Donald Ardale is a bit of a bargain shopper.
But when the Richmond Heights man went to get a haircut this November, his quest for a discount landed him behind bars.
This
it has made my life hell, he said.
According to Lyndhurst police, Ardale, 65, went to Best Cuts in Lyndhurst with a $7.99 coupon for a haircut. The police report states that store employees claimed the coupon was expired.
Ive been using coupons all my life, Ardale said of the incident on Nov. 5. I always look for the expiration date. There is no expiration date on the coupon that they would not take.
When Ardale asked if the store would honor a competitors coupon, that`s when things got out of hand.
I had been there a half hour trying to pay, trying to pay what I owe, he said.
The police report states that Ardale offered a coupon from Sport Clips. The paper had four coupons on it. Employees were willing to give Ardale $3 off his $14.50 haircut. They stipulated, however, that they would only give him the discount if they received the whole coupon, which included about $20 in discounts. The store needed the coupon for its records.
A retired real estate agent, Ardale refused to give up the whole coupon. He said even before living on Social Security, hes always tried to pinch pennies. He was willing to pay the $11.50 due after using the coupons $3 discount.
Lyndhurst police were eventually called, and they arrested Ardale for theft.
The police report states that officers gave Ardale three choices: pay full price, get $3 off while giving up the coupon or go to jail. Mr. Ardale picked jail.
Now, Ardale faces first-degree misdemeanor charges for a fight over the haircut. He`s pleading not-guilty and hopes to make his case to a judge. He is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 25.
Fox 8 has reached out to Best Cuts and is waiting for their response.
I did nothing wrong. Didnt steal anything, Ardale said. The worst thing
one thing under a felony, for a $6 coupon that they charged me with. That is to me and everyone Ive spoken to, totally insane.
