define: all

I will never claim to be an expert of the English language.  Heck, I own up to the fact that I’m a complete contradiction, but at least I know what the definitions of both of those words are and use them correctly!  (well with my twist)

I’m certainly no George Bush and I can identify the United States on a world map as well as have an educated opinion on why 1/5 of Americans cannot.  (I’m not harping on southern’s here, I’m just using two popular examples that came to mind)

Here’s my point

I got invited to a stamping party so I ran up to JoAnn Fabrics to get a few things, I see a sign that says “Memorial Day Sale, All Open stock Paper 5 for $1.00” Yes, I have paid actual price on one sheet of paper and twenty cents is still a tad insane for a piece of pretty paper, but twenty cents is much easier to deal with than 69¢ or 99¢ for one sheet of designer paper.  So, I load up; get the shiny paper, mulberry papers, vellum, a wide range to re-stock my paper reserve. 

Get to the register, I always feel awful when I buy paper, they have to scan every damn sheet, and yes I know it’s for inventory purposes but are they really going to know the difference between 5 sheets of vanilla and 5 sheets of beige?  Maybe they could just do all the same type. Plus, at this store, they can’t scan one sheet and type in the quantity.  It takes forever, not to mention a 2-yard long receipt and the dirty looks you get from other customers waiting on line. 

So, with my huge stack of paper, I go to check out, smiling, nicely handing each different color or type to the cashier in their own groups.  After about 12 minutes at the checkout, she says my total.  Um…. about $30 way way WAY over than I estimated.  I question it, and ask the prices/sales on a few items.  I realize some of the paper I purchased rang up only 50% off (the current month’s deal) NOT the special Memorial Day sale, all open stock paper 5 for $1.00.  I had stocked up the pricey papers, originally $1.00-$3.99. Even 50% off a $3.99 sheet of paper is still ridiculous.

(now remember this is post 12-15 minutes of ringing up my order)

I mention the sale; the clerk says the deal only rang up on some of the paper but not all.  I push the issue, because of principle and the strain that total would have on my bank balance.  She talks into her walkie talkie thing saying “a customer claims all paper is 5 for $1.00 but some are not ringing up”….NO answer, since the line was growing, she suspends my order and helps other customers waiting in line, while waiting for an answer.  (she asked me if I minded and it was fine with me) Five minutes pass, ten minutes pass and I growing slightly impatient speak up, but still nice, after all she’s just doing her job it’s not her fault.  She talks into her walkie again, now around 25 minutes into this check out. 

A manager finally shows up.  The clerk explains the situation, then the very unpleasant manger says, “it’s only some papers in certain price ranges that apply to that deal” Now, I’m a bit annoyed, I had been waiting, got dirty looks from all these people in line and this manger is giving me attitude?!?  I protest and with a smart tone the manager snaps, “come with me I’ll show you.”  I’m thinking perfect, I’ll prove you wrong.

It now became more than an issue of saving thirty dollars but proving a point and putting this lovely manager in her place.  She struts down to the paper aisle and I point to the sign saying “Memorial Day Sale, All Open stock Paper 5 for $1.00.”  Mind you, there is fine print but no asterisk after the advertised deal.  With an attitude that my mother would have smacked me across the face with reads, the manager the size 8 fine print, “sale valid from this date to that date, excluding clearance items, all open stock paper,” then pulls the sign off the clip to finish reading “regularly priced 49¢-79¢”.

I argue that the HUGE print says ALL with NO asterisk and the fine print is half covered by the clip holding it up.  PLUS the fine print is NOT mentioned in the flyer.  I ask her what is her definition of all is.

According to Webster-Meriman Online Dictionary the word, all is define as “the whole amount, quantity or extent of; every member or individual component of; the whole number or sum of”

The manager snaps a definition similar to the one above.  I point to the sign above the more expensive papers and ask why is it there, if these papers are not on sale?  She claims it was put there by mistake, so I say; ok let’s take it down, she claims she cannot be bothered by that.  That pushed me over the edge; I had a pleasant but direct tone until then.  My tone switched to one with a bit more attitude.  Until then I was willing to accept an answer, even if it did not end up with all of my paper being 5 for $1. 

I question WHY she can’t be bothered.  HOW can all have exclusions? WHY there is a discrepancy between the sign and the deal advertised in the flyer? HOW this is legal? Did she realize how contradictory she was being? Does she know how misleading this is?

Her response was, this is the sale and situation, either accept it or do not…… are you kidding me????

I’m ticked, realizing I’m getting NO-WHERE, I saying fine I only want the papers 5 for $1.  She walks back up to the register with me, looks at my suspended order on the computer and I tell her please void all the paper that was not 20¢.  She has to do this sheet by sheet, it was about 65 sheets of paper.

Reminder that this purchase was my “paper stock up purchase”, about 100-125 sheets of paper plus other items.  The manager had to go back and void EVERY SINGLE PIECE of PAPER.  She couldn’t just cancel the order….  THEN the computer froze!

So she had to go to another register and re-ring up my order minus the falsely advertised papers. She was having an internal fit.  It was hilarious.

My point is that this nasty manager or the big wigs at corporate need to look up the definition of ALL.  Look up the meaning of false advertising.  Look up the meaning of an asterisk and exclusions apply.  Learn how to admit a mistake.  Learn the qualities of a good, successful business practices.  Most importantly take a class on customer service.

ALL of the above needs to occur.  NO FINE PRINT.  ALL as in every item, the entire stock, the complete list. Nothing left out, no exclusions, not only the ones you feel necessary but ALL.

I will not mention the sneaky sly practices this company does with their coupons, by issuing an awesome coupon for any regular priced item but puts practically everything in the store on sale.

**** Oh yes I sent a letter to corporate as well. This particular store has some lovely employees but this lady left a bad taste in my mouth.  I know she might have had a bad day; I was nice until she whipped out the attitude.  Hello, it’s your job!!!!!! Yeah there are parts of my job I hate and I don’t always have a huge smile on my face, but I still treat people with respect.