_3

It depends on the size of the store.If it was a small concern I would go back as mistakes like this could make a difference to there cashflow.If it was a large chain or national I would keep quiet and enjoy my bargain.

Might sound as if I have double standards but the big stores prices reflect unforseen losses.

che_3

Thats your choice to make,you must feel a twinge of guilt or you would have kept it a secret.On the flip side do you think the vendor would loose sleep if they overcharged you,the number of times supermarkets, especially have turned me over,well thats why I like this site.PAYBACK!If you like the vendor/intend to use them again then cough up,its painful but you will feel good inside.

[Deleted User]

conscience. What goes around comes around. I owned up to getting change for £20 when I had only given a fiver. The smile on the young man`s face alone was worth it. Three weeks later I had a totally unexpected windfall of £8000. Coincidence maybe but maybe not!!!

scooper

dont say anthing ,keep it and enjoy the bargain.like cookiemonster there is now way they would go out of their way to give you it back
thats what i would do anyway!!

RufusA

Legally I would imagine it's a very grey area that possibly doesn't have any case law! It depends exactly when the "acceptance" occured:

two scenarios:

1) Seller provided invitation to treat (goods displayed with a price of £50), you take them to the till (offer), and cashier rings them through and says that will be £50 (acceptance).

or

2) Price displayed on goods / till irrelevant. Invitation to treat is the 5p keyed in by the cashier on chip and pin machine, you entering in your pin is the offer, and them handing over the goods is acceptance of 5p offer.


However as any contract should be a meeting of minds then (on this basis) the acceptance was at the till, scenario 1. Therefore the 5p paid on the credit card hasn't fulfilled your side of the contract, so in theory you still owe them money, and they can pursue you.

In reality the retailer may not spot the issue until trying to reconcile accounts at year end, and may decide to write the money off, along with the shop lifting losses, and damaged goods. If they spot the difference they could either charge you for the difference on the card (cardholder not present), or write to you asking politely to pay up (if they have your address). If you refuse they could take you to court, or ban you from the shop for life!

Morally, you know the right thing to do!

Personally if it was a small store, or a shop I was happy using and wanted to keep using I'd approach them with the receipt and cc slip and explain. With luck they might praise your honesty, and not charge you the difference anyway, and either way you'd start the new year with a clear conscience.

If it was a large national chain, I might be more inclined to keep silent and wait (the up to 6 years in contract law).

HTH - Rufus.

mrs_lds

I was overpaid £20 in a post office after asking for some cash out. There was a massive queue so I grabbed the manager explained that I had been overpaid and gave him the money did not even get a thank you or nothing just a wierd look.