Community Chat

[MaggieMack]

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@IamMrsG wrote:

I am not being critical of anyone here; however, a major component of integrity is keeping it to yourself after you've done the right thing (any right thing). 

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I understand what you are saying, @IamMrsG, in the broader sense. However, it feels completely appropriate to me to have this discussion on the boards due the complete anonymity of this place. I am not thumping my chest wanting the world to congratulate me because no one knows who I am. I could be your neighbor, your daughter, or Leona Helmsley (except she's dead).

In my case, I did share it with a few close friends posed as a "What Would You Do" question for discussion since I was feeling that I was kind of a schlump for thinking that CS would do the right thing. In general, like you, I do believe that it is good human policy not to let the right hand know what the left is doing. In concept. 

[VanSleepy]

Of course I would have gone back to pay the $140.  I might not have gone back if someone gave me $1.00 extra change or something, even though the dollar amount shouldn't matter if you're going to do the right thing.  

[occasionalrain]

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@IamMrsG wrote:

I am not being critical of anyone here; however, a major component of integrity is keeping it to yourself after you've done the right thing (any right thing). 

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Not always. Sometimes it sets an example. Sometimes it encourgages others to do the honorable thing. Even when it's done to enhanse one's image, someone benefits.

[Mrsq2022]

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@VanSleepy wrote:

Of course I would have gone back to pay the $140.  I might not have gone back if someone gave me $1.00 extra change or something, even though the dollar amount shouldn't matter if you're going to do the right thing.  

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This is how I feel.  $140...of course I'd say something.  I am clearly not as honest as some of you, however, and if the amount was less than $10 I probably wouldn't bother unless I caught the mistake on my way out the door or something.  Especially if it were a large chain.... For $140 I would make the time and effort because someone could lose their job over that large of a mistake.  

[chrystaltree]

I've never had that experience but I know that I would have done what OP did.  I would called the pharmacy and alerted them to their error and I would have paid for the medication....because right is right. 

[2blonde]

Occasionalrain. I like your point of view.  Knowing that others are doing the right thing makes you feel better about it when you do it yourself.  In a world of takers and cheaters, one can feel like a "chump" sometimes.

[MaggieMack]

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@Daisy wrote:

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@MaggieMack wrote:

I was walking through Sam's club, glanced down at the floor and saw a folded $50 bill. No one else was in the aisle. I took it to customer service and gave it to them. I kept seeing in my mind someone standing at the checkout unable to pay because they had lost the bill. Did CS just pocket it? I don't know, but I knew MY karma was clear.

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Maybe you could have asked them if anyone had inquired about a lost item (without mentioning it was a $50 bill). Then, asked them again before you left after shopping. You could have given them your number if you were really concerned about it.

Chances are, the person who lost it wouldn't even think to go to customer service, but if they had, they'd be in luck.

Of course the person you gave the money to would pocket it if no one claimed it. Why wouldn't he?

If, after asking customer service a few times, no one claimed it, I'd keep the money since I found it. Why hand it over to a stranger? I'm surprised some people feel the need to "get rid of it". No need to feel guilty.

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@Daisy Sunflower, I did have all of those insights after I turned it in, just too late. I was more concerned in the moment that some poor sucker would have to put his items back because they went for their bill and couldn't find it. CS at Sam's is adjacent to the checkout. Still, all in all, better to turn it in for someone else to decide than keep it and feel guilty til the end of days.

[wilma]

I have corrected sales clerks, waitresses, and other merhcants when they have made mistakes on my bills whether it be in my favor or their favor.  It doesn't matter if it is 10 cents of 100 dollars I am always honest about it.  I have also returned to stores to pay for something that was missed because it fell to the bottom of the cart and didn't get rung up for sale. 

[corita]

   My story was from the other side of coin as I was the one who lost an item. Several years ago, I was shopping at Wal Mart, put purchased items in car and then got a call from son telling me was sick.  I hurried up, pushed WM shopping cart to corner and was on my way home.  All of a sudden, I looked down in car and no purse!!  Never had I felt such panic!! Turned car around, by then maybe 20 minutes had gone by -- went to where car had been parked and of course -- no purse, no WM shopping cart.  Went inside WM, spoke to a very nice manager who told me that I'd be lucky if I got my purse back!! 

   Went home, trying not to cry - my purse had wallet, checks, money (had just cashed a big check), credit cards, extra set of car/house keys. I called credit cards companies, cancelled cards and let bank know about checks.   

   After about six hours, I received a call from a very soft spoken, calm man, asking me if I had lost my purse. He stated he found my purse on the bottom of a WM cart. I was so leery and a little scared....one never knows about others.  He wanted to give me my purse back....still leery...I did not want him coming to my house.  So, I told him I would meet him at Wal Mart.  By then it was about 10 at night and I was really apprehensive about this man.   I told him to meet me inside that I would be with the WM manager and told him what color I was wearing.  

   After a while....here comes a little short man, followed by a train of six, little kids.  Very humbly, he returned my purse.  He told me that he had only looked inside to find the name of the owner. He told me that he was a preacher from a little church in a small town close by.  I thanked him profusely and offered him a small monetary reward, which he refused.  But then I gave the money to one of the children and told him to take the kids out to eat and he accepted the money. 

   Here is the most unbelievable thing -- nothing was missing from my purse -- everything was in the exact place where I left it!  I really could not believe it and neither could the WM manager!!!  He told me that in 15 years of working at WM, he had never witnessed such a kind gesture! I was so overwhelmed at the kindness, goodness  and honesty in the persona of this man!

   PS - I am again tearing up just reading my post. There are some good people in this world!!!