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Original poster

Tell me about a time you accidentally overpaid for something because you were too embarrassed to back out

272 replies

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 04/08/2021 16:55

For me it was when I was a Uni student, visiting family in France and went into a little French boutique that had reasonably priced trinkets - €10-€20. I picked up a purse simply because I needed a new one, assuming it was €20 as it was on a table with other €20 stuff. €135 Shock I couldn't speak French very well and was too embarrassed to put it back so forked out. That was my food money for the month. I survived for the next 3 weeks on pot noodles and plain jacket potatoes Grin

OP posts:
Wam90 · 05/08/2021 05:07

I went into Lidl and picked up a packet of cucumber seeds and managed to be charged for 52 packs of them accidentally so ended up paying £25 for one packet…
I know it’s not what the thread wanted but I definitely went back with my receipt and flimsy packet of cucumber seeds (5 weeks later when I realised 🙄) and they refunded me for the other 51 packs!

Wam90 · 05/08/2021 05:09

@MangoSeason that’s the type of thing that happens to me when I push the boat out so continue to make do these days!

3luckystars · 05/08/2021 05:38

It happened me yesterday, I went into a polish shop and they had these amazing cakes, they were slices, about 4 inches big, €1.35.
So I thought this was great, as they had loads of layers and looked lovely. I ordered several. Anyway, when she started putting it into a fancy box, weighing them, and printing labels, I realised my mistake, and told her to stop, that i only wanted 2 of them, lucky because it was €1.35 per 100g!

It was about €10 for the 2 little cakes, I’m usually good at saying no but I really wanted to try them, but they were actually horrible when I got home.
I’m so glad I stopped her before it was even more expensive.

I have realised that saying ‘no I can’t afford that’ actually feels great. Once you do it once, it is like you are free! It’s the other person that gets embarrassed. I really like saying it now.

My last few errors have all been cakes though, I need to improve on this Blush

adeleh · 05/08/2021 05:39

Buying branded Man U shirts for my boys, when the sports-mad school said everyone had to wear red and shite because of some match. They were bullied and shy and it seemed so important that they should have the proper gear. I thought it would b3 about twenty euro for two small shirts. It was 80 and neither of them even like football. I vowed that night that I’d just safety pin those shirts to their jumpers until they were eighteen rather than pay crazy money like that again.

adeleh · 05/08/2021 05:42

@GerardWay123

Potato salad from Rick Steins deli in Padstow. My DH has never got over the shock.
How much was it?
3luckystars · 05/08/2021 05:51

I was wondering the same thing too! I love Potato salad and I love Rick Stein so I have to know Grin

icklekid · 05/08/2021 06:16

I once spent £58 on a bottle of Prosecco because the 5 looked like a 2. I thought it was top end of what I would pay at £28- it was only when I couldn’t pay contactless I realised my mistake 😂 it was too late in my mind by that point - tiny little local shop. I enjoyed it still - only after we drank It did I admit my mistake to dh…!

patootie1 · 05/08/2021 06:21

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lurker69 · 05/08/2021 06:53

at a Christmas market they had a sweet stall, there were no scales but we thought it could come to that much for 4 bags of sweets... £60 something it came to for crappy pick a mix!! i told them next time they can get a cup from wilkos!

ThorIsAGod · 05/08/2021 07:34

The olive thing happened to me. But I refused and said I only had £3 so he tipped some out! I wasn't paying £18 for them. They are awful those stalls and I ignore now

Sparklytori · 05/08/2021 07:58

On holiday in Brixham... walked past little cafe/bakery and thought we'd get the pain au chocolates for breakfast from there instead of Tesco.... 3 pain au chocolates and a crosswind £9.50!!! I looked at my husband... tapped my card on the machine and we walked off! Both saying what?! Weren't even that nice or bigger or better than Tesco!! Confused

Dogoodfeelgood · 05/08/2021 08:35

@RobotandPenguin that’s truly horrible the splitting! Very poor manners on their part. I’ve never been tricked overseas like that - I wonder if it’s a timing thing? When were you travelling? Maybe these days with endless online reviews etc all those places have had to scrub up their practices if they want tourists to visit…

Dogoodfeelgood · 05/08/2021 08:36

@Sparklytori I think I’ve lived in London for too long as that sounds like a good deal Grin

beigebrownblue · 05/08/2021 08:52

My new carpet. I'm sure i could have got a better deal by haggling but i just wanted the job done, and I wasn't really in a space to hang about with it. I'm pleased with the carpet but think they over charged.

