dry cleaner forgot to charge- what would you do?

kelseyhere
kelseyhere Posts: 1,123 Member
in Chit-Chat
The company I work at offers a pick-up and delivery dry cleaning service from a place in the area every Monday and Thursday. I've used this dry cleaner in the past (over a year ago) at their store location, but never did the pick-up/drop-off. Last Thursday I decided I would try it. I called the cleaners to find out how it works, and the lady said she would call me after they picked-up the clothes with the price, and that I could give her my credit card number over the phone. She asked that I staple a piece of paper to the bag with my phone number and contact information, so I did. She didn't want to take my credit card then because they have to look at the clothes first to see what to charge it as, and she didn't want me to write the credit card number on the paper for privacy. Well, they never called and I've already got my clothes back (they were dropped off at my office today). I noticed on the ticket they have my old phone number listed (probably from when I came into the store a year ago) but that number is now disconnected. I attached a sheet with my current cell phone number to the bag of clothes (as the cleaner employee requested), so my question for you all is... would you call them and pay? I wasn't planning on it because if you ask me, they screwed up. I did everything they asked, they are just too stupid to call the new number I gave them and are probably calling the old number. Obviously if they really wanted payment they could ask my company how to get in touch with me, so I know I'm not in the clear. But if this happened to you, would you take it upon yourself to pay or just enjoy your clean clothes? Feel free to justify your response.
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Replies

  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    Personally, I would call and pay but that's because I'm a Christian and I would feel guilty if I didn't.
  • TheMerryPup
    TheMerryPup Posts: 186 Member
    I would pay. If someone performs a service for me they should get paid for it.
  • gwenmf
    gwenmf Posts: 888 Member
    .. would you call them and pay? I wasn't planning on it because if you ask me, they screwed up. I did everything they asked, they are just too stupid to call the new number I gave them and are probably calling the old number. Obviously if they really wanted payment they could ask my company how to get in touch with me, so I know I'm not in the clear. But if this happened to you, would you take it upon yourself to pay or just enjoy your clean clothes? Feel free to justify your response.

    I would go in and pay (victim of identity theft). You say "they screwed up". Yes, they neglected to charge you, but they did the service you requested. You owe them for that service. Because they made a human mistake in not charging you doesn't change that. Besides, Karma bites. And God knows all - it's not worth the $$. Act responsibly and pay what you owe. You asked for opinions. this is mine.......and yes, I'm one of those who always gives it back when they give you back too much in change........which sometimes is VERY hard to do - I realize that.
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    I think you should follow the example of the young Abraham Lincoln and cut down a cherry tree.
  • thekarens
    thekarens Posts: 254 Member
    I'm a big believer in what goes around comes around so I would pay. One day it will come back and bite you in the rear otherwise.
  • jjelizalde
    jjelizalde Posts: 377 Member
    Pay Definitely pay. You'll feel good about it and so will they.
  • CleminoleTech
    CleminoleTech Posts: 12 Member
    I would call and offer to pay. My conscience would get me every time I saw their ads. I would look at it like someone worked hard for me and I should pay for the service.
  • mamitosami
    mamitosami Posts: 531 Member
    Oh, I would pay...
  • Vegan_Runner
    Vegan_Runner Posts: 133 Member
    I would call. My Mom taught me not to steal, and that is what this is, though not intentional on your part.
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    I agree with the karens, also, i would feel too guilty. i think you know what you should do since you asked, i left walmart the other day with work pants in the top basket. i had placed my purse on top and when i got to the car noticed i hadnt paid. no one knew but me. i walked back in with them and paid. i would know, i cant live with myself otherwise.
  • HollyMomma1
    HollyMomma1 Posts: 25 Member
    Pay. I think it's important to live your life so you're honest in all things-even when no one is looking or knows the wiser.
  • annalee_1
    annalee_1 Posts: 235 Member
    I would pay for it, stuff happens but doing the right thing is paying for the service you were provided. Just my opinion but I couldn't sleep with that on my mind.
  • MFR1974
    MFR1974 Posts: 92
    It is more important to do what is right, or to be right?
  • cloud2011
    cloud2011 Posts: 898 Member
    I'd pay, just because I'd want to be paid if the situation were reversed.
  • Its_All_Kung_Fu
    Its_All_Kung_Fu Posts: 29
    the fact you are asking makes you either a sociologist...or a crook.:laugh:
  • keesh1123
    keesh1123 Posts: 229 Member
    I would pay. If someone performs a service for me they should get paid for it.


