Coupon Bashers

[NYCDiane]

Why oh why do some people have to let out a HUGE SIIIIIIGGHHHH when they see you're using coupons???

It happened to me AGAIN today. The male behind me on the line just had to rolllll his eyes and let out a huge sigh and practically stamp his foot when he saw I was taking out my coupons to hand to the cashier. Please note, I had all the coupons I was using already in order and ready to hand over --- I didn't have to rifle through anything, there were none with expired dates, all coupons matched all items (and I saved $22!). This guy acted as if I was holding up his life (for the mere 40 seconds it took the cashier to swipe my coupons!). I was HOPING he would have said something --- I would have put my hand out and said "well, give me $22 and I won't use the coupons!" (I love using this one on smart alecs who say something about coupon use!)

BTW, I got 4 Colgate toothpastes for 15 cents in total, 5 Carolina rice mixes for $1 total, 4 bags of Birds Eye Steamfresh veggies FREE. YAY!!!!!

GOOOOoooooo COUPONS!!!!!!!

 

[CajunDixie]

Good Job!!

I don't even let the non-couponers bother me anymore. Sometimes I take pity on the person behind me if they only have a couple things...I wave my coupons and offer once only to let them ahead of me. Otherwise I just grin and bear it because at Kroger they tell you when they hand you your receipt and Catalinas that you saved $$$$ today. And as we know at CVS they hand us a 5 foot receipt with all our ECBs after we get our total down to $1-2 for the 3 bags of stuff we're walking out of the store with. Usually the person behind me looks something like this while I stroll out the door. Just kill them with kindness!

 

[ShiPooOwner]

Why oh why do some people have to let out a HUGE SIIIIIIGGHHHH when they see you're using coupons???

Because they are inconsiderate and rude (and it usually seems to be a man I'm afraid. ) Ignore them! Carry on! You did GREAT, Diane, and we're proud of you!

 

[beansmom]

I smile at them sweetly and point to the next register and say "She's open".

 

[bradyloganmom]

Kinda like people giving you mean looks when they line up behind you and see how full your cart. I always want to say "the 20 items or less registers are right over there."

 

[Ephany]

I would much rather be behind a organized coupon clipper than the lady I was lucky enough to stand behind yesterday. She wandered off as the guy was putting her stuff on the belt (this was at Costco), left her child standing there at the register, and disappeared into the restrooms. She was gone for at least 5 minutes, her poor kid just standing there alone. When she came back she got mad at the cashier because she wanted to pay standing NEXT to him and he very politely asked her to pay from the other other side where the customers are supposed to stand. It was the weirdest thing, the cashier was obviously not sure what to do with the kid or the stuff since she had a huge cartload of stuff spread everywhere.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

I always start up a conversation and tell people it's worth it for me to save $80-90 dollars each time I shop, so I can go to WDW. I'm such a bragger.

 

[fofinia]

I had a lady behind me one day seem annoyed that I was using coupons. And then the cashier wasn't the quickest so it took longer than it should've. But at the end when i had saved a lot and gotten Catalinas totaling $25, the lady behind me commended me and said I was sure doing something right. And then I realized that she worked there and was just going on her break, so she didn't really dislike coupons. She was just eager for her drink and snack.

But at another store this week I was using coupons, only 5. And the cashier freaked out because the coupon didn't have an expiration date on it. It was coupon that had come in a box of the same product. And she said if she put it through she could get suspended for a week for putting through a coupon without an expiration date. So she got a manager and he went to customer service to find out. And the two older ladies behind me starting complaining about what the problem was. I just looked at them and smiled. It wasn't my fault. So I just stood and waited. They eventually put them through. Whatever I wanted my .50 coupon that doubled. And I had 4 of them!

 

[ceecee]

They're just jealous!!!
Beats someone on a cell phone any day!

 

[mrsklamc]

I saw a great quote today: "Don't worry about what other people think. They don't do it much."

 

[charming23]

I will admit I used to be one of those sighers until I realized just how much money coupons can save. I have been couponing for over a year now and when I was at the grocery store the other day I had a sigher behind me and I had to just giggle. I saved 60.30 between coupons and the sales and got $7 back in catalina coupons.

 

[3boymthr]

People sigh because a lot of people have a huge stack o coupons and don't sort thru them until they get to the register. The girl at the register cringed when I handed them over and asked if I had sorted thru them yet. I told her yes. Her response was "wow that's awesome; you wouldn't believe how many people come thru hand me 50 coupons of which they've used maybe one." After that response I can undestand why people sigh

 

[WillCAD]

I have no problem with people who use coupons; that's just smart shopping.

