Coupons Users- Do you feel you are treated unfairly?

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Thanks Dis friends for letting me get this off my chest.

I went to Wal-Mart today to purchase the new Tinkerbell movie for my DD. I had the $10 off internet coupon from Disney. The clerk looked at it and said, "I don't think you can use this. You have to buy a Blu-Ray." I showed her that I had bought the Blu Ray and DVD. She said "This says you have to buy the combo pack." I explained that was what I was getting. She walked a long way to the service desk because she said she would have to ask about it. After several minutes had passed she said she could only take the coupon off if it would scan. I had folded it up and it was creased where the bar code was. After trying to scan it a couple of times, she said she couldn't take it because it wouldn't scan. I asked her if she could enter the bar code numbers manually and she said she wasn't allowed to. I told her to keep trying and finally she got the coupon to scan. Then she said they were not allowed to take any internet coupons that wouldn't scan. No apology for the wait or inconvience or nothing.

I tell this story to vent my frustration at being treated as if I am attempting to be dishonest. I would have spoken to the manager if I hadn't been pressed for time because in the future I will be buying my Disney movies at Target where I have never had any problems using these coupons.

Unfortuately as a frequent coupon user, this is not the first time I have been treated in a similar manner as the above situation. I understand that retailers must be careful because there are people out there trying to pass off fraudulent coupons. But I get offended when someone makes me feel like a criminal.

Have you guys had similar experiences?

 

[Traveliz]

Thanks Dis friends for letting me get this off my chest.

I went to Wal-Mart today to purchase the new Tinkerbell movie for my DD. I had the $10 off internet coupon from Disney. The clerk looked at it and said, "I don't think you can use this. You have to buy a Blu-Ray." I showed her that I had bought the Blu Ray and DVD. She said "This says you have to buy the combo pack." I explained that was what I was getting. She walked a long way to the service desk because she said she would have to ask about it. After several minutes had passed she said she could only take the coupon off if it would scan. I had folded it up and it was creased where the bar code was. After trying to scan it a couple of times, she said she couldn't take it because it wouldn't scan. I asked her if she could enter the bar code numbers manually and she said she wasn't allowed to. I told her to keep trying and finally she got the coupon to scan. Then she said they were not allowed to take any internet coupons that wouldn't scan. No apology for the wait or inconvience or nothing.

I tell this story to vent my frustration at being treated as if I am attempting to be dishonest. I would have spoken to the manager if I hadn't been pressed for time because in the future I will be buying my Disney movies at Target where I have never had any problems using these coupons.

Unfortuately as a frequent coupon user, this is not the first time I have been treated in a similar manner as the above situation. I understand that retailers must be careful because there are people out there trying to pass off fraudulent coupons. But I get offended when someone makes me feel like a criminal.

Have you guys had similar experiences?

Sometimes it happens - you can still call and talk to the manager - you should do that.

Liz

 

[beansmom]

Squawlmart is notorious for this sort of service. I go there as rarely as possible. I do understand their concern about fraud and shoplifting but it really bothers me to be 'frisked' when I leave a store. Macy's doesn't do it...Target doesn't do it.

The best way to 'beat' the coupon nazis is to follow policy to the letter...which you did, I know...that cuts it down a bit.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

The majority of the time that I have seen that kind of treatment has been at Walmart, they don't care how they treat their customers.

I usually try to shop at Harris Teeter and Food Lion where I have had cashiers point out specials to me I had missed and seem to be as pleased with my savings as I am when they tell me how much I saved on my receipt. I may get a hurried or grumpy cashier occasionally, but that's to be expected and not the norm.

 

[doclegler]

I've run into this A LOT lately... and I just don't see why. The checkers don't realize just how much the store gets reimbursed, or they don't want to "waste" time with them????
I've had the most problems at Target recently, when using both a manufacturer's coupon and a Target coupon.
Maybe if we told the crabby checkers to "have a magical day" they would be a little friendlier!!

 

[funnygarcia]

I feel like some cashiers have assigned themselves as the coupon police. It really depends where and when you shop.. store, location, time of day, age of cashier.. can affect how easily the transaction with coupon usage will go.. or not! It also depends on training and how much responsibility the store will allow cashiers to over ride as needed.

If I have more than one occasion of coupon grief.. I take my business elsewhere. Thankfully I have choices, I know not everyone does.
After awhile you learn which stores are better, but no guarentee. It sucks to be treated crummily when you know you are using the coupon correctly.

Target is not above reproach either.. There has been many reports (news segments in my area) about Target registers taking off coupons incorrectly. For example, a $3 off 10 smart ones meals coupon will scan at Target as $1.xx, the price of ONE meal as the register will match coupon with a product. Target is aware of the issue, but has not figured out how to correct it.

