The Story of a Fridge

Once upon a time there was a refrigerator on sale at RCWilley.com, advertised at price $XXX.xx. As we all know, our friend Chelsea really needed a refrigerator for her new house and she thought this was a great price; however, she just couldn't find time to go make the purchase at the store. After several weeks, a free afternoon finally came her way and she started off to buy that large kitchen appliance.

Much to her dismay, a new price tag hung on the floor model at RCWilley Home Furnishings on 3rd West: $XXX.xx + $40 it read. Just then, Arty, the rotund commission-hungry salesman offered his assistance. "Can I help you?" he gruffly inquired at the relatively young, seemingly inexperienced consumer before him.

"Yes," replied Chelsea. "I saw this refrigerator advertised at a much lower price just last week. What can you do for me?"

"Let me look in the computer," he mumbled as he sauntered to the nearest workstation. The salesman punched letters and numbers into the computer; the screen flashed the secret codes and language of RCWilley that only the wily eyes of its associates understand. Finally, Arty turned to Chelsea, "I can give it to you for $XXX.xx + $10. That's as good as we ever sell this model to a regular consumer, like yourself, or even our big buyers who would purchase multiple units to furnish an apartment building, for example."

"But that is not the price I saw on the Internet," Chelsea countered, rather enjoying this exchange with the employee.

"I'm sorry, that is as good as we can do."

"Listen, Arty," Chelsea stamped down her foot, straightened her spine, and threw back her shoulders, "I am ready to buy this refrigerator right now but only at the price of $XXX.xx."

The shocked RCWilley salesman threw up his hands in defeat. "You win. It's yours for $XXX.xx."

And that is how it came to pass that Chelsea obtained a new refrigerator for her new house; and they will live happily ever after in refrigerated bliss.

This story inspired by actual events.