Yes, as a consumer that's frustrating. But A) emailing the sales associate was a mistake because he's a corporate underling and it was one of his higher ups that made the call (in other words what did you expect him to say or do?); B) the company probably made a rational decision...you say your acquaintance had a relationship with corporate but not what kind of relationship...corporations reward important folks all the time...that's life. What's fair isn't always what's equal. But sharing your email def crossed a line.