You're About To Pay For Something..

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Do you point out an error in your favor when being charged a lower amount incorrectly, or when you get back too much change?

Please also add any aspects or considerations not covered in the poll.

[TerraceCasual]

It would all depend on the manner in which I was served.

[noise]

The ambivalence in the mall vs the other locations is interesting. I would think it is either the right thing to do everywhere or no where.

Another consideration is that clerks, sales people, wait people all are responsible for their accounts. And malls, specially, will run checks on amount run up vs item sold; it is a big problem. For that same reason, malls have store security monitoring employees going into the bathrooms.

So, seems fairly clear to me.

Edited March 21, 2010 by noise

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The ambivalence in the mall vs the other locations is interesting. I would think it is either the right thing to do everywhere or no where.

Another consideration is that clerks, sales people, wait people all are responsible for their accounts. And malls, specially, will run checks on amount run up vs item sold; it is a big problem. For that same reason, malls have store security monitoring employees going into the bathrooms.

So, seems fairly clear to me.

Yes, to me too. There's a slight consideration in the above example though: If they give you back too much change, then this is a mistake that will come back to bite the individual staff member at the end of their shift and their change doesn't add up to what should be there. However, if they for example forget to scan something, then this will go undetected (until some inventory count) and then it's not attributable to any particular staff member. (Not that I'm not saying that this would affect my response, I'm just pointing at the concept)

[peter991]

I tend to agree with the above. I voted BEFORE reading the comments. In a restaurant or small shop, I have in the past pointed out that I have been given TOO MUCH change by a staff member. In one case, I presented a 100 baht note for a 45 baht purchase and was given change for a 1000 baht note!

At the end of the day/shift, the cashier must reconcile their till and make up any shortage. Most of them work long hours for what I consider small wages, so I like to help when and where I can. Having said that - I would be just as likely to point out if I did not get ENOUGH change.

Peter

[way2muchcoffee]

Seems obvious really. If you are over-changed you give the money back every time, no exceptions.

[Loz]

I've fessed up to being given too much change too many times to mention. However I did find a 500bht note on the ground once and put in my pocket. Am I a bad person?

Anywhere I go I like to debunk the myth that farang are bad so once I actually had to jokingly argue with the lady on the till in Tescos she charged me for 3 drinks and I bought 4. So I kept saying, in thai, the price for one and then counting how many I had until she realised. She was very demonstratively appreciative. I still have the lipstick on my boxers...

[slapout]

If you see a individual drop his/her wallet would you pocket same and keep going or return to rightful owner. Mood, time of day, does the dropee have tattoos, are they overweight, cute, handsome, physically handicapped, etc, does not enter into the discussion, nor should the question of what to do even arise, as mentioned in post #6. The perceived gray areas as proposed and or justified by individuals seems to be a popular way of justifying behavior where individuals seem to want to shift responsibility from themselves to the some other influence.

[Crossy]

Like others have noted, if I'm over (or under) changed then I always point it out, most if not all outlets take any shortfall from the cashier's pocket.

However, if a checkout person misses scanning an item, or the item comes up at a lower price than the ticket, I say nothing, large stores make enough profit already.

[Ulysses G.]

I don't want the cashier to have to pay. I would point it out.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I've fessed up to being given too much change too many times to mention. However I did find a 500bht note on the ground once and put in my pocket. Am I a bad person?

Anywhere I go I like to debunk the myth that farang are bad so once I actually had to jokingly argue with the lady on the till in Tescos she charged me for 3 drinks and I bought 4. So I kept saying, in thai, the price for one and then counting how many I had until she realised.

Oh, that reminds me of a point I wanted to make!

When you're being under-charged and you bring up the discrepancy, almost everyone will assume that you are arguing that you have been over-charged. Language is a factor here, and before you know it you have someone on the defensive. Some people when on the (perceived) defensive then shut off to any additional arguments to the contrary, that you're trying to give them money BACK!..

