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This is a trick question, right?! Where I live it's 911.
I called the cops so often that I figured I didn't need to dial 911. Why get a a 911 operator's adrenaline going if I don't need to? So I'd just dial the station number. It went to the same place but the operator didn't need to jump on it and instantly ask, "What emergency are you reporting?" because technically, there wasn't any emergency. I just needed assistance. Besides, that meant the one time I did dial 911 the cops knew it was serious.
Ad before anyone asks, I mainly called because of people driving off who were drunk. Got a lot of stories about those guys, too.
I don't even know if it's math skills as much as knowledge of currency.
But at any rate, the OP's original frustration was over the cashier not comprehending that instead of taking the 15 cent change, the OP was asking for a quarter by providing a dime to add to the 15 cents.
I still think that's something that should not be a problem for someone with a basic understanding of arithmetic and US currency.
Yes but the OP did this too late in the transaction. She did this AFTER the till was closed. I would say I understand but I'm sorry the till is closed, and so is the transaction.
True story. Today one of our cashiers ( all of our cashiers are between 50& 65 where I work) came to me regarding the purchase of a leather chair she was interested in. The chair was priced at $69.99, and we offered 20% off furniture today. The cashier could not figure out how much she would have to pay, and I was honestly aghast. I asked her what 10% of 70 was, and it took her a couple of minutes to figure it out. But she did, so I told her to double it and subtract what she got from $69.99. Obviously, math issues did not start with the current generation.
We've been dealing with this since Christmas. With all the markdowns that are not always programmed into the system we have to do the discounts manually. It's not a big deal to me because I have no problem figuring out 50%, 75% or 90% off but evidently SOME do. I did see one cashier the other day that required a CSM to help her. Couldn't believe it and she wasn't a 'kid'. Thankfully most of us CAN do it and no problems.
I can see both sides. I hate change, but it seems a bit... nit-picky. Especially in the age of debit cards.
Speaking of which, how did you need to get change back when you paid with a debit, OP? Did you pay specifically an even number (say $20 with your debit for an item worth $15.50)? If so, why?
I don't mean to harass you with questions, I'm genuinely curious.
I was wondering the same thing. I don't do this but I've seen the screen where it asks if you want cash back and it is in even denominations.
Here sales tax is about 10% so my kids can already add about 10% to almost any price. They end up off by a few pennies on large purchases. It's all part of the "will my allowance cover it?" game.
This does not reflect, however, on their math scores. The 10% is a party trick. The reality is, critical thinking is as rare as ever, and if I ask the little one to do 12%, she will be flummoxed. Maybe she could figure it out? But it would take some prodding.
She could take the 10% amount, divide by 5, then add that amount to the 10% amount.
I was wondering the same thing. I don't do this but I've seen the screen where it asks if you want cash back and it is in even denominations.
I would normally ask if I can get back a ten and two fives if I use a cash back feature. Typically before the change is given. As it looks in the OP, this was due too late and the OP is mad they couldn't get it their way. I've been there, it sucks but what can you do?
Yes but the OP did this too late in the transaction. She did this AFTER the till was closed. I would say I understand but I'm sorry the till is closed, and so is the transaction.
Agreed. I think said upthread that if you want specific change or want to get rid of your change, you have to have to say what you want to do or have the change ready in your hand as soon as the total is declared.
I like to get rid of change when I have too much, but I'm not going to start fishing around the bottom of my purse for it while the cashier is waiting. I will put some in my hand or have it ready in my jacket pocket in case the total comes to $12.06 or something.
So I went to a big box store for a return today. I had paid with my debit and they needed to give me cash back. It was $4 and some change. So I asked the cashier if I could just give her $1 so she could give me a $5 instead.
So she took my one. Then tried to hand it back to me with the change. So I said can you trade this for a $5? She had shut the drawer (and not yet handed me the coins). Then she had to get the drawer open again. Then she got the $5 and put the change back. And shut the drawer. Then finally she got someone to open it again and I got all my change.
Several years ago I stopped trying to maximize my quarters because people were just too confused when I gave the a dime with my bills when the total change was 85 cents.
When did basic math get so hard for people?
I know a guy in the neighborhood that supports his METH habit by "short changing" convenience stores and fast food places around town. He doesn't get greedy but when he hits thirty or forty places every day he manages to buy his dope and still pay the bills.
I have a friend that works as an investigator for several businesses in inventory control and employee thefts and she says cash register shortages are almost as large as the losses to shoplifters in SOME stores.
Two jobs everyone ought to have in life. Cashier and waiter/waitress. ONLY then does that give anyone the "right" to judge others who do these "jobs". I watch people struggle at using the self-checkouts. That is always fun to observe. We are in a different tech age and things that we were used to back in the day are gone. That would include counting out change. For the record, I have done both of the jobs in my younger days. Stinks!!!! Only takes one jerk to ruin your shift and there is always one of those.
Awesome, since I've done both, I can carry on putting down cashiers who can't do math and putting down waiters who provide crap service. If just one jerk ruins your entire shift, then you need to get out of the customer service business altogether.
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No, it's not. That's the emergency number, not your local department number.
I would say I understand but I'm sorry the till is closed, and so is the transaction.
