you might try doing something like this too.. I use scalar sometimes... like type casting operator...

for(@custchoices){
    chomp;
    my($in,$pr,$pri,$de,$qu) = split(/\|/,$_);
$in = scalar $in;
$item = scalar $item;
open INF, ">temp.file" or die "$!\n";
print INF "$in\n";
print INF "$item\n";
close INF;
    if($in == $item){
        $qu++;
        open INF, ">$custid" or die "Couldnt update quantity: $!\n";
        print INF "$in|$pr|$pri|$de|$qu|\n";
        foreach my $line(@custchoices){
            if($item !~ /^$in/){
                print INF $line;
            }
        }
        close INF;
        print "Location: $url=view\n\n";
    }
}
[download]

:)