Why would anyone stand in a line at Carrefour to return a tube of toothpaste and a tootbrush?? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Why would anyone stand in a line at Carrefour to return a tube of toothpaste and a tootbrush??

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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:22

for 20 mins and get 29 dhs back....................................... OMG is it really worth the effort? :D
<em>edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013</em>

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 14:27
I agree with most of you ......yes I would. What i do think is a waste of time is the op even bothering to write such nonsense obviously nothing better to do, I normally wouldn't have the time or energy to write a reply. However I feel strongly about this and 29 dhs is a lot of money to some......don't knock them!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:40
Given that 99.9 times out of 100 you get the card handed back to you before you have even signed the receipt, anyone can use anyone's credit card over here. Not legally, of course, but I can't imagine any cashiers in this country ever actually check the name or even the gender on the cards that are handed to them. That could be interpreted as good or bad. To be honest, I can't think of a good interpretation of it. I was thinking that it could be good for those who ask people that they trust to do their shopping for them. It's also good for anyone who happens to find a stray credit card lying around that they shouldn't be using. The complete lack of credit card security over here is a pet peeve of mine. If you're doing shopping for someone else you should have to show the same documentation that you mentioned is needed in the States. It all boils down to service staff in this country not being willing to confront customers because they know their employers won't back them up, and also because so many customers in Dubai get so easily and unnecessarily affronted by people simply trying to do their job. "You're just a minion working in a shop, how dare you ask me questions about my credit card." That kind of thing! Anyway, I digress. <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 27/03/2013</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:26
Given that 99.9 times out of 100 you get the card handed back to you before you have even signed the receipt, anyone can use anyone's credit card over here. Not legally, of course, but I can't imagine any cashiers in this country ever actually check the name or even the gender on the cards that are handed to them. That could be interpreted as good or bad. To be honest, I can't think of a good interpretation of it. I was thinking that it could be good for those who ask people that they trust to do their shopping for them.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:25
Given that 99.9 times out of 100 you get the card handed back to you before you have even signed the receipt, anyone can use anyone's credit card over here. Not legally, of course, but I can't imagine any cashiers in this country ever actually check the name or even the gender on the cards that are handed to them. That could be interpreted as good or bad. To be honest, I can't think of a good interpretation of it.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:23
Given that 99.9 times out of 100 you get the card handed back to you before you have even signed the receipt, anyone can use anyone's credit card over here. Not legally, of course, but I can't imagine any cashiers in this country ever actually check the name or even the gender on the cards that are handed to them. That could be interpreted as good or bad.
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:16
Given that 99.9 times out of 100 you get the card handed back to you before you have even signed the receipt, anyone can use anyone's credit card over here. Not legally, of course, but I can't imagine any cashiers in this country ever actually check the name or even the gender on the cards that are handed to them.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:01
I think maybe Spongemonkey doesn't have enough to think about - last week it was a child using a credit card, now it is a person returning something of low value... SM - do you always spend your time analysing why others around you are doing what they're doing ?? I must admit i'm similar and my husband tells me off for thinking about stuff that he can't see the significance of !! Probably because it isn't significant lol Curiosity killed the cat !! I've been thinking about that credit card thread. Can someone whose name is not on the credit card use it for purchases? I know when I'm in the USA and I shop for my mother, I walk around with a signed letter by her authorizing me to use her card. Can that be done here?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 10:51
I agree that time is money. I mean come on; all that time, they could have wasted ranting on expatwoman, or doing something truly useful, instead they brought back an unneeded item to retrieve the cash. What is the world coming to. My Sentiments exactly. We have time to waste on EW - not only ours but others too (I know! I know! nobody forced me to read or reply) but get upset about someone wasting (their) time to get back their hard earned money!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 10:49
AED 29 is about £5 isn't it? I certainly wouldn't happily write off £5 if I was back home and I wouldn't here either.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 10:18
