Sunday, January 14, 2018

Honesty

Late in December we had a three week long cold streak where temperatures didn't get above freezing. Two of those weeks the temps didn't get higher than 10 F. But this week that all changed. The temps got much higher than normal, and two nights it didn't even fall below freezing, which for January here in New England is a very big deal.  Then we had a lot of rain, which melted so much of our snow. Yesterday the temperatures hit 59F and when I drove home at 5:30 PM it was terrifyingly foggy and the visibility was the worst I have ever experienced. Today that is all going to change. The temps will fall and everything will freeze.

So I wanted to go grocery shopping early before the roads got icy.  I wanted to make some Orange Beef so I needed a Rib-Eye steak. Not exactly the cheapest steak there is. I got to the grocery store about 8:20 AM, and was a bit surprised when I reached into the meat counter and saw this:

Yeah, that price reads $1.37. The usual price for Rib-Eye steak is $13.95 per pound

This is clearly not a package of chicken thighs. I picked it up, and another wrongly priced package, brought them to the meat counter, and asked to see the manager. The meat guy at the counter went to get her.

"I'd love to pay dollar thirty seven cents for this," I started, "but I know that isn't the right price.  Here is another package that is also priced wrong." I handed them over.

The manager looked from package to package. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you."

"I think she should get them for that price for her honesty," the meat guy said.

"I do too," the manager replied. "Thank you."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "Are you really sure? I don't mind paying the right price."

They both smiled, "Have a great day, and thank you."

So I got a great deal on the steak and walking away I wondered how many people in this day and age would have done what I did.


11 comments:

Nancy J said...

The best meat for the best policy. Enjoy that meal, guess they went away to see what else was priced in error.

Poppy Q said...

That was nice if you and nice if them. Like you I believe in being honest too.

My steak I bought yesterday about the same size was $13.

Havplenty said...

I gave up red meats a long time ago so when I first saw the post I winced a bit. But then I saw the $1.37 and what a fantastic price.

I would have done the same as you & alerted the manager before I went through the checkout.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I would have pointed it out, too -- guess we are all in good company with each other. The sad part is there are LOTS of others who would have taken it and run without saying a word (sigh).

Pat said...

I think a lot of people would point it out (I would) and then there would be those who aren't even paying enough attention to notice. Glad you got a great deal on your steak and that recipe looks really good. I might have to give it a shot one of these days.

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

I actually would have done what you did. We all make mistakes and it is. Ice when people don’t take advantage of it. I tend to be honest to a fault. My fathers influence there. I would like to think most people would as well. Orange beef sounds marvellous!

SueR said...

I just love reading stuff like this!You're a good woman!

Megan said...

I'm not sure how I would have acted. I buy my meat in a large chain supermarket and that would influence my thinking. I might have figured that they're such a large store that it 'served them right' if they'd made such a mistake. I certainly wouldn't have taken that approach in a smaller store, however. Just before Christmas I was in a small gift shop and bought something for the grand price of $3. I paid with a $5 note and was given $3 change, instead of $2. I didn't notice immediately, but only about 30 seconds later as I was walking away from the shop. I turned around and went back, explained the situation to the shop assistant and gave her back the extra $1 that she'd mistakenly given me. Yeah - I know. It was only $1, but the principle of being honest was important to me. The shop assistant was clearly very surprised by my behaviour - and that was kinda lovely.

So, good on you to do the right thing and I'm delighted that you were given the discount.

Megan
Sydney, Australia

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

i would have told the butcher. My daughter, however, would have bought as many miss-marked packages that she could find then brag about it. I often wonder where I went wrong.
xx, Carol

Megan said...

PS. Lynne - I've just come home from the supermarket, where I spotted a chicken marked at $1.73. C'mon: $1.73 for a whole chicken? I had a closer look and the price was correct - it had been marked down heavily because the 'use by' date was today. Guess what we're having for dinner tonight? Yep, roast chicken. We'll eat half of it tonight and the other half will be used for sandwiches and perhaps in a salad - so all of it will end up being eaten. For a $1.73!

PPS. The other bonus in the supermarket today was that pusscat 'roo treats were on special. Soft toy Millie was thrilled and bought four packs. LOL


Megan
Sydney, Australia

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

I would have pointed out the error too, I'd never have enjoyed eating that meat otherwise.

A few years ago at Shoppers Food Warehouse I bought some gourmet cookies by the pound. After I got home I was looking at my receipt and noticed the clerk charged me the wrong per-pound price, meaning I underpaid for the cookies. Next day I took the receipt back to the same clerk, explained what happened and that I felt he should recalculate the price. I felt okay paying the extra money, since I DID notice the error!