I was working at E. J. Korvettes in Rockville Maryland [for the people in the Washington metropolitan area, that alone will date me, as will the story]. Korvettes used Polaroid film and the Kodak Instamatic Cameras as lost leaders. They were sold a few cents over cost. To get to the camera department one had to pass either handbags and wallets or gardens and tools. Of course this would raise sales in those two areas.
I and my friend, also a college student, handled film, processing and selling Instamatic 104 cameras. We each pulled in over $2,500 a day so things were hopping and we worked really fast to keep the line down. We were paid a commission on the total sales plus salary.
One day an old lady comes in to buy an Instamatic 104 camera for her granddaughter. I spent about 45 minutes explaining to her how to load and use the camera [Note bene: she was not going to use the camera herself.] Finally she decided to buy the camera in the kit which include a roll of film and flashcubes. She also selected two more rolls of film and a box of flashcubes. I ring up each item, telling her what it is and the cost, and place it in the bag.
Suddenly, she grabs the bag from me, tearing it open, grabs a box of film and jams it up my left nostril and shouts, "What is this and what do I do with it?"
I pick up a new bag, load the rung up items into it. Then I take the roll of film and I say to her, "Lady, do you know what you can do with this? Lady, do you know what you can do with this?"
The old lady gets all red in the face and shouts, "What do you mean by that young man?"
The camera department manager was dying and ran over as fast as he could.
I said, "Why lady, you open the back of the camera, drop the film in it, advance the film and the camera is ready."
The old lady says, "Thank you so much, you have been real kind and patient with me." She paid and left.
The camera department manager walked back to the storeroom holding his chest.
Steve
