Shopper takes on Wal-Mart over 27 cents

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | Published on: 09/10/05 | By SANDRA ECKSTEIN

[rawhide]

Susan Asher isn't someone you want to rile.

The freelance PR specialist and writer recently went to war with Wal-Mart over 27 cents and didn't stop her assault until the corporate giant waved the proverbial white flag and offered an apology.

Susan Asher was denied a back-to-school tax exemption.

The war began when Asher whent to buy a four-pack of headbands in late July during the state's annual back-to-school tax-free holiday.

A cashier and a store manager at the Wal-Mart in Roswell said the headbands were not on the state's tax-exempt list. Asher left the store fuming — and without the headbands.

That's where the story would end for most. But Asher wanted the 27 cents she would have saved and wanted to prove that she was right.

She began quietly, placing a call to Wal-Mart's headquarters in Arkansas. A company spokesman followed up, insisting that Wal-Mart was correct. So like most great field commanders, Asher changed her tactics and contacted the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs. She followed that up with a letter to the governor and then called his office.

A receptionist told her the governor wouldn't read her letter but, just when it seemed the war might be lost, Asher was put in touch with the state's Department of Revenue.....

[rawhide]

What a big, big waste of time on this woman's part. She must live a very un-interesting life. If I were WalMart, I would have just given her the headbands to go away. Gee-whiz!

[rawhide]

The woman who fought Wal-Mart and won:

[Homer1]

Why, again, are head bands tax exempt?

[Wormwood]

What a colossal waste of time.

This skank needs a new hobby.

[PokeyJoe]

hehehe... send her a gift certificate to Wal Mart for 27 cents. =)

[FlingWingFlyer]

PR specialist. Sounds to me like she needed a resume item to get her resume going. I'll bet she's still suffering from PEST also.

[claudiustg]

Portrait of a Democrat!

[flashbunny]

"When Asher told a Wal-Mart official the company should compensate her for all her time, the executive offered a $5 gift card."

HAH!

[Homer1]

<sarcasm>Her family must be so proud...</sarcasm>

[Jessarah]

Why are headbands considered school supplies?

[martin_fierro]

I'd call her a lonely, frustrated woman with no sense of proportion, but she'd probably track me down and sue me.

[CommieCutter]

Yeah. Lady, you are LOO hooo ha HOOOOO oooooo zer! Loser!

[rawhide]

LOL, very good idea!

[operation clinton cleanup]

Why, again, are head bands tax exempt?

It seems they are not, thats her problem.

[ozzymandus]

What a horses' ass.

[Wormwood]

It seems they are not, thats her problem.

It seems that's not her only problem, if you know what I mean.

[Arkinsaw]

Its okay to fight if you are right.

I quit a job over 25 cents once when in college. Sounds stupid. I delivered pizzas, I made an extra delivery that saved the company $3.00 that I did not have to do. The manager refused to give me commision for the delivery to save the 25 cents also even though my actions had saved him 3 bucks.

So I quit. I got picked up the next day by the manager of another store who had heard I quit. The original manager got to keep his 25 cents, but he lost one of only two or three full-time dependable drivers.

I was right and it paid off for me. He was wrong and screwed himself. I feel pretty good about standing up for myself even though the initial quitting seemed stupid and risky.

[Joe Boucher]

Let's see, Wal-Mart with a trillion dollars in sales per year. And this woman with nothing real to do is the big time wal-mart killer, she got them for 27 cents.
Wal-Mart should have just had her killed like the clintons do to their psets.

[Welsh Rabbit]

I hate getting stuck behind these types in the check-out line.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Choose your battles carefully. Apparently, those headbands are really damn important. I'm sure the licorice and Care-Bear stickers are vital to her livelihood and kids' education, too.