Unfiltered Story #192470

[I am waiting in in line to be checked in at a busy camp site. This camp site is affiliated with two major car owner’s associations, offering discounts for their members. The customer before me has just spent almost 10 minutes checking in, asking lots of questions that is answered on signage and the welcome brochure handed out to new guests. After being presented with her bill (these are customary paid on check-in), she remembers to take out her membership card for car owner’s association #1 which entitles her to a 10% discount. The receptionist adds the discount, prints another bill which the customer pays. After paying this conversation happens:]

Customer: Oh, could you please stamp my benefits card with [car owner’s association #2]?

Receptionist: I am sorry, you have to chooose between the two discounts – you cannot use both, as they are from competing associations.

Customer: But the stamp is not a discount?

Receptionist: it really is – after 9 stamps [9 nights] you get the 10th night for free, so it is like a 10% discount.

Customer: But can’t i get the 10% discount right away?

Receptionist: You already got that discount with the membership card you just presented, which is probably a better deal as you get the discount as you get the discount upfront and don’t have to stay 9 nights.

Customer: But is does not cost you anything to give me a stamp?

Receptionist: It really does. We have to account for the stamps we give and calculate it against the cards we redeem for free stays. If we start giving stamps to those who are not entitled to them [car owner’s association #2] could throw us out from their system, which would cost us a lot of customers.

Customer: But that is not my problem?

Receptionist: But it is a problem for us…. As we have many guests today, could you please step aside so the waiting customers can check in?

Customer: No! I do not understand. I will not leave before get my stamp!

[This went on and off for a minute until her husband came in from their vehicle, realised the situation and forcibly pulled her away.]