    THIS. And I would expect the same treatment if I provided a service for someone else and they weren't billed, not because I'm stupid, but because I'm human and I make errors.
  • Donnacoach
    Donnacoach Posts: 540 Member
    I would call and pay or stop by and pay them.
  • RikanSoulja
    RikanSoulja Posts: 463 Member
    I may be in the minority but I would not call or pay. It would not bother me it was there mistake not mine and before anyone says anything It does not bother me at all.
  • kappyblu
    kappyblu Posts: 654 Member
    They did mess up....but.....I also agree that what goes around comes around. They will appreciate your honesty and you will feel better about it. I believe in doing the right thing and I always try to do just that.


    A few years ago when I was in school, I found someone's expensive Ipod stuck in a cushiony chair. I turned it in to the lost and found of course. It never even occurred to me to keep it. A few days later, I left my wallet at a gas station. (it had fallen off the roof of my car) OOPS! A guy called me when I just a few miles down the road...I hadn't even realized I left it there. (luckily I had my number in the wallet!) He left it for me at the gas station counter. Nothing was missing from it. How awesome is that?

    I told my teenage son this story later that night and he asked me why I didn't keep the Ipod? I simply said....it wasn't mine, it was my duty to return it since I had found it.

    Bottom line..you received a service and they deserve to be paid. Hope this helps! :flowerforyou:
  • LemonSnap
    LemonSnap Posts: 186 Member
    The right thing to do is to call them and pay for the service they have provided to you.
  • solarpower4
    solarpower4 Posts: 250 Member
    Pay for the service you received. You say they screwed up. Yes, they lost the little piece of paper with your new phone number. So what. They picked up, cleaned and then delivered your clothes to you. Do you honestly feel that because somewhere along the line a little piece of paper was lost that it justifies you not paying them? Or making them work so much harder to track you down to pay them for their services?

    How would YOU feel if the roles were reversed?

    Here's another way to look at it: If none of that changes your self-justifications, then think of how your boss and coworkers will react when they find out you stiffed the cleaners. And rest assured, they WILL find out. Even if you don't believe in doing the right thing simply because "it is right", is your professional reputation at your place of work worth ruining over this amount of money?
  • carolemack
    carolemack Posts: 1,276 Member
    I would pay...they performed the service...and if, as you say, they "screwed up" one has to ask, have you never made a mistake? Karma can be a real Bi---! I'm just saying!
  • Denjo060
    Denjo060 Posts: 1,008
    I would pay I went to the gas station the other day and it told me to pick the grade of fuel I wanted and and start fueling and I didnt swipe my card I went in and told the attendant. I will admit for one split second I thought about it but I couldnt do it
  • teri1956
    teri1956 Posts: 221 Member
    Yep, pay it. Clearing up a mistake on their part could only be good karma for you. Is it such a large amount that it is really worth stiffing them?

    My story: Bought a couple of skirts and a hat at a large-sized womens store (who shall remain nameless). My bill was lower than expected and even the clerk commented on "on-sale" things seemed to be. But in reality, she forgot to charge me for one skirt. After leaving the store I reviewed my receipt and found the error. I returned and we got the charge corrected.

    My dad always said if you're gonna steal, steal big and make sure the consequence is darned well worth the price!

    Not so say that you are stealing, but for me that is how my family lives.
  • mfp_junkie
    mfp_junkie Posts: 359
    Integrity is what you do when nobody is looking.

    You decide.
  • Nan_
    Nan_ Posts: 83 Member
    I would pay. They did the job and deserve their money. For me, living with integrity is more important than a few bucks. Maybe no one else knows but God knows and *I* know, so I would pay.
  • Sherbog
    Sherbog Posts: 1,072 Member
    It's obvious you are concerned about not paying enough that you post the question on a health message board. I live treating people like I want to be treated. I would feel like I stole their services if I did not go in and pay. Think how much better you will feel. Plus if you do go back and pay you will have a good memory to live with.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    In this case its cheap to do the right thing.
    You have to pay for services received and it will make using them again easier for you.
    Give them your updated info so they can more easily correct mistakes in the future.
  • ampa916
    ampa916 Posts: 189 Member
    would you call them and pay? I wasn't planning on it because if you ask me, they screwed up. I did everything they asked, they are just too stupid to call the new number I gave them and are probably calling the old number. Obviously if they really wanted payment they could ask my company how to get in touch with me, so I know I'm not in the clear.

    First it's not their job to hunt you down to pay for something you asked them to do. You're a grown up and as such you know you asked for a service and you know that service should be paid for. Therefore you should go to the shop and pay them. Also it's not really appropriate to call them "too stupid" because they didn't have time to hunt you down. Plus I think it is eating at your conscience for not paying anyways. Might as well get it out of the way eh?
  • beckybernardo
    beckybernardo Posts: 93 Member
    I wouldn't hesitate to pay. I truely believe what goes around comes around. If you do the right thing, then good things will happen to you

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