Ethical question

[e.e.cummings]

I went to Banana Republic today and bought a bunch of clothes (I had a 35% discount coupon that applied for only today). Later this evening, I noticed that I was not charged for an item that amounted to about $130 plus tax - there were also some in-store discounts that applied, so I figured all of these discounts together made it a pretty good deal, and I thought nothing of the total when I was at the cash.

I am pretty honest person. I have hit a person's car with my car door when it swept by the wind and left a note; I have various times told cashiers when they have under-charged me or gave me too much change (when I was paying attention); I manage a petty cash at work - from the occasional sale of samples within the department- that is virtually unaccountable, but I would never dream of taking five cents from it. I do believe what comes around goes around.

So why does it even cross my mind to stay mum about this? I first thought, cool, I spend so much money there, I finally got something free! But I would feel bad wearing that jacket knowing that I didn't pay for it. I got it because one of those young girls on cash was not paying attention. So I should call them tomorrow and tell the manager. They are all young girls there - I can hear it now, most will probably think I am crazy to be that honest. I guess this also puts the cashier in a bit of hot water, letting expensive merchandise slip through their fingers like that. Ticks me off that it is a place that is not close, it's a pain to drive there. They should give me a bit of an extra discount for being willing to drive all the way back and be honest about it!

The hungry constantly-strapped university student that I was 25 years ago probably would have kept it and thought it was a gift dropped in my lap. Not saying that I would have automatically kept it, but rightly or wrongly I probably would have thought longer about it.

What would you do? Have you ever had a similar situation?