I despair humanity a.k.a. simple math is beyond some people

[donutsweeper]

The local supermarket has an instore coupon for 4 boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese for $1. You must buy 4 boxes. The regular price is 89 cents per box.

I'm picking up my four when I see someone grab only 2. So I point out the coupon (handily attached to the shelf right in front of the mac and cheese) and mention the 4 for a $1 deal.

"But I only need two boxes for tonight."

"Well, yes, but it's more expensive to buy two than it is to buy four."

"Huh?"

"They're 89 cents each, so if you pick up two you'll spend $1.78. You'll actually save money if you buy four and use the coupon."

"But I only need two."

"Right, but the use by date is next summer so the mac and cheese will be good for another 9 months. You'll have plenty of time to use it."

"But I don't need four. I only need two."

"Yes, but you'll save money if you buy four. And you can either save the other two boxes for later or you can donate them to a food shelf or something."

"But why would I want to buy four boxes when I only need two?"

"Because it's $1.78 to buy two but only a dollar to buy four."

"But I don't need four."

*headdesk* After a few more attempts of explaining it I gave up. It really is not that difficult a concept, is it?

Comments

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I would have been the dumb "but I only need two" person.

There's arithmetic and then there's just plain excess. Perhaps the extra carrying, the cupboard space, or the daunting prospect of actually eating or finding a good home for that much of the so-called "foodstuff" wasn't worth the $1.78 to the shopper.

I can't count the number of times I've been told at the checkout that I'll get some (undeniably) fantastic bargain by consuming more of something than I want or need. I get where you're coming from on this--I really do--but "Take two! One's free!" is at the very heart of what's wrong with our society.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I guess, but there's a food shelf collection bin right in the front of the store, so I didn't understand why they didn't want to do that.

If it was something that spoiled quickly or would be difficult to store (like it needed to be frozen) I wouldn't have done more than mention it once.

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they still save 78 cents if they buy four and donate two. Awesome deal.

Dude, I'd buy eight boxes at that price. I love mac and cheese!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

That's what I didn't understand. I guess if you had limited space or something, but how much room does 2 boxes of mac and cheese take? And they're not hard to carry... They just didn't seem to get the fact it was cheaper to buy two.

[haldane.livejournal.com]

About the only thing I can think of is that this person was in a hurry, and had ingrained in their head that they "needed two boxes of mac and cheese", and taking the time to change tracks was more trouble than saving the 78 cents?

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

ah, now I can see that.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. *boggles*

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I know, right?

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Somebody with more dollars than sense.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

And it's not like it's something they don't apparently use. I toss coupons for great deals on stuff I don't want. But man, if it's something I buy *anyway*?

Now I want Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Man, I love that stuff. It's complete crap, but I love it. :-)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

very true. although, it's unlikely to stay that way for long

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

oh yeah, even if it's cheap or free I won't get it if I have no use for it.

It's the bright orangeness that makes Kraft mac and cheese so perfect, isn't it?

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Not at that rate.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

LOL! It's especially good when you top it with Bacos and their fake bacony goodness. ;-) Then serve with a big bowl of Ranch Style Beans. Oh, YUM! Comfort food of the gods!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I don't know what Ranch Style Beans are but YES for the comfort food!

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Ranch Style beans are a brand of seasoned canned pintos (maybe kidneys, now that I think of it). They're *wonderful*.

[skipthedemon.livejournal.com]

Well, some stores , at least around here, would still sell her the two boxes for 25 cents each. You don't have to buy the 4 to get the sale. *shrug*

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think they sell them here. But we don't eat a lot of beans anyway so maybe I just don't know

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

sometimes sales are like that here. this one specified it wouldn't though, that you had to buy 4

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Take a look the next time you're in the grocery store. They're very, *very* tasty. :-)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*salutes* Yes'm!

[tejas.livejournal.com]

LOL! Though your neck of the woods might be a long shot. :-)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

yeah, I doubt they'll be easy to find this far north

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

See, my problem is that I always have to explain to people like this why they can't just get two boxes for 50 cents.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I think that kind of logic was above this person. But yeah, that would be annoying

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Some people.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Luckily I had just had my coffee, otherwise I'd probably have been screaming or tearing my hair out! :)