Is this Legal?

I was shopping at Toys R us on the dreaded "Black Friday" and when I went to check out, I saw a coupon book. I was flipping through it and the cashier asked if I wanted the book. The rest of the conversation went like this:

I said, "sure."
Then she asked to scan it.
I replied, "do I have to buy the coupon book?"
Cashier, "No, it's free but we have to scan them."
I said, "ok."

She scans the book. Then this guy comes up to the register and asks if he can have "a couple of coupon books". She replies, "SURE!" I am standing there dumbfounded. (DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN?)

I pay, she asks if she can put the reciept in my bag and I reply, "NO, I'll take it." She folds the reciept inwards twice and hands me the reciept. I open the reciept and look at the charges....I am charged 1 cent for my FREE coupon book. The rest goes like this:

Me, "Um, excuse me..."
cashier, "yeah."
me, "why am I being charged for a free coupon book? I know it's only a penny but isn't it supposed to be FREE?"
cashier, "Oh yeah. We say it's free but when we scan it, it comes up for a penny. I don't know why."
me, "why did you let that guy take a couple of the books without scanning them?"
cashier, "he took a couple? oh, I didn't know that."

So basically, I ended the conversation because I didn't know what to do. I realize it is only a penny but isn't this misleading? How much money are they making on these "FREE" coupon books.

My question is....WHAT SHOULD I DO?

[able1]

It is odd--ask the manager why that was done. But frankly maybe she gets a bonus or something for pushing the free books.