I think maybe Spongemonkey doesn't have enough to think about - last week it was a child using a credit card, now it is a person returning something of low value... SM - do you always spend your time analysing why others around you are doing what they're doing ?? I must admit i'm similar and my husband tells me off for thinking about stuff that he can't see the significance of !! Probably because it isn't significant lol Curiosity killed the cat !!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 09:14
Why not? AED 29 may be used for something more useful. Not everyone has AED 29 to just throw out. like **like** We should remember that we are a very, very privileged group of women - maybe 29/- is only a fancy cup of coffee for us, but for many, it is the family meal (for several days) ...... So true, this amount of money could be a days pay for some of the low paid workers here.
Anonymous (not verified)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 09:04
Why not? AED 29 may be used for something more useful. Not everyone has AED 29 to just throw out. like **like** We should remember that we are a very, very privileged group of women - maybe 29/- is only a fancy cup of coffee for us, but for many, it is the family meal (for several days) ......
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 08:54
I agree that time is money. I mean come on; all that time, they could have wasted ranting on expatwoman, or doing something truly useful, instead they brought back an unneeded item to retrieve the cash. What is the world coming to.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 08:34
Why not? AED 29 may be used for something more useful. Not everyone has AED 29 to just throw out. like
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 08:17
It's easy to say we understand it and justify (and it is reasonable!). I've been in a place when I'm totally out of cash and any amount for taxi home would help. But then, I won't blame you spongemonkey. I bet at least half of us will question it (or even roll our eyes) if we were the one standing in line behind the person. I will.
Anonymous (not verified)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 08:12
Believe me I have been through some really tight times here and aed29 can buy you 2 days of food easily. If I had to, I'd be in line to return it and I would not give a **** about what the person behind me in line thinks of it:)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 08:01
I stood yesterday to return 2 nightdresses that went through the till at double the price they were displayed at. Annoying and a total waste of time but it's the principal!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 07:41
I've actually done this (not toothpaste) but some stuff I wanted to return to Home Center that was worth 18 dhs or something like that. For me, it was the principle - what I had purchased (frames) was not what they said they were (not true to the marked size after opening 1 package). As per their policy, you are allowed to return it and get your money back. It took me 20 minutes of people running around, finding the right person to sign, etc. etc. etc. I think they must purposely make it difficult as to dissuade people from returning. My feeling is, if you have a policy that you take stuff back, then do it, hassle-free, whether it's for 300 dhs or 3 dhs. These stores need to get in the 21st century instead of this antiquated paper trail/signature nonsense. All of these cash register systems come from the same place. You can program them to do anything. Don't even get me started on trying to pay for a coffee and a muffin the other day at Starbucks with a gift card. That took 20 minutes because their system couldn't handle me using up the 15 dhs on the card and trying to pay 14 dhs cash. What a joke. I was done with my coffee by the time they figured it out (and I don't call adding 15 dhs to the card so now I have 1 dhs left on it figuring it out).
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 22:01
I've pleaded with exchange staff to change pound coins for me so I can eat before during some very tough times, I imagine I looked either very tight or a bit mad to other people :) money is money and you'd be amazed how far you can stretch 29dhs food wise if you try (or simply don't have any choice)! Were you stuck in the queue behind them SM? Carrefour is on my "avoid" list as it brings out my angry Hulk side and DH gets annoyed :) a queue alongside - electrical appliances ! :D
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 21:26
I've pleaded with exchange staff to change pound coins for me so I can eat before during some very tough times, I imagine I looked either very tight or a bit mad to other people :) money is money and you'd be amazed how far you can stretch 29dhs food wise if you try (or simply don't have any choice)! Were you stuck in the queue behind them SM? Carrefour is on my "avoid" list as it brings out my angry Hulk side and DH gets annoyed :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 21:03
