OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of
hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Harold,
Things like this irk me, but it's not a big enough deal to get in a major hassle over. Been there, and done that. I would have made a comment nicely to both the clerk and the customer saying something like, "Boy, it'd be easy to mistake those two pieces for one part wouldn't it?" That way the guy would have the opportunity to gracefully extricate himself by saying something like, "Oh... whoops!" If the clerk didn't get it after making myself clear, or she didn't care, I would let it slide. If these had been iron pipe fittings, would this have been on topic? Peter "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Plainly, the guy was a thief; and not a very smart one to pay for his
larcenous purchase with a credit card. I would not have confronted him and give him a chance to correct the "mistake". Instead, after he left, I would have called the store manager to the clerks location and explained the situation in such a way as to not embarrass the clerk. The manager could then do whatever store policy recommends when thievery is discovered on credit card purchases. Bob Swinney "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold As the owner of the Home Depot chain, I actually encourage this type of activity in my customers. It lessens my horrible guilt of what I am doing to the American worker. Next year, to show my patriotism, I will try to sell more goods made in the USA. My goal is to break the 1% barrier of USA made items. I know this goal seems fantastic and impossible, but someone has to try it. Wish me luck! Dixon Home Depot CEO |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:
Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. I don't think it's absolutely clear cut that the guy was a thief, and certainly not clear enough to secure a conviction. I have assembled components in hardware stores to make them easier to carry, or to make sure I've got the right number of each. I've even had shop assistants assemble items for me, but usually when the same assistant is making out the receipt. But if the cashier missed some assembled items I would point out the error to them, unless I was in a complete daydream, which is always a possibility. If I'd been there, I don't think I would have done anything due to the lack of certainty. How do I know the store doesn't have a 2-for-1 deal on elbows and connectors? Chris |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:
Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold Gee! I didn't know you could get *both* of those together for one price! Where did you find 'em?! m |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Politely:
"Excuse me, Mam, but I believe that those are two parts that have been assembled." Someone, you, me, others, WILL pay for those parts eventually. I also don't care for blatant thievery and people's naiveté being taken advantage of. Especially like that, intentionally. Just doesn't set well. Respectfully, Ron Moore "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Dixon. That's an odd nickname for someone named BOB NARDELLI.
You sound like a nice feller, though. I'm sure your stockholders will feel the same. Respectfully, Ron Moore "Dixon" wrote in message . .. "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold As the owner of the Home Depot chain, I actually encourage this type of activity in my customers. It lessens my horrible guilt of what I am doing to the American worker. Next year, to show my patriotism, I will try to sell more goods made in the USA. My goal is to break the 1% barrier of USA made items. I know this goal seems fantastic and impossible, but someone has to try it. Wish me luck! Dixon Home Depot CEO |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote:
Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. I wouldn't have been sticking my nose in the other man's business to begin with. Jon |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
If you're so inclined, mention it to the BIG Guy. Might sound silly but
everyone has a free will and can choose to do inequities. Brother's keeper? ....yea-but, he needs to be nudged by somebody else. "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Jon Danniken" wrote in message ... "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. I wouldn't have been sticking my nose in the other man's business to begin with. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke) |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
In article , Harold and Susan Vordos says...
When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. You went back and nailed ten pieces of plywood together and brought that up to the checkout counter? :^) Sorry harold, just couldn't resist!! Jim -- ================================================== please reply to: JRR(zero) at pkmfgvm4 (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com ================================================== |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Hum -
I do that all the time - Bought 6" 3/4" bolts - nuts and two washer types screwed together. Tin Barn. Counter - and had all part numbers and prices on a paper. The lady went down the bolt and coast accounted each out. My prices and numbers were a waste of time. I think the first issue was the lady. The second was the poor moral person that let here make the mistake. Some checkers do that for people anyway - that is one of the things that managers look for - presents to dad - or to friends... ring up this and not that. Martin Eastburn @ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net NRA LOH, NRA Life NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder Harold and Susan Vordos wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Didja see the Nardelli interview on Charlie Rose several months ago?
