This is a tale of two mangoes.
After work today, I went shopping at a local grocery store. As I was wandering around in the produce area, some fresh mangoes caught my attention. These were mangoes grown in Peru, looking nice and delicious. I took a peek at the price tag: $2.39/lb. “Wow, that’s such a great price!” I thought to myself. Normally mangoes are sold by quantity, not by weight. At $2.39/lb, it was a real steal! I was so excited that I immediately grabbed two mangoes.
After shopping around, I finally made my way over to the checkout. The cashier scanned each item that I bought, and I noticed on the screen that the mangoes were charged as $4.78 ( 2 at 1/$2.39) . In other words, the computer system had it priced by number, not by weight. And because of this, I am paying quite a bit more than if it were by weight. I didn’t want to make a big fuzz about this. So after I paid for everything, I casually brought it up, and pointed out to the cashier that there were some discrepancies between the price tag and the computer pricing system. To my surprise, the 60-year-old cashier told me that I read it wrong. I must have seemed confused, as the girl who was bagging my groceries came over, grabbed my receipt, and said to me in a very loud voice :” Look, this line, $1.09, this is the onion that you bought!!! The mangoes ARE priced by weight, and that’s how you were charged.” Her remarks immediately drew a lot of attention from the other customers who were standing in line. I felt so embarrassed, as if I was a misbehaving child who is being difficult in the public. “What? onion? I know the price for the onion was right… but the mangoes were clearly priced by quantity here.” I thought to myself. Even though I knew they were bullshitting, I decided to let it go. I didn’t want to be perceived as someone who is cheap/difficult. I said my thank-you, took my bags, and walked out of the store.
As I got into my car, I took a closer look at the receipt. I was 100% sure of two things: 1) There was a discrepancy between the price tag and the price at the checkout point 2) I was overcharged and embarrassed in the public by the employees there.
$4.78. It was not a big deal at all. I could let it go. Yes, just take a deep breath in, and let it go. However, those of you who know me well should know how stubborn I can be sometimes. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY, IT IS ABOUT MY PRIDE. THEY WERE WRONG AND THEY HURT MY PRIDE. THEY WERE TRYING TO BS OUT OF THEIR MISTAKES AND WAS TRYING TO MAKE ME LOOK STUPID. THEY OWE ME AN APOLOGY.
I walked back into the store. There was a lady standing around with a name tag on. Her name was Nicole. She was the supervisor. I walked up to her. She greeted me and asked if she could help me with anything. “Yes, please.” I said with a smile. I showed her the receipt, explain the whole story. Then I said:” I am not trying to be difficult. In fact, it is not even about the money. But I think you guys should change the price tag over by the mangoes, to avoid further confusion. “ Very polite– as I always am. The manager looked at me and said:” I am so sorry. Are these the mangoes over there?” “Well, come with me. I will show you.” I said.
We walked over to the produce area. And there it was, in black and white: “Mango @ $2.39 per lb”. “You are right. I am so sorry, we need to change this right now. ” The manager apologized and took off the price tag right away. Then she said:” I’d like to refund you for the mangoes.” “Oh, don’t even worry about it. It is not about the money.” ” No no, I insist. Thanks for pointing that out to us. And sorry about all the hassle.” The manager seemed very sincere. “But my mangoes are out in the car now. You want me to go grab them?” I asked. “I know. You keep the mangoes, and I will refund you the money. Thank you, so much for your help and understanding.”
And so I took the refund, said my thank-you, and once again, walked out of the store.
This was the tale of two mangoes. It has nothing to do with money, and has everything to do with my pride. I won.
For those of you that work in customer service, or any profession in that matter, do not ever, hurt someone else’s pride. If you were wrong, apologize from your heart, do not bullshit and think you could get away with it. You can’t.
That’s the message you should take home with, from the tale of two mangoes.
