I went to the PETsMART store on Elston near Diversey on Saturday morning to buy a little aquarium to house my newborns. I found one for $10 but discovered when I got home with it that one of the corners was severely cracked. I took it back and since there were no more 2 1/2 gallons left I was talked into an $18.00 replacement. I got $10 in credit and paid the additional $8 and was on my merry way.
As it turns out this one didn't suit my needs and, as I was assured by the eager sales person that I could always return it, I took it back as well and asked for a refund. After extensive calculation the cashier prepared to hand me $8. I said I was owed $18, she disagreed.
In need of defense, the cashier called the shift supervisor who dutifully explained to me that I had "gotten $10 off the purchase price" and was therefore only entitled to the $8 additional I had spent. I explained his mistake and he persisted. I tried again and he would not budge. I offered to draw it out on paper and he refused to accept it. I got a tad hot under the collar (bad idea) and he left to retrieve the manager.
Certainly the manager would apologize for the misunderstanding and set the situation right with all due speed. I would say that it was alright, that mistakes happen and no real harm had come from it. He would thank me for my patronage and invite me to "come again". Of course the conversation would be laced with a shared sense of pity for the abysmal mathematics skills of the lowest echelons of the retail workforce. After all it wasn't really their fault was it? Our society doesn't put much emphasis on education, least of all mathematics. Only those that took it upon them selves to acquire fundamental skills would have much chance of rising in the ranks.
Naturally i was flabbergasted when he too calmly explained why I should only get $8 back. After having gone through the same hoops with the manager that I had with the supervisor (though I kept my cool the second time round) he was clearly convinced that, while I was obviously trying to rip him off, I was not going to budge. He never did admit a mistake; he did however say that he "wanted to make sure I left happy" thought I am quite certain that the word "happy" was an addition for the sake of diplomacy. He gave me my $18.00 back.
