Posted on: 18-02-10 23:39:13
Recently, I am coming across several such instances and wish to know if it has become quite common.
I asked my internet service provider to shift connection within home. I was promised no charges for this service and was also told that I will see the charges and then reversed. True it was, as I saw charges applied and reversed in my bill. But bill was still too high. Deep scrutiny brought out that charges were applied twice and reversed once! I called and correction of 55 $ was applied at once with ‘Sorry for the inconvenience’.
I took one credit card with ‘annual fee’ waived as holder of one particular account. Upon receiving the first bill I saw the annual fee charged to my card. Same steps … called … correction made with apology.
And at not so unknown grocery stores, I see some mistakes, always inflating the bill (Never could I find a mistake in my favor). Bills are corrected immediately upon finding (if one has time to) and pointing out. I make it sure to keep almost continuous eye contacts with display screen to ensure minimal ‘mistakes’. At a desi grocery store, I found one item charges for 52 $. I pointed out as I had picked no single item with this high price tag. Correction was applied, as expected with a emotionless reply- SCAN GALAT HO GAYA HONA JI (This might be scanned wrongly). I was made to feel as I should not have pointed out.
Any possibility of clear cut instruction from higher ups to make as many possible ‘Honest Mistakes’ and correct as many are pointed out? Net result- some sure shot additional profits. After all I might have oversee many such over chargings and so others.
-benparsad
Quote:
Originally posted by benparsad
Recently, I am coming across several such instances and wish to know if it has become quite common.
I asked my internet service provider to shift connection within home. I was promised no charges for this service and was also told that I will see the charges and then reversed. True it was, as I saw charges applied and reversed in my bill. But bill was still too high. Deep scrutiny brought out that charges were applied twice and reversed once! I called and correction of 55 $ was applied at once with ‘Sorry for the inconvenience’.
I took one credit card with ‘annual fee’ waived as holder of one particular account. Upon receiving the first bill I saw the annual fee charged to my card. Same steps … called … correction made with apology.
And at not so unknown grocery stores, I see some mistakes, always inflating the bill (Never could I find a mistake in my favor). Bills are corrected immediately upon finding (if one has time to) and pointing out. I make it sure to keep almost continuous eye contacts with display screen to ensure minimal ‘mistakes’. At a desi grocery store, I found one item charges for 52 $. I pointed out as I had picked no single item with this high price tag. Correction was applied, as expected with a emotionless reply- SCAN GALAT HO GAYA HONA JI (This might be scanned wrongly). I was made to feel as I should not have pointed out.
Any possibility of clear cut instruction from higher ups to make as many possible ‘Honest Mistakes’ and correct as many are pointed out? Net result- some sure shot additional profits. After all I might have oversee many such over chargings and so others.
-benparsad
If it is Bell, then it is not honest but stupid mistake. You ask for any changes in your service, it will become nightmare for you. CSRs simply do not care. They care only when you say that you are leaving. Then you will get all types of discounts that you never heard of.
Desi stores - Mistake done purposely and most of times they know that and then keep quiet. I came across of couple of stores in Mississauga which had dual pricing policy. If the price is not mentioned on the product, it is likely that you may be charged 50 cents or $ higher depending on what other stuff you have bought. One of those is closed for good and other one transformed into Arabic store.
I not only find dishonesty in Desi stores, I also find the staff totally unprofessional. I have often found the cashiers talk to their co-workers, while ringing the register. At least on 3 occasions, I found them overcharging me - through a "mistake" The funny thing is - they do not apologize (even if that is only a matter of courtesy).
Just the other day, at a Desi store on Dundas st & highway 10, I found a "buy one-get one deal. The cashier at the counter (who also happens to own the store) said that the deal was over. I told her that the promotional sticker was still there on the shelf, and she continued to argue that the promotion was over. I then decided not to buy that item at all.
I had a different experience at price chopper, one time. I bought several packs of tea bags that are not easily available in one part of the US, where I have family. The price at the counter read more than what was mentioned on the shelf. To my amazement, the clerk said she would not charge me at all!. That was a $ 60 value, and I thought that was not fair to the store.
The store clerk said it was it's policy not to charge for the items in a situation like that.
So, that is what essentially is the difference, in business ethics between a "gora" and a "desi" store. There are exceptions in each case, though.
