Kitchen

[FunkyHulaGirl]

So, I got a coupon in the mail from Kohl's for $10 off anything in the store, no minimum purchase. I don't need clothes, so I headed for the housewares department, where I saw a lovely cookbook called "Frozen Treats" - it has all kinds of homemade pops, many of which are low-calorie. The pictures are absolutely beautiful, so I got it. (I also "just happened to see" a gorgeous top on my way to the housewares department...but that's another story - let's just say I spent considerably more than $10!)

I got home, and leafed through the book; oh, it's lovely! Lots of recipes I can't wait to make. I went to put it in one of the bookcases, along with similar books, now that I've done a purge and have a bit of available room. Guess what? I already have the book - it was at the very end of the shelf, where it could be clearly seen through the wrought-iron sides!

What's even funnier is I had seen it at a book fair at my old school back in January, but I was in a hurry (on my way to an appointment at the dental school) and forgot to pick it up with the pile of books that I hurriedly got, so I decided to see if I could find it on-line. The company that sponsors the book fair did have it (BooksAreFun), but then I thought I'd look on Amazon. It was cheaper there, so I ordered it. Later that day I was perusing some of my books...and saw that I already had it! Fortunately I was able to cancel the Amazon order.

So yes, that's twice that I tried to get/got a book I already had; I have no idea of where I actually bought it the first time. One of the nice things about ordering from Amazon is they tell you if you've already purchased a book, and give you the date, so I know it wasn't from there.

I went to Kohl's earlier - the one nearer my home - to return the book; of course, I couldn't find my receipt, but was fine with a store credit. The customer service woman scanned the book...and told me it's so old it's not even in stock anymore! I truthfully told her I bought the book two days ago at the new Kohl's, where they have dozens of them, and she informed me that I'd have to go to that store to return it. Really? I have to drive 20 miles each way to return a lousy book?

You'd better believe the manager of the other store is going to hear about this...they shouldn't advertise hassle-free returns if it's not the truth, and since things purchased at one store can be returned at another, their computer system should reflect the entire company's inventory.

Needless to say, it's not likely that I'll make the mistake of buying that book a fourth time...