 

[sydneysmom]

WalMart is the worst for internet coupons. They make you feel like you're garbage for using them. I went one morning to do food shopping and it was early, like 6 am. I had alot of coupons. Well, the check out "man" told me...."we don't take coupons when you have alot of them". I'm sorry ? He was being serious.....albeit lazy.... So I asked to speak to the manager. Oh boy. I'm pretty sure it was his mom because she had the exact attitude. She said " well our cashiers can do anything they choose". REALLY ???? YA THINK ???

So I said to her, "did it ever occur to you that the cashiers are here BECAUSE of the people that shop here ??" She said, "that's the policy". So, I left my entire 2 week food shop cart right there at the register and told her I was going to Kroger where they actually appreciate customers.

So I went to Kroger, did my shopping, used all of my coupons and they couldn't have been nicer. The problem w/ WalMart is , they think they're the only game in town. I'm finding that our Kroger is running terrific sales and when I shop the sales w/ coupons I'm doing better there than I would at WalMart. So they can keep they're cruddy additude !!!

At our WalMart, customer service isn't even ON the list of requirements. It's very sad, especially in this economy. Businesses should really try to welcome customers and actually try to earn their business.

 

[funnygarcia]

Walmart has a coupon policy online, print it and bring to the store. If they hassle you "we don't take...." pull it out and offer to call corporate on your cell phone. I've heard that does wonders.

http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

There is a Super Walmart in a crappier neighborhood in my area that won't take "like" coupons. For example, you have three of the same coupon for $1 off Tide, they will only allow ONE coupon even if you are buying three bottles of Tide. The register is set to beep after the first "like" coupon.
They will let you do multiple transactions in a row. Which to me is stupid! Doesn't it cost the store money in fees with each swipe of a credit/ debit card?

I know at my local grocery store you can't do back to back orders of the same $ amount, with the same credit/ debit card, with the same register. It will lock up and refuse to run the transaction to prevent double charging errors. If I plan to do multiple orders that will cost exactly the same I check out at a different lane or add some small thing to make it slightly different.

 

[Panna]

WalMart is the worst for internet coupons. They make you feel like you're garbage for using them. I went one morning to do food shopping and it was early, like 6 am. I had alot of coupons. Well, the check out "man" told me...."we don't take coupons when you have alot of them". I'm sorry ? He was being serious.....albeit lazy.... So I asked to speak to the manager. Oh boy. I'm pretty sure it was his mom because she had the exact attitude. She said " well our cashiers can do anything they choose". REALLY ???? YA THINK ???

Last time I tried to use an internet coupon at walmart, the cashier got the manager and they told me they don't take any printed coupons anymore, so ditto what you did, I left all my groceries there. My coupon amount would have only added up to about $2.00 of my total purchase price. Oh, and they stopped doing the "buy one get one free" coupons loooong ago.

I don't subscribe to any papers, so internet coupons are the only way I can save, besides sales.

 

[ospopo5]

Walmart has a coupon policy online, print it and bring to the store. If they hassle you "we don't take...." pull it out and offer to call corporate on your cell phone. I've heard that does wonders.

http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

There is a Super Walmart in a crappier neighborhood in my area that won't take "like" coupons. For example, you have three of the same coupon for $1 off Tide, they will only allow ONE coupon even if you are buying three bottles of Tide. The register is set to beep after the first "like" coupon.
They will let you do multiple transactions in a row. Which to me is stupid! Doesn't it cost the store money in fees with each swipe of a credit/ debit card?

I know at my local grocery store you can't do back to back orders of the same $ amount, with the same credit/ debit card, with the same register. It will lock up and refuse to run the transaction to prevent double charging errors. If I plan to do multiple orders that will cost exactly the same I check out at a different lane or add some small thing to make it slightly different.

My walmart gave me the runaround even though I had the printed policy and pulled it up on my Iphone. They said they have different policies in store than online?

The cashier was RUDE, the supervisor was RUDE, the assistance customer service manager wasn't helpful and finally had the Assistant store manager come up from the loading dock. The cashier and supervisor where swearing up and down that they werent going to punch their numbers in and take a hit incase corporate said something.

 

[SandrA9810]

I hate walmart. I try not to do any shopping there at all.

I have never had a problem at Publix using coupons, internet, store, or from the newspaper. They are even happy to give you a cash refund if you happen to forget to use your coupon at the register. I've walked out realizing that I was still holding the coupons in my hand, went back to the service desk with receipt and coupon got cash back. And more than once, the cashiers seem to up to date on sales and specials, and will let me know at check out if it would make a better deal. They'll even send the bagger to go retrieve the second item.

 

[Fire14]

I personally have had more issues with my DVD coupons at target than walmart but I usually use u scan also.

 

[JB2K]

I went to Wal-Mart today to purchase the new Tinkerbell movie for my DD. I had the $10 off internet coupon from Disney...

All big-box (Walmart, Target, etc.) and grocery stores have very strict policies concerning internet coupon acceptance -- basically, if it doesn't scan, they won't accept it. And this is particuarly so for any coupon of $10 off (or more).

I understand the UPC barcode on your coupon was compromised (crease), but those cashiers have a job to do, and if they were to accept a fraudulent coupon, it could very well mean their job is on the line.

