if you have a problem with a store's policy, take it up with management. don't take it out on the powerless sales clerk, who no doubt makes less money and has less job security than you. she does not make the rules and she does not have the option to break them. she would almost certainly lose her job if she made an exception for you "just this once." your meanness left her close to tears and no doubt ruined her entire day - while you strode out with your righteous anger and your indignant story to tell your friends. I pointed out to her that you are an asshole and she did her job just right - she was AMAZINGLY polite to you through the whole thing - so maybe that helped. you should try to be less of a jerk when dealing with people less fortunate than you.