quick story here...

about honesty.

Wednesday, we went to Kohl's. It was a "bonus" shopping day, and the last day of the "15, 20, or 30% off" coupon day. I'd gotten a coupon in the mail, but threw it away. I did know, however, that they had the scratch off cards and I could get one to use.

So...we shopped a bit. Found a cute dress for Hannah at 50% off (because honestly, I just can't bring myself to pay $50 for a dress...no matter HOW cute), and a legging/top set (on sale) for school as well. Also found a cute shirt on the clearance rack for her. I found a great 4 piece suit for Scotty (clearanced), a Transformers t-shirt (clearanced) and a pair of Star Wars swim trunks (on sale).

For me, I found a bathing suit, a cute top, and a leather cord necklace with a removable pendant (all on sale).

As I got to the register, I realized that there were two tags on the suit for Scotty. One on the tie said $5.20 (which would have been an OUT OF THIS WORLD bargain, seeing as the suit's original price was $68!). The other tag said $27.60. It was the top item on the pile (well, the necklace was on top of that - smallest item on top and all that .... ). The lady in front of me (already checked out) was picking up her bags and talking to her friend near the register. When the cashier picked up the suit, she grabbed the tie to scan....

And I wondered, 'should I let her scan just the tie and "get away" with something?' But my conscience wouldn't let me, and I called the other tag to her attention. At first, she said that the TIE itself was on clearance for $5.20...but I pointed out the fact that both tags said 4 Pieces, and that the MFG number and barcode were the same. She then told me the higher price would apply.

I COULD have argued that since there were two tags, the lowest should apply (like when you shop at a grocery store, if the price of the item is different than on the shelf, they are SUPPOSED to give you ONE of the item for free - but most times, they'll just give you the lower price). But I chose not to, figuring that I was still going to get a good deal, with at least 15% off of that price. Well, the lady who had just checked out asked me if I had my percent-off coupon, and I told her no, I didn't, but I would scratch one off. She said, "well, I thought I might come back and use this again, but hearing your honesty and acceptance of a higher price, I figured you deserved this", and she handed me HER percentage-off coupon...

30%!

So...I got an additional 30% off all my stuff (which was all sale or clearance merchandise). The cashier told me I saved $50 with the 30% off coupon. In the end, my receipt said this:

Total: $125.05

YOU SAVED: $241.13

Honesty really does pay off. I ended up saving as much as I would have if I'd have paid only $5.20 for the suit. It all worked out.