Have I been had?

[nikelodeon79]

On Saturday, I picked up the following fish from my LFS:

4 celestial pearl danios ($7.99 each)
5 microrasboras ($4.99 each)
5 habrosus cories ($1.99 each)
TOTAL BEFORE TAX: $66.86

Now, I spend TONS at this LFS, and they don't give any sort of discounts/freebies. EVER. I originally asked for 3 CPDs, but when the LFS owner saw there was one left, I told her if she'd "throw it in" I'd take it (meaning throw it in for free). She netted it and added it to the bag... and I was uncertain whether she was planning on giving it for free, or if she didn't understand that I meant "throw it in" FOR FREE.

So, if that one was indeed free, subtract $7.99 from the total, for a new total of $58.87.

When I looked at my receipt, I saw the following:
3 celestial pearl danios ($7.99 each)
6 microrasboras ($4.99 each)
6 habrosus cories ($1.99 each)
TOTAL BEFORE TAX: $65.85

So... that leaves me wondering... did she actually MEAN to give me the CPD for free, or just mistake a CPD for a microrasbora and charge the lower price? And what about the cory (I only got five, was charged for six)? The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if she put the cory and microrasbora on the receipt to make up for the "free" CPD.... but in reality I think she just miscounted.

What do you think? And what would YOU do... point out the extra charge for a microrasbora and a corydora, or just let it go, since I was only charged for 3 CPDs and it comes out pretty evenly, anyway?

(I have to go back and get credit for 2 - possibly 3 - microrasboras because two were dead when I got home, and one was nearly dead).

[Goes to 11!]

If I were you I would do exactly this:

Take it as a 'nearly break even' heads up that you should always check that what's in the bags is what you wanted and that it is what's on the reciept.

Lesson learned and call it a day.

You might also want to not make statements like "throw it in & I'll take it" that could be interpreted either way, Or at least clarify them with the LFS person.

Doing these two things will go a long way towards avoiding this issue coming up again.

[Lab_Rat]

She probably just miscounted. People tend to buy schooling fish in 6s not 5s, so she likely just messed up. I can't imagine a store would try something like that if they want to stay in business.

Also, "throw it in and I'll take it" to me means I'll buy it. I wouldn't expect a lfs to give me a free fish just because it's the last of its kind in the tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

Leave some/Get some. You come out about right.

I've bought fish the same store for 8 years and never once got a freebie.

[genocidex]

ouch, when i buy schools of fish at my lfs i useually get a freebie of some sort.... 5 tigers for the price of 4, ive bought a few guppies at once (12 and he knew it was 12..... got them for 10 XD.) also get loads of free knowledge, and ideas on upcoming stock. But i have a very good relationship with the owner, im very polite to him and his customers and i help out volunteering there from time to time when its loaded. (so maybe they arent freebies? but they were before volunteering.... idk)


any ways.... i would keep it as a "oh well" type of experience, ive never actually asked for a freebie seems kinda wrong to do so imo..... but next time maybe ask if they can make you a better deal instead of a freebie.

[nikelodeon79]

I asked if there were discounts on multiple fish.. the answer was, "Nope!"

I was mostly joking about the freebie... she just pointed out that there was one left so I made that response. I was actually like, "Oh no!" when she netted it and added it to my stock, because I figured I'd be paying for it. I realized right away that my wording was poor!

She was super nice when I called and let her know that two of the microrasboras were DOA and one was on its last legs. She said that I didn't have to worry about bringing in the dead fish: just a sample of my water (which doesn't necessarily apply to the two that were DOA, since I didn't even actually get to take them out of the bag, they were dead when I got home). It's nice that she trusts my word and will give me credit for the fish without having to rush into the store with the dead bodies right away.

Thanks for putting things into perspective, guys. This really is a nice LFS and I consider myself lucky to have one that stocks rare-ish fish/inverts close by.

[genocidex]

well it looks like even though they dont give you freebies or anything its still a good lfs. if she is trusting your word then it means she trusts you, and imo thats hard to do a lot of times

[Trillianne]

The short answer to your post title is NO. And in fact based on your math... you came out as the one with the advantage.

Unless you sincerely believe the customer service rep had an intent to defraud you, but the scenario you describe does not sound very suspect to me. It sounds like perhaps there were mistakes made and you did not catch them at the time. In your own words you believe that she honestly miscounted.

I am not certain where the perception that a long term good customer is entitled to a discount, but that is not required of good customer service. Never begrudge a good shop owner from making a reasonable profit, as that keeps the shop open and in business, and the margin on a smaller shop is less than that of a big store.

[bignellm]

Best I've ever been able to pull is bundle pricing. 2 for 5.00 or 2 for 3.00. I would just say ah well, and leave it be myself.

[hyp0r]

My LFS sells most fish buy one get one free. But they clearly have a "no fish guarantee", so if they die you're out of luck. Maybe they just figure if they sell them two for one, half of them can die you'll still be fine.