Ackshooly, Charlie Rose was not the interviewer--he was Nardelli's fukn *concubine* for the hour. After the break, I do believe Rose slid under that big round table and blew Nardelli, and blew him properly, cuz after the break Nardelli had this big ****-eating grin on his face, and Rose was dabbing himself w/ a napkin. It thus appears that Home Despot, contrary to my previous ignerint-assed philistinic assertions, is the Savior of America and of America's Culture. Silly me. gulp aahhhhhhh ---------------------------- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll "Ron Moore" wrote in message news:Fecdf.26566$2k5.8369@dukeread09... Dixon. That's an odd nickname for someone named BOB NARDELLI. You sound like a nice feller, though. I'm sure your stockholders will feel the same. Respectfully, Ron Moore "Dixon" wrote in message . .. "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold As the owner of the Home Depot chain, I actually encourage this type of activity in my customers. It lessens my horrible guilt of what I am doing to the American worker. Next year, to show my patriotism, I will try to sell more goods made in the USA. My goal is to break the 1% barrier of USA made items. I know this goal seems fantastic and impossible, but someone has to try it. Wish me luck! Dixon Home Depot CEO |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Tom Gardner" wrote: If you're so inclined, mention it to the BIG Guy. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You mean go to church and PRAY for this guy? |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Are you all fukn
kidding??????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????? I carry around a lawnchair, marshmallows, spam, & a weiner stick, my old boy scout song book, mosquito repellant, and a sturdy wool blanket in the trunk of my car at all times. Why, you ax.... Because in the blessed event that I am driving by a HD that just happens to be burning itself down to the ground, I'd like to stop and savor those moments and images, in some comfort and nutritious style, and hark back to the good ol' days, around the campfire.... and when you could go to a regular fukn hardware store and talk to somebody. Now, do *I* steal from HD? No--mostly cuz I don't have the balls--or the mental energy. Would I hire that guy stealing from HD, or even hang out with him? No to the first, Yes to the second, iffin he were buyin. But while you all are tryna send this slouch's sorry ass to jail, I'd kick in $50-100 for his bail and lawyer. **** Home Despot.... regardless of whether or not we indeed wind up paying for this slouch's behavior later on; it's a matter of a much higher fukn principle than this schmo's lack of integrity/honesty. Did I already say **** Home Despot? And, just so's you all know, Home Despot ****s their vendors as badly as they **** us. Shop around, occasionally. It is rare when you *cain't* match or beat HDs **** prices, ceptin for their well-calculated come-ons. As for their vendors, the Mafia has little over HD tactics. And yeah, I go to HD. Why? Cuz they ****ed almost every local hardware store out of bidniss--often deliberately. Dixon, and mebbe a cupla others, know the deal. The rest of you should get off yer high moral merry-go-round horses and brighten up a little. Carry some marshmallows in yer cars. And watch out: Bob Nardelli has a 36" dick, and a lifetime supply of Viagra. Ask Charlie Rose. gulp aaahhhhhh ---------------------------- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
| As the owner of the Home Depot chain, I actually encourage this type of
| activity in my customers. It lessens my horrible guilt of what I am doing to | the American worker. Next year, to show my patriotism, I will try to sell | more goods made in the USA. My goal is to break the 1% barrier of USA made | items. I know this goal seems fantastic and impossible, but someone has to | try it. Wish me luck! | | Dixon | Home Depot CEO Yeah, right. Gimme a f'in break. Wrong is wrong. Regardless of whether you think the person purchasing the parts was stealing, two wrongs don't make a right. If you think you're screwing some "evil corporation" you're sorely mistaken. Costs like this get passed on to the customer, which in this case is you, so count yourself as someone paying for that type of thievery, not the company. |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message ... "Tom Gardner" wrote: If you're so inclined, mention it to the BIG Guy. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You mean go to church and PRAY for this guy? Hell, I'd even pray for you , Leo! We did a cost/benefit analysis on prayer and... |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
I think I would have politely told the clerk that she missed the bar
codes on the ells and pointed them out. As far as the customer, if he honestly didn't realize the situation he would apologize, pay for ALL of the merchandise and leave embarrassed after thanking you for noticing the mistake. If he raised a fuss he would be pointing out his true nature as a thief and his position beneath contempt. Considering the location of this Home Depot and the number of Meth soaked scum balls in the area surrounding it, probability is he knew exactly what he was doing. I know a lot of the checkers down at Chehalis and they are still learning. Still better than Tumwater. Gary On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 17:13:28 -0800, "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Proctologically Violated©® wrote:
