A guy steals a $100 bill from a grocery store.

The guy then buys a $70 gift card with the stolen money and gets $30 back in change.

How much did the store lose?

$200

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
$200

My thought as well
$100 stolen
$70 bought with stolen funds
$30 further lost in 'change'

Editing after some below responses:

$100 stolen
$70 returned on purchase
Net $30 loss

$30 given as change
Net $60 loss plus cost of good purchased.

$0.

Hmmm, not knowing the cost that the store had in the $70 purchase, the answer is indeterminable?

$170

quote:

Originally posted by Southern Rebel:
Hmmm, not knowing the cost that the store had in the $70 purchase, the answer is indeterminable?

I knew someone would go this deep. I’ll change the wording a bit

Yup.
$30 plus cost on goods sold.

$100 is the loss

$100 Stolen and then that $100 is Returned net loss is $0.00


The loss is $100 made up of the $70 card and the $30 cash back...


The $100 of goods includes cost of goods, overhead and profit.

$100

I say $100

The original $100 was given back and he stole the $70 plus $30

I need to figure in the cost of inflation during the time he held $100 bill before he purchased anything.

Then, we forgot about the government taking their fair share.

Oh, then the breakage on the card…


Everyone losses $$$.

Another factor adding to the indeterminably is whether the gift card is redeemable only in the referenced store.

And aren't there fees associated with the purchase of gift cards?

Now for tax purposes, the loss is $200.....

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
I say $100

The original $100 was given back and he stole the $70 plus $30

You need to consider the $100 he originally stole paid for goods that are already sold.

So the original $100 plus the $70 gift card = $170. That leftover $30 is still part of the original $100.

Was the gift card bought from the grocery store that the $100 bill was stolen from?

If not, the grocery store is out $100.

$130?

$100 stolen + $30 change. $70 gift card is product sold?

ETA: leaning toward $100 now.... $100 stolen. $100 tendered (doesn't matter if stolen or new); $70 good provided, $30 change. Orthogonal transactions. Another perspective - the thief stole $100. He ended up with $100 worth of stuff ($70 gift card, $30 cash).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: konata88,

quote:

Originally posted by kx90:

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
I say $100

The original $100 was given back and he stole the $70 plus $30

You need to consider the $100 he originally stole paid for goods that are already sold.

So the original $100 plus the $70 gift card = $170. That leftover $30 is still part of the original $100.

Hmmm… that’s some thinking right there

Going with $100, final answer.

$130