January 13, 2007

Universal Orlando Resort

1000 Universal Studios Plaza

Orlando, FL 32819-7610

Dear Universal Studios,

My recent stay in Orlando was amazing, thanks to your two fun-filled parks. But I must say that your stores have the most peculiar policy when it comes to buying merchandise.

Some friends and I decided to buy some candy in one of your stores. I am a big fan of jelly beans, so I was thrilled to see that you sold Jelly Belly in a wide assortment of flavors. But the price was not to my liking – it was a little steep compared to back home. I decided that I was only going to buy one jelly bean, of the Tutti Frutti variety, in order to save money. This single jelly bean was all bagged up and ready to go! I brought it to the counter and the woman would not sell it to me. She claimed that it was not heavy enough to weigh in, but when she placed the sugary speck of goodness onto the scale, it did display a number, miniscule as it was. Since she refused the sale I asked if I could have the jelly bean for free. Declined once again, I was puzzled beyond belief.

I asked this woman why I could not buy the merchandise her store was selling, but she did not even say anything. Thus I am passing this question along to you, hoping to receive a real answer. I’m no retail genius, but I do believe that the purpose of a store is to sell merchandise in order to make a profit. To the best of my knowledge, this jelly bean was not a display model, so I do not understand why I could not purchase it. Perhaps this store was actually a ride (Store: The Ride!) where the items were merely part of the décor? I bought a single jelly bean in Disney World on Jan. 7, and although I was grossly overcharged I was allowed to make the purchase, but the same is not true for Universal Studios.

Please explain this to me!

Truly Baffled,

Kevin Dickinson

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