Another thing that happens is being embarrassed, which is a big deal in Thailand when you're seen as making a mistake. So for this reason too it's best not to grand-stand about it, to embarrass the person making a mistake. For example, if a bar owner notices that a staff member gives back too much change, then typically there's hel_l to pay. So be discrete!

Both things above taken into consideration, it's best to point out the discrepancy smilingly, and softly, and getting immediately to the point without joking around initially. (You can still do so after you've successfully communicated that you're going to give him/her some money BACK, but then without causing embarrassment. )

[IanForbes]

Seems obvious really. If you are over-changed you give the money back every time, no exceptions.

Agreed. No exceptions. I wouldn't want the under paid person at the till charged for an honest mistake. Staff usually have to make up the difference out of their own pocket. 52 years ago I vowed never to lie, cheat or steal under any circumstances. I've never regretted that decision. I'm not really a believer in karma, but it has seemed to work for me. I can sleep each night with a clear conscience, and any losses I might take are not really a problem. It's the problem of the person who steals from me or treats me wrong.

[IanForbes]

Oh, that reminds me of a point I wanted to make!

When you're being under-charged and you bring up the discrepancy, almost everyone will assume that you are arguing that you have been over-charged. Language is a factor here, and before you know it you have someone on the defensive. Some people when on the (perceived) defensive then shut off to any additional arguments to the contrary, that you're trying to give them money BACK!..

Another thing that happens is being embarrassed, which is a big deal in Thailand when you're seen as making a mistake. So for this reason too it's best not to grand-stand about it, to embarrass the person making a mistake. For example, if a bar owner notices that a staff member gives back too much change, then typically there's hel_l to pay. So be discrete!

Both things above taken into consideration, it's best to point out the discrepancy smilingly, and softly, and getting immediately to the point without joking around initially. (You can still do so after you've successfully communicated that you're going to give him/her some money BACK, but then without causing embarrassment.

Good point, Winnie, and especially so in Thailand where "face" is so important. Any act of charity should always be done quietly, and with no expectation of reward.

[PhilHarries]

This has happened to me on many occasions and in small, family run facilities be it shop, bar or restaurant I always correct them and pay the right amount.

In supermarkets it's a different thing altogether. For one thing I very rarely check the receipt so would never know but if I did realise I'd just keep schtum and chalk one up. Supermarkets these days employ bar code readers at checkouts to avoid errors and if they get it wrong so be it. The girl on the till does not get charged for the error as nobody knows there's been an error because the money and the till receipts agree.

If I get given too much change again I'd probably not notice as I hardly ever check it before shoving it in my pocket so it would have to be a serious error up in the hundredds of Baht for me to notice.

In that scenario I'd point out the error, it's a bit hypocritical to expect honesty in people's dealing with you if you don't reciprocate. I am aware of the hypocracy of that viewed against the supermarket error scenario above but none of us are entirely consistant and we're all a little hypocritical sometimes.

[smokie36]

I don't want the cashier to have to pay. I would point it out.

Nor would I. These people earn peanuts for long hours.

[Jonathanpattaya]

If the error is in my favour, never.

In my experience when an error is pointed out, you get no thanks for it.

[MrJohnson]

Seems obvious really. If you are over-changed you give the money back every time, no exceptions.

Agreed. Honesty is the best policy, as my old Dad used to say.

[Jingthing]

Its situational for me.

In a small or large business, and it is a small amount, I will take the extra change. Not worth mentioning.

For a large amount (sometimes that is relative to the bill) I bring it up and give them the money back. Yes this has happened to me enough times, and that is how I deal with it.

So I can't vote in the poll.

[SeanMoran]

Yes, yes, no.

[MiG16]

always

whether they thank you for it or not

on finding money.....was in some casino /bar a while back. saw $50 on floor...and this friend of a friend quickly rushed to pick it up. says she would then use it to buy us all a bottle of bubbly. we went up to counter, ordered a bottle. friend and I produced cash. not only did the other woman not offer to pay with found $50, she didnt even offer to split the cost. sheesh.

I hope shes reading this but unlikely

[TheLaughingMan]

Seems obvious really. If you are over-changed you give the money back every time, no exceptions.

