This Heist Is Toast

I work in a cafe counter inside of a chain retailer. I was not directly involved with this incident, but I got the details from the manager, and I saw the entirety of the exchange.

A customer came up to the register our store manager was counting and demanded service.

Customer: “None of your incompetent cashiers have been able to help me, and they said you were the manager!”

The manager closed his till and turned to her

Manager: “Yes, ma’am, how can I assist?”

Customer: “I want to purchase this toaster for the sticker price, which shows $1.50, but your cashiers are saying that is impossible.”

Manager: “Can you show me where it said it was $1.50?” 

The customer proudly showed her phone screen to our manager with a smug look as if she had caught him in a lie.

Manager: “Oh, I see the confusion. The price here is what we pay to display this toaster, and the price is for our inventory prices. It is listed as display — see here?”

The manager pointed to the name of the item which, instead of saying the type of toaster, said, “DISPLAY,” and then showed her that next to the price, it said, “INVENTORY PRICE”.

The customer started gasping like a fish.

Customer: “Well, this is false advertising, and I need to be compensated! You can’t overcharge me for a $40 toaster when you pay $1.50.” 

The manager held up a hand. 

Manager: “No, we pay $1.50 to display this. We pay the price for the toaster and then some.”

Customer: “Well, I want a discounted price!” 

Manager: “Sure. We can give you a discounted display price. Let me go get the display, and you can have that at a discount.”

Customer: *Shouting* “I don’t want a display that has been out and touched by people! I want a brand-new-in-the-box toaster!” 

Manager: “Ma’am, you do not have to shout, but you will not get a brand-new toaster for the display price. You can either get a display price for the display model, or you get full price for a brand-new toaster.” 

Customer: “No! The customer is always right! I will get a cheaper price for this. You will open that drawer up and take my $1.50, and I will leave with this brand-new toaster!”

Security had arrived after she had started yelling the first time and was waiting behind her.

Manager: “No. I will not be doing any of that. If you want that price you will have to find it elsewhere, and security will be escorting you out. Have a great night.”

The manager plucked the toaster from her hands and put it under the counter, and then he turned to his till, opening it to continue where he left off.

The customer reached into the till and attempted to grab money from the till. The security guard body-blocked her attempt, letting her know the police were on their way.

The customer freaked out and started booking it out the door. Little did she know, security had been having lunch with his officer friend in his office, and the lady was greeted by the officer’s partner who was waiting outside for their shift to start.