# I walked out of a CVS yesterday over 16 cents... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 25, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654 "2008-12-25T14:58:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/61 "2008-12-25T22:17:01Z")
Are you sure all this huffing and puffing wasn’t over the _sales tax_? ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/62 "2008-12-25T22:59:04Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > If the price charged at the register is more than the advertised price, I’d call that a blatant example of overcharging and there’s no gray area. > > If the only price visible to the customer is the one on the package, and there is none other nearby on a sticker or poster, I’d say that’s false advertising. It’s up to the OP to tell us if he overlooked something on the shelf. I won’t know if I overlooked a shelf price until Monday, when I am back at work and can take a look. I will clarify this issue in the name of the Straight Dope! Also, I’ll reiterate that at no point did I act dickish towards the store employees. I mentioned the price disrepancy because I thought the store computers had not been updated with the new item price; the clerk said it was a misprint, which surprised me and that 's when I mentioned I had just bought some elsewhere at the new price, and she immediately called for the manager. At no point did I demand to see the manager. I then politely (as mentioned in my OP) stated why I thought the price should be 75 cents, and when it became clear that the manager didn’t see it that way, I left. I understand the store can charge what it wants - I’ve seen plenty of preprinted prices covered up with store stickers before. I simply chose not to continue my transaction, based on the information I was given. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/63 "2008-12-25T23:01:42Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Are you sure all this huffing and puffing wasn’t over the _sales tax_? Definitely not - no sales tax on packaged foods in Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/64 "2008-12-25T23:25:28Z")
Little Debbie products are food? That’s one for GD. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/65 "2008-12-25T23:45:58Z")
> [@atomicbadgerrace](#): > > I think that, regardless of the situation, the “misprint” exchange was an example of a CSE (a “Customer Service Excuse”). Not at all uncommon, these are things that the cashier will make up on the spot that sound right, just to get you to stop asking questions. Or because the real reason is too complicated for your average [del]peasant[/del] customer to understand. 😉 The only items I’ve ever seen with an MSRP printed on them are books and magazines, and most books I’ve seen are being sold way cheaper than the MSRP, often by up to 30%, even in a “first-run” bookshop or department store. You can sell stuff for _less_ than the advertised price here, but not more. So it’s OK to have “Chocolate Bars $1.20” on the shelf and only charge $1 for them at the register, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/66 "2008-12-26T00:15:34Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Dio, I know you hate where I work (think W **M** \*) but heck yeah, the clerk has the power to change the price, esp when one is marked & it’s just a few cents difference. I won’t say what the limits of our discretion is, tho.😃 Since when? I worked at one from 1999 to 2001, and only CSMs and above could authorize a price change during my tenure. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/67 "2008-12-26T00:50:20Z")
As one of the virtual people standing behind you in line, I’d really “like” to “thank” you for stand on such “great” principles… ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/68 "2008-12-26T00:52:54Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > If I was behind you in line at the grocery store and there was a tizzy over 16 cents which required getting the store manager to come handle it, I would have offered to pay the 16 cents for you so that we could all get on with our day. I would have allowed you to pay it. . .and then walked out of the store. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/69 "2008-12-26T00:54:40Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > I would have allowed you to pay it. . .and then walked out of the store. And the rest of us would have snickered at you behind your back. Good times. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/70 "2008-12-26T01:18:24Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Or because the real reason is too complicated for your average [del]peasant[/del] customer to understand. 😉 > > The only items I’ve ever seen with an MSRP printed on them are books and magazines, and most books I’ve seen are being sold way cheaper than the MSRP, often by up to 30%, even in a “first-run” bookshop or department store. > > You can sell stuff for _less_ than the advertised price here, but not more. So it’s OK to have “Chocolate Bars $1.20” on the shelf and only charge $1 for them at the register, for example. There aren’t many items with an MSRP printed on them here, either. Books,magazines, newspapers and and individual servings of snack foods are about it. It’s not at all uncommon for me to see newspapers and snack foods sold at a higher price than the pre-printed price. Usually, there’s some reason- I’m at a highway rest stop, a hotel gift shop/convenience store, a theme park or stadium. But it happens often enough that I don’t assume the pre-marked price is the correct price- I look around for a shelf label. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/71 "2008-12-26T01:35:46Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > And the rest of us would have snickered at you behind your back. Good times. I’m sure. Idiots abound. Can’t change that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/72 "2008-12-26T01:40:14Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > I’m sure. Idiots abound. Can’t change that. 😃 No kidding! Had one in line in front of me the other day… ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/73 "2008-12-26T01:48:33Z")
😃 Nice! I didn’t even see that one coming. Thanks for the laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/74 "2008-12-26T09:42:48Z")
Little Debbie apple pies are .79 where I work in Ohio. We cover the .79 MSRP with a sticker for $1.25. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/75 "2008-12-26T11:46:42Z")
If I ruled CVS (and I just might someday once I finish my evil overlord classes at our loal community college) I’d fire the manager. Any manager who is willing to lose a customer over sixteen cents doesn’t need to be running any of my stores. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/76 "2008-12-26T13:40:47Z")
This is the worst Little Debbie-related incident I have encountered since my days as a reporter in Indianapolis. That time the stakes were higher - a guy committed murder because the victim (his brother) stole his Little Debbie cakes. True story. “Little Debbie - the cakes worth killing for”. The damn things should be outlawed. The societal costs are too high. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/77 "2008-12-26T14:23:09Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > …then assumption is the mother of all fuckups? On the part of the store, for not marking the correct price on the item _if it’s different than the one on the package_. If the MSRP is clearly marked on the package and you don’t see a contradictory label nearby then I have to side with the costumer if I were to choose sides. For the record, I have never had this happen to me. If items are marked with an MSRP (and no other labels, on the product or nearby) that that’s what every store I’ve ever been in charges for that product. I wouldn’t doubt that the distributor of those products has some deal worked out with CVS as to what the price of the items should be. Little Debbie has some clout and I’m sure they don’t want one store charging more for the same product than another store a block away. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/78 "2008-12-29T19:35:54Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The MSRP is not an “advertised price,” and I don’t think the OP has said that the price on the package was the only price visible to the customers. I doubt that it was. Well, I’m am back from my reconnaissance mission to CVS, and I can now report that the above is not true. CVS did not have any other price posted for the pies. They had a few prices posted for some Little Debbie items, but most did not have posted prices, other than the prices preprinted on the Little Debbie packaging. So CVS can continue to bite my shiny metal ass. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/79 "2008-12-29T20:10:39Z")
I noticed around last October the Walgreens in my area was taking a black marker and putting a black mark over the suggested price. You could still see it. Then around December all but one of the Walgreens in my area pulled the little Debbie’s out of the store. It’s a shame 'cause they had the Lemon Meringue Rolls, by Little Debbie and I’ve never been able to find them anywhere else ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654/80 "2008-12-29T23:13:07Z")
Wow. I have no idea why this didn’t turn into a giant flaming roast of the OP. How unbelievably rude. Inexcusably obnoxious. A lot of other things, but I see this isn’t the pit (why a mod didn’t automatically move it there is beyond me) so I’ll leave it at that. Oh, and for all you apologists out there, consider this: > [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > I went into the CVS pharmacy across from my place of work, to buy some Little Debbie apple pies… > > [exchange over the price] > > … Bye!" And I left. So, **It’s Not Rocket Surgery!** left his office, went out, and _ **came back without pie** _! Oh the humanity! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-walked-out-of-a-cvs-yesterday-over-16-cents/478654.md?page=5)