Why are they buying that?

Shortly after I started working at the hardware store, I waited on an older woman who was buying several items.  I was still adjusting to the new job and was reluctant to step outside of the safety of just saying hello, stating the total, collecting payment, and bagging the purchase.  Two items caught my attention, a broom and a mouse trap.  I lost all inhibition and starting laughing, thinking back on the old Jinx the cat and Pixie and Dixie cartoon where Jinx would chase Pixie and Dixie with a wet broom.  Then I asked her if she was going after the mouse with the broom if the mouse trap didn't work.  She laughed and quietly said "That was a good one" and that she just might.  

I've loosed up a lot more since then and I am really enjoying the customers.  I am playing a new game now to see what is the most bizarre combo that customers will buy.    So far the best is still the broom and the mouse trap, coming in second is the man who bought an alarm clock and a hammer.  

Now that I am actively looking for such purchases I think I'm am beginning to stretch things just a bit.  The other day a customer bought a couple of extension cords and an item that was suppose to rid his yard of gophers.  He was telling me that he thought the product was working so he came in for more.  I looked at the extension cords and suggested that he hook them up with some bright lights and stick them down the gopher hole and try to send the little buggers into darkness somewhere beyond his yard.  He heartily agreed that yes that would be a great way to send them back to the winery from which he suspected them came.  

Interestingly enough I heard today that the only way truly rid your yard of gophers is to discourage them from being in your yard.  I guess my advice wasn't far off.