Left something at the store and there it will remain?

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I went shopping in a big store yesterday during and bought three small appliances. On the way out I added some peanut brittle and chocolate pretzels from the holiday aisle as I have not had either of those in quite some time. After I'd been back at work a while, I realized that while I had put the appliances in my car, I must have forgotten the snacks.

So now I had to do an analysis as to whether or not to go back for them.

The store isn't that far away, but I don't tend to go there very often.
I have the receipt.
I know the items ended up in a plastic bag at the checkout, but can't recall if the bag ended up in my shopping basket. I would think the cashier would call my attention to it, but she (and the guy behind me) seemed mildly irritated for some reason, although I was doing my best to be perfectly pleasant - had no complaints about waiting or anything else but was slightly agitated for other reasons.
The total cost wasn't all that much. If it had been an appliance or more expensive item, I would go back for it.
It's possible I left the bag in my cart because I was concentrating on putting the appliances in my car, although I don't know how I could have missed it.
I had bought the snacks on a whim, anyway.

Right now I'm just chalking it up to an "idiot tax", a fee for doing something dumb or not paying attention.

I'm sure an NT would hardly think twice about going back.

I've left things at the store many times. I double check usually now to make sure I get all my bags. Call the store and ask for the manager. Tell him/her that you left something there, what it was, and that you have the receipt. Probably, an employee found it and told either the cashier, asst manager or manager, etc, then it was put aside in case you came back. If not, it was put back on the shelf. The manager will probably have it in a bag for you and you can just run in and pick it up.

Thats how it always works for me.

Frances

It doesn't happen often for me, but I never go back. Thinking about calling them or going in for something I forgot is somehow very stressful. I don't return fast food that is wrong once I've left the restaurant either.
Just thinking about it I imagine I'll end up dealing with an a-hole assistant manager who will think I am tring to rip them off. If that were to happen I would go non-verbal and be screwed, so I don't really even consider it, just write it off.

when i worked in a grocery this happened all day every day and our policy was to replace it and smile no problems. I would encourage you to try to obtain your items, as it ought to be no big deal to the manager on duty, they just want a happy customer, and they will blame it on the workers who did not make sure you got all of your items. The customer is always right.

good luck

That's how I do it, unless of course it's something more costly than the cost of going back. $3 of candy isn't worth bothering with, once I'm out of the parking lot at least. And the stress you talk about, is very real, and I feel like I'm being weird or something if I go back in to reclaim or to ask about a missing item. The only thing more awkward than that, is finding a lady's purse in a cart abandoned, and having to carry it back in to turn over to the manager. I hate how people stare, thinking I stole it maybe, or am some kind of a weird crossdresser. Last time, I saw a store employee outside, and just went up and told them there is a purse, and pointed it out while watching that nobody else with ulterior motives grabbed it.

Charles

I always go back unless the cost of the gas back to the store is more than the cost of the items.

I get physically ill over losing things and get violently upset over misplacing even a dollar. An overreaction I'm sure, but that's just me.

I have this problem too. I recently left about $30 worth of stuff at the vet's office, and I haven't been able to bring myself to go back even though it's just a 20-minute walk from my apartment.

^This.

I work at Wal-Mart, and if someone comes back because they left a bag (or two) we help them get it back--either the items were laid aside or reshelved. (Having the receipt helps.)



I doubt that anyone is thinking that (anyone who is has serious issues of their own, IMO). Many customers have turned something in--purses, keys, whatever--and we put them in the lost and found area.

I like the idea of an "idiot tax." I wonder if I can file for a return, as I've most certainly overpaid.

I have left things at the store but it's rare. My husband has done it too and I hate it when it happens. By the time we notice, it's too late because we both doubt they still be on the counter and it's too much stress to go back and ask about it and looking stupid. I just try and brush it off.

One time I forgot the videos I rented so I had to go back and get them. My brothers have done it too.