Cashier Cons Customer Into Canine Coupon

(After searching for months, I finally find the perfect puppy. I drive two hours one way to pick up my precious new friend and stop at a local pet store on the way home to get everything I need. The floor staff fawn over her, helping me load up on food and toys and all kinds of goodies. When I get to the cash register, however, things change.)

Cashier: “Hi! Did you find everything you were looking for?”

Me: “I did!”

Cashier: “Excellent. Oh! New puppy! How cute! Did anyone tell you about our coupon booklets?”

Me: “No, what’s that?”

Cashier: *handing me a laminated list of coupons* “Oh, they’re these little books of coupons we offer to new pet parents. You get money off all the things you need for your new friend — $15 off food, $15 off training, a free bath — it’s a ridiculous amount of savings. Like $300, plus you get more coupons when you use the ones in here. You can also start saving today; I see at least $50 in savings in your cart.”

Me: “Okay, sure!”

Cashier: “Great!” *scans book* Let’s get saving!”

Me: “Wait. Why are you charging me $19.99 for a book of coupons?”

Cashier: “That’s the price of the book.”

Me: “I have to pay for coupons?”

Cashier: “I know it seems silly, but there is a charge.” *shrugs*

Me: “I’m not paying for coupons.”

Cashier: “Okay.” *voids coupon book*

Me: “I can’t believe you just tried to scam me like that.”

Cashier: “I wasn’t trying to scam you. I offered you a product, and you said yes.”

Me: “Get your manager.”

(Awkward silent waiting.)

Manager: “Hi there. How can I help you?”

Me: “Why am I paying for coupons? That’s ridiculous.”

Manager: “We do have to charge for the book, but you save a lot more than the price of the book. It’s like those big books some organizations sell for fundraisers, you know?”

Me: “But why am I paying for coupons?”

Manager: “We used to give them away, and then corporate changed the policy. If you brought your adoption paperwork, I can ‘make’ a coupon to even out the price.”

Me: “Adoption papers? I didn’t get any papers.”

Manager: “When you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue—“

Me: “I didn’t adopt her. I bought her from a reputable breeder in [Town]. I have her vaccination paperwork.”

Manager: “Oh. No, sorry. I can’t do anything with that.”

Me: “Okay, then. Thank you for nothing. You can void this transaction and I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.”

(I understand companies need to make money to stay afloat, but I refuse to pay to save money. I left a review on their Facebook page and contacted customer service, but they never responded. I didn’t realize people were so snobby about where dogs come from.)