Smart phone, dumb buyer

My phone contract is coming to an end and the carrier who has had little interest in my issues is suddenly my best friend. Surprise. The offer came proposing I upgrade to a better (smarter?) unit for as little as $49. It’s not that my phone lacks features. More like it has a mind of its own and I don’t find that to my liking. I did the research and decided on which of the alternatives I wanted. Off to the store. Before one of the youthful predators could pounce upon me, I angled for someone with a little gray in his hair. The callow ones speak a tongue unknown to me. Of course, he tries to talk me up to a more expensive model. But, I stick to my guns. I have a few basic usages and don’t need the functions he enumerates. I don’t even understand what they are. He finally recognizes that I’m a lost cause and grants me access to the product I came in to buy. We go to ring it up. I’m expecting a $49 sum, exclusive of the state’s override. But, it comes out to $129. I hold up my hand in a halting gesture. “It’s 49 after the $50 rebate,” he explains, as though to a small child. The email promotion didn’t mention this and I hate rebates. I won’t go into what a scam they are here, but I have little choice if I am to continue down this road. However, I do point out that he’s still $30 too rich. “That’s the upgrade charge.” Again, no mention of this in the email. “Then, the price is $79, not $49, as advertised.” “No, the phone is only $49.” I don’t point out we’ve already established that the actual price is $99. “The $30 is a separate charge.” “Then I’ll take just the phone without that.” “You can’t.” “Then it isn’t separate and is part of the cost of the phone.” “No, it’s a separate upgrade charge.” One of us is an idiot and I’m beginning to suspect it’s me. I fear that marketing has taken a cue from politicians and will tell you anything they want without fear of negative consequences.