Because in the blessed event that I am driving by a HD that just happens to be burning itself down to the ground, I'd like to stop and savor those moments and images, in some comfort and nutritious style, and hark back to the good ol' days, around the campfire.... and when you could go to a regular fukn hardware store and talk to somebody. I go into HD and Lowe's as INfrequently as possible. We have a local hardware store, part of the Ace line, that has almost everything I have ever needed. Bolts of all and sundry sizes, both imperial AND metric. A decent selection of hand, electric and air tools (Kinda light on the air tools, but they have a few). Most anything in plumbing, including a wall of compression, flare and threaded fittings from 1/16" to 3/4". These are the best selection anyplace in town that I know of. They've got lumber, lawn & garden, pretty good electrical selection, paints, sandpaper, solder, pool supplies (good for some odd chemicals that might be hard to get otherwise). Brushes for electric motors, too! They went through a "gentrification" phase about 10 years ago, and I was real worried they'd turn it into a lawn ornament shop that also sold an occasional light bulb. But, they realized the error, and have gotten back to being a decent hardware store. Every once in a while I need something so unusual, I can't find it there, and have to go to the HD and hope that what they have is not total crap! But, I do my best to support this local store with my purchases. I'm sure that my buying all sorts of odd mechanical items has had at least a little part to play in their keeping it a HARDware store! Jon |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
I'm a real skeptic. I vote the guy in front of Harold was scamming for sure.
Whether I would actually say anything or not is a real hard question. There is so much crime in this world that if I go out of my way to hang somebody up over $3 in a Home Depot (themselves a pretty despicable outfit) it won't really help anyone. I'm grateful I have enough money to buy what I want when I want it, that's for sure. I think maybe I'd try to generate some compassion for the guy who felt compelled to do petty crime. I also don't feel too sorry for Home Depot, if they paid their help a little better she would have been sharp enough to spot the trick. Wrong is wrong, yes, but you have to pick your battles. What did you do, Harold? GWE |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Hi, Harold. I'm hoping that you at least brought this to the clerk's attention. It's just that it's the right thing to have done... Still, granted that when we find ourselves having un-intentionally been put into some position, hindsight might prove to have been 20 /20. Question ( as always ) being the same....just what would Scooby Doo ??? G -- SVL |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote:
Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. I would have likely left my mouth shut. After said customer left, I might or might not point out to cashier what he/she had just missed. Just that cashier and me to give a heads up for the next time. I would not get in to a confrontational situation with preceding customer since I often carry. (shall issue ccw state) Wes -- Reply to: Whiskey Echo Sierra Sierra AT Alpha Charlie Echo Golf Romeo Oscar Paul dot Charlie Charlie Lycos address is a spam trap. |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 17:13:28 -0800, "Harold and Susan Vordos"
wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold I, being the shy retiring type, would have loudly said something about a Ripoff, to the cashier. I cant stand a thief. Gunner "Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire. Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us) off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give them self determination under "play nice" rules. Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you for torturing the cat." Gunner |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:23:35 -0800, "Jon Danniken"
wrote: "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. I wouldn't have been sticking my nose in the other man's business to begin with. Jon "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’ Edmond Burke "Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire. Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us) off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give them self determination under "play nice" rules. Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you for torturing the cat." Gunner |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 22:19:00 -0800, Grant Erwin
wrote: I'm a real skeptic. I vote the guy in front of Harold was scamming for sure. Whether I would actually say anything or not is a real hard question. There is so much crime in this world that if I go out of my way to hang somebody up over $3 in a Home Depot (themselves a pretty despicable outfit) it won't really help anyone. I'm grateful I have enough money to buy what I want when I want it, that's for sure. I think maybe I'd try to generate some compassion for the guy who felt compelled to do petty crime. I also don't feel too sorry for Home Depot, if they paid their help a little better she would have been sharp enough to spot the trick. Wrong is wrong, yes, but you have to pick your battles. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’ Edmond Burke What did you do, Harold? GWE "Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire. Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us) off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give them self determination under "play nice" rules. Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you for torturing the cat." Gunner |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Very well said, Grant.
