I’m probably showing my age (40) on this post, but I’ve meaning to mention this for awhile. On the one hand, the subject at hand is a result of poor training. On the other hand, it borders on the inconsiderate. And, again, it is one of those skills(?), if it rises to the level of skill, that seems to be lost forever.
What I’m talking about it the lost art of making change, or rather, the lost art of counting back change. While I’m on the road, especially, I almost cash only for purchases, from lunch or dinner to buying a comb. And, at home, I prefer using cash, also. In any case, what I’ve noticed over the last year is far from an isolated case. Whether I pay with a $20 bill or a $5 bill, or even, on occasion, a $100 bill, the vendor or clerk cannot seem to take the time to count back my change. Now, granted, they usually tell me what change they’ve just plunked into my hand. But, rarely, and almost never with someone under 30, does the person start with the amount of purchase, say $10.75, and count back. What they should do, in my opinion, is say something like, “That’s $10.75 (insert quarter into hand), $11; (count four $1 bills into my hand), 12, 13, 14, 15, (count one $5 bill into my hand), and 5 makes $20″.
Is this so hard? Granted, some scenarios are a little more difficult than an even quarter of a dollar, but still, if one knows how to do this, it shouldn’t be difficult. There are numerous benefits. The customer understands correct change has, indeed, been made, with no question. The clerk (and store) knows it has neither short-changed the customer nor taken a loss for the business. It seems a simple courtesy, actually, especially when paying with anything beyond $20.
We’ve both (my wife and I) challenged clerks on this. Sometimes, it was because we didn’t get back enough change. Sometimes, it was because we received back too much change. As Christians of the Bible, we are to be honest in all of our dealings, as we reflect the character and glory of God. One time, Sharon took back $50! Imagine if this one transaction were repeated hourly throughout the day. What a loss it would be for the business. I shake my head.
Well, anyway, I guess this another one of those things that will have to be addressed one to one. Thanks for listening.
