Do you check your receipts? You could be overlooking small discrepancies

Checking your receipts might not be at the top of your to-do list, but it can definitely pay off

Recently, I had an experience that reminded me just how important it is to check your receipts before walking out of a shop.

I'd been looking for a pair of jeans, and after finally settling on a pair that I considered to be reasonably priced, I headed to the till, and paid for my goods.

It was only when I was about to leave the shop that I realised something wasn't adding up. I'd been overcharged.

Not by much - just a couple of pounds. But I wasn't the only one to experience this, because there was obviously an issue with the barcode on the price tag. The sales assistant refunded me right away, and the problem was resolved. But still, if I hadn't noticed, I would've ended up paying more than I should have.

As I said, I wasn't the only one to experience it. At least, that was the impression I got from the manager. There are people who, upon noticing such a discrepancy, would figure it's not worth the hassle. But here’s the thing: if it happens once, it can happen again. And over time, those little discrepancies add up.

I’m not advocating for storming the shop every time something doesn’t ring up right. Most of the time, sales assistants are happy to correct things for you, provided you're not rude or abusive. But it does mean that it is important to check your receipts - a quick glance could save you from paying more than you should.