What I woulda added to my own rant had I not still had the Charlie Rose/Bob Nardelli image so vivid in my brain. gulp aaahhhhhh ---------------------------- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll "Grant Erwin" wrote in message ... I'm a real skeptic. I vote the guy in front of Harold was scamming for sure. Whether I would actually say anything or not is a real hard question. There is so much crime in this world that if I go out of my way to hang somebody up over $3 in a Home Depot (themselves a pretty despicable outfit) it won't really help anyone. I'm grateful I have enough money to buy what I want when I want it, that's for sure. I think maybe I'd try to generate some compassion for the guy who felt compelled to do petty crime. I also don't feel too sorry for Home Depot, if they paid their help a little better she would have been sharp enough to spot the trick. Wrong is wrong, yes, but you have to pick your battles. What did you do, Harold? GWE |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
I think it's less of a moral dilemma than a question of what response (and
by whom) is appropriate. My approach would have been to quietly tell the cashier what had happened. How she and the store respond to that re the offender is then their call -- not mine. "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Oh yeah, and one more thing that fuels my rage, sorta proves my point:
THE FUKN LINES AT HD!!!! And the concommitant REFUSAL of HD management to DO anything about it!!!! ito of adequate checkout peeple. I myself have, and have seen others, leave their **** right on the floor, and walk out. A ****n gigantic, explicit, plain-as-fukn-day INSULT to us fish-in-the-barrel. I do think management and Bob Nardelli actually get a KICK out of seeing us barrel fish on lines. Makes them feel good. **** them, **** HD. And you all are going to turn this schmo IN???? Or confront him???????? Oh please........................ You should applaud. Or at least laugh. ---------------------------- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll "Proctologically Violated©®" wrote in message ... Very well said, Grant. What I woulda added to my own rant had I not still had the Charlie Rose/Bob Nardelli image so vivid in my brain. gulp aaahhhhhh ---------------------------- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll "Grant Erwin" wrote in message ... I'm a real skeptic. I vote the guy in front of Harold was scamming for sure. Whether I would actually say anything or not is a real hard question. There is so much crime in this world that if I go out of my way to hang somebody up over $3 in a Home Depot (themselves a pretty despicable outfit) it won't really help anyone. I'm grateful I have enough money to buy what I want when I want it, that's for sure. I think maybe I'd try to generate some compassion for the guy who felt compelled to do petty crime. I also don't feel too sorry for Home Depot, if they paid their help a little better she would have been sharp enough to spot the trick. Wrong is wrong, yes, but you have to pick your battles. What did you do, Harold? GWE |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Proctologically Violated©® wrote:
Oh yeah, and one more thing that fuels my rage, sorta proves my point: THE FUKN LINES AT HD!!!! And the concommitant REFUSAL of HD management to DO anything about it!!!! ito of adequate checkout peeple. Actually, up here they have had self-checkout for years, you whip right through, it's one of the few good things about that store. You know, there is a certain danger to society to allow petty theft by someone else to persist. To me, however, the greater danger is to indulge in self-righteous anger. Anger is a terribly caustic mental state, it's like emotional drunkenness. I don't always succeed, but today it's probably more important to me to stay peaceful and serene than to get all hot and bothered about something. GWE |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 03:59:07 -0800, Grant Erwin
wrote: Proctologically Violated©® wrote: Oh yeah, and one more thing that fuels my rage, sorta proves my point: THE FUKN LINES AT HD!!!! And the concommitant REFUSAL of HD management to DO anything about it!!!! ito of adequate checkout peeple. Actually, up here they have had self-checkout for years, you whip right through, it's one of the few good things about that store. Hey Grant, Don't know where "up here" is, but we have the self-checkout's at a couple of the local big hardware places too. It begs the question in my mind.... If the un-scrupulous person in Harold's original post had used one of these self-serve lanes, and scanned only what the clerk did, would that have been shop-lifting? And if so, what if he had instead handed the "pre-assembled" items to his wife or son or brother or friend, and had them scan-out, while he "went-to-get-the-car"? They might have done the same as the clerk, and would it be shop-lifting then? Oh Harold, the moral dillema dilemma you've put us in! Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario. |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
In article , Brian Lawson says...
