Outrageous overcharge: How this Aussie woman was scammed out of hundreds for $6.99 item
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In a world where every penny counts, especially for those who have waved goodbye to the regular paychecks of full-time employment, the thought of being overcharged is enough to make anyone's blood boil.
But imagine the shock when that overcharge isn't just a few dollars but hundreds!
This unfortunate reality befell a Sydney woman during what should have been a routine trip to her local newsagent.
The incident, which has sparked outrage and disbelief among the community, occurred when the woman, simply looking to purchase a greeting card, was charged a staggering $596.69 instead of the expected $6.99.
The woman, who shared her ordeal on social media, described feeling 'traumatised' by the experience, which unfolded at the counter of the newsagency.
According to her account, the overcharge happened in a moment of distraction while entering her PIN.
She alleged that the attendant took advantage of her inattention to enter an incorrect amount into the register.
'The amount charged to my credit card is not even close to the greeting card price. It's very hard for that to be an error,' she stated, expressing her disbelief at the egregious discrepancy.
The situation escalated when she noticed the exorbitant charge on her receipt and immediately brought it to the attendant's attention.
Instead of receiving the help she expected, she claims she was met with refusal and hostility.
For 20 minutes, she pleaded for a refund, only to be 'aggressively' yelled at and spoken over by the attendant and another worker.
Feeling attacked, she called her boyfriend for support, and together, they spent an additional 25 minutes in the store trying to resolve the issue.
The woman's distressing experience took a turn for the worse when the police were called to the scene.
The owners of the Newsagent reportedly concocted a litany of excuses to avoid refunding the full amount.
‘The owners came up with every excuse as to why they couldn't refund me - they didn't know how it wasn't working, they didn't have cash, and they refused to go to an ATM to get cash out,’ she said.
‘Finally, they agreed to refund, but not the full amount [there was] a card surcharge of $10, which would be far less if the correct price of $6.99 was used.’
To add insult to injury, the woman left the store without the greeting card and, perhaps more importantly, without an apology.
‘I left the shop having been charged nearly $600, having to argue for my money back, paying $10 for a card fee, no greeting card and no apology.’ she added.
‘I typically wouldn't make a complaint unless I genuinely felt other people may be impacted.’
This is a cautionary tale for all of us, highlighting the importance of vigilance when making purchases, no matter how small.
It also underscores the need for consumer awareness and the right to demand fair treatment.
If you are in a similar situation, remember to stand your ground, ask for a manager, and, if necessary, contact your bank or financial institution to dispute the charge.
Have you ever been overcharged or mistreated by a retailer? How did you handle it? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's help each other stay informed and protected against such outrageous overcharges.
But imagine the shock when that overcharge isn't just a few dollars but hundreds!
This unfortunate reality befell a Sydney woman during what should have been a routine trip to her local newsagent.
The incident, which has sparked outrage and disbelief among the community, occurred when the woman, simply looking to purchase a greeting card, was charged a staggering $596.69 instead of the expected $6.99.
The woman, who shared her ordeal on social media, described feeling 'traumatised' by the experience, which unfolded at the counter of the newsagency.
Hundreds of dollars were spent on a greeting card at a newsagency in Sydney. Credit: Facebook
According to her account, the overcharge happened in a moment of distraction while entering her PIN.
She alleged that the attendant took advantage of her inattention to enter an incorrect amount into the register.
'The amount charged to my credit card is not even close to the greeting card price. It's very hard for that to be an error,' she stated, expressing her disbelief at the egregious discrepancy.
The situation escalated when she noticed the exorbitant charge on her receipt and immediately brought it to the attendant's attention.
Instead of receiving the help she expected, she claims she was met with refusal and hostility.
For 20 minutes, she pleaded for a refund, only to be 'aggressively' yelled at and spoken over by the attendant and another worker.
Feeling attacked, she called her boyfriend for support, and together, they spent an additional 25 minutes in the store trying to resolve the issue.
The woman's distressing experience took a turn for the worse when the police were called to the scene.
The owners of the Newsagent reportedly concocted a litany of excuses to avoid refunding the full amount.
‘The owners came up with every excuse as to why they couldn't refund me - they didn't know how it wasn't working, they didn't have cash, and they refused to go to an ATM to get cash out,’ she said.
‘Finally, they agreed to refund, but not the full amount [there was] a card surcharge of $10, which would be far less if the correct price of $6.99 was used.’
To add insult to injury, the woman left the store without the greeting card and, perhaps more importantly, without an apology.
‘I left the shop having been charged nearly $600, having to argue for my money back, paying $10 for a card fee, no greeting card and no apology.’ she added.
‘I typically wouldn't make a complaint unless I genuinely felt other people may be impacted.’
This is a cautionary tale for all of us, highlighting the importance of vigilance when making purchases, no matter how small.
It also underscores the need for consumer awareness and the right to demand fair treatment.
If you are in a similar situation, remember to stand your ground, ask for a manager, and, if necessary, contact your bank or financial institution to dispute the charge.
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