I go to buy antihistamine/decongestant tablets. They are available depending on the store, phase of the moon, luck, whim and stupidity) in packages of 5, 10 and 15. they contain pseudoephedrine so every purchase requires ID. This is enough crap but they are often OUT of the damn stuff anyway and to my knowledge it's the only 24 hour decongestant available and I WANT A 24 version.

I go to the counter with the stupid laminated CARD because they're behind the counter. I want the pack of 10. The person says she does not have 10 but will give me two fives. I ASSUME she will adjust the price because, as is usually the case with packaging, 2 packs of 5 cost MORE than a ten. Three packs cost more than the 15 (which this store apparently does not carry). A 10 and a 5....forget it. I once tried that and the clerk's head exploded.

But she did not charge me what the 10 pack would have cost - the one I wanted which was something like a DOLLAR less than 2 fives. I said "I thought you were charging me for the 10, which you don't have. I don't WANT to pay for 2 FIVES, I want to pay what I would have for the ten." She calls the supervisor. I repeat this. He tells her to just sell me a five. I don't WANT the five, I say. I WANT THE TEN and I need to save money and buying the five is not cost-effective.

I then go 2 blocks to yet another store, buy the friggin' 15 PACK and go home.