Don't know where "up here" is, but we have the self-checkout's at a couple of the local big hardware places too. So do we. Last week I went there to get two electrical items. When I got to the front of the store, *all* the lines, including each self-checkout one, had about 20 people on them. I took one look and placed the items on a nearby display and walked out. Later that night I went back to pay for them - but somebody needed the cover plate! They left the box though. That place is a zoo on the weekends. Jim -- ================================================== please reply to: JRR(zero) at pkmfgvm4 (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com ================================================== |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Don Foreman" wrote in message se.com... I think it's less of a moral dilemma than a question of what response (and by whom) is appropriate. My approach would have been to quietly tell the cashier what had happened. How she and the store respond to that re the offender is then their call -- not mine. "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold Harold, I'm sure if you would have changed your story scenario slightly and instead of Home Depot, made it a corner hardware-family business where the owners actually know about their products and really try to help customers, and make a modest living, the responses would have been different. We all have about as much sympathy for the giant chain stores as we would have if we came home and caught our wife in bed with a guy with a 12" member, and he hurt himself jumping out the bedroom window. Dixon |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
There have been many posts about what should be done to the thief in this
sad tale of woe. However, I would submit that this customer didn't steal anything...Home Depot *GAVE AWAY* that merchandise. The customer may or may not have been purposely trying to confuse the cashier. He may or may not have noticed he was undercharged. What he *did* do is place *all* items he was purchasing on the checkout counter for the cashier to ring up. The other thing that is for sure is that the cashier either wasn't trained well enough to spot an honest or dishonest mistake by the customer and/or didn't care enough to ask a question to the customer or one of the other employees if she wasn't positive on what the merchandise should have looked like or how it should have been sold. I believe the best course of action would have been to inform the store manager of what happened and recommend that the cashiers get a bit more training. As for the other suggestions about adding an additional charge to the customer's credit card - can't do it. Not only is it illegal but the customer could easily dispute the charge since his signature wouldn't be on the second charge slip. Robert "Don Foreman" wrote in message se.com... I think it's less of a moral dilemma than a question of what response (and by whom) is appropriate. My approach would have been to quietly tell the cashier what had happened. How she and the store respond to that re the offender is then their call -- not mine. "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message ... Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 19:36:13 -0600, "Robert Swinney"
wrote: Plainly, the guy was a thief; and not a very smart one to pay for his larcenous purchase with a credit card. I would not have confronted him and give him a chance to correct the "mistake". Instead, after he left, I would have called the store manager to the clerks location and explained the situation in such a way as to not embarrass the clerk. The manager could then do whatever store policy recommends when thievery is discovered on credit card purchases. Bob Swinney Maybe the guy assembled the parts to carry them easier? Maybe he han't "added up" what the total cost should be and didn't realize what happened? Or maybe he *was* a crook after all. Randy -- Randy Replogle http://www.chem.purdue.edu/machine |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
"Brian Lawson" wrote in message ... On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 03:59:07 -0800, Grant Erwin wrote: Proctologically Violated©® wrote: Oh yeah, and one more thing that fuels my rage, sorta proves my point: THE FUKN LINES AT HD!!!! And the concommitant REFUSAL of HD management to DO anything about it!!!! ito of adequate checkout peeple. Actually, up here they have had self-checkout for years, you whip right through, it's one of the few good things about that store. Hey Grant, Don't know where "up here" is, but we have the self-checkout's at a couple of the local big hardware places too. It begs the question in my mind.... If the un-scrupulous person in Harold's original post had used one of these self-serve lanes, and scanned only what the clerk did, would that have been shop-lifting? And if so, what if he had instead handed the "pre-assembled" items to his wife or son or brother or friend, and had them scan-out, while he "went-to-get-the-car"? They might have done the same as the clerk, and would it be shop-lifting then? Oh Harold, the moral dillema dilemma you've put us in! Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario. My wife is from Newfoundland and I can't believe the difference between the US and Canada. We had her family down visiting for a week awhile back. I took them to a novelty type store and while we were in the back of the store I noticed her uncle putting many items in his winter jacket pockets. I was kinda bug-eyed at his blatant "shoplifting". When we got to the checkout, he calmly took each item out of his pockets and placed them on the counter and paid for them. It never ever occured to him that putting things deep in your pockets in a store just doesn't send the right message here. Dixon |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Harold and Susan Vordos wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold Can't speak for home Depot, but my daughter spent many years as a Lowes cashier. At Lowes, they periodically have cashier tests to help train cashiers to catch such things. Basically, they bring a shopping cart to them full of goods with a couple of "tricks" that need to be caught. Although the cashier has a "heads up" as to their being stuff to watch for, the kinds of things are pretty sneaky. You get a score at the end of the test based on what you find or miss. That being said, the real problem at the box stores is low wages (danged low). The result is high turnover, employees who don't really give a crap, and hiring bottom of the barrel people to do what should be one of the most important jobs in the store. If the store puts so little importance on their staff that they hire bottom of the barrel scrapings, feel that these employees are disposable, and treat em generally as liabilities rather than assets, it's the store's problem when a crook gets away with something like this. Yea, the buyer made an effort to conceal that the parts were supposed to be priced seperately in hopes of cheating the system but it was the CLERK that didn't give a rat or wasn't trained enough or was simply too lousy a worker to do a proper job. The buyer didn't actually (by the description) steal or conceal the parts, he just tried to fool the clerk witha simple and (VERY!) common trick. The fooling happened due to the store's negligence. Koz |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
In article ,
Koz wrote: Harold and Susan Vordos wrote: Today I was in Home Depot, standing in line to pay for a couple rolls of hardware cloth. In front of me was a gentleman, and I use that term loosely, that had placed on the counter six one inch electrical PVC ells, along with six couplings, each of which was attached to the ells. The ells had their UPC stamped on them, but the connectors had a stick-on label. To a woman clerk, that may or may not be wise to how such things look and are used, it was very easy for the items to be scanned by the label only, considering the UPC on the ells blended well with the other data printed thereon. That's what happened. The buyer paid with a credit card, the total coming to under $3. It was obvious to me that he had placed the connectors on the ells intentionally, likely thinking they would get scanned just as they did. I did more than nothing, but I'm interested in hearing what others might think would have been a good course of action to take. When I've heard various opinions, I'll describe what I did, and why I did it. Comments? Harold Can't speak for home Depot, but my daughter spent many years as a Lowes cashier. At Lowes, they periodically have cashier tests to help train cashiers to catch such things. Basically, they bring a shopping cart to them full of goods with a couple of "tricks" that need to be caught. Although the cashier has a "heads up" as to their being stuff to watch for, the kinds of things are pretty sneaky. You get a score at the end of the test based on what you find or miss. That being said, the real problem at the box stores is low wages (danged low). The result is high turnover, employees who don't really give a crap, and hiring bottom of the barrel people to do what should be one of the most important jobs in the store. If the store puts so little importance on their staff that they hire bottom of the barrel scrapings, feel that these employees are disposable, and treat em generally as liabilities rather than assets, it's the store's problem when a crook gets away with something like this. Yea, the buyer made an effort to conceal that the parts were supposed to be priced seperately in hopes of cheating the system but it was the CLERK that didn't give a rat or wasn't trained enough or was simply too lousy a worker to do a proper job. The buyer didn't actually (by the description) steal or conceal the parts, he just tried to fool the clerk witha simple and (VERY!) common trick. The fooling happened due to the store's negligence. Koz Yep... Of course, there are the REALLY weird situations... Was in a farm-supply outfit (name forgotten now - I think it might've been Fisko's) after these aluminum gizmos used to stiffen up T-post fences. To be useful, you needed a "collar", a "wedge", and one or more "brackets", in various angles. The