They are idiots.

Or think I am.

Yesterday, I bought Kamryn a new dress from the Gap. It was on sale: $27.99. Not bad. I also bought her matching leggings. When we tried the dress on at home we decided we didn’t really need the leggings so I popped into the Gap (which is in the Mall across from my office building – a five minute walk from my desk; a walk I can make without ever going out of doors. This tidbit will be relevant later in my story) to return the leggings and they were having a sale – 25% off anything already on sale. Hmmm… like the dress I bought yesterday. Luckily there was one still in stock. Identical to the one I had already purchased. Identical size. Identical colour. Luckily I had my receipt with me. Could they give me a price adjustment?

Of course not! That would just make too much sense. Their policy is that they can’t sell me the last in stock item in the store and then have me return it. It wouldn’t be fair. To who? Okay.

So I bought the one that was in the store at the discounted price: $22.50.

I went back to my desk, had my lunch, and worked for a bit and then I went BACK to the Gap.

The saleslady says, “You were in earlier weren’t you?” Ummm ya! “Reason for the return?” she asks.

I point out that it’s now 25% cheaper.

“Oh” she says, “did you buy one at the cheaper price earlier?”

"Yes, I did," I tell her.

“Oh, and now you’re returning the one you bought yesterday.”

“Yes, I am,” I replied (hey lied is part of the word replied). Why they couldn’t have just done a price adjustment is beyond me. We wasted, time, money, paper and for the three hours the dress was in my possession it wasn’t available for anyone else to buy. Moronic.

I can understand not giving a price adjustment if the same article isn’t available for purchase but geez Louise to make me buy it, leave with it and come back later?

This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. The last time though I was able to explain to the clerk how stupid their policy was. This morning I just didn’t have the energy to argue.