Stupid Shopper Of The Week! (or maybe month...)

[Zed Simon]

As I'm checking out of one of the thrifts today, the lady tells me about a woman who spent 51 cents. No big deal, right? Well, the woman spent 51 cents ON HER CREDIT CARD (it could've been a debit card, but still...)! And was kind of indignant when the cashier asked if she had any cash on her. The cashier even showed me the receipt. If it were me, and I HAD to have that item now, I'd either hit the ATM at the Family Dollar 'round the corner for some cash, or buy more stuff to make the use of the credit card worthwhile...and less embarrassing.

But how important could a 51-cent item be?

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Heehee. Maybe it was a 51-cent item that is actually worth 51K. She just wanted to buy it in a hurry so she could get home and post it on eBay and make big bucks

[ChrisMiss]

I've gone off and forgot to take any money with me.  I was very embarrassed too.  I had to put $3.22 on my debit card.  I apologized to the cashier but she said it happens all the time that people have to charge/debit their purchases because they don't have a dime on them.

[Magpie18]

Well, sometimes people don't have any cash on them --ok

& sometimes people are trying to get points etc. from the card issuer & every little transaction counts... not just airline miles but has anyone seen that ridiculous keep the change campaign of Bank of America?

& although the rule is regularly violated ( by thrift stores in particular), if a merchant accepts VISA or Mastercard then the merchant cannot/should not put a minimum $ for the purchase.

Of course the fee on the 51 cent purchase would eat any retailer's potential profit...

Me, I like cash, & I am really annoyed at that current advertising campaign by Mastercard(?) --- the one where everything is going about like a Zeigfeld dance routine-debit card swipe - debit card swipe -- until someone tries to pay by cash or check.
Those marketers make it sound like it is unhip to use cash to pay for a bagel & coffee.

[superiorgirl]

I still live in the sticks. Our one and only ts doesn't even have a credit card machine!! It's cash or cash. Oh, and if they know you, a personal check is fine.

On that note, I overheard a conversation where a woman had a winter jacket and one or two other small items and she was .38 short. I wasn't in the check out lane, but had begun to dig for some coins when the cashier told her to just catch up with them later. Score some points on that one!!

[Magpie18]

Even if a thrift store is willing to hold an item -- I never put things on hold.

Too many times the item gets put back on the floor or sold.  Not blaming the sales help -- I have worked in retail too long for that.  Sometimes other customers browse the hold rack when the sales associates back is turned.  Sometimes the thrift does not have a formal hold policy so maybe it isn't identified well to other personnel & just looks like a go back.

If the item is too big to carry around, I will just pay for it -- take it to the car & then come back & finish shopping.

[adapt]

i've used my debit card for around the same amount, one cent less even. the reason i (and the person in question) would do it is simple; i want that item. the end. who cares if you have to wait longer? i know i wouldn't.

p.s. my item was a vintage joe camel shirt for fifty cents.

edit: i resold it for fifteen bucks.

[eddieb]

but going to an ATM machine (that's not your bank) will end up charging you 1-3 bucks for using it.. so in this case, it's probably not the best idea...

but i hear what you're sayin' for sure...

I'd either hit the ATM at the Family Dollar 'round the corner for some cash, or buy more stuff to make the use of the credit card worthwhile...and less embarrassing.

But how important could a 51-cent item be?

[ChrisMiss]

This will show my ignorance, I know when you use a credit card the business is charged a fee.  Is it the same when you use your debit card?  There are several stores (not ts) that I shop at that prefer debit to cash.  They always ask to if we want cash back too.

Valley Thrift Shopper mentioned tax so my next question has to do with taxes charged on thrifted items.  I've been to several charity run thrift stores across the country.  It really does amaze me that some charge tax and some don't.  I don't think I've ever been charged tax at any of the Salvation Army stores I've been to.  I think every Goodwill has charged me tax though.  Is Goodwill still classified as a charity?  Do the charity thrifts in your area charge tax?  I would ask what the sales tax is in your area but I know that can get complicated in some states. 

[foutchie]

I've been charged tax at some goodwills, and not at most others - never could figure that one out!

[Other People s Junk]

Do the charity thrifts in your area charge tax?  I would ask what the sales tax is in your area but I know that can get complicated in some states. 

I have always been charged tax, except in Oregon, where there is no sales tax, and Arkansas, for who knows what reason.  ?? 

back to the original post:  shouldn't it be the stupid employee of the week?!  That's not very classy to talk about previous customers- and to show the actual sales receipt?! Did anyone else think that, or am I alone in my want of better customer service everywhere?!   

[Magpie18]

Don't know about other states but in California it is a little complicated regarding sales tax.

If the charity/thrift store qualifies under the section 214 welfare exemption then no sales tax  ( Goodwill qualifies).  If the charity/ thrift store does not qualify then sales tax is collected from the buyer.

http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub18.pdf

"Note for thrift store operators: To qualify for the section 214 welfare exemption, a thrift store must, among other things, conduct a rehabilitation program that is recognized by the state Department of Rehabilitation or operate under the auspices of a city or county rehabilitation program. It must also sell goods that have been processed in some manner by people who are being rehabilitated through the program and are employed in the operation of the store."

sales tax is los angeles county is 8.25% JFYI

[Magpie18]

Oh, regarding the difference between retailers costs to accept debit (pin based) transactions versus credit cards.

Neither are free but in general the credit card transaction has a higher fee for the retailer than the pin based /atm/ debit card transaction.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've been charged tax at some goodwills, and not at most others - never could figure that one out!

The GW's and SA's around here all charge sales tax, but some of the small thrifts don't.

-Jay

[dukek9]

I agree that it's a stupid employee of the week item.  Talking about a previous customer, even showing the receipt is just plain bad customer service.

I had a similar incident. A woman was in the next checkout area to me, telling the cashier there that she was buying this baby blanket quilt for her 16 year old dog, that she buys them every few months or so. And they were chatting about the dog and getting stuff for the dog as that cashier was ringing up her purchases.

My cashier looks at that woman with pure disgust and says to me, "oh, that is so ridiculous, buying a baby blanket for her dog. She is just wasting money, she is so stupid."

I was so stunned.  I have also bought the baby blankets and quilts for my dogs.  They are soft and comfortable for them, just the right size and eventually as they get gross or worn, as they do with dogs, it's no big deal to get a new one.

Also, the woman she was talking about was just a couple feet away. There were also other people waiting in line behind me who are all hearing this tirade. 

Dee