Korean Job Discussion Forums

[madoka]

I got short-changed the other day at a tire installation place. After paying, I got my receipt and the guy had calculated $18.50 x 2 = $40. Didn't say anything as it wasn't that big a deal, I've been going to that shop for years, and I like the guy, so I didn't want to embarrass him.

One of the benefits of living in Korea was that most of the people were pretty good at basic math skills. I only got short-changed once at a cafe. Paid 5000 for a 2000 won drink and got back 1000 won. Didn't say anything either as I liked the guy and he seemed kinda flustered I ordered in English.

My impression is that I'm much, much more likely to get short-changed in the U.S. than in Korea. Not necessarily on purpose, but because U.S. cashiers can't often do basic math. Anybody else notice this?

[nautilus]

One thing I've always noticed about cashiers here is its so easy to confuse them unless you give them the exact amount.

For example if the bill is 5200W, and you give them 10200W, they are lost. They don't get that you're simply doing it to get a straight 5000W change. Instead, they will hand you back the 200W and then give you 4800W change. Increasing the number of coins that you have to carry.

[Skippy]

It happens. I actually got given too much money recently. I went to a Daisoo on of those cheap goods store. Gave a 10k for 7k of items. Must have been a new teller as she gave me 7k change back. She must have been looking at the wrong number on the register. I did not notice till I was in the cab a minute later. Have to remember to payback when I go back.

Like nautilus said. The exact change can confuse some people. Other times it is just a "in a rush" time and they make a brain fart. If you are quick to catch and point out. They will usually fix it. Sometimes you need to raise your voice (if you care).

The short changing at times I see as a form of monetary Karma. Like with taxi drivers and the couple hundred won over or under. In the end, it might be a "tip"/ A just don't care that much or worth fighting over. Or just like makoda said. You like the people and the loss is karmically worth it.

The tire guy. I see as a bit blatant. Which is rude and makes me loose respect. If he was up front you would more likely tip or wave away. Maybe it might be just a rounding error. The mechanic may not have enough small change and is used to paying with 10k bills. So he just rounded up and did not explain because of language barrier.

The cafe one, that looks like a adding/subtracting screw up. The numbers got all mixed up.

[yodanole]

Here you are....

http://cafewitteveen.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/tumblr_m434r5ixvt1qewacoo1_500.jpg

[JustinC]

In Vietnam I had to check my change every time I bought something. It wasn't carelessness or bad math skills on the part of the dozens of tellers that was the problem, it was that they're a bunch of thieves. Petty theft in Vietnam is endemic, it's more a culture than a social problem. Tourists are walking ATMs and the more stuff you carry around (DSLR, iPod etc) the more you'll attract attention; it doesn't matter how good lookin' or friendly you are.

I've never been short-changed in Korea, China, Thailand, Kuwait, the UK, the US, Spain, France, Germany, Latvia etc etc...

[fustiancorduroy]

[byrddogs]

[fustiancorduroy]

[schwa]

Suspicions but no proof that I've been taken a couple times by heating oil delivery guys. Flimsy (or no) receipts, large round numbers.

Used to have a newspaper delivery guy, I eventually figured out his scam. He'd collect for 3 months but show up every 2. But he was an amiable guy & a bit simple, I didnt begrudge him his "tip."

I dont think I've ever been deliberately shortchanged by a store clerk here though. They sure are grateful when you point out they gave you too much change. I'd hate for that to come off their abysmal minimum wage.

[Ibsen]

I've been shortchanged a total of 3 times in my 3 months here (not including taxi drivers rounding up the fare and giving me change accordingly). Definitely more often than I was back at home, but then again I am doing a lot more transactions now than I was back in the States. Regardless, the amount has always been under 1000 won so no big deal. I never said anything as I didn't want to have the carry the coins anyway.

[figshdg]

I have never been short changed. I have been given too much. Gave it straight back

[radcon]

Does getting charged a higher amount than locals for something count as being short cahnged?
One thing I have noticed often at Family Mart type places is that when I buy something they often wont ring it up. That money is going straight into the employee's pocket.

[Stan Rogers]

In busy places it happens sometimes. My wife always checks the bills and change. If a Korean does it, you should too. That's what receipts are for.

[mnjetter]

I've never experienced confusion over math and calculating change. If I give 10200 for a 5200 item, I get 5000 back. I've even had instances where I gave them 11000 for a 10100 item, and they looked at it dubiously and asked me if I had a spare 100.

I did, however, have someone try to charge me 20 won for a bag at a Family Mart. I know there's no charge for bags there, because I visit the place at least once a week and have been here for over a year now. But I was so flabbergasted that the guy would risk getting caught fleecing a customer for less than a nickel that I just gave it to him. Audacity like that deserves 20 won. And I never saw him there again, either, so I figure probably he tried to do the same thing to a fellow Korean who wasn't as forgiving as me, and his boss got wind of it.

[OBwannabe]