Even the Clerks are DONE

I went out yesterday to complete my shopping. I had four gifts to purchase, and I also needed to buy an additional two gift certificates.

Now, this is where my inner "Martha Stewart/ADD/anal-retentive" character kicks in. The two gift certificates were for two of my daughters voice teachers. ( I'm not sure if I ever shared this, but one of my kids is in performing arts school.) The performing arts school is downtown, and it's in an urban area. There are many specialty restaurants in the immediate vicinity, and I thought it would be a great touch to buy these two teachers a restaurant certificate. You know, make it a personalized gift – I really like to do that.

Mistake number one. Should've just stuck with Starbucks, but I know that some people don't like Starbucks. And, dammit, I really wanted a personal touch. So shoot me.

There is a great mom and Pop coffee shop across the street, and that was my first choice. I should have known it was too good to be true when I got a space on the street right in front of the coffee shop. And I should've been clued in further when there was money left on the meter. I went to open the door, and saw the sign – "We will be closed from 12/21 to 1/7."

Strike one.

I turned around, and saw a restaurant across the street. I know that they make great sandwiches, so I went in there. They weren't open, but there were several staff members there. I located a manager, who told me that she would not sell me a gift certificate, as the restaurant didn't open for another hour. When I asked if she couldn't do it, she looked at me and said, "I am extremely busy and I do not have time to do this. I'm not going to do it - I'm too busy."

Alrighty then.

I went back out onto the street, and I put more money into the meter. I saw a sushi restaurant immediately across the street from the school and I know that at least one of the teachers loves sushi. So I went in there. I asked if I could get two $15 gift certificates.(Hey, I'm not made of money, $15 a teacher is my limit.)

The clerk there told me that she could not sell me $15 gift certificates, but she did have $30 gift certificates. She also had $50 gift certificates, and $100 gift certificates. I was welcome to buy any of those. When I said that I needed two $15 gift certificates, and repeated myself a third time, her response was golden.

"You can buy a $30 gift certificate, and they can share."

Which explains how the two teachers ended up getting California pizza kitchen, and I have no idea if they eat there.

The only thing that saved me from getting a drink there at the same time was the fact that it was not yet 11 AM.

All of my purchasing is done, all of my gifts are wrapped, and I'm still (mostly) sane. I think I'm going to count this as winning.

Comments

[Amy]

Your heart's in the right place :) and I'm kind of a foodie and I love CPK - we lost ours a couple years ago & I really miss it! Great salads! And really? The manager was too busy to take money? Stupid.

[addy]

The manager was an idiot! And you did extremely well not to choke her. And CPK is always a good choice. Lots of options there. Congratulations you are finished. Enjoy the holiday now. Merry Christmas!

[Sonja]

As my son says, "Oh my glob!!"

[Brandy]

Hubs suggests leaving a review of both places on Yelp. I can't believe too busy to take your money as a customer? Good grief.

[maggie]

You are winning since you have all your gifts wrapped, that is a major feat! It's hard to believe that in these more difficult times people don't want your money! I'm sure the teachers will appreciate the gift cards.

[Kyooty/Mary]

Oh look the cliff, I see it now, it's HUGE! and growing. I wonder why it's growing? I'm sorry that these businesses didn't want to do business.

[Carrie]

We own a small athletic pro shop and I'm somewhat flabbergasted that the manager would not do the gift certificates for you. Seriously, how long does it take to bring up the "point of sale" system. If that was my manager she would definately get a talking to. I know they were not open and maybe she was busy but being nice to others goes a long way for customer service. I mean seriously. Sorry for the rant.

[Anne]

Wow lol. They can share! Sheesh. Thats high priced for a certificate. They should start at ten or fifteen cause not everyone isnt made of money.