What a day!  First finding out that I won $1,000 in the haiku contest and then, free eggs at the grocery store (yes it was the same store in which the infamous lettuce incident went down – I don’t have a lot of options).

     Apparently though, I have been bit by the lucky bug.  I can just hear the question whizzing through your minds right now: what is it with her and all these freebies? 

     I can’t say for sure, but I’m thinking it must have something to do with eggs.  The contest, you’ll remember, was sponsored by Egg Beaters.  And the free product at my fine (though arguably challenged in proper food handling procedures) grocery: eggs.  I’m no rocket scientist people, but I’m sensing a trend here.

     So the eggs were marked $2.49 in the case.  They rang up at $2.79.  I paid attention as the checker scanned them because after perusing my receipt last week I noticed that I was charged .30 too much.  You might be asking yourself if .30 is worth the trouble.  If you knew me well, you wouldn’t have to ask.

     I carefully check my grocery receipts each and every week.  And I honestly don’t remember when the last time I didn’t find a mistake was.  In most cases I’m overcharged a dollar and some cents.  One time though, after my visit to the customer service desk, I walked away with a $14 credit.  In my book, $14 ain’t chump change.  Especially when both my grocery and gas bills have gone up significantly over the past couple of months.

     So back to the check out.  I waited till the checker was done with my items and then:

     Me: The eggs rang up wrong.  They are marked $2.49 but they came up at $2.79.  That makes them free right? (I’m well-versed on their accuracy in scanning policy).

     Checker: I’ll have to do a price check.  (She sends the bagger to verify my claim).

     In the meantime I stand twiddling my thumbs as do the two people in line behind me.  I’m well aware of the their glaring eyes staring me down as their Ben & Jerry’s starts getting soft around the edges.  The checker, of course, isn’t the least bit deterred.  It’s a tactic.  But she’d have to come up with something better to intimidate this frugal Momma.

     Finally the bagger returns with my eggs.  “2.49″ she says, as she hands them back.  Next the checker pulls out her little sheet of paper and starts crafting a book about the barcode mix-up.

     I wait it out and in the end I get the eggs for free.  Don’t mess with me people.  I’m a stickler for accuracy in pricing. 

     And not only that.  I have no qualms over taking stuff back to the store when it doesn’t live up.  Starchy watermelons, corked wine, freezer-burned ice cream.  You name it, I’m not too proud to take it back.  I mean, seriously, I’m feeding a family of six and spending upwards of seven hundred bucks per month on food.  I know!  Seven hundred bones!  By golly, for that kind of money I expect my produce to be dusted with gold.  If not though, I at least expect the items in the store to be properly marked so I’m not unwillingly gouged into spending more than was advertised.  

     Yeah so, free eggs.  Free money from Egg Beaters.  I’m on a roll.

     You’ll have to excuse me now.  I think I’ll go have an omelet to celebrate.