2008 Sweet Spot Hobby mess up at Wal-Mart! Rip pics Update!
jmlabonner
Posts: 325 ✭✭✭
So I went to Wal-Mart earlier to get my son some Legos, I decided to stop by the sports cards and see if they had anything new. I saw a box of 2008 Sweet Spot Baseball cards with a price sticker of $119.97. I thought well hell I will buy them and see how I turn out. Go to the register to pay and BAM they ring up $19.97! I didn't say a word except thank you and I left! So I am looking at the box now thinking of doing a video rip.
John
John
0
Comments
Mike
<< <i>So I went to Wal-Mart earlier to get my son some Legos, I decided to stop by the sports cards and see if they had anything new. I saw a box of 2008 Sweet Spot Baseball cards with a price sticker of $119.97. I thought well hell I will buy them and see how I turn out. Go to the register to pay and BAM they ring up $19.97! I didn't say a word except thank you and I left! So I am looking at the box now thinking of doing a video rip.
John >>
You beat me to it Mike, if you knew it was $120 and didn't say anything when it rang up for $20 you basically stole $100 and I'm sure that's not really the lesson you want your son to learn.
My Registry Sets
I hate to rain on the OP's parade but I 100% agree with these guys. Do the right thing and the right thing will be done on to you. More importantly is it's really good if your kids see you returning money when the store makes an error. I know I have memories from 25-30 years ago of my parents doing the right thing. Sorry to rain on your fun.
<< <i>Just my two cents, and since you posted on the message board, I'm entitled to give it, but in my mind, that's not good fortune, that's stealing. Before you say that I would have done the same thing, I will say that I wouldn't,........ Mike >>
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Ditto.
.........
Doing that, falls in one category; posting about it here is in another category.
NOT scolding anybody, just saying that as much emphasis as is put on EBAY
sellers behaving properly on this board, it is surprising that anybody would
brag about stealing.
...............
NOT saying I have never done VERY shrewd stuff, but stealing from stores
is not on my list of crimes. If the item was (edit) scanned, the peasant clerk
is likely off the hook for the error. If such a clerk makes an error that can
be audited, she/he would/might have to pay the money back or be fired.
Where I work, the only way a drawer-keeper can prove they did not
steal missing money is to pay it back.
I would assume this happens in reverse, even if they undercharge you because the policy states "price is different" not over or under. Just my two cents.
Or Regional Canadian Baseball Issues?
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Of course, I believe the article below discusses consumers OVERPAYING for an item.
/s/ JackWESQ
Wal-Mart flunks price accuracy tests, pays $1 million settlement
For five years, state inspectors in Arizona went into Wal-Mart stores to check whether the prices paid at the register matched the price they were supposed to be sold for. The results weren't pretty: Wal-Mart flunked more than half of the 976 inspections.
""In today's tough economy, consumers need accurate price information to comparison shop and decide what to buy with their hard-earned money," Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said in a statement. Faced with the ongoing issue of inaccurate pricing in Arizona, that state's attorney general sued the retail giant in 2006, alleging consumer fraud. Wal-Mart settled the suit this month, agreeing to pay $1 million (on top of more than $450,000 in fines already paid) and subjected 40 of its 92 Arizona stores to rigorous independent monitoring for three years. Every store that fails inspection will lead to a $2,500 fine. A failed re-inspection will cost the company $5,000. To pass inspection, at least 98 of every 100 items scanned must ring up at the correct price.
In addition to scanning inaccuracies, Arizona inspectors cited Wal-Mart for numerous instances of not posting prices -- giving consumers no way to know what certain items cost until they went to the register.
"Every day, customers rely on Wal-Mart to help them save money. Accurate pricing is an important part of that commitment," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Delia Garcia said. "We strive for 100 percent price accuracy, and when we do find a discrepancy, we are committed to making it right for our customer. This has long been our practice, and today we are taking this commitment a step further.
"We have already begun to implement measures from this agreement, such as improved training and rigorous internal inspections. We are seeing a reduction in discrepancies. The addition of an independent monitor to this process will further ensure that inspections are conducted fairly and objectively and most importantly reassure our valued customers that the price they see on the shelf is the price they pay at the register."
Still, the situation in Arizona mirrors what happened in several other states, including California -- raising the question of what's going on in states that are less aggressive in monitoring scanner accuracy.
California consumers learned they had the price accuracy problem in 2005. In November, California officials settled a case against Wal-Mart for $1.4 million and the pledge to give consumers $3 off the item at the register for each inaccurately scanned product. California's attorney general said scanner error were found in 164 Wal-Mart stores in that state Those overcharged paid an average of $8.40 too much.
"Consumers saw one price in the aisles, but were charged a higher price at the cash register," California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. said at the time.
It faces an uphill battle. In 2005, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Illinois Chicago Center for Urban Development revealed they found 87% of California stores visited failed price accuracy tests and 85% of those in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana also flunked. Both studies found that when customers paid too much the mean price discrepancy was more than $1 per item.
Did your son learn any other lesson's today from you?