collars were like 85 cents each, the wedges were something like 40 cents each, and the various brackets ranged from a quarter to 60 cents each. One "assembly" (and for most purposes, you needed two "equal but opposite" assemblies to make it work) could easily hit 3-6 dollars or more, depending on exactly what you needed to make it work for what you were doing. So I'm "building" the fence,I'm going to put up with these things in tie aisle, grabbing pieces as needed to make my corners and such, putting them together so that I know I've got exactly what I need to get the job done. I get it fully "constructed", and gather up the 20 or 30 assemblies of multiple pieces to head for the counter. Clerk looks at one of the assemblies, counts the rest, scans the one, and comes up with this ridiculously low number for a total. "Uh..." sez I, "I thought those sold by the part?" She replies "They do. That'll be whatever the total was - Something under $20" "But each part is a different price?" "Nah, all this fence junk is the same price" "So why do they have individual price stickers on each part?" "Those are just the inventory numbers, not prices." I shrugged, paid what she asked, and left. What the heck - You try three times to point out the fact that they're undercharging you, and get told you're wrong all three times, wuddaya gonna do? Stand there and argue about it? Not unless you're nuts - you take it at the price they obviously want to sell it to you for. Totalled it up when I got home - She'd rung me out with about $85 worth of these widgets (going with the prices on individual stickers on each piece, which had matched nicely with the prices on the tags below each different box) for under 20 bucks. Oh well... -- Don Bruder - - If your "From:" address isn't on my whitelist, or the subject of the message doesn't contain the exact text "PopperAndShadow" somewhere, any message sent to this address will go in the garbage without my ever knowing it arrived. Sorry... http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd for more info |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Don Foreman wrote:
I think it's less of a moral dilemma than a question of what response (and by whom) is appropriate. My approach would have been to quietly tell the cashier what had happened. How she and the store respond to that re the offender is then their call -- not mine. Despite having a sign on my office wall reading, "There is no right way to do the wrong thing," that would be my approach too. And, I wouldn't be suprised If I got a look and a shrug from the cashier who probably wouldn't want to have to explain her error to someone higher up. Which reminds me...... Just last month I was pushing a cart with 440 pounds of lawn limestone to the garden center checkout of a local Home Depot, and because it was a pain to get it moving from a stop I let about a five foot gap accumulate between me and the person ahead of me, who was being checked out. When that fellow got through I urged my cart into motion and just as it began rolling some big lunk swooped in in front of me with a shopping cart full of merchandise. I said, "Excuse me, I've been waiting in this line." He gave me a foul look and said, "Too bad, you gotta keep moving", and the cashier began scanning his stuff. He was about the size of a Sumo wrestler and speaking with an slurred eastern european accent like he was half in the bag already. I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and figured a couple of minutes wait was an acceptable alternative to getting into God's knows what with that guy. But, the woman behind me couldn't keep her mouth shut and said something like, "I guess they don't teach children courtesy where he comes from", loudly enough for the swine to hear. That set him off and he started shouting, "F**K you!" at the woman and me over and over and over again all the while the cashier was ringing up his stuff. People started looking and wondering what was going on, and I was hoping the cashier would hit his panic button (assuming they have them) and get a security guy to come over, but that didn't happen. The guy finished up, paid and left. I did the same, but I kept my eyes open while I went to my car and loaded it just in case he decided it was me who needed a lesson. Now, Harold et all, what would you guys do in *that* HD situation? Jeff -- Jeffry Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE) "Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented." |
OT----Opinions requested on a moral dillema
Jeff Wisnia wrote:
I said, "Excuse me, I've been waiting in this line." He gave me a foul look and said, "Too bad, you gotta keep moving", and the cashier began scanning his stuff. He was about the size of a Sumo wrestler and speaking with an slurred eastern european accent like he was half in the bag already. I had a somewhat similar encounter at Home Depot. Same accent, same size, long line. He was arguing about being overcharged $.12, wouldn't stop, wouldn't leave, I pulled a quarter out of my pocket and gave it to him and he got all upset at me... |
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