Numerically Challenged?

Jimbuna · 06-11-14, 09:40 AM

Some of these mistakes people have made defy belief

One of ten great examples...

Quote:

While working as an accounts assistant for a large sportswear company in the UK, I paid a foreign supplier £300,000 ($500,000) instead of £3,000 ($5,000) for some samples. I realised my mistake on my last day working there but did 'fess up to the boss before I left the building. He already knew.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27782731

Wolferz · 06-11-14, 11:28 AM

While working as a parts man at a GM dealer in Louisville, Ky., I wrote a special order for a small trim part for a customer's car. It came in on the back of a semi trailer.

I had transposed one number and got a pick up truck frame instead.

The local warehouse was none too happy about us returning it.

After which they instituted a call and verify policy for all big dollar parts orders.

Stealhead · 06-11-14, 10:42 PM

Happens very often I bet such mistakes. In the Air Force we had a computer automated data system (CAMS go figure) which we used to list the status of our equipment this same system was also used to order parts and even entire new units.

Well because of the chance of someone making a mistake and ordering something they did not want a non-commissioned officer had to review the data put into the system before it was officially sent. The system was very confusing honestly and a mistake could be made easily. I know at least a time or two an entire $100,000 dollar machine was placed on order by accident a few times just in my small unit.Of course a bean counter some place noticed it and called our unit to make sure it was correct.

Anything over $100 dollars in value an NCO had to fill out the order or was supposed to.

As I understand at one time the USAF had a much more lax system then some time in the 80's Air Force OSI and the FBI busted a ring who where using the system to order weapons and other items so they could sell them to black marketers.After that things changed a bit.

Catfish · 06-12-14, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

...
As I understand at one time the USAF had a much more lax system then some time in the 80's Air Force OSI and the FBI busted a ring who where using the system to order weapons and other items so they could sell them to black marketers. After that things changed a bit.

The CIA says this is a conspiracy theory, and a big lie.

Which is partly true: The art of deception and desinformation works well

The lie is that:
a) the USAF did it, which is wrong - the CIA did
b) "things changed a bit", since then

Platapus · 06-12-14, 04:11 PM

I remember someone in our supply unit made a mistake in the "units" entry. He thought he was ordering 10 each, but ordered 10 cases.... unfortunately it was not beer.

Peter Cremer · 06-12-14, 09:22 PM

In the 60's I was in the Navy and my squadron was at Cecil Field in Florida, close to Jacksonville. We needed some nuts, bolts, washers, cotter pins, etc. for our maintenance crews. After a long, hot day I filled out all the forms and submitted them. About two weeks later a big 18-wheeler pulled up outside the hanger and the driver wanted us to get our stuff off it. When we checked his manifest, we found that I had not ordered '1000' washers but '1,000,000'. I ordered 1000 'lots'. I did not notice that each 'lot' consisted of 1000 washers. All I wanted was 1000 washers. I remember having a long talk with the squadron C.O.........Mostly he talked and I listened.

06-11-14, 11:28 AM	#2
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	It only takes one transposed digit to screw the pooch. While working as a parts man at a GM dealer in Louisville, Ky., I wrote a special order for a small trim part for a customer's car. It came in on the back of a semi trailer. I had transposed one number and got a pick up truck frame instead. The local warehouse was none too happy about us returning it. After which they instituted a call and verify policy for all big dollar parts orders. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

06-12-14, 04:11 PM	#5
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,380 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I remember someone in our supply unit made a mistake in the "units" entry. He thought he was ordering 10 each, but ordered 10 cases.... unfortunately it was not beer. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

06-11-14, 10:42 PM	#3
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Happens very often I bet such mistakes. In the Air Force we had a computer automated data system (CAMS go figure) which we used to list the status of our equipment this same system was also used to order parts and even entire new units. Well because of the chance of someone making a mistake and ordering something they did not want a non-commissioned officer had to review the data put into the system before it was officially sent. The system was very confusing honestly and a mistake could be made easily. I know at least a time or two an entire $100,000 dollar machine was placed on order by accident a few times just in my small unit.Of course a bean counter some place noticed it and called our unit to make sure it was correct. Anything over $100 dollars in value an NCO had to fill out the order or was supposed to. As I understand at one time the USAF had a much more lax system then some time in the 80's Air Force OSI and the FBI busted a ring who where using the system to order weapons and other items so they could sell them to black marketers.After that things changed a bit.

06-12-14, 09:22 PM	#6
Peter Cremer Machinist's Mate Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Usually in the past.... Posts: 121 Downloads: 144 Uploads: 0	In the 60's I was in the Navy and my squadron was at Cecil Field in Florida, close to Jacksonville. We needed some nuts, bolts, washers, cotter pins, etc. for our maintenance crews. After a long, hot day I filled out all the forms and submitted them. About two weeks later a big 18-wheeler pulled up outside the hanger and the driver wanted us to get our stuff off it. When we checked his manifest, we found that I had not ordered '1000' washers but '1,000,000'. I ordered 1000 'lots'. I did not notice that each 'lot' consisted of 1000 washers. All I wanted was 1000 washers. I remember having a long talk with the squadron C.O.........Mostly he talked and I listened.