The Question: When you get home, you realize the store cashier gave you back change for $20. You gave him/her $10. What do you do?

My 2 Cents: Call it karma, the law of reciprocity or “you reap what you sow,” nothing good will come of keeping something you know doesn’t belong to you.

The majority of the time, we count our change before we leave the store register, and we have any mistakes corrected before we walk away, so this scenario doesn’t end up happening. It is an inconvenience to drive all the way back to the store to return money given to us in error. On rare occasions, we’re in a hurry and take the chance that we haven’t been short-changed and we rush out of the store to our destination. That’s when something like this can occur.

I look at it this way. If the error wasn’t in my favor, would I believe it was a “blessing?” For example, if I’d rushed out of the store and gotten home to find I’d been given change for $10 when I gave the cashier $20, would I be happy about that? If the answer is no, then not stepping up and correcting the error isn’t a blessing for me after all.

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Take a few moments to check out the tweets from Twitter on this subject:

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iamvictorious I say “thank ya” *in the voice of Al Sharpton.

PROTECTED TWEETER IMHO: I’d give back $10. Something about high morals standards and ethics for me. But that’s me.

KamekaD That feeling of pride in doing the right thing is with me still, I’d do the same today.

KamekaD Happened in grade school with my lunch money . I told them & they made such a big deal @ me being honest, I felt great.

PROTECTED TWEETER I call the store and let them know and return the funds soon as I can. Doubt it would be that day.

lizisaacslwc I’d return it….not good karma. Don’t know if I’d call the store first b4 returning.

NightShade10 That’s too easy, I take the money back hehe BTDT many times

PROTECTED TWEETER depends on the day..todays been so crappy id call it a gift and keep it

PROTECTED TWEETER I would go back and give them the extra back. I wouldn’t want anyone to lose their job especially if they had a long day

LadyJay91 Twitter honesty depending on the distance & the store I’d probably keep it and my conscience would kick my behind. Sigh……..

DiamondEmory I take the money back. That person could loose their job. But I also hv to practice what I teach my kids. Nt urs = stealing.

IAMSY Howeva, if I make it all the way hme then learned they mess up my damn food order! Oh, I am heading bk w/ my foot…. Lol Ect.

IAMSY If I made it all the way home w/ da wrong change um, that cashier is sh*t out of luck!!

IamRah If I was still at the store I would give it back. I’m too lazy to go back to store so the answer is keep it…

Krissy90220 let the person knw. I’m a firm believer in karma…for all I knw tht mistake cn cost thm thr job.

TankaBar_JasonD mistakes happen all the time if it makes you feel guilty give it back, but tell me how many cashiers rip ppl off daily. karma

PROTECTED TWEETER I’d go and give it back. Conscience would whip me.

eeUS Call the store, let them know abt the mistake & say I’d bring it in next time I shopped. I wouldn’t make a trip back that day

_Nitra_ Difference btw blessing and mistake, take the money back and get correct change. Cashier can get axed for a short register.

md20737 If they are nice I go back and give it to them. If they gave me trouble keep it

PROTECTED TWEETER There was a time I would have kept it, but I realize KARMA is a mutha! I gv it back now. I don’t wanna reap in other areas.

QueenAoleon that just happened to me. n i gave it back to the woman.

LilMrsPerfect2u COUNT IT AS A BLESS’N!

PROTECTED TWEETER take it and thank god

brijh My answer & sentiments are the same as @aileen2u2 I have been there & did just that! They pulled the Register & did a count…

brijh You’re always welcome! It’s an absolute pleasure! BTW – Love that question.

Pettra88 ….But I’m sure I woulda caught it and got it right before I stepped foot out of the store

PROTECTED TWEETER I’d take it to the manager. The cashier can’t count so no use in telling him/her.

Quintessence_T keep it and thank the cashier silently

PROTECTED TWEETER usually the morally wrong and convenient thing, call it a come up

CREATED2B if its in the neighborhood I would give it back. Community. If I gotta travel out of my way..uhm. Count your change B4 U leave

Pettra88 Already at home? Pray that the cashier will begin to correct her mistakes or find another career if they can’t count.

shargrove take the money back, it’s not yours

walkerdl Tell them they’ve made a mistake & give the $ back. Yes, I’ve done this before

Hadji4ever I’d keep the change due to the fact I’m already home…And the inconvenience it would cause 2 return the money.

aileen2u2 I’d return the over-changed $. I wouldn’t want the cashier to get into trouble or have to pay diff themselves.

ObiOrion become a loyal customer!! LOL

MusingMom I put money in envelope in my purse and return it next time I am there (I call though) this has happened to me-ppl can’t count

atane This has actually happened to me. I always give the money back. Sometimes if a cashiers register is short, they get docked pay.

ibster It depends on the shop. Small family run affair, I feel guilty & contemplate taking it back. Otherwise, Free Money!

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