I have a problem with people who are unprepared when they get to the cashier. Sometimes it's because they didn't bother to sort their coupons, sometimes it's because they are trying to use a coupon that's expired (while working as a grocery store cashier I once had a woman hand me a stack of 10-15 coupons that were ALL expired by 12-18 months!) Sometimes it's because they are yapping on a cell phone and didn't bother to open their wallet or purse, sometimes it's because they're just in a fog of their own thoughts and can't be bothered. And yesterday I got into a 20-items or less line at WalMart only to be held up by a woman who didn't have enough money to pay for her selections; she stood there rifling through her purse for a good five minutes before taking some stuff off the belt (I wanted to shout, LADY, the purse is only 12" by 6", if you didn't find it the first time, IT AIN'T IN THERE!)

Having spent 3 years as a grocery store cashier in the early 90s, I have a list of peeves relating to both customers and cashiers.

Customers:
* Take yer crap outta the plastic basket and put the basket in the bin; don't put a full basket on the belt and expect the cashier to empty it out (I always DUMPED it unceremoniously onto the belt when someone did that)
* HAND the money to the cashier, don't put it on the belt as if you're afraid you'll get cooties from touching their hand; besides, if the belt is moving and the money goes down the slot, it will be lost, and may be shredded.
* If you get out of line, take yer crap with you and get back in at the END - don't hold up the line while you go looking for something. Or go get it afterward and go through the express line.
* Sort your stuff a little when you put it on the belt - breads together, poisons together, bathroom products together, cans together, cold stuff together, etc. It will make it easier for the cashier to get it all into the bags properly, and will make it easier on you when you have to put it away at home.
* The cashier is a human being - look them in the eye, treat them with respect and dignity, be polite, never yell at them or get abusive. And maybe smile once in a while.

Cashiers:
* PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR JOB. Don't gab with the next cashier about your favorite TV show, who's dating whom, or what you plan to do with your day off tomorrow. The customer who is paying your salary deserves your full attention.
* Customers are human beings - don't act like you're doing them a great big favor just by tollerating their presense. Smile, be polite, speak loudly and clearly enough for them to understand you, and look them in the eye.
* VERBALIZE! When a customer gets to your register, don't just stare at them, great them verbally. And don't mumble, "M'ep'yu." SPEAK - "May I help you?" If you're at a regular register, "Good morning" or "Hello" is perfectly acceptable, as well.
* Don't just scan stuff and wait for the customer to hand you money; TELL THEM, "Your total is..." and when you give them change, always say, "Your change is..."
* When they leave, smile and SAY (don't mumble) "Have a nice day."
* When bagging anything, don't DROP stuff into a bag - reach into the bag and PLACE each item so it doesn't break from the impact.
* Learn how to bag - heavier, more solid stuff goes on the bottom, breakable, bendable, or fragile stuff goes on top. Food items NEVER go in the same bag with poisonous stuff like cleaners or soapy stuff. All cold stuff should be concentrated in one or two bags to help them stay cold; other stuff should be bagged in categories (boxes here, cans there, paper products here, produce there, etc) Bagging stuff is not rocket surgery.
* DOUBLE-BAG HEAVY STUFF! 2-litre bottles of soda and gallons of milk WILL break the bag handles unless you double bag.
* Don't take all day. Show a little hustle.
* Learn how to use the register; when someone buys 20 of the same item, you don't have to scan all 20 of them - you can enter the number 20 on the keypad, push a button, and scan just ONE.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I usually lay all the coupons on top of the first item, that way if the person behind me looks, they will see I am going to take awhile. If the person behind me has 1-2 items only, then I will let them go ahead.

Most people stare in amazement at my total. I do the grocery shopping, my wife stays home. She went Friday night, we had a cart overflowing at Kroger, plus things on the bottom, and the total was $24 with $4.50 off the next purchase.

Kroger Mega Sales rock!!!!

 

[Princess April]

Having spent 3 years as a grocery store cashier in the early 90s, I have a list of peeves relating to both customers and cashiers.

Customers:
* Take yer crap outta the plastic basket and put the basket in the bin; don't put a full basket on the belt and expect the cashier to empty it out (I always DUMPED it unceremoniously onto the belt when someone did that)
* HAND the money to the cashier, don't put it on the belt as if you're afraid you'll get cooties from touching their hand; besides, if the belt is moving and the money goes down the slot, it will be lost, and may be shredded.
* If you get out of line, take yer crap with you and get back in at the END - don't hold up the line while you go looking for something. Or go get it afterward and go through the express line.
* Sort your stuff a little when you put it on the belt - breads together, poisons together, bathroom products together, cans together, cold stuff together, etc. It will make it easier for the cashier to get it all into the bags properly, and will make it easier on you when you have to put it away at home.
* The cashier is a human being - look them in the eye, treat them with respect and dignity, be polite, never yell at them or get abusive. And maybe smile once in a while.

