We can order a million of something and only actually get one or two. We can look into the problem and inquire as to why we're not getting as many as we ordered, but we can't make them produce them for us on a moments notice. It takes awhile to get answers back, and to get the problem fixed, once its decided that there is one. It took me at least three weeks to get answers on stock I wasn't receiving on digital cameras in electronics.
Also, getting a rain check on a price cut, no matter who you take it to, isn't going to help you even if you do manage to get it printed. Temporary price cuts will print like a regular rain check, but if its just a price cut, its going to print at zero percent off, since thats a new permanent price and will do nothing for you in the long run.
As far as getting peoples names, its a good trick, as long as you can find someone new enough to still be intimidated by it. Getting called out by corporate is not as big of a deal as it sounds.