Not Charged Enough?

Your second story reminds me of the local shop selling two "6 packs of BA Ten Fidy". They let go of them for around $13 a pop. After it rang up, the guy requested a second 6 pack.... Had they not caught on by the time I showed up, I would've taken a case.

Otherwise, I don't know that I've ever been charged the wrong price. The little, old lady at the grocery store rang up a bottle of Prairie Pirate Bomb several times before I sheepishly admitted it was in fact supposed to cost $9 a bottle. She couldn't believe it. In fact that happened a second time, but at a reputable local craft beer establishment. It was a bottle of BA Mountain Standard from O'Dell's. Perhaps I should've said it was for a 6 pack of each, but I couldn't bring myself to that.

 

I have been undercharged for beer, and have corrected them when I notice. I can't cite any specifics, and they probably weren't more than a couple of bucks. Same for overcharged - have had that happen a couple of times. I've also had one instance where a manager I'd gotten to know gave me a beer she thought I'd like - and I did. Same manager come up with a real cool glass when I first got into craft and I had mentioned I didn't have any proper craft glassware. It matched the import beer I was buying.

On the other hand, I once got an electric drill for 6 cents at K-Mart. Didn't say a word since I had gotten gouged by K-Mart in the past, both as an employee and as a customer.

 

I've been both overcharged and undercharged. Generally don't bother unless it's a big error which I correct next time I'm in the store.

 

When I'm undercharged - whatever it is - I almost always point it out so the cashier doesn't get in trouble later on.

 

And the funny thing is that this predated barcodes - they (mis)typed it in, and what should have been a total of $40+ was like $10 with the other items. When I injured myself back in high school while working at K-Mart, I settled for their offer of $1,200, then they told me that had I not agreed, they had a $5,000 check right there. I suspect that if I had gotten a lawyer I could have gotten a lot more.

Straying from the subject here - I would encourage folks - despite my K-Mart example - to develop an honest relationship with the stores you frequent. It will pay off, they will probably do things for you such as holding some limited release beers for you.

 

I once found a stray six-pack of Grapefruit Sculpin on a Kroger store shelf in Columbus. I took it to the checkout and it didn't scan. The checker called the manager. He made up a price ($8.99) and rang it up as grocery, nontaxable. I knew this was underpriced, but there wasn't much they could do since it wasn't in their system.

Non-beer related, but one time at Walmart, I purchased six or seven items in addition to the SD card I went there to get. When I got home, I found out that the SD card wasn't on the receipt. I took it back and told them what happened and that I intended to pay for it. They looked at me like I was a circus freak or something.

 

Cashier scanned a ba bomb, thought there's no way it could be $12, assumed it was the 6pk price, charged me $2. I tried to correct him, he insisted so I let it go. I've also seen 3 yr old okie at hyvee in Sioux city marked down to $3 just to move em. I helped them out.

 

I was at a Whole Foods in DC one time getting a 64oz growler fill and the lady rang me up for the 32oz price. I politely informed her that she was charging me for the wrong size at which point she sternly let me know that she knew what she was doing. Having made the attempt and been borderline scolded for it I took my half price growler and called it a day. I ultimately believe the right thing to do is speak up but I'm not on beeradvocate to tell other people how to live their life. Cheers!

 

I ran into some super cheap golf balls once at Academy because their computer system had the buy-one-get-one-free thing messed up.

Does that count?

 

If it is rung up wrong I always point it out. I'm not looking to get over on anyone. If they don't want to change it not much I can do.

 

One weekend in the evening after being at the beach all day i was in a store and stumbled across apple brandy noir...i took 4 to the registar and while the tellar was ringing them up the manager happened to be standing there and said "$12 Each? Its ringing up the entire 6 pack"....i tried to explain it was a 14 percent beer and aged in barrel and i remembered it being pricey the year before but he thought i was insane an rang them up for $1.79 each as if they were singles...when he walked off i told the girl "really, these are expensive beers....they are released once a year"....she replied " i know i used to run the beer and wine department...but he is a dummy (referring to the manager) and listens to no one....guess its your lucky day!".....and winked at me.....half buzzed from a day at the beach i was stunned at what happened and walked out shaking my head.....felt bad about it but i tried to tell the guy for two minutes and he wasnt having it so whatever i guess....when i told my buddy the story he fell over laughing and i gave him two of the four in hopes that if any bad karma came of it he would get half of what was comming to me.....and i let him know it too...

 

I've had this happen several times. If its a large grocery store chain I usually won't say anything but if its an independent bottle shop I'll bring it to their attention. Just last night I went into a Kroger for a 6 pack and ended up seeing Allagash Uncommon Crow for $6 so I grabbed one without even thinking about.

 

I got a 6 pack of the latest SN Bigfoot for the price of a single bottle earlier this year. It was a barcode/sku problem and the guy even rang it up again and just left the $3 price. I was pretty happy about it and didn't say anything. He could've just put in quantity 6, but I was hoping he didn't. Not sure why he thought a $3 6pk would be correct.

 

I usually try to do the right thing, but in all these years I've certainly been on both sides of the fence. In those times I haven't said anything the rationalization is usually that it's some large corporation and it's their mistake.

But sometimes even my locals will make me scratch my head. One time I saw Rodenbach Vintage in the shelf slot where they usually keep the Grand Cru, and at the same price too. I even asked one of the beer guys if there was a mistake, or if they even knew what price was on it. He said that that's the price, no mistake, enjoy. So I grabbed another, what the hell. I dunno, maybe the mistake was on their distributor's end and they were passing the savings on to us...

Just recently I was enjoying a few at a bar on my way home from the city. This place usually has two bartenders, but only one was working at the time. And she was totally in the weeds trying to keep up with orders from the bar and tables. It was really bad, too, like I saw a guy from one table come to the bar at least twice to complain that they'd been waiting on their orders for too long. When it was time for me to clear up and go I noticed the she forgot to charge me for a beer, so I let her know about it. She thanked me before adding it to the tab; which I paid and left a nice tip. That one I could have easily gotten away with, but it just didn't feel right.

 

I buy most of my beer from 2 small owner run small stores and would never not pay the correct price.

 

I am guessing that long happened after their top beer manager left the place no doubt...

 

I'm generally pretty honest. If I'm getting something at a ridiculous price that's likely to get someone in trouble, I would point it out. If it's a buck or two I might just call it good luck and not bother.