Maybe with the pocketed 100.00 you could pick up a mirror next time in walmart's.
Simply Amazing
Wal-Mart employees also receive a bonus each year based on many factors and one of those is the amount of shrink in their store. The less shrink...the more bonus. These people dont make a lot of money anyway but again, by not being honest you are taking money away from them.
there are quite a few people on these boards that know alot about Walmarts financial practices/policies...
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Scan-Right Guarantee Policies
According to the price-watcher sites, the cashiers say that
different stores may have different policies.
"FREE" up to $5.00 seems to be fairly representative at WMT.
Though, any manager can decide to be more generous.
The policy info is in the cashier's manual that each worker
keeps with them while on duty.
Some states also have laws that require that the item be
"FREE," up to 10-times the amount of the over-ring.
.......
In a court, I would not want to be arguing that "different price"
means high OR low. The idea of "different" fairly certainly would
be held to mean higher only. Though, you never know.
of $500. The teller counts and pays me, then went in the back to do
something. A few mins later, she comes back and starts to count again.
I told her I already received the $'s. She sheepishly said "Thank You" and
was obviously very embarassed. I have never regretted my decision to
speak up, when I could have just kept quiet and pocketed $500.
BTW: Cubby=Cub Fan
Im sure others will think twice before participating in any type of transaction with you.
What's next? The "slip and fall" with fake lawsuit??
Good Role model skippy.
Makes me sick that Nick Xiarhos died protecting you.
/s/ JackWESQ
Wal-Mart flunks price accuracy tests, pays $1 million settlement
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As we all well know, that kind of story allows many folks to
rationalize their behavior as an element of "getting even."
ACTUALLY, such stories argue against self-help of any kind.
The AGs in the sundry states can and do chase WMT and
other retailers; AND, the companies pay the price. The system
is working pretty well and will not work any better if shoppers
decide their own remedies on an ala carte basis.
..........
The notion that "everybody pays for theft," is only sorta-kinda
true. If WMT lost less to crooks, they would NOT pass much of
that savings onto their customers.
BUT, as noted, workers would be paid a little more, and there
could be more frequent closeout specials. MOST of the savings,
though, would go to the bottom line of WMT.
At the end of the day, they are the ones who pay for it since their till falls short of what it should be.
Not the same situation as your deal, but MORALS play a factor in the decision.
You went in knowing it's listed price was $119.97, but when it rang up $19.97, you didn't even hesitate to say anything.
This type of character might fly on Sports Card Forum or the Beckett Message board, but it doesn't fly here.
At the end of the day, they are the ones who pay for it since their till falls short of what it should be...."
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Such conduct, to which I also subscribe, is, to me, NOT "pro-biznez."
It is simply "pro working class."
Allowing any of the little clerks to get burned would be an anti working
class action.
Even if the company does not make the cashiers pay for short drawers -
some do, some do not - if it happens too many times the worker will be
out of a job.
....................
Personally, I would not counsel the OP to go back to the store and undo
the error. I would simply say that he should NEVER do anything like this
again.
but, the same thing happened to me - the girl scanned in a box of heritage and offered me a 24 ct. box for the price of 1 pack - I told her it's x 24...
her remark - "wow, I can't believe that stuff is THAT expensive!"
It's probably best to never rationalize any kind of malfeasance in order to justify an act IMO.
But, some people believe - if 'they' make the error - it's 'their' problem not mine...
It would be interesting if ya go to customer service and say: "I just realized when I got home that this item was actually over 100 bucks! - I can't believe that - what should we do?"
mike
<< <i>I don't understand the accusations of a "short drawer" or the cashier getting in trouble. If the item scanned at $19.95 (plus tax) and $19.95 (plus tax) was deposited into the drawer, then the drawer will not be short. >>
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That's correct.
I noted that in my first response.
The "short drawer" notion is likely academic here.
If it was not, maybe the OP would have performed
differently. I dunno.
.....
Still, I think stealing from rich companies is the same as
stealing from stupid folks. NOT everybody is required to
adopt my view in order to be "saved."
If nothing else, as dumb as it sounds, I think karma would get me for doing something like that. I'd rather not have it on my shoulders.
<< <i>I don't understand the accusations of a "short drawer" or the cashier getting in trouble. If the item scanned at $19.95 (plus tax) and $19.95 (plus tax) was deposited into the drawer, then the drawer will not be short. >>
As I stated in my post about it:
"I have received extra change from the grocery store clerk multiple times, and I always point it out and give it back.
At the end of the day, they are the ones who pay for it since their till falls short of what it should be.
Not the same situation as your deal, but MORALS play a factor in the decision"
Yes, I do understand the cashier isn't going pay for the price difference in the box....read the whole sentence under that. Note that MORALS is in capital letters.
<< <i>Wal-Mart employees also receive a bonus each year based on many factors and one of those is the amount of shrink in their store. The less shrink...the more bonus. These people dont make a lot of money anyway but again, by not being honest you are taking money away from them. >>
I am assuming this stops at the managers and doesn't trickle down to the cashiers or greeters?
They didn't get the nickname always low wages for nothing.
