First, check this out, then I’ve got a story of my own:

“Last week, LAPTOP reported that Office Depot employees were routinely lying to customers about notebook inventory, telling them that systems were out of stock if they didn’t want to buy extended warranties or tech services. Now LAPTOP has spoken to more Office Depot associates, one of whom goes by the name Alex and reports widespread altering of prices in his region. He says he even Photoshops higher price tags on clearance notebooks so that associates can tell customers that they’re getting a free warranty or tech service, when the price has been raised to cover it. LAPTOP also talked to a representative from the FTC, who would not comment on Office Depot specifically, but said that the sales practices described by LAPTOP clearly violate federal law.”

Details and links here.

So, Julia and I were in an Office Depot. There was a computer advertised for about 500.00. The sticker said “Computer: $500. X Ram, Y processer speed, Z whateverwhatever, Monitor, Printer.”

So, I asked the nearest employee looking person what kind of monitor came with the 500.00 computer.

“Oh, no monitor with that, sir.”

“No, this computer here. See?” … pointing at sticker that indicated that a monitor was included.

“No, no, see this blank part of the sticker here?” He’s pointing at some blank part of the sticker. “This is where the words “Monitor and Printer are supposed to go, underneath the words ‘don’t forget to buy'”

“I see,” said I. “So, which monitor are you going to include with this computer if I buy it. Because this sticker says there’s a monitor with the computer.”

“None. See, there is not monitor with the compu…”

“Yes there is. If the sign says there is, there is. This is the way the law works in Minnesota. You have merchandise, you label it with a price, that’s what it sells for. This is a clear case.”

“But…”

“I want three of these computers. Which monitor goes with them. And the printer, don’t forget the printer.”

“No, you see, this was a mistake. The central office printed the labels out wro…”

“Get the manager. Now.”

“I am the manager.”

“Good, then fix this.”

Within seconds, all the price tags were gone. He took them price tags off o’ them shelves as fast as a weasel could eat a lemming, as they say.

“I’ll be back.” I said. “If these stickers are in place, you’re selling me a computer with a printer and a monitor.”

“As you wish, sir…”

“And my lawyer.”

“Your lawyer?”

“I happen to know she’s in the market for a computer. Or two. Or five.”

Blank stare. Julia is laughing hysterically. We left without buying anything.

Have you read the breakthrough novel of the year? When you are done with that, try:

In Search of Sungudogo by Greg Laden, now in Kindle or Paperback
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