“While Stocks Last” Never Lasts As A Reason

(As part of a promotion, the first 100 customers to spend $50 or more at our store will receive a free thermos. I spend an entire afternoon handing them out on a busy Saturday, and by evening, we are inevitably out of them. Signs are put up on all the registers stating that the promotion was over for the day.)

Customer: “Excuse me, I spent over $50. Can I get a mug?”

Me: “I’m sorry, but we’ve handed them all out for today and I don’t have anymore.” *points to the sign behind me*

Customer: “Oh, but I was working so I couldn’t be here earlier. Could I just have one?”

Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we don’t have any more for today.”

Customer: “Can I talk to your manager?”

(I called up my manager and she repeated the same thing to the customer. I’m not sure what kind of special treatment this customer was expecting.)