Same goes for those of you who have less-than-spectacular printers -- if the UPC barcode isn't a good, clean print (read: blurry lines), those will be refused at the register, too.

 

[SandrA9810]

I think a large repeated coupon like the 10$ coupon for the Disney movies, should be widely known and accepted. I could understand for some of the b1g1 free coupons that are fakes floating around, but this is like the 5th movie Disney has done this for. Store should know by know these are legitimate coupons.

 

[melancholywings]

Target scanned my coupons in wrong last week and I couldn't catch it until I was back home with a calculator. It ended up being $3 in manufacture coupons - which they'll get the money and get to pocket. The register didn't beep and it rang through as if it was successful.
I feel completely cheated. $3 isn't a lot but how many other purchases did the store have during the day where the coupon didn't ring right? That money would add up fast for a tidy little profit for the store. It's stealing from their customers.

 

[iheartdisney]

I don't think it is a Coupon issue, so much as a Walmart customer service issue, like other posters have stated. I went two years without shopping at Walmart because of thier customer service, I decided to vote with my money.
A Superwalmart opened in our area, and i decided to check it out. The second time i was in there, I did a payday shop (meaning full basket), and as i was putting the groceries on the belt, i made a joking comment tht "I always buy too much on payday) and the cashier rolled her eyes, and made a comment that, yeah, I was buying too much. EXCUSE ME!!! I wonder what corporate would say about an employee telling a customer not to spend so much money at their establishment. So, my boycott is back on, and a little bit thicker... I let my sams club card expire and I'm switching to Costco.
VOTE WITH YOUR DEBIT CARDS!!!

 

[JB2K]

Doesn't it cost the store money in fees with each swipe of a credit/ debit card?

The costs of accepting plastic is not "per swipe", but a percentage of the total on the receipt (depending on which card you use).

For example, MC/Visa charges merchants 3%, while AmEx/Discover charges 5% for card acceptance. If you are using an ATM/Debit card and using a PIN, the charge to the merchant is only 1% (good to know if you are dealing with a small business versus a national chain).

 

[JB2K]

...I'm switching to Costco.

Who, by the way, does not accept non-Costco coupons (whether it be from the manufacturer, or otherwise).

Costco also does not accept MC/Visa/Discover cards.

 

[SandrA9810]

I don't think it is a Coupon issue, so much as a Walmart customer service issue, like other posters have stated. I went two years without shopping at Walmart because of thier customer service, I decided to vote with my money.
A Superwalmart opened in our area, and i decided to check it out. The second time i was in there, I did a payday shop (meaning full basket), and as i was putting the groceries on the belt, i made a joking comment tht "I always buy too much on payday) and the cashier rolled her eyes, and made a comment that, yeah, I was buying too much. EXCUSE ME!!! I wonder what corporate would say about an employee telling a customer not to spend so much money at their establishment. So, my boycott is back on, and a little bit thicker... I let my sams club card expire and I'm switching to Costco.
VOTE WITH YOUR DEBIT CARDS!!!

I was never mean, but I said a similar comment years ago working in retail. It was at party city, and throwing a themed party can add up quickly, since most of the items are in small packages of 8 (paper goods). The generic colors of course came in larger quantities for a cheaper price. I had a lady come up with all themed merchandise and make the comment "I wonder how much this is going to cost me", I replied back "probably more than you expect to". Which was of course a common comment made by customers as they were paying, I guess it just rubbed her the wrong way. Of course I've said many stupid things before... that's just one off the list.

 

[descovy]

You know, it's tough. I am an avid coupon user. I am also a Target cashier. So I get both sides.

On the perspective of Target. I am a longtime cashier. I know the coupon rule backwards and forwards. In fact, I even work in the the cash office where we sort & send the coupons!

On the otherhand, all sales floor team members are cashier trained, and may come up to the checklanes to cover a rush... but they don't do it very often. So they aren't as well-versed as someone up there full time. Sad to say, even managers outside of "front end" don't get couponing very well.

And then, sad to say, there is crazy coupon fraud. Sunday coupons photocopied. Folks trying to pass coupons on brands they didn't even buy. Remember the free Doritos (scam) coupon, and how ladies even here on dis were trying to use it even if they knew it was fradulent? Shoot! Last year there was even a fraudulent coupon going around for a free XBOX!

So on one end, you got a cashier who will scan anything and everything... whether it's legit, whether you bought the correct merchandise or not. Then BAM! Store management gets wind of a slew of conterfiet coupons coming through and they throw down the hammer. Now cashiers are afraid of their shaddow.

Seriously, it would be easier on all us coupon users if the decietful tricks that others try to play would be stopped. Some of those scammers even seek out new, less experienced cashiers on purpose to see what they can get away with. When that poor cashier gets "coached" by management for accepting a bunch of bogus coupons, well, he's going to be a bit gun shy about EVERY coupon, especially if he isn't confident in his abilities.