How much is $2.45?

We went on a final school-supplies shopping trip yesterday.  Back-to-school shopping doesn’t only include supplies but clothing as well. 

After looking at a few stores, Ryan had finally found a pair of shoes that he liked.  The cashier at Payless ShoeSource had already totaled my purchases, size 6 runners and an extra pair of shoelaces.  She said, “$41.12.”  That can’t be right, I thought.  The shoes were $34.99 and the laces were $2.99 minus 50% discount on the laces.   

So, I said, “Oh, hold on.  Those shoes are for my 12-year old son.  You didn’t charge me the 7% PST did you?” 

She pulled the receipt from the register and checked her entries.   “No, I only charged you the 6% GST.” 

Here in Canada 6% GST (goods and services tax) is charged on the sale of certain goods and services.  And each province also charges PST (provincial sales tax) on all purchases but children’s clothing is exempted.  In Manitoba, PST is 7%. 

Ryan already wears men’s size shoes and I have to tell the cashier that the shoes were for a child and not an adult so she won’t charge me with the additional 7% PST. 

After she handed me the shopping bag, I told my kids to wait before we leave the store as I wanted to check my receipt.  It said right there, 7% PST $2.45.  She was either trying to lie to me or was too lazy to ring up my purchases again.  Hmmph.  I wanted my $2.45 back.  If it were just a few cents, I would have let it go.  But $2.45 is still two dollars and 45 cents.  I could buy something useful with my $2.45. 

I went back in line.  There were only two other people.  I was so eager to demand my money back and couldn’t wait until I got to the front.  I saw a sales clerk pass by. 

Me:  Miss, there has been a mistake.  I was charged the PST for my son’s shoes. 

Clerk:  How old is your son? 

Me:  He’s 12. 

Clerk:  Did you tell her that? 

Me:  Yes, I told her and then she checked the receipt if she charged 7% and she said she didn’t but it says right here on the receipt, 7% PST. 

Clerk: You have to tell us. 

Me:  But I did. 

She went to the front, called me and asked me to sign a refund voucher and I got my money back. 

What could I buy with $2.45?  A gallon of milk, or a bag of cookies, or three big plump mangoes at Superstore.  I’m glad that I got my $2.45 back. 

Note to self:  Next time, remember to tell the cashier that I am buying clothes or shoes for my 12-year old son before she rings up my purchases.