Hey all, normally a lurker here (you all seem to have far more knowledge than I, so I can rarely contribute). Something happened to me today that has left me scratching my head.
As the subject asks: Have you ever had a store clerk split the cost (or offer to) on an instant ticket?
As of today, I have had it happen three times over the past couple years. The first time, I politely refused. The second time I did it and we each paid half the cost of the ticket. Both times, they were winning tickets, last on the roll (of course, in the latter case, we split the winnings).
Today was weird, though. As before, I was buying a $30 instant ticket. When he pulled it down, there were two left. He separated them and asked which I wanted. I couldn't tell which was the last one, so I told him to pick. After I paid for it, I decided to buy the other one, too.
Here's the weird part: he REFUSED to sell it to me, unless he and I split the cost. No lie, no exaggeration - he wasn't going to sell it. I agreed anyway, and paid half ($15). I scratched it and it turned out to be a $50 winner (yes, I verified). So, we split the winnings, $25 apiece.
I went home and scratched the first ticket (the one I bought alone), it was also a winner: $40. So, both of the last tickets were winners, and I still ended up ahead. No worries, all is good.
But the experience sat strangely with me. As I said, I have had this happen before, and each time they were winners (even if they were just breaking even). Now, I'm not trying to saying there's anything untoward going on, or some rigging or anything (maybe he just hasn't seen a winner and knew one was coming...?).
I go to the store somewhat regularly. But, as I said, he would not sell the instant to me unless I went in half. Something seems fishy about that, but I defer to the better knowledge of those here.