I went into our local Office Depot yesterday to buy a printer. Very simple. The thing was like $300. I knew exactly which one I wanted. A young man came over to help me anyway, and once he knew that I was interested in the printer, he started with the "now you will need ink cartridges, a USB cable, paper, and you should definitely get the protection plan." When I told him that I already had a cable at home and I have paper as well, he honed right in on that protection plan I had to purchase."

"For just $49 you will be protected for one year and for a mere $69 you will be protected for two full years. This means that if anything goes wrong, just bring the unit back in and we'll give you a new one. That is the smart thing to do."

Now I am not the type that buys protection plans. I NEVER buy them. Let me repeat that... "NEVER!!!" As far as I am concerned, they are very overpriced insurance policies. A smart consumer will stay away from these money makers!

I thanked the gentleman very much and then continued with my business (which was to browse around the store and see if there was anything else I didn't need). When it came time for me to pick up the printer and take it to the cashier, this guy was all over me. He even offered to carry it for me. As we were walking to the register, he asked me if I was going to take the policy and I politely declined. He gave me somewhat of a weird look at that point.

Just as I thought we were done with that subject, as I got to the cashier and whipped out my credit card, the cashier, a young girl probably around twenty-something reintroduced the subject about the protection plan. When I politely declined, she simply would not take no for an answer. I explained that I was not in the habit of paying 20% more for an item just to get this protection. And I am sure the manufacturer has a warranty.

"Well it's an extremely limited warranty," she told me.

"What does that mean... they only cover defects on the third Wednesday of every month?" I asked.

She gave me a weird look as well but would not let up.

And the gentleman, who was till lurking around came back up to me and said he'd take $10 off the print cartidges if I bought the plan. I was now surrounded but I still did not give in.

"We just had a woman that came in yesterday and bought a $40 shredder and bought the protection. Cost her $10 extra... she was smart to do so."

"Well, I think she was an idiot to overpay by 25%, and I'm not buying this damn protection." Then I asked the question... "Tell me, just between you and me... how much money do you personally make when you sell a plan."

"They add 10% of the cost of the plan to my paycheck."

"So you really push these things and you can make some good money, right???"

"Of course I do, that's how I make my money."

"Well, just give me the damn printer. I am not buying the protection but I promise to always wear condoms, OK?"

She looked at me as if I were some weirdo and didn't know how to answer. Man, I cannot stand companies who push those protection plans so hard. Office Depot, I am surprised and disappointed. That's the reason I went to you guys instead of Best Buy. But next time I buy something, I will give the salesperson or the cashier incredible shit if they ask me about the damn protection. Just let me buy my product!

See you soon...

Dave