shame on you, Williams-Sonoma!

My toaster oven is falling apart. Food doesn't cook evenly and it looks decrepit.

I have been researching its replacement, and finally find one I like, made by Breville.

I call Amazon last week and someone tells me, "Wait until Cyber Monday when everything will be 50% off." I know this can't be true, but wait anyway.

Cyber Monday comes and the price is the same.

I search the web and come across this big banner on Williams-Sonoma's site.

I find the item I want and lucky me, it's already on sale.

Sugg. Price:  $200
Our Price: $134.97

Williams-Sonoma is discounting the price by 33% before I even apply the extra 15% off.

Well, not really.

The suggested retail price has been inflated by 48%, and the product is selling everywhere, including Breville's own website, for $134.97

Still, I figure, 15% off.  

I select the item, already picturing how nice the toaster will look on my counter. I begin to check out, and enter the code SAVEMORE. 

Nothing happens. 

I must be doing something wrong. 

I call Williams-Sonoma and get Travis in Oklahoma City. "I'll look into this for you." 20 minutes on-hold later he returns.

"I'm sorry to have kept you on hold so long, but there are some exclusions. It says it right on the website." That's when he points out the teeny-tiny minuscule lettering on the bottom right of the home page that does say, "Some exclusions apply."  If you squint really hard you might be able to see it in the ad above. 

I also point out to Travis that the suggested price of $200 is wrong. 

"Every retailer is selling this item for $134.97, including Breville," I say.

"Well," Travis says. "The $200 is our suggested retail price."

It's impossible to argue with illogical people; I don't even try. 

Needless to say, I don't buy the toaster oven.