Is it Worth One's Time to Verify that Scanned Prices Match Shelf Prices at Wal-Mart?

Eez not mai yob, man!

Those over a certain age will instantly recognize this line from the 1970s sitcom "Chico and the Man". I remember laughing hysterically as a kid whenever Freddie Prinze uttered that line to Jack Albertson.

It's one thing when that line is spoken in an over-the-top accent as a way to thumb one's nose at racial and otherwise derogatory attitudes. And it's another thing entirely when that line becomes a mantra for doing the least amount of work humanly possible combined with the worst attitude one can muster.

Guess which one of those I ran into at Wal-Mart?

I ran out to the store to purchase some blank discs. It was the only thing I purchased and I did not have any kids with me. I went to one of the self-serve checkouts, hoping to get out as quickly as possible.

Hah!

The scanned price rang up $3.00 higher than the price marked on the shelf. Normally, I would not have noticed this. I would have had too many items or the kids would have distracted me. But I noticed it. Part of me said that it was only a couple of dollars and that it wasn't worth the hassle.

However, I decided that mindset was way too cavalier.

I walked back to the section where I picked up the discs to make sure the price was what I remembered. After I confirmed my price was correct, I went to see about getting a refund. The section was right next to the one-hour photo checkout. I figured that since the woman working in the photo section could easily see that the scanned price did not match the listed price, it would be very easy for me to get my refund.

Hah!

There was an older couple having some trouble getting their digital photos together at the little kiosk. The Wal-Mart worker gave an eye roll that ranked at least a 9.0 for having to walk out from behind her little area to help customers who clearly needed assistance. She helped them and walked back to her fortress and asked brusquely if she could help me.