There's a reason I closely monitor the prices at the checkout on the foods I buy. Here are two examples in two stores on two different days:
1. Walking by a wine display, I see a sign that says Jacob's Creek wine $4/bottle with a neck coupon. I pull two of the last few that had coupons and continue shopping. When I passed the display again a few minutes later, the coupons were gone and the original sign had disappeared. In its place was a new price of 3 for $17.
I knew I was in for a skirmish at the checkout. And, of course, I was right. The price rang up at $5.67. While trying to convince the checker that the price was wrong--the bagger meanwhile is asking whether I want plastic or paper (whatever!)--and I had her call the liquor manager who agreed with me.
"Have I ever lied to you?" I asked her.
2. I had a coupon for $1 off two jars of Smucker's sugar-free jam or preserves. I discovered a sign under Smucker's Apricot Preserves that read $3.14 per jar--a substantial saving of a dollar or more compared to other flavors.
Of course, when they were rung up--even with the coupon--they were a couple of dollars over. I informed the checker several times they were $3.14 apiece to no avail. Another checker agreed they were $3.14 because someone had bought one from her the previous day. Still no avail. Then the line behind me ground to a stop while there's a price check.
"I predict my final price will be $5.28," I told the checker.
Tick, tock, tick tock. The answer finally came back: $3.14 per jar.
She rang up my purchase and looked sooo happy. "That will be $5.28."
"What a coincidence," I replied.
