Mitchell’s letter is a great example of how you can stand up to (supermarket) authority, get into an argument, be a smartass, and still walk away with six free can of hippie soda.

“Last night I was at the WF at Charles River Park in Boston to redeem six coupons for a free Ito-En tea beverage. The coupons didn’t scan, so the cashier called her supervisor. The sup. said they were no good, but I asked for the manager. When the manager arrived, he informed me that the coupon read: “limit one coupon per purchase”, and told me that I would have to make one purchase, six times, and go to the back of the line for every purchase.

I told him that this interpretation was wrong and got into a shouting match with him. A security guard intervened, and I told him I would comply with his faulty decision.

Since there was no line, I walked five feet to the end of the conveyor- belt, turned around, and re-approached the cashier after my first purchase.

The manager storms over, growls, “leave the store,” and gives me a dirty look.

Finally, I…

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…leave the store and re-enter several times in order to use all the coupons. In my bag are six receipts and six $1.69 bottles of Tea’s tea.”

Mitchell had to escalate through three levels of employees, two of which said his coupon was not valid. Only the manager was able to offer interpretation. Minus for Whole Foods.

Then Mitchell gets into a “shouting match.” Minus for Mitchell.

Security guard intervenes, Mitchell agrees to comply. Plus for Whole Foods, plus for Mitchell.

Mitchell walks to end of cashier, turns around, and walks back. Plus for Mitchell.

Store manager throws him out. Minus for Whole foods.

Mitchell walks back in and out, six time, walks away with free beverages. Plus for Wholes Foods, Plus for Mitchell.

Whole Foods – 1 -1 +1 +1 = 0
Mitchell -1 +1 +1 +1 = 2

Mitchell wins.

&mdash BEN POPKEN