A seasoned farmer knew a bad deal when he saw one—or so he thought. One morning, after years of coaxing life from stubborn soil and worn-out machinery, he rolled into town ready to buy a new pickup truck. The local paper had promised a specific model at a specific price. Simple math, right?
At the dealership, he pointed to the truck. No haggling. No wandering. Just business. Pens uncapped, forms slid across the desk, everything looked routine… until the final bill hit the table. The farmer blinked, adjusted his glasses, and frowned.
“This isn’t the price I saw,” he said calmly.
The salesman launched into a rapid-fire explanation: power steering, power brakes, power windows, heavy-duty tires, a package of extras the farmer didn’t ask for but apparently needed anyway. Each add-on pushed the price higher. The farmer listened, sighed, signed, and drove home, all while mentally noting every detail.
Months later, the phone rang. The same salesman needed a cow for his son’s 4-H project. The farmer offered: “Five hundred dollars a head. Come pick.” Hours later, after inspecting the herd, they settled on one. The salesman wrote a check for $500.
“That’s not the final price,” said the farmer.
“Extras?” asked the salesman.
The farmer handed over a list:
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