Cashiers:
* PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR JOB. Don't gab with the next cashier about your favorite TV show, who's dating whom, or what you plan to do with your day off tomorrow. The customer who is paying your salary deserves your full attention.
* Customers are human beings - don't act like you're doing them a great big favor just by tollerating their presense. Smile, be polite, speak loudly and clearly enough for them to understand you, and look them in the eye.
* VERBALIZE! When a customer gets to your register, don't just stare at them, great them verbally. And don't mumble, "M'ep'yu." SPEAK - "May I help you?" If you're at a regular register, "Good morning" or "Hello" is perfectly acceptable, as well.
* Don't just scan stuff and wait for the customer to hand you money; TELL THEM, "Your total is..." and when you give them change, always say, "Your change is..."
* When they leave, smile and SAY (don't mumble) "Have a nice day."
* When bagging anything, don't DROP stuff into a bag - reach into the bag and PLACE each item so it doesn't break from the impact.
* Learn how to bag - heavier, more solid stuff goes on the bottom, breakable, bendable, or fragile stuff goes on top. Food items NEVER go in the same bag with poisonous stuff like cleaners or soapy stuff. All cold stuff should be concentrated in one or two bags to help them stay cold; other stuff should be bagged in categories (boxes here, cans there, paper products here, produce there, etc) Bagging stuff is not rocket surgery.
* DOUBLE-BAG HEAVY STUFF! 2-litre bottles of soda and gallons of milk WILL break the bag handles unless you double bag.
* Don't take all day. Show a little hustle.
* Learn how to use the register; when someone buys 20 of the same item, you don't have to scan all 20 of them - you can enter the number 20 on the keypad, push a button, and scan just ONE.

I work in a grocery store and while I'm not a cashier some times I do have to "run a register" to assist with lines. Can I tell you HOW MUCH I AGREE WITH THIS QUOTE. When I read it I though... I couldn't have said it better myself. I believe I do the second part, but, in my store you can't scan all 20 items together unless they are the EXACT same item. Like if you have 20 Coke "products" I have to scan each flavor but if you have 20 Coca Cola classic (all the same) then I can scan just 1. I know it's a pain, believe me I feel the same way, but it's what has to be done. Also, having run a register from time to time I cringe extra hard when I come across a "bad" cashier. I believe you get what you give, and I try to be extra friendly 100% of the time. I know they encounter people who aren't sooo often.
As for couponers: verify your coupons and I'm a happy camper. I don't care if your total makes your purchase fee, I'm all in for you. I'll will tell the people ::sighing:: "Hey, if your in a super hurry there is register ___ (insert # here) open close by, but I swear I'm pretty fast." Usually that shuts them up. I my have a bigger heart for these things because I'm a couponer as well.

 

[dhdozier]

I have always had great experiences using coupons but not my SIL. One cashier was really nice to her when I was there and she thanked her over and over for being so nice about scanning the coupons because other cashiers had been snarky with her about it. One thing that did surprise me was this same nice cashier saying she didn't have time to actually cut them out herself? I didn't say it but I was thinking to myself -If you have time to watch an hour show on tv, cut them during commercials....Some folks don't understand it is free money for the taking

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I will add the comment to have your coupons organized. I have a little carrier and have it broken into compartments so I can find coupons, and have a computerized list of my coupons. As I select an item that has a coupon I will put the coupon in the front of the carrier, so what I give the cashier is only for items I have purchased. And if it is for a free item I will enter the price in the block to make it easier for the cashier.

 

[NYCDiane]

I will add the comment to have your coupons organized. I have a little carrier and have it broken into compartments so I can find coupons, and have a computerized list of my coupons. As I select an item that has a coupon I will put the coupon in the front of the carrier, so what I give the cashier is only for items I have purchased. And if it is for a free item I will enter the price in the block to make it easier for the cashier.

Absolutely! I have mine organized in a binder w/baseball card pages. The very first page has the 3 slots on top for "Today's Coupons" --- I take the coupons out as I pick up the item and slip it into the "today" slot. This way, when I get to the cashier, they're all ready to go (and that's why I didn't get why the guy behind me had to siiiiiiigggggghhhhhh when I took my coupons out).

Another thing I do (to save even more) is to pick up the week's circular as I'm running errands. When I get home, I read the circular, make my shopping list and put a star next to the items I have a coupon for so that when I do my grocery shopping later in the week, I'm all set and ready to go!

 

[NYCDiane]

If you have time to watch an hour show on tv, cut them during commercials....Some folks don't understand it is free money for the taking

Exactly. I usually clip/organize while watching the news (since you don't really need to 'watch').

There's no reason why everyone shouldn't be using coupons. I have heard comments like "it's too much trouble" or "you're only saving $1" (dumbest comment I've ever heard!) or even people who are EMBARASSED to use coupons --- heck, I'd be embarassed to NOT use them and spend all that extra money!!!!