Small Change

This morning, I went out to pick up some items from one of my favorite shopping spots: The Dollar Tree, where everything's a dollar (except for greeting cards, which are 50¢ a piece). I like shopping at the Dollar Tree, because cleaning products are inexpensive, and I can find party supplies and fun items for only a buck.

Some of the best fun party items can be found at the Dollar Tree: Glow sticks and glow bands/necklaces, bubbles, flower leis and Tiki torches for luaus, and plenty of festive decorations and colorful, thematic disposable plates and cups that makes serving and clean up a breeze at cookouts and parties. Just throw away the party plates and cups--no need to wash dishes! Just take out the trash.

Sales tax on nonfood items comes to 8.25%. Food items (including bags of candies, large bag of potato chips, packets of popcorn, and packages of cookies) are nontaxed, so they each cost a dollar. That's another reason why I like the Dollar Tree. The snacks are good and cheap. Lots of big brands sell their wares at the Dollar Tree.

I needed some storage containers and cleaning products, so I went to the Dollar Tree. The first one didn't have the large size containers that I was looking for. At least not anymore. That's one of the down sides of shopping at the Dollar Tree. There's really no set merchandise. Sometimes, they sell overstock items. And once they sell out of that item, there's no restocking or more items coming in. So if you find something that you like, then buy a lot of it, because they're going to run out. And that's exactly what happened.

Three days ago, I bought two large storage containers--airtight, food grade plastic, freezable, solid. I thought about buying more, but I didn't. And now when I needed three more containers, the store has sold out.

Thankfully, there was another store just three more miles down the road. It was busy with morning shoppers, and there was only one cashier. He was doing an excellent job amidst the hustle and bustle.

I found the three containers I needed and picked up three more extra items. Then I stood in the line and waited my turn as the cashier rang up purchases and assisted customers who came up to ask him questions. I don't know where the other workers were, but the cashier kept cool, was courteous, and even took the time to go in the back room to get an item a customer couldn't find on the shelves.

I've shopped enough at the Dollar Tree to know that if I buy three non food items, I pay $3.25 with tax. I had picked up six items, so I knew that I would pay $6.50.

Except when it was my turn, I was charged $5.41. That's a whole $1.09 difference. I had $7 in hand--a $5 bill and two $1, anticipating that I was going to pay $6.50. So being undercharged threw me off for a second.

Then I realized that the cashier had miscounted the containers. I had taken off their lids and stacked them to save space in the cart. But they were stacked tight, so it looked like two containers instead of three.

The cashier was waiting for me to hand over the money. No doubt he had other tasks that needed to be done as soon as he was done ringing up my purchases. I was the last person in line. And I suppose I could've just handed over $6 and be done with it.

But that's not how I roll. So I told the cashier that I had picked up three containers. He looked stumped for a second. Then he did a quick, more detailed examination of the stacked containers and said, "You're right. There are three containers."

He sounded surprised. He scanned one more container and charged me $6.50. He carefully packed my items and gave me ¢50 change from the $7 that I handed over. Then he thanked me and wished me a good day. I returned the well wishes and left the store to drive back home.

Before I exited the store, an elderly couple I hadn't noticed before spoke to me. They were standing by the front display, having observed what happened. The old lady said, "That was very honest of you."

I was surprised by her comment and answered, "I just paid what I owed."

"That you did," said the elderly man. Then they just nodded and smiled as I left.

I suppose I could've just kept quiet and underpaid for the items. It was only a dollar and nine cents difference in my favor. And I suppose the store could afford to lose the small change in the big picture.

But that's not me. And maybe I'm just being silly or self-indulgent. But over they years, I've learned to go with my instincts and follow my own code. I'm much happier when I do, and things are better for me when I listen to my gut. Yes, I know. It's just a buck and some change. But my character and self respect sure costs a whole lot more than $1.09. It may be small change, but it makes a big difference.