Pay More A-Ten-tion

I work at a stationery store that also provides a printing service, and most of our customers have recharge cards that they can use for our self-serve printing machines. These recharge cards can also be used at the regular till to pay for their printing, but the transaction process will be a bit more complicated.

Me: “Okay, that’ll be $1.70.”

Customer: “Can I pay with my recharge card?”

Me: “Yeah, of course.”

While putting through the transaction, I forget how to do it halfway, so I refund the rest of her card balance into cash which I will then put back into her card.

Customer: “It’s no worry if it’s too complicated to use the card; I’ll just give you this $10 note.”

Me: “No, it’s fine. Thanks for being patient, though.”

The customer puts the note back into her wallet.

Me: “So, you’ve paid for your printing already, and I’ve refunded your remaining balance into cash, which I’ll just put back onto your card for you.”

I put the balance onto her card and close the cash drawer.

Customer: “So, where’s the $10 note I gave you?”

Me: “Ma’am, I didn’t end up taking it from you.”

Customer: “But I saw you put it back into the cash drawer.”

Me: “Yes, that was from the balance I placed back onto your card.”

Customer: “No, that’s the one I gave you.”

The customer then checks her wallet and sees her MISSING $10 note.

Customer: “Oh, haha, oops.”