A few year back, we rented a car while we were on vacation with our son, Zach, who was twenty-four at the time. When we turned it in, the car had been filled with gas as required and agreed-upon when picked up. We ask for receipt after returning the car and the receipt stated that we had not filled the tank and we were charged the additional amount for bringing the car back without a full tank. We brought this to the attendant’s attention, who told us that this frequently happens and that he too was frustrated because he had to take the time to explain to customers what to do and that we would need to call customer service to have this taken off our bill. Our son, after this having happened in the past said, “imagine the people who don’t check their bill. This is very dishonest on the part of the rental company. Companies that do this should be fined. It’s just not right!”
Caveat Emptor, Latin for “let the buyer beware.” When your children are old enough, explain this concept and play games with them like showing them how much thing cost when shopping and having them help you checkout at the grocery store, making sure you are not double charged or over charged. Have them look over receipts. It is good for your children to be aware of being miss charged or overcharge for items. I have been shopping before at the local grocery store and I’ve seen misleading signs and I too have been charged the wrong price for items. I always assume that it is it is an honest error and I ask for either an explanation or the price or for the price to be changed. I always feel that it is wrong to pay too much for goods and services and it is also wrong to pay too less, as either situation means someone is getting taken advantage of and both are wrong. Teaching kiddos early on to check the bill/look over receipts, will help them realize that “things cost money” and over a lifetime will save them lots of dollars and will teach them to be aware and most likely improve their financial IQ, leading to many Great Days.
