I go to the right department and hunt around. Can't find it. Eventually locate operative and ask for item. "We don't sell that anymore," she barks.
I hunt around and find it!! I take it to her to pay. "Yes, you do," I say.
She gathers her colleagues round who all declare their astonishment.
I head to the next department. I point at an item on display and say that I need two of them. She checks the stock
"Sorrym we only have one in stock."
Me: "That's OK, I can take the one from stock and this one too."
Her: "No, that is for display."
Me: "So why display something that is out of stock? I will take both."
She refuses and I demand to see a manager.
He lets me buy both items. Operative scowls.
Incredibly, this was in John Lewis, a shop I also had a nightmare time in last month in Southampton.