All's Well That Ends Well

First off, a big THANK YOU to everyone who offered to look for better priced costumes! :) Now, today was "shopping day" at my house so I have a little something to vent about... then the good news.
Coupons, promotions, freebies, "price matching."
These are words I have a love/hate relationship with. Why? How can anyone hate those words? Well, let me explain...
I cut coupons. I utilize promotions, ads, freebies, price matching. I love to bargain shop. I live for it. There is only so much you can perfect in my current "occupation" and this is one aspect I am passionate about. Mostly to give me something "stimulating" to think about I suppose. So I LOVE the coupons and other "tools." I HATE the way people make me feel about using the said "tools." I have a real problem with stores and their associates who snub those of us who use the above mentioned shopping tools. ESPECIALLY when the coupons are send directly from that store. (aka JCP portrait studio). I used to go to said picture studio quite regularly and take full advantage of the wonderful coupons they'd send me. Please note again, THEY sent ME the coupons. I could get a nice set of photos for a wonderful price and still stay in the starving student budget. I lasted four and a half years of the snobby picture people turning their nose up at my coupons before I snapped. I feel like I was pretty fair. When I would call to schedule the sitting, I would be very clear that I was coming to USE MY COUPON. I would be quick through the sitting and my kids love getting pictures, so they weren't dealing with moody mom or kids. Big bonus, I'd say. Then I would proceed to the computer to view my pictures and make my final decision, because you only get one pose. The associate would try at least three times to convince me that I needed to spend a minimum of $350 in order to fill my need for photos. I worked sales so I understand that some things you just have to present to the customer. No problem. I would let them have their say and kindly remind them that I had a coupon and would like to use it on pose "A." Then I'd get the look. Followed by the loud obnoxious voice to alert all other customers and employees that "someone is using a coupon." I'd smile and proceed to checkout. After leaving the store I'd fight tears all the way home and vow never to go back. A few months later, new coupons would entice me in for another humiliating round. This finally ended at Kaylee's five year photo shoot. I was dealt with very tactlessly and informed them I would never be coming back. And I finally stuck to my word. I see those coupons and find great joy in burning them up. (Which is obviously what they intend for you to do with them.)

Today as I was at my "favorite" store I was price matching some items when a price came up the lady wasn't sure on. So she left for a few minutes to fetch an ad to verify my claim. As she gave me the price, she muttered under her breath the small savings. I wanted to just let her know, "Yes, I know it's only a few cents, but why should I pay more here when I could have bought it for less at the last store? Why didn't I buy it there, you ask? Because your store claims to have the lowest prices, guaranteed. I decided to take you for your word, and it so happens that your price is HIGHER, so guess what? I'm making you live up to the guarantee. Quit making me feel bad for using your own marketing tools!!!"

At any rate.... I went in and spoke with the assistant manager about the costume "situation" today. As we talked he said, "Well, I can do this.....I'll return the item for the price you paid... (this is where my blood pressure starts to rise because it appears he missed the whole point) ...and then let you buy it back for, um, $10. Is that ok with you?"
I almost fell over, but tried to keep my composure until the deal was sealed.
"$10? Yes, I think that would be ok." HEE HEE! I got a Darth Vader costume for $10!!!! Granted, it's used and some of it is broken, but still, what a steal! Yay!!!! I must say I left feeling much more kindly toward a certain company, though they are still NOT my favorite place to shop.