Unfiltered Story #97932

I’m a manager at a small regional chain of takeout/delivery only pizza parlors. I’m manning the till one night as this exchange happens.

Customer: “Carryout for [customer’s name]”

Me: “Sure thing. One large three topping pizza. Sausage, bacon and black olives.”

Customer: “That’s right.”

(At the till we sell single cans of pop and bottles of water, with the prices clearly marked. Because pop is in higher demand and we sell a lot of it, our supplier gives us a small discount, and it ends up being two cents cheaper per can versus a bottle of water.)

Me: “Would you like to add any drinks to your order?”

Customer: “Sure, let me have 1 Coke, 1 Sprite and a bottle of water.”

Me: “Alright, one large three topping, two cans of pop and a water. Your total comes to $19.72.”

(The transaction has been pleasant up until this point)

(Customer pays and looks at her receipt)

Customer: “You overcharged me for the water! The bottle of water is more expensive than the cans of pop!”

Me: (trying to keep the mood light-hearted) “I know it’s crazy, but we get a small discount from our supplier for the pop, because we sell so much of it, so we can sell it two cents cheaper versus the water.”

Customer: “Are you kidding me!? That is so wrong! Water is a basic human right and not to mention the healthier choice and you’re charging me more for it.”

Me: “I don’t know what to tell you, the markup percentage is the same, so we’re not making any more money on the water than we are the pop.”

Customer: “This is ridiculous! I’m calling the Better Business Bureau! I don’t think what you are doing here is even legal!”

(Customer storms out leaving behind her pizza and drinks, which she paid for)