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I'm sure Walmart's misfortunes is just Karma biting them back as an organization.
I'm not justifying your decision to walk away with the "discount", you'll have to live with that on your conscious.
As for Walmart I really could give a crap about their well being because they would knowingly stab families in the back with their business model.
This is an off topic rant but I suggest people educate themselves on the WAL Mart tactics against their associates.
It's downright scary and criminal.
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MARCH 20, 2009
Wal-Mart Increases Employee Bonuses
By KAREN TALLEY
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. handed out $933.6 million in bonuses to its rank-and-file U.S. workers on Thursday, an increase of 46.7% compared to last year.
The company, the largest retailer in the nation, said it will pay bonuses to about one million of its hourly workers. Its U.S. work force last year grew by about 33,800, to 1.45 million, the company said.
The Bentonville, Ark.,-based company has been a strong performer throughout the recession, posting solid sales and earnings gains while many other retailers have been suffering double-digit percentage declines.
Mike Duke, who took over as chief executive six weeks ago, announced the bonuses in a memo to employees Thursday.
The timing of the bonus announcement comes a little over a week after both houses of Congress introduced the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that would make it easier for employees to unionize, something that Wal-Mart has long opposed and is lobbying hard against.
Wal-Mart said the bonuses announced yesterday are simply part of an annual program. "We have been rewarding our associates for their hard work with financial incentives like these for years," said a spokeswoman, Daphne Moore.
The bonus averages $933.60 for each qualified employee, ranging from cashiers to shelf stockers.
Last year, Wal-Mart paid out about $1.8 billion in awards, including more than $636.4 million in bonuses.
The 2009 awards are based on results at the 3,657 U.S. Wal-Marts and 602 Sam's Clubs.
Wal-Mart reported $401.2 billion in net sales for its most recent fiscal year, which ended on Jan. 31, a gain of 7.2% from the prior year. Income from continuing operations increased 3% to $13.3 billion, and earnings per share rose 6% to $3.35.
Shares of Wal-Mart fell 49 cents to $49.95 in 4 p.m. composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
—Miguel Bustillo contributed to this article.
Write to Karen Talley at karen.talley@dowjones.com
That being said..."big deal" it's just a few thousandths of a percentage point off of the Waltons' and shareholders bottom line...however, being that the tactics of the unsavory folks who have made sports cards an unprofitable business in the retail world have already driven the major chains to subcontract...who’s to say being in the red on too many occasions such as this won't drive them to go as far as complete elimination?
Honestly, that would suck for a lot of kids and collectors whose only opportunity to rip is on the retail side.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
John
Oh should I post scans of the decent pulls? Just wondering!
<< <i>Na I am not young, just really didn't care.
I hope your reasoning is because this is Wal Mart and not some local hobby shop or local store.
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<< <i>ah good ol' wal-mart, destroying local businesses one town at a time, underpaying their employees and discouraging them to sign up for corporate insurance, OH and they import 30 Billion dollars worth of chinese goods, thus cheapo prices, cheapo wages. >>
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That is indeed the NEGative side of the story.
The positive side, in part:
Save Money. Live Better.
Rich folks and poor folks SMLB by shopping at WMT.
..........
Retail was never a high-paying industry. WMT did not really
invent low wages in retail.
WMT has 1.35-Million US workers. That is a lot of money
paid in wages and a lot of money paid in taxes.
................
Some towns simply outlived their usefulness.
Paying twice as much for an item at the ma/pa store is not
really a good price to pay to prop up a failed township.
...............
It would be nice if WMT could solve the health insurance
issue, but they cannot.
The Hawaii model is likely the best for workers, but it discourages
full employment and costs BIG money; much of which goes to the
monopoly insurance company. Workers pay a tiny % of their gross
pay in premiums, BUT only workers who work 20-hours a week
are mandated to be covered. Thus, lots of folks have several
different "19-hour a week" jobs.
Health care insurance is a national problem that can ONLY
be solved by a single-payer system, which NOBODY is willing
to pay for.
If rich folks and corps will accept that they must pay MORE
than their "fair share" to make sure everybody gets health
care, the problem will be solved. Otherwise, not.
...................
WMT is no angel in any category, and they are not really the
devil in very many categories.
<< <i>Yes basically it is because it is Wal-Mart. I would NEVER do it to a local hobby shop or store. I was also think a hobby shop would catch it at the register. As for this thread, I do apologize for making what most of you call an immoral decision. If I had to do it all over I would do it the same way. It is not like I will be scouting Wal-Mart not waiting on more to be stocked. >>
Could have asked Wal-Mart for a "raincheck"
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The damage they are doing to our country is not always clear but it is tremendous.
They are feeding on our poor and pumping it back into their bottom line, monopolizing our retail system and cycling it overseas (Don't let me get into how they run business overseas).
1.4 million americans who are employed by Wal Mart is squat compared to the damage they do to america as a whole.
The "Bonus" kickback employees are receiving...just a ploy to cover up some other issues...
Way off topic I know but Wal Mart deserves all the bad publicity it can get.
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