I've grown very attached to the phone model I have, and made the mistake of dropping its predecessor on the sidewalk, shattering the back of the device. Naturally, I decide to replace the device when I next have some free time. After multiple failed attempts to do so online, I find myself at the nearest Cricket Wireless LLC store.
Upon entering the store, I'm greeted by a representative,
"Hello, can I help you find anything?"
I decline the offer, hoping to find my phone of choice, purchase, and leave. Those hopes were immediately dashed when I couldn't find it on any of the displays, so I approached the representative a few minutes later:
"I was looking for a certain phone, and couldn't find it out and about. It's called..."
As much as I love this phone, it has the most ridiculous name since 2016 Presidential Election ballot. So I sigh out,
"...The ZTE GrandTM X Max +"
Without a second's hesitation, she shoots back,
"Oh, sorry, that phone's discontinued."
Visibly taken aback, I explain that I saw the phone on their company website, and asked for clarification on whether or not their online store is erroneous.
"It's still being sold online, just not in stores, since it's discontinued."
I then explain that I was unsuccessful in making the purchase online. Her reply?
"Probably because it's discontinued."
It's very apparent she neither knows nor cares to know the definition of that word, so I prepare to leave. As I turn around, she says,
"But, there are other phones that are better! I can show you a few, if you'd like."
I had a feeling that statement was a blatant lie, but I had nothing better to do, so I went along with it and stayed a while longer.
I was right.
They did, however, make a new version of the phone I wanted, with a smaller screen, similar processing speed, and a better camera. Which I didn't want. So I left.
When I got home, I downloaded a much older version of my internet browser and visited their website once more, which somehow allowed me to purchase the phone I wanted; meaning, I could have avoided the previous mishap altogether. Oh, well.