Odessa

Or maybe it's candid camera without the witty host . . .

A friend went to CVS with a 25% off coupon hoping to buy some perfume for a Christmas present. He asks for assistance to get the perfume, waits 20 minutes. He asks again, waits another 5 minutes. He asks again, telling the manager this time that he has ready waited 25 minutes and all he wants is for someone to unlock the perfume cabinet because he knows exactly what he wants. The manager grudgingly goes to the cabinet, unlocks it and extracts the box of perfume.

At the register, he pulls out the coupon.

The cashier says: "You can't use that."

He inquires: "Why?"

"Because it's on sale."

"Oh? For how much?"

"$46.95"

"I thought that was the regular price. What is the regular price?"

"$46.95."

My friend is confused, "But it's on sale? ....."

"Yes, buy one get one half price"

"But I don't want a second one, so when I buy one it's not sale."

"It is on sale. Buy one get one half price."

"I don't WANT two, I only want one! If I buy ONE it is NOT on sale."

"Not really."

"Then I want to use this coupon"

"You can't because it's on sale."

"Let me talk to the manager."

Wash, rinse, repeat with manager, only this time the manager says "Sorry, that is just the way it is."

My friend says disgustedly "Fine"

As the cashier rings up the perfume sans coupon the irritation wells up in my friend and he says: "You know what, never mind. Screw it, I don't want it now." And he leaves.

Yup, old Groucho couldn't have done better himself.... And why my friend won't shop at CVS anymore.