(The customer decides to buy two children’s face towels, one for each child. They are $3.50 each, but you can get three for $7.00.)
Me: “Just so you know, you can get three towels for $7.”
Customer: “No, thanks.”
Me: “You are paying $7 anyway since they’re $3.50 each…”
Customer: “…”
Me: “Essentially, if you buy two, you get a third one free!”
Customer: “Free?”
Me: “Yeah, one for yourself!”
Customer: “I don’t want one!”
Me: “Well, it’s an extra one for the kids, or you can give it away, or give it to me.” *Laughs lightly*
Customer: “If I get three, I’ll have to get a fourth, or the kids will fight.”
Me: “Ah, you can get a fourth one for only $2.33, because you get the discount if you buy three or more.”
Customer: “But you said the third one is free!”
Me: “It’s essentially free. When you get three or more, you’re actually paying $2.33 for each one, instead of $3.50. It works out the same.”
Customer: “So I’m paying for it, even though it’s free?”
Me: “The deal is actually three for $7, seven divided by three is $2.33; you end up paying only $2.33 for each one instead of $3.50.”
Customer: “Whoa, so the first two are $3.50, the third one is free, and the fourth one is $2.33?”
Me: “You could look at it that way, I guess…”
Customer: “You guys have confusing prices. I’m getting a headache!”
(The customer asks the kids if they want another one. They get excited and pick out two more. I scan them. Each one shows up at $3.50 each, but the computer discounts them automatically at the end).
Customer: “Hey, they all scanned at $3.50!”
Me: “Don’t worry; the discount is applied at the end.”
Customer: “You’re trying to rip me off!”
Me: “I’m not. See, your subto–”
Customer: “I’m never coming here again!”
(The customer grabbed the children, who started crying because they really wanted the face towels.)
This story is part of our Pi Day Math roundup!
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