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I went to buy the Snakes on a Plane Soundtrack from the mall to finish off my mall gift certificate before it because useless when I move to Boston (thanks again, Becca!).

I went in Barnes & Noble, because that is the entrance to the mall I always use. I went to their music section, and it took two employees to find the only copy of the Snakes on a Plane Soundtrack that they had in stock. It was $17.99, but it is a brick and mortar store, so I figure that’s probably about how much it is. My attempts to call Chris for an Amazon price check were futile (note how on A.com it’s $9.99). I find out that the same CD, that I just purchased for $19.07 after tax, is only $14.99 at FYI, making it $15.89 after tax there. Notice how that is over three dollars less.

I returned to Barnes & Noble and asked if they price match. They don’t. I asked if I can return the CD. I can. I ask if it will credit my mall gift certificate or what. The first employee I ask told me I will get a cash refund since mall certificates suck at life (note: never buy anyone a mall gift certifcate or you don’t love them). The second employee, who would actually be in charge of returning the CD, tells me that I would only be able to get store credit. So basically I would be stuck with $19.07 to a store that sells everything for more than I can get it for online. I understand that paying a bit more for the ability to immediately have the product and not need to wait for shipping helps stores cover the overhead of running retail locations, but Barnes & Noble hasn’t treated me so well lately.

I can’t return a CD I bought 15 minutes ago because they’re selling it for 20% more than a competitor? Awful.