Being a retired member of the United State military entitles me to use the various privileges found on any of our federal military bases and as such I would occasionally visit Dover Air Force base.
While on the base I usually visit the commissary and purchase any miscellaneous foods that my family may need as well as to tour the local BX area.
During my recent trip into the BX, I chanced upon a camouflaged flashlight.
Being a true survivalist I knew immediately that I just had to have this item for my BOV since my bug out vehicle was painted also in camouflaged.
The match was perfect - both had jungle camouflage on them.
I picked up the flashlight and looked at it from all angels but could find no price sticker on it.
I looked at the bin from where I had found it and again I notice nothing relating to its cost.
Not a problem I thought after all just how much could a flashlight actually cost.
I completed my shopping and proceeded to enter the check out counter to pay for the flashlight as well as a laptop case and a roll of clear contact paper which I had located in the store.
The cashier graciously rang up the purchases one at a time and when she had completed them she totaled my order.
I proceeded to provide her with my credit card which she promptly scanned and handed it back to me.
In addition, she provided me with the cash register tape for my signature which is of course necessary to authorize the credit card company to pay them.
I signed the paper and preceded to hand it back to her.
She next bagged my purchase and politely thanked me for my business.
I proceeded to leave the store at this time and walk out to my vehicle to go home.
As I walked to the vehicle I had began to wonder why my purchase had been so costly.
All I had bought was one roll of clear contact paper, a laptop bag that was on sale for an amazing $25.
00 and the flashlight.
As I approached the van I got inside and sat there for a moment or two thinking of this situation.
I took out my recite and began to analyze it.
There in black and white were all my purchases.
I looked at the price of the computer laptop case.
I saw no problem there.
I then looked at the price of the clear contact paper.
Again I viewed nothing unusual or wrong here.
I finally glanced at the price of the camouflaged flashlight! This fancy colored flashlight had cost me a whopping $16.
00.
I was totally amazed and speechless.
I had often heard of these companies overcharging our government for toilet paper and screws but now it seems to be hitting home as they are charging the military members also.
Any BX users beware as this was certainly a wake up call for me.
Copyright @2008 Joseph Parish