I suppose it is all about time and money and how much time you have to spare and what you think your time is worth as opposed to what 29dhs means to you and then you have to factor in e.g. the time to stand in the queue then put that against the time you would spend coming to buy a tube of toothpaste the next time you need one - the petrol, the use of your car,the use of your shoe leather, the metro etc and then that's without thinking about the interest that that 29 dhs will be earning in your purse for that extra week or two plus the time you have taken out of your busy day to do this, not forgetting the waste of time of the person at the desk who is being harrassed by the man with the broken sewing machine versus the time you will stand next time at the checkout but at least someone is getting a job taking back your toothpaste ( so that's a really good thing) and putting it back on the shelf so all in all it is really a great act of humanitarian kindness and it is much much better than shooting animals........ edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013 But what about if you need that 29dhs now to buy food so you won't go hungry? They may be able to wait for new toothbrush/toothpaste until next pay day... Good point! :D
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 21:00
I suppose it is all relative. I grew up with very little in the way of excess,one set of 'good' clothes a few bits of play clothes and a school uniform, a new toothbrush when the old one was done for.You squeezed every morsel out of the TP tube from the bottom......I know this would drive some mad but my mom would say 'waste not want not '. We have become a very oh just turf it out society but there are those who can't afford to just turf it out,what are they to do ?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:54
I suppose it is all about time and money and how much time you have to spare and what you think your time is worth as opposed to what 29dhs means to you and then you have to factor in e.g. the time to stand in the queue then put that against the time you would spend coming to buy a tube of toothpaste the next time you need one - the petrol, the use of your car,the use of your shoe leather, the metro etc and then that's without thinking about the interest that that 29 dhs will be earning in your purse for that extra week or two plus the time you have taken out of your busy day to do this, not forgetting the waste of time of the person at the desk who is being harrassed by the man with the broken sewing machine versus the time you will stand next time at the checkout but at least someone is getting a job taking back your toothpaste ( so that's a really good thing) and putting it back on the shelf so all in all it is really a great act of humanitarian kindness and it is much much better than shooting animals........ edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013 But what about if you need that 29dhs now to buy food so you won't go hungry? They may be able to wait for new toothbrush/toothpaste until next pay day...
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:49
I suppose it is all about time and money and how much time you have to spare and what you think your time is worth as opposed to what 29dhs means to you and then you have to factor in e.g. the time to stand in the queue then put that against the time you would spend coming to buy a tube of toothpaste the next time you need one - the petrol, the use of your car,the use of your shoe leather, the metro etc and then that's without thinking about the interest that that 29 dhs will be earning in your purse for that extra week or two plus the time you have taken out of your busy day to do this, not forgetting the waste of time of the person at the desk who is being harrassed by the man with the broken sewing machine versus the time you will stand next time at the checkout but at least someone is getting a job taking back your toothpaste ( so that's a really good thing) and putting it back on the shelf so all in all it is really a great act of humanitarian kindness and it is much much better than shooting animals........ edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:40
I KNEW that I would get slagged off before I even wrote this but really - do you girls only use one toothbrush in your life and one tube of toothpaste? Maybe that is where I am going wrong...........? edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013 Do you know what the person's specific circumstances were for returning the items? Is it even anyone's business?? Maybe someone else bought it for them and it's not the kind they like. Maybe they already have stock at home and didn't need more. Maybe they found it cheaper elsewhere. Maybe maybe maybe. Why should you care?! Get a grip, woman ! :-P Why do you care that I care? ( which I don't ) ...hahaha what a bunch!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:37
I KNEW that I would get slagged off before I even wrote this but really - do you girls only use one toothbrush in your life and one tube of toothpaste? Maybe that is where I am going wrong...........? edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013 Do you know what the person's specific circumstances were for returning the items? Is it even anyone's business?? Maybe someone else bought it for them and it's not the kind they like. Maybe they already have stock at home and didn't need more. Maybe they found it cheaper elsewhere. Maybe maybe maybe. Why should you care?!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:33
I KNEW that I would get slagged off before I even wrote this but really - do you girls only use one toothbrush in your life and one tube of toothpaste? Maybe that is where I am going wrong...........? <em>edited by spongemonkey on 26/03/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:33
I'd do it!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:27
Because some people don't get paid enough to waste 29dhs and not everyone likes a throw away society.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 20:25
Why not? AED 29 may be used for something more useful. Not everyone has AED 29 to just throw out.
 
 

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