Target changes in coupon policy and price matching

[Grumpy's Gal]

I just received an email from "Common Sense with money" and here's what they sayI am quoting them) (I'd like to hear your thoughts!)



Target: Changes in Coupon Release System and Price Match Policy

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 06:13 AM PST

Target has been undergoing a LOT of changes regarding not only the way the release their store coupons but also their price match policy. Let’s start going over changes to the way they release store coupons. There are four major changes here:

1) You can now print only two coupons per computer. Once you have printed the number of coupons allowed the coupon disappears from the list of coupons available.

2) You can only print these coupons directly from the Target website. No more Target coupon generators.

3) You no longer are able to print coupons at the store kiosks.

4) You will not know if the coupon listed on their website is a manufacturer coupon or a Target store coupon or the expiration date of these coupons until you print the coupons.

Changes in Price Match Policy

I will give Target a break because I know they just started price matching and are trying to find the method that works for them. Having said that a new change has been made to their Price Match Policy and basically it boils down to now having to deduct the Target coupon PRIOR to having the item price matched. Here’s from the Target website the detail on this change:

Can I use coupons when price matching?

A guest can use coupons when price matching per Target’s normal coupon policy. When the guests presents a coupon(s), these steps will be followed:

Manufacturer Coupons:
Manufacturer coupons will be applied after the price match is made.

Target Coupons:
Target coupons will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price.

Combining both a Target and Manufacturer Coupons:
The Target coupon will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price. Once the price match is made the manufacturer coupon will be applied.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

for me personally, I won't shop there as much. I appreciate the fact that they have a right to limit coupons but often times I do print them in the store at their kiosk.

When I print them at home, I usually print two or three for me, two or three for grandma (she has no computer) and depending on what it is, sometimes a few for my sis.

Target is not close to my home and so if I'm going to make a trip there, I usually end up getting my things and things for grandma. If we both can't use the coupons, then it's probably not worth my trip in gas. Walmart is about 5 times closer so we may try that. I'll have to check their prices.

I love Target but I also think they picked a bad time of year to announce that coupon change. People who have large families and who are big coupon users (like me) are going to be turned off by that announcement.

 

[wdwfan16]

All of these decisions make complete business sense.

The price match is common sense. A Target coupon basically reduces the price Target charges. The manufacturer coupon is reimbursed so that does not reduce the price that Traget charges.

 

[wmharley]

the whole Target coupon BEFORE price match is junk. I won't be so inclined to go and rush to get their store coupon then, unless there is a large enough savings.

 

[leslie826]

I think it makes perfect sense. I still love Target.

 

[jaminmd]

I never knew you could print coupons from Target or that they would price match. Thanks for the info!

 

[3boymthr]

Makes sense to me.

And really they are NOT the only company to do this on the only two coupons per household, but if you have access to more than one household computer there is a way around it. We have two computers, DH's netbook and our desktop, then I have my computer at work. I'll just print out two with my computer, two with DH's netbook and two with my work computer (at my lunch hour of course). (For those of you looking for an excuse to buy a second computer here it is - the extra money you spent on the second computer is saved by the extra coupons you can print out )

ETA - I'm wondering how this affects the price adjustments for their own advertisements; i.e., I bought an item with a Target coupon that they then put on sale the next day. I went back to get it price adjusted and their computer system didn't want to allow the adjustment because the coupon price was below the sale price, but the coupon was still valid so my price would have been even lower - the customer service person had to force it thru.

 

[sdoll]

I was a manager with Target for 7 years. Trust me this makes good business sense. People would abuse the coupons often. One in particular was a baby food coupon that brought the price down to about 6 cents. People would buy 100's of them and at the time we had no limit there was not much we could do. But we clearly lost all profit. Some customers came in every day and wiped out our whole stock. It was a ugly thing.

They do there best to be competitive. I was impressed to see them start price matching. I thought they never do that.

 

[msmayor]

the whole Target coupon BEFORE price match is junk. I won't be so inclined to go and rush to get their store coupon then, unless there is a large enough savings.

Why? The Target coupon is specific to Target, so technically applying the coupon prior to the price match actually arrives at the Target retail price, which if its lower than the competitor there's no reason to price match.

