Coupons Can Be Taxing

(I manage a fast food/coffee shop. A customer presents a coupon for $1.99 coffee. I make her drink and I ring it up.)

Me: “That’s going to be $2.11.”

Customer: “That’s with the coupon?”

Me: “Yes.”

Customer: “But it’s supposed to be $1.99.”

Me: “Yes, ma’am. $1.99 plus tax.”

Customer: “But why is it $2.11? That seems like too much.”

Me: “Well its $1.99 plus 12 cents tax which comes to $2.11.”

Customer: “That doesn’t make any sense! It should be $1.99!”

(This goes on for a couple minutes and my boss is next to me counting money.)

Customer: *to my boss* “You understand what I’m saying right?”

Boss: “I’m not sure I do. The drink is $1.99 plus tax and the tax is 12 cents so the total should be $2.11.”

(The customer stops and thinks for a second and then, looking quite embarrassed turns to me.)

Customer: “OH, MY GOSH I’m so sorry! I really need this coffee!”