One of the things about working in a cigar shop is that a large portion of our local customers are Boomers. We have a few Silent Gen customers still around, who never make much of a fuss. But Boomers hate when they’re not getting a cheap deal.

We have a customer who has tried to cycle through the employees to recite the same script in hopes of a different outcome.

This week, it was my turn. I watched him play out the same script he did previously with two other coworkers.

He comes in and picks up a package of cigars. One of the cheapest bundles we sell. He squints at the price. Brings it up to me.

‘$41.99? Is that the price?’

‘Yes, that’s the price.’

‘That’s for two of them?’

‘No. The $41 is for that one bundle.’

‘No! That’s for two of them.’

‘Sir, why would it be for two of them? That’s for one of them.’

‘Price check it!’

Annoyed, I scan the barcode. Wow! The price shows up as $41.99. That’s shocking, considering I’m the one who often price checks and stickers the items on shipment day.

‘It’s $41.99.’

‘I don’t think so! I think that’s for two of them. Check the website!’

At this point, I accidentally do the ‘exhausted retail worker’ sigh louder than I intended.

He says, in a weird condescending voice as if he’s talking to a child, ‘I know you’re BUSY with cutting out those price tags or whatever, but I would APPRECIATE some help!’

Fine. I check the website.

‘Sir, the price is $41.99. You may have been looking at the online deal, which is two bundles for $47.99. Would you like to do that?’

‘What?! No! I don’t want two of them!’

‘Okay, but it’s only a few extra dollars for twice the amount. Maybe that’s why you thought they were buy one get one free? The price is very close.’

At this point, my coworker offers to make him a deal on two of them that is an extra dollar off of the two bundle deal.

‘I don’t WANT two! I want to pay half price for this one!’

Dude eventually got a different brand of bundled cigars for $42.99.

When he left, coworker told me that the dude once saw a sale item that was 90% off and tried to barter.

The first bundle he was arguing over is also one of the most foul cigars we sell. Totally unpalatable, but we sell tons of them to older dudes who literally don’t care that it tastes like they’re smoking a tire fire.