Manufacturer's coupons are a different story, since they are accepted at most every retailer.

 

[Vacation Lover]

I think the policy sounds fair.

 

[jana616]

I was a manager with Target for 7 years. Trust me this makes good business sense. People would abuse the coupons often. One in particular was a baby food coupon that brought the price down to about 6 cents. People would buy 100's of them and at the time we had no limit there was not much we could do. But we clearly lost all profit. Some customers came in every day and wiped out our whole stock. It was a ugly thing.

They do there best to be competitive. I was impressed to see them start price matching. I thought they never do that.

I don't understand why someone printing multiple coupons and making multiple trips into the store, when there is no limit listed, is coupon abuse. They weren't photocopying them, or otherwise using an invalid coupon. If you have a baby, they go through tons and tons of baby food. If you can get it for 6 cents, you get as much as you possibly can. (And I did...I remember that coupon well!). Right now there is a Target wipes coupon for $1 off, making the tubs $.27. It was from before the limit. I have gotten 13 tubs so far, from multiple trips over the past two weeks. I am following the rules stated on the coupon, and I always end up buying more than just wipes. How is that abuse? I have small kids, we use tons of wipes, and I feel no guilt over using the coupon...

 

[surfergirl602]

for me personally, I won't shop there as much. I appreciate the fact that they have a right to limit coupons but often times I do print them in the store at their kiosk.

When I print them at home, I usually print two or three for me, two or three for grandma (she has no computer) and depending on what it is, sometimes a few for my sis.

Target is not close to my home and so if I'm going to make a trip there, I usually end up getting my things and things for grandma. If we both can't use the coupons, then it's probably not worth my trip in gas. Walmart is about 5 times closer so we may try that. I'll have to check their prices.

I love Target but I also think they picked a bad time of year to announce that coupon change. People who have large families and who are big coupon users (like me) are going to be turned off by that announcement.

Do you have a scanner printer in your home? Just color photocopy them and give them to grandma.

 

[starann]

I don't understand why someone printing multiple coupons and making multiple trips into the store, when there is no limit listed, is coupon abuse. They weren't photocopying them, or otherwise using an invalid coupon. If you have a baby, they go through tons and tons of baby food. If you can get it for 6 cents, you get as much as you possibly can. (And I did...I remember that coupon well!). Right now there is a Target wipes coupon for $1 off, making the tubs $.27. It was from before the limit. I have gotten 13 tubs so far, from multiple trips over the past two weeks. I am following the rules stated on the coupon, and I always end up buying more than just wipes. How is that abuse? I have small kids, we use tons of wipes, and I feel no guilt over using the coupon...

can you post the link for hte wipes coupon? I would LOVE to print some up for the gift boxes we are making for patients (we are doing gift boxes for elderly patients who are alone, rather than a Santa tree). Old people need wipes too!

 

[Madi100]

I'm sure that people understand that the Target coupon is a Target discount. They receive no money back from the manufacturer. A manufacturer coupon is one that the manufacturer puts out and therefore Target will get all their money back. I think that it's great that they pricematch again. As a person who refuses to shop at Wal-Mart, this makes me happy.

 

[princessmorgan]

When does this policy take effect? I just had them price match Toys R Us, buy 1 get 1 half off for the DS games. Then they let me use their Toy Coupon for $10 off 2 DS games. It was done at the Customer Service Desk

 

[mickeymaker2003]

All of these changes make sense, and I don't blame them.

Under the previous price match policy, I was allowed to buy a Leapfrog Alphabet Pal (a $20ish toy) for $10.49 by price matching it to Toys R Us. Then, I could use the $10 off Target coupon for that toy. My total bill after tax was 54 cents and Target won't be reimbursed from the manufacturer for that $10 coupon because it was a Target coupon.

They can't afford to keep their price matching policy if they don't close the loophole that allows that deal to work. I would rather they close the loophole than stop the pricematching altogether (which is really their only other choice if they want to remain in business).

Manufacturer's coupons (when used properly--not expired, not photocopied, correct product and quantity purchased) that make the price really cheap shouldn't bother Target. They will be reimbursed the face value of the coupon, plus 8 cents handling for them, so their profit margin won't be taking the hit.

 

[Piecey]

I just wish we had a Target.