Had a customer argue with me for 20 minutes over a $0.50 coupon at the hardware store last Thursday

I work at a Ace Hardware in Portland and this guy brought in a rusted bolt claiming our coupon for "any single item under $5" should cover it since the bolt was technically free if you looked at it right. My manager finally just gave him a nickel from the register to shut him up and the guy walked out smiling like he won the lottery. Has anyone else had customers invent their own math on deals?

2 comments

2 Comments

grantmartinez11d agoMost Upvoted

I used to be the guy who'd argue over dumb stuff like that honestly. I remember once I tried to use a "buy one get one" coupon on two single items separately and got super upset when the cashier wouldn't let me. But then I worked a summer at my uncle's deli and saw people do exactly what you're describing - invent math that doesn't exist just to save a quarter. It really changed my mind about how some folks see rules as just suggestions to bend. The bolt being "technically free" is the wildest thing I've heard though, your manager handing over a nickel was more generous than I'd be.

christopherwilson11d agoTop Commenter

That 5 cent discount was probably more about keeping the peace than the actual nickel lol. Since the bolt was listed at $0.00 after discount, the manager was just avoiding a 5 minute lecture about "technical free." I get it though, once you've worked behind a register you realize sometimes a tiny give just saves a bigger headache.