Holiday seasons like Christmas are to be a joyous festivity for the family as we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus into the world. We also have included in that celebration the rite of giving gifts to one another, but mostly for the children, just as the three Magi did when they visited Jesus in the manger.
That said, as millions of Americans go about buying gifts, please be aware of the transaction that is taking place before your very eyes for there are a number of unscrupulous individuals who prey on you being the sucker.
This morning, two days before Christmas, I had the misfortune of getting on a slow moving line at a very well known national toy store in Pineville, NC. Finally it was my turn, and the cashier knew I had become agitated at the wait. So, when she announced the total, I said, “What?” She said that was the total, and I hesitated going over the prices I had calculated in my head. But then accepted the charges because I didn’t want to have the others on the line wait impatiently as I did. However, a voice in my head said that something was wrong as I departed the store and went to my car at the open parking lot.
I checked the receipt and voila, I was overcharged for one item. I told my wife, and then I went back to the store and got on another line at Customer Service. Now, my wife and I were keeping track of the total in our heads, and we thought we had a good calculation. Finally, I explained to the guy what occurred and he checked our items in the two beige plastic bags, and decided, to give me my, and I say, MY $13.25 back. No other questions asked. I then walked back to the booth where this cashier processed my items, but she was no longer there.
Folks, this is not the first time we’ve had been over-charged for an item or paid for an item we did not have. But, this cashier just gave me the wrong impression. When you shop keep track of the number of items you have and the price for each. Have a calculator in hand or write on a notepad the amount of each item. Know what you are purchasing, and make sure you are charged the right amount.
All the very best. Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad.
by Lee Anthony Nieves
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