Today, I’ve been the victim of Burger King’s “Would you like that to be a medium or large today?” second generation corporate strategy to nickel and dime its customers.

There is a Burger King on the way to school that I have been avoiding like the plague for months because fastfood is not good for me and I shouldn’t eat it often.  Second, the guy at the window always tries to flirt with me.  First, he would have this cheesy smile on his face.  I avoid looking at him.  Then when I reach for the receipt he withdraws my receipt.  I think he wants me to engage in some kind of cat and mouse game with him for the receipt and I refuse to do so.  I have on my “I am not amused” look and get away as quickly as possible. 

Since it is November and close to exam time I have been slacking on cooking.  So, I stopped by BK for a quick lunch.  I always order #4 the Jr Whopper Burger with no cheese that costs $3.99 which comes to $4.32 with taxes.   But, today the total came to be $5.04. 

BK: How are we feeling today?

Jane: Good. May I please have the number 4 Jr. Whopper?

BK: Would you like cheese with that?

Jane: No cheese.  Can I have onion rings instead of the fries?

BK: Yes, would you like that to be Medium or Large?

Jane: Medium.  And can I have ketchup for the onion rings?

BK: What would you like to drink?

Jane: Dr Pepper.

BK: Your total is $5.04.  Please drive up to the window.

And as I am pull up I realize waaiiittt something doesn’t add up, quickly I look up to #4 and it says small, medium and large.      The way they asked me if I wanted medium or large made me think I only had two options.  I pull around and there he was, the flirt.  I quickly took my food and drive away from BK trying to comprehend what the heck just happened.                                                                                                                                                                                        

I know that fast food joints use questions like “Would you like to super size your order?” or “Would you like fries with that?” to get you to spent more.  And you can say yes or no and that is the end of that.  They are straightforward questions.  But, the question “Would you like that to be a medium or large today?” seems to be the next generation in getting you to spend more.  When you actually order#4 you are only ordering the small.  By asking if that will be medium or large you are really asking to supersize the meal (or move up to the next size) but the way it is asked makes you think that’s your only choice.  So, the either or question makes you pick one instead of the old “yes superzie or no supersize.”  You as the listener is really saying no, I don’t want to supersize (or go the next size).  Though the format of the question second generation scheme means you just said “yea, I want to move up to the next size” when you really said, heck no, I want the smallest available. 

This is misrepresentation and just plain old trickery.  Shame on you BK.