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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?
Because no one has ever explained the process of counting back change. It's not about the math it's about how they think about the problem. They are on the spot and thinking they are subtracting and you are adding in other things to think about when all they have to do is count back. No one has explained that to them and they've grown up with cash registers that give them the answer. I have no doubt that if it were properly explained, most could do the actual math. It's just not ever been taught.
I hardly think someone who "maximizes quarters" is in any position to tell someone else to "get out and enjoy life more".......
You seem to think that anyone who prefers quarters over smaller change is making stuff up lol Not even close. That was my reference to getting out more. Sorry I had to explain it for you.
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.
Lots of stores can't seem to put money back on your card.
Basically, the transaction was $4.30. And I gave her a $1 so I would get $5.30 and not have to take 4 more ones when I already had 3 in my wallet. It was a small wallet. No need to overstuff when she had fives readily available. This is not a complicated transaction.
The cashier counted out the five ones, and seemed to have forgotten my request for a $5-dollar bill. I prefaced my ask, before I even gave her the money - do you mind if I give you an extra dollar so you can give me a $5 back?
I used to give people 70 cents in transactions like that so it would round up. I have stopped doing that because it confused too many people. Now I just stick to trying to reduce the number of bills.
So I thought I was being pretty clear. I didn't just hand her a buck.
I cashiered for a while, I didn't find these sorts of requests complicated. I have since lost my skill at eyeballing change over the years, but there are still some combos I can eyeball easily.
I hardly think someone who "maximizes quarters" is in any position to tell someone else to "get out and enjoy life more".......
[quote=exit82;50620509
trying to maximize your quarters......................lol.......you can't make this stuff up.[/QUOTE]
I live in the Bay Area, where modern amenities like in-unit laundry is rare. So I have coin-op laundry machines in my building, so I need to stock up on change to wash my clothing. So yes, quarters are a hot commodity. Each load costs $2.25 in quarters only.
I got out a $5 bill to pay for a $3.81 purchase, with the intention of get one penny out of my pocket. The clerk saw the $5 bill and entered that as the amount tendered. After I got my penny out and tried to hand it to him, he looked confused. I tried to explain that I was giving him a penny so I could get $1.20 in change. That confused him even more. He finally got a manager, who knew what I was trying to do, and I got my change. Had I known it was going to be this complicated I would have just put the penny back in my pocket and taken the $1.19 in change. I don't know what this kid would do if he had to make change out of a cash box.
I stopped doing this.... too many people were confused. I used to do it all the time. I have also handed people pennies when things were $1.79 (and I paid $2.04). They usually try to give me the pennies back. Like I gave them too much money.
I guess kids no longer have those cash register toys. And they don't play the bank game. Or even have piggy banks. I guess they have an allowance app or something.
The issue today is we aren't teaching mental math. I'm decent at mental math but I have troubles sometimes. People that are younger or dumber than me...
And shame on them for not knowing how to use an abacus, or a slide rule, or a rotary telephone, or a cassette player, or a bankbook? I'd be willing to bet that those kids who can't make your change can do things with phone apps and computers that you probably didn't even know was possible, lol. Times change, this is a part of it.
Grow up.
This is about the inability of many of today's kids to perform basic arithmetic functions, despite the fact that this is supposed to still be taught in school, not YOUR unfamiliarity with how to use obsolete tools and devices.
This is about the inability of many of today's kids to perform basic arithmetic functions, despite the fact that this is supposed to still be taught in school, not YOUR unfamiliarity with how to use obsolete tools and devices.
Yes, but that is because of technology. We are so used to using a calculator whether it is standalone, a computer or your phone. True story, I was in elementary school. I had delayed speech and what what one of the specialists at the meeting said for my spelling issues "Well, that's why they have spell check on computers." and this was 20 years ago...
A large regional convenience store chain in my neck of the woods uses automatic dispensers for the coins. The only thing the cashier has to do is hand out the paper money. And heaven help you if you have a bill for say $10.98 cents and give them a $20 and a $1 (so you get a ten back). Confuses the dickens out of them and you MUST point out you're giving them $21 or they'll punch in $11 without even looking at the bills.
Remember, they aren't hired for their math skills. They're not even hired for their ability to think. A story I love to tell involves a long time cashier at one store I stop at almost daily. For years now I've walked up with my coffee and rewards card in hand. I immediately hand her my card which she scans. The register is slower than her scanning. A few seconds after she scans my card she asks me...."do you have your rewards card?"...."oh, we already did that". Why? Because that's what comes up on the script screen and she can't think beyond that.
How do you know she can't think beyond the script??
As a cashier I can count change back.correctly. i am capable of taking 21 or whatever the customer wishes (... even if I had already entered 20 in the register)
Sometimes I will take a rewards card, then right after ask for it! Gah! It is just ingrained in me to say it. NOT because I can't think. My customer (who usually know me well) and I will laugh about it.
Sure, a cashier might have problems but not ALL do!
[quote=DubbleT;50621057]And shame on them for not knowing how to use an abacus, or a slide rule, or a rotary telephone, or a cassette player, or a bankbook? I'd be willing to bet that those kids who can't make your change can do things with phone apps and computers that you probably didn't even know was possible, lol. Times change, this is a part of it.[/quote
Yeah, they are whiz kids, until their batteries go dead. There are some basic skills that everyone should have, and actually use their brains, instead of relying of some electronic gizmo.
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and this was 20 years ago...
