The Couponator 38: The Sandwich Of Frustration

I’m in line at a chain sandwich shop in my hometown, waiting for the sandwich artists to get to my order. The local newspaper recently printed a page of coupons for this shop, and a customer ahead of me is trying to use one of these coupons. For ease of storytelling, let’s say the coupon is, “Buy any two footlong sandwiches or wraps for $10.”

Cashier: “Will it be just the sandwiches today, or any pop, chips, or cookies?”

Customer: “I’ll take a large pop, and I have this coupon to pay with.”

Cashier: “All right, the two sandwiches and large pop bring your total to $11.50 after the coupon.”

Customer: “Are you sure that’s after the coupon?”

Cashier: “Yes, the coupon went through.”

Customer: “Then that price is wrong. It shouldn’t be that high with a $10-off coupon.”

Cashier: “Sir, the coupon is not for $10 off; it’s two footlong sandwiches for $10.”

Customer: “What does that mean?”

Cashier: “You get two footlongs for a total of $10, instead of the usual price of about $18. Then you added the drink, which is $1.50, so your total is $11.50.”

The customer proceeded to argue for a few minutes that the coupon somehow meant he would get $10 off his total instead of “two sandwiches for $10”, until he eventually gave up, threw cash at the cashier, and stormed out before getting his drink cup or change.

Related:
The Couponator 37: The Year Of Reckoning
The Couponator 36: The Counter-Coupon Cashier
The Couponator 35: Dog Food Day Afternoon
The Couponator 34: Blast From The Past
The Couponator 33: The Double Cross