I’m at our local “General Store.” It’s a “Mom and Pop” store that’s been around for Fifty Years.
I purchase two Diet Cokes.
The Cashier and I chit-chat as I pay with my Debit Card. —We all chit-chat around here. Because of the Chit-Chatting, I really didn’t pay attention to the debit card reader. I just swiped my card, typed in my PIN, and clicked “OK.” We continue chatting.
Afterward, I said my “Goodbyes” and walked out.
Before I drove off, the Cashier came out to tell me that she had accidentally charged the merchandise from the next Customer to my Debit Card. (Does that make sense? I’ll try to explain.)
While I was paying using my Debit Card, the Cashier forgot to do something on her end. So, the transaction was not complete.
On my end, it probably said something like, “Waiting on Cashier.” I don’t know, though. —I was too busy chit-chatting.
We finish talking and say our “Goodbyes,” and I leave.
So, I never read “Approved” on the Card Reader. It didn’t even dawn on me.
—And the transaction never completed. I didn’t notice, nor did the Clerk.
The next Customer walked up to the register with $15 worth of merchandise, which the Clerk rang up and added to my card total.
The Cashier then completed the transaction, and my card was Approved.
—I hope I explained that well enough. It was confusing to me at first.
After she came and told me what happened, I went inside.
Back inside, she refunded the money back to my card. I did have to swipe my card again.
And I can only guess that the Customer after me actually didn’t pay. I’m only guessing, though. The Clerk may have caught it after it approved my card.
I’ve found that “Mom and Pop” Businesses are run by honest, hardworking people who go the extra mile.
And, of course, when I went back in, it gave us another chance to chit-chat.