Exactly, anyone that makes excuses for any other action is just a scumbag thief. Admit it, dont dance around it, youre scum.

[ukrules]

on finding money.....was in some casino /bar a while back. saw $50 on floor...and this friend of a friend quickly rushed to pick it up. says she would then use it to buy us all a bottle of bubbly. we went up to counter, ordered a bottle. friend and I produced cash. not only did the other woman not offer to pay with found $50, she didnt even offer to split the cost. sheesh.

This just takes the piss, I hope you took the time to point this out to her and make sure she paid her share. There's far too many people taking liberties like this.

It reminds me of someone I know who was in a round of drinks in a bar when I lived in Ireland. There were about five of us, each one of us purchased five pints of Heineken in turn, when it came to one of the guys (Peter Murphy), I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted him coming back from the bar with a freshly purchased single pint of Heineken in his hands. Needless to say he went straight back to the bar once we had all told him what a prick he was. He's still the same till this day, nobody enters a round with him anymore.

[Chicog]

Anyone who would stiff a shop assistant or waitress deserves a fuc_king slap. They invariably would have to make the difference up out of their salary.

Why are some farang so fuc_king sting?

[thaimite]

Normally I would always point out mistakes whether it is to my advantage or not, especially in Thailand where the underpaid waitress or cashier is expected to make up the difference out of her own wages.

However I remember once in the UK pointing out that a restaurant bill did not cover all the items I had ordered, but then when I paid the amended bill I got too much change.

I figured they had had their chance and it was fate that I was to get extra value for money that day

Edited March 21, 2010 by thaimite

[Mosha]

Not in Thailand but a workmate was in a shop, and asked the assistant if she was sure of the price. Her snarled response was "Do you think I'm trying to cheat you?" She slammed his change on the counter. He picked it up and turned away. "Actually you under charged me." He then walked out of the shop.

In Thailand I own up if the assistant makes a mistake in my favour.

[Cuban]

On a related matter, (and in this related thread) not just in Thailand but in many places there is a reliance on 'do what the till says' and where data entry errors are made people are not using any mental arithmetic in considering what the total might before the grand total is displayed. And then what the best fit of tendered money might be to get a simple transaction.

My personal hate is restaurants and bars that can not give simple change (eg 100 Baht note in change to a bill of 900 Baht) but must give a tray of coins and 20s - presuming that I would leave a tip. In those cases I take it all. /rant.

[Travel2003]

Maybe I should not be, but I am actually surprised to see that many willing to do the less honorable.

Wonder what these people would have woted if there was another option as well,

if you as a customer forgot your wallet, would you like to have it back, or was it just fair that the cashier who found it could keep it, because your wallet was not the cashier's responsibility anyhow.

Same rules, no?

[Jingthing]

I'm not feeling that guilty. I usually eat overcharges if they are minor so if once in a blue moon I get an extra 10 baht, big whoppee. Just the other day I was given 500 baht too much change on a 300 baht-ish bill. I gave the money back and let me tell you the business owner clearly thought I was an idiot! I don't regret it though. If you think I am scum, I can live with that. Cheers.

Edited March 21, 2010 by Jingthing

[ukrules]

Just the other day I was given 500 baht too much change on a 300 baht-ish bill. I gave the money back and let me tell you the business owner clearly thought I was an idiot!

This comes as no surprise, it's happened to me in the past, honesty seems to be a rarity.

[MiG16]

on finding money.....was in some casino /bar a while back. saw $50 on floor...and this friend of a friend quickly rushed to pick it up. says she would then use it to buy us all a bottle of bubbly. we went up to counter, ordered a bottle. friend and I produced cash. not only did the other woman not offer to pay with found $50, she didnt even offer to split the cost. sheesh.

This just takes the piss, I hope you took the time to point this out to her and make sure she paid her share. There's far too many people taking liberties like this.

Im too Thai to tell her off for it (and now I can come ridicule her off to thousands )

besides shes not my friend. if her own friend is happy dealing hanging out with someone like that, what can I do. I dont have to see the woman again, so its ok.