It's very rare that in Canada these things are honest mistakes be it Bell, Rogers, Enbridge or desi store. Coming form USA, i found that this is the norm here. I am on the phone with ROGERS every single month over a dispute. Their thought process is, add it in and the person may not check. It does happen in USA also but not as much as it happens here. One thing i don't get is, if you are going to reverse a damn charge, why put it there in the first place? Please be very careful and be sure to check all your bills when you get them. Even question the 10 line itmes makred as taxes and government fees. Some of them are not valid any more. When it's an honest mistake, it happens once or twice, not ALL the time! I'm working on a project with a Bank here where we were discussing 3rd party disputes and many a times they'll find that it's the fault of a store or VISA or another institution and they don't always apologize.
Of course our desi bhais take the cake and have made it a rule to NEVER apologize and instead ridicule us if we point out their flaws. A poster mentioned the desi store on Hwy 10 and Dundas and that store is notorious for these 'honest mistakes' (it's also one of the most over priced desi stores in the area). We had to check our bill after every transaction and 9 out of 10 times, there was a mischarge. The cashier would give me a dirty look and say aacha kuch aur leh lo itney dollar ka (pick up something from the store to make up for the mischarge) and i'd be like, NO, if i wanted more, I'd have it, i just want my money back. Long story short, I have since moved to a desi store which has prices marked on all goods so it's not like when u get to the cash register, they charge as they feel!
It's hard to know honest mistakes form the actual fraud and while it happened in USA, if reported, the Customer Service was great but here in Canada, it's hard to find good customer service. Folks simply don't CARE. Every major purchase i made from BRICK, MOBILIA, BEST BUY, CANADIAN TIRE, ROGERS, was not without hassle. The most courtious I found were grocery stores and Shopper's.
Bottom line, protect your self by always checking your bills and not assuming anything!
Good Luck!
Quote:
Originally posted by ILOVENA
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I had a different experience at price chopper, one time. I bought several packs of tea bags that are not easily available in one part of the US, where I have family. The price at the counter read more than what was mentioned on the shelf. To my amazement, the clerk said she would not charge me at all!. That was a $ 60 value, and I thought that was not fair to the store.
The store clerk said it was it's policy not to charge for the items in a situation like that.
The store clerk made an error. He/she should have given only one item for free if less than $10 in case the item is scanned at a different price than displayed on the shelf. This does not apply to desi stores as they are not part of that policy.
http://www.retailcouncil.org/advocacy/cp/issues/scanner_acc/print/scanner_accuracy02_eng.asp
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Quote:
Originally posted by guptamik
A poster mentioned the desi store on Hwy 10 and Dundas and that store is notorious for these 'honest mistakes' (it's also one of the most over priced desi stores in the area). We had to check our bill after every transaction and 9 out of 10 times, there was a mischarge. The cashier would give me a dirty look and say aacha kuch aur leh lo itney dollar ka (pick up something from the store to make up for the mischarge) and i'd be like, NO, if i wanted more, I'd have it, i just want my money back. Long story short, I have since moved to a desi store which has prices marked on all goods so it's not like when u get to the cash register, they charge as they feel!
Which store was this please ? By any chance is it then one opposite Dollarama , the Gujrati store ( Asia Town Centre / something ) ??? Asking this as we often shop there and I don't think of checking ....
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Fido.
Quote:
Originally posted by Fido
Quote:
Originally posted by guptamik
A poster mentioned the desi store on Hwy 10 and Dundas and that store is notorious for these 'honest mistakes' (it's also one of the most over priced desi stores in the area). We had to check our bill after every transaction and 9 out of 10 times, there was a mischarge. The cashier would give me a dirty look and say aacha kuch aur leh lo itney dollar ka (pick up something from the store to make up for the mischarge) and i'd be like, NO, if i wanted more, I'd have it, i just want my money back. Long story short, I have since moved to a desi store which has prices marked on all goods so it's not like when u get to the cash register, they charge as they feel!
Which store was this please ? By any chance is it then one opposite Dollarama , the Gujrati store ( Asia Town Centre / something ) ??? Asking this as we often shop there and I don't think of checking ....
India town centre..and same here, never checked bill..even bought something yesterday..hope I read it yesterday
