FYE gave reader Ben a 30% discount on two DVDs purchased as part of deal promising “Buy 1 Get 1 Free!” Ben wanted volumes five and six of the anime series Samurai Champloo. Each DVD was listed for $29.99.

I made sure she knew they were buy one get one free. She told me the total was $43.xx. I was like, they’re buy one get one free. She told me that the discount was split between the two, then the tax. Being almost late for work with a line behind me I didn’t feel like starting a fight.

$43? We are not good at math, but we checked with a nearby engineer, and he says that half of $29.99 is $14.99.

Ben checked his receipts when he got home. Instead of a 50% discount, FYE had deducted $10 from the price of each DVD. Our engineer says that is only a 30% discount. FYE owes Ben $9.99.

Ben’s emails with pictures and the resolution, after the jump…

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Ben’s first email:

“Had some time before work wednesday, decided to drop by the FYE at the other end of the mall (Houston Galleria). I’m a fan of Samurai Champloo (it’s on Adult Swim, but I don’t have cable so I’ve been buying the DVD collection) and I needed 3 more volumes, 5,6, and 7. I walked to the Anime section (shielding my face, trying not to be recognized lol) and saw this huge sign stating Buy One Get One Free on Geneon DVDs. Champloo is on Geneon. So I was psyched since they’re $29.99 a pop and I generally only get one at a time. I grabbed volumes 5 and 6 and took them up front, and she rang it all up. I made sure she knew they were buy one get one free. She told me the total was $43.xx. I was like, they’re buy one get one free. She told me that the discount was split between the two, then the tax. Being almost late for work with a line behind me I didn’t feel like starting a fight. Took my dvd’s home later that night, and the receipt said each one was $10 off. That only makes $20 discount. One dvd is $29.99. FYE owes me $9.99!! Spread the word!!!”

Ben’s second email:

Went back before work today and got a picture of the sign. Got my refund, but I had to jump through some hoops and walk over to the sign and point to it and the geneon logo on the dvd i’d bought. Their system didn’t have it on file so the money didn’t come off automatically. Probably an old sign. Here’s the pic!

Good thing Ben didn’t throw away the receipts. If he had, not even the strongest samurai would have been able to enforce the deal. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER

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