The Barefoot Investor has urged Australians to check how much they are paying after a man was accidentally charged more than $1,000 for a sandwich.
Scott Pape, 46, said he, like many others, simply tapped his card at the checkout and walked away without double-checking the price or even getting a receipt.
But she was shocked to read a letter from Natasha, whose husband had accidentally paid $1,300 for a $13 sandwich at a local bakery.
She said he “went through his usual routine” of ordering, tapping his card, entering his PIN and picking up the chicken sandwich before going on with his day.
Days later, when he realized the exorbitant cost, Natasha’s husband contacted the bakery to try to get a refund.
However, he said the owner “accused him of being a scammer and refused to refund the charge,” while his bank said entering the PIN legitimized him.
Mr Pape was shocked by the story and advised the woman’s husband to set up a feature on his phone to avoid future mistakes.
“Luckily, my bank shows the transaction on my Apple Watch and on my phone after I leave the store,” he wrote in his column. Herald of the Sun.
Barefoot investor Scott Pape (pictured) has urged Australians to check how much they have been charged on their banking app or via receipt after a man spent $1,300 on a sandwich.
“Your husband should definitely have that role.”
Mr Pape added that the couple should “gather the evidence” and get the bank to verify that the merchant was the bakery and ask “very politely” to have the transaction reversed.
“And if they refuse, I would tell them their next stop is the police station where they intend to file robbery charges,” he wrote.
Pape said the story was a wake-up call and admitted that he usually declines the offer to pick up a receipt when asked by staff working behind the cash register.
“After all, most receipts are a waste of paper and ink,” he wrote.
“And I know that if I pick one up, just to be nice, I’ll put it in my pocket and invariably it will end up in the washing machine and Liz will yell at me.
“In fact, these days, if I buy something cheap, I don’t even stop to wait for that question. I just tap and walk away!”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is urging Australians who have a problem with a purchase to contact the company first.
“Call or visit the company and explain the problem and the outcome you want. Do this as soon as possible,” the ACCC website reads.
The man’s wife said the bakery where he bought the sandwich refused to refund the money and “accused him of being a scammer” without proof of purchase (file image)
It may also be helpful to present your complaint to the company in writing, via email or letter.
“That way, they are clear about what the problem is, what you want, and you have a record of your contact.”
However, if contacting the company fails to resolve a dispute, the customer may take legal action against the company.
The ACCC urges Australians to seek legal advice before escalating the problem and to take individual claims to state-run small claims courts or a tribunal.