Ozgirl75 · 05/08/2021 09:07

Funnily enough, now I’m older and actually have more money, I’m perfectly happy to say “that’s too expensive” and back out of a sale. I was in the supermarket this week and they wanted $15.00 for a bunch of grapes (couldn’t work it out until they were weighed) and I just called the woman over and said “there is no way I’m paying $15 for a bunch of grapes” and she just went “fair enough” and took them away.
I’ve done the same a few times when the items seemed to be on special offer and then it isn’t - I just say “I thought this was on special but it isn’t so I’ll leave it”. They never bat an eye at it. It feels liberating and pleasing. I ask about cost all the time if I’m buying at a market or where it’s got to be weighed out.

beigebrownblue · 05/08/2021 09:11

I know what you mean Ozgirl.

I am not too proud now to check my receipts.
Quite often in major and even smaller stores things that were on sale or on discount - the reduction doesn't show in computer so if you don't check you walk away and have overpaid.

It's a good habit to get into.

OnlyCans · 05/08/2021 09:12

I have a hair appointment later today. DP paid for me to get my hair done after researching the best local hairdresser and arranged a surprise consultation for my birthday. For what I want, they advised I need to let the root grow for two months. No need to pay for what I can get for free but she asked if I would like a cut in the mean time. I said yes as I felt mean to take her time on the consultation and not book the rest for months. Just found out the haircut is £60 Shock

Iamthewombat · 05/08/2021 09:19

Just thought of another one- ninety quid for two vodka sodas in the bar of The Address in Dubai. Dont think they were even doubles

How is this even possible? I am aghast!

languagelover96 · 05/08/2021 09:23

On vacation this week I felt hungry. I decided to stop for a quick lunch at the food court on the top floor of the shopping mall, and ordered donburi. When I paid, I saw how much it costs, good thing the food was yummy.

BelendaCarlisle · 05/08/2021 09:29

Now I am older and can afford the over priced stuff I feel more confident saying no I don’t want to pay that price because It was not worth it but when I was younger and skint I was more embarrassed to say i didn’t want to pay that price, because I couldn’t afford it.

Those Olive/Turkish delight stalls decant from large catering size cans into smaller containers. You’re buying the same as any bog standard supermarket brand.

readingismycardio · 05/08/2021 09:30

@Ozgirl75

Funnily enough, now I’m older and actually have more money, I’m perfectly happy to say “that’s too expensive” and back out of a sale. I was in the supermarket this week and they wanted $15.00 for a bunch of grapes (couldn’t work it out until they were weighed) and I just called the woman over and said “there is no way I’m paying $15 for a bunch of grapes” and she just went “fair enough” and took them away. I’ve done the same a few times when the items seemed to be on special offer and then it isn’t - I just say “I thought this was on special but it isn’t so I’ll leave it”. They never bat an eye at it. It feels liberating and pleasing. I ask about cost all the time if I’m buying at a market or where it’s got to be weighed out.
Exactly. A few years ago it was easy to guilt trip me to overspend on overpriced crap. Now I say no and that's that
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 05/08/2021 09:36

‘Funnily enough, now I’m older and actually have more money, I’m perfectly happy to say “that’s too expensive” and back out of a sale.’

Absolutely. I am also happy to insist on knowing in advance how much it’s going to come to.
The only time I have felt like a twat for doing that was the first time I had the burglar alarm serviced and he asked if I wanted a not-totally-flat battery replacing. I asked how much it would cost, he said, ‘I don’t know but I can call the office and get you a price.’ It was 64p.

FinallyHere · 05/08/2021 09:37

I'm sure this is one of the reasons for the popularity of supermarkets rather than traditional shops where you are 'served'. H

Worst that can happen in a supermarket is to 'buy' something from a special counter or promotion, which you can jettison before going through the check outs.

So long as you leave the product in the store, it's all good.

HeronLanyon · 05/08/2021 09:39

Best time I did say no a £500 x 2 ‘offer’ at checkin to upgrade to first class on long haul British airways flight. I said ‘no thanks’. Guy immediately said ‘well how about for free?’ I said YES !

OhRene · 05/08/2021 09:46

A schoolyard mum friend asked me if I wanted some toys she had been given. At the time I had older kids (too old to play with these) and a newborn baby boy and the toys would need to be kept for a few years before he could even play with them. (They were Happyland) but I said yes, thanks. She brought them to playgroup and put them in my boot with a "Great. Shall we say, £60? Good, I'll be around on the school run" I can't believe I actually paid up. She had got them for free too!