Don't Make the Same Mistake I Did

Dusty Embree

56.98?! That couldn’t be right.

I opened up my list of Amazon orders to review my purchases and noticed one that stuck out. I didn’t buy anything for that much! I knew I had bought some socks, lip gloss, and nail polish. Nothing that could be $56.98. So, I clicked on it, and saw this:

Oh no! I had been so excited when I’d seen a two-pack of the lip gloss I like on sale for $6.99 that I had  added it to my cart and bought it immediately. I am so used to Amazon Prime that I had forgotten to check the shipping and handling cost.  

I immediately sprang into action and emailed customer service. I was able to correct my error and get a refund. I fixed my mistake before it was too late.

Reflecting upon that situation, I realize how easy it was for me to overlook the key detail of shipping and handling, which had almost cost me $50! What other details am I missing that could cost me or others? Am I so focused on the result that I am missing details along the way that could affect the outcome? It’s a poignant reminder that details matter. 

Now I am seeing details everywhere! Totaling the Girl Scout cookie orders, the due date on the school book order form, the tire pressure light in my car, instructions I give my children about wearing hats and gloves in the cold . . . and, of course, there are consequences for missed details. If I total the cookie order wrong, someone misses out on a box of their favorite cookies. A missed book order means my son doesn’t get the newly released book when it is delivered to school. Ignoring a light in my car could mean a flat tire, and forgetting to give directions to my children might equal cold hands and heads for them. Details matter, and paying attention to them could save me and my loved ones unintended outcomes. 

So, in my heightened awareness of the details, I felt an urgency to share my story in hopes of keeping you from making a similar mistake, because no one needs to waste $50 or end up stranded with a flat tire. And truly, I hope when your next Amazon order comes through that is $50 or more, you can smile, knowing you have something good about to be delivered!