I use my phone apps (Target, Walmart, Dollar General, JC Penny, DSW, Kohls, BJ's, Price Chopper, etc.) to scan for prices, rather than try to find a price scanner in-store that actually works.

I agree that customer service isn't what it used to be! So many stores hire people without fully training them. I've had more than one instance where I had to "educate" a cashier on how to use a coupon. For example, on a "free" coupon "up to value X", I was once told that the value couldn't be less than x. Oh, and it couldn't be more, either. They said it had to be exactly that price. Seriously!

And it's not just regular retail. I was told that since a company sent our office a wrong toner, which they wanted back, I would have to jump through hoops "A" and "B" in order for them to send me a label. I told them I would throw it in the trash before doing that, and amazingly I received a pre-paid label!