When you're offered a free class, why wouldn't you take it?
The scene: The waiting area of a small yoga studio on the west side of Chicago. The instructor for the next class is tidying up and buzzing people in as they arrive, while the previous class wraps up in the next room.
Me: *watching a new student sign in* Oh, you're here on the LivingSocial deal? I'm afraid that expired, but you're more than welcome to join in anyway, no charge.
Her: What? I just redeemed it on July 29.
Me: Yes, it expired on August 1. But it's no problem, I'm happy to have you.
Her: What?? I redeemed it on July 29. It gives me a month of free classes. That's before it expired.
Me: Yeah, the owner let us all know that the deal was over. I mean, check the details on the deal and all,I could be wrong, but either way I'm happy to have you in my class at no charge. You're all ready and everything, and I couldn't turn you away..
Her: So I only got to go to two classes?
Me: Well, I'm sorry, but it expired. I just mean that if you come in again, it may be a problem with the next instructor, since it's sort of at their discretion.
Her: I *will* check. I'm going to check right now! *whips out an iPhone*
The 6:00 class has ended. Students are coming out.
Me: (addressing all five people who have showed up for class) I'm just going to go in and get the room ready, please feel free to come in at any time.
(I put on a CD, get my props out, greet the previous teacher, we chat a minute, everybody starts to get settled in except for LivingSocial deal girl, who is still in the waiting area futzing with her phone.)
Me: (back in the lobby) So...
Her: There, you see? *Hands me the phone* Look right there. It says expires August 1st. I redeemed it on July 29th. So I get a month of classes unlimited for free.
Me: August 1st was two weeks ago.
Her: Yes, but I came in on July 29th.
Me: Yes, I understand, and I don't really care either way. Class is about to begin. Now, would you like to join us?
Her: *gathering her things* I am so angry at you. You are ripping me off. I'm never coming back to this place again.
Me: .... okay bye..
Me: *watching a new student sign in* Oh, you're here on the LivingSocial deal? I'm afraid that expired, but you're more than welcome to join in anyway, no charge.
Her: What? I just redeemed it on July 29.
Me: Yes, it expired on August 1. But it's no problem, I'm happy to have you.
Her: What?? I redeemed it on July 29. It gives me a month of free classes. That's before it expired.
Me: Yeah, the owner let us all know that the deal was over. I mean, check the details on the deal and all,I could be wrong, but either way I'm happy to have you in my class at no charge. You're all ready and everything, and I couldn't turn you away..
Her: So I only got to go to two classes?
Me: Well, I'm sorry, but it expired. I just mean that if you come in again, it may be a problem with the next instructor, since it's sort of at their discretion.
Her: I *will* check. I'm going to check right now! *whips out an iPhone*
The 6:00 class has ended. Students are coming out.
Me: (addressing all five people who have showed up for class) I'm just going to go in and get the room ready, please feel free to come in at any time.
(I put on a CD, get my props out, greet the previous teacher, we chat a minute, everybody starts to get settled in except for LivingSocial deal girl, who is still in the waiting area futzing with her phone.)
Me: (back in the lobby) So...
Her: There, you see? *Hands me the phone* Look right there. It says expires August 1st. I redeemed it on July 29th. So I get a month of classes unlimited for free.
Me: August 1st was two weeks ago.
Her: Yes, but I came in on July 29th.
Me: Yes, I understand, and I don't really care either way. Class is about to begin. Now, would you like to join us?
Her: *gathering her things* I am so angry at you. You are ripping me off. I'm never coming back to this place again.
Me: .... okay bye..