What’s Up with Kmart?!
Believe me, if it wasn’t for the fact that Kmart occasionally offers the Double Coupon Events, I would probably never step foot in another Kmart again!!
First, let me address the recent $10 off $20 Kmart purchase coupon. I chose to post this coupon because it was available on the Kmart web-site AND specifically stated that it could be used at any Kmart location. Although some Hip2Save readers were successful in using this coupon, the majority of readers have had issues with it beeping and/or being told that the coupon is fraudulent (seems odd since Kmart had the coupon available on their web-site?!). At this time, the coupon is no longer available on Kmart’s web-site…despite attempts to call Kmart about this issue, I have not been able to receive any additional information on the status of the coupon. So I am making the assumption that the coupon is no longer valid. Darn! However, it doesn’t hurt to try to use it if you are making a trip to Kmart regardless. Sorry about the confusion…I am honestly just as frustrated as most of you!
OK, now on to a different Kmart topic…the upcoming Kmart Double Coupon Event! Here is all the nitty gritty that you need to know prior to your Kmart shopping trip:
- This event is for select participating Kmart locations from April 4th-10th
- You can use manufacturer coupons up to and including a $2 value (i.e. if you have a $2/1 coupon, it will be doubled up to $2 for a total of $4 off the price of the item)
- You must be a member of the Shop Your Way Rewards program AND the cashier MUST swipe your reward’s card at the beginning of your transaction!!*
- Does not include Kmart Store Coupons or Kmart Pharmacy Store Coupons (i.e. Kmart coupons will NOT be doubled)
- Limit 5 total coupons per customer per day.
- If you are using more than 5 coupons in your transaction, ONLY the first 5 coupons will be doubled.
*If you are not currently a Kmart Shop Your Way Rewards card member, do NOT stress! There are 3 simple ways to become a member:
- Go to the Customer Service Dept at your local Kmart or Sears store and request a card; you will be able to sign up and receive your card immediately (this is obviously the best option if you have a store close by)!
- Call the Shop Your Way Rewards Card dept at 1.800.991.8708; they will take all your information over the phone and then a card will be mailed to you (the card typically takes 6-8 weeks to arrive). Even if you do not have the physical card in hand for the double coupon days, you can give the cashier your phone # or member # in order to pull up your reward’s account.
- Click here to sign up on-line; then just print off a temporary card to use while you wait for the permanent card to arrive in the mail.
So what do you think about these rules? Are you planning a special trip to participate in Kmart Doubles?
Only 5 coupon per customer, per day? For real? LOL
I made about a 40 min. trip to the closest Kmart last year for my first “big” couponing trip. They had winter things marked down ( in April) that made it worth my while, but at my particular Kmart, they carried so few grocery items that if it hadn’t been for the clearance and the body wash, etc. ( that I needed back then!) it would have been such a waste. Their refrigerated groceries were literally in one of those little sliding glass door things like you might find in a gas station. A few packs of hot dogs, yogurt etc.
Needless to say, I haven’t participated in the Super Doubles since then, but yay for those who have a good selection to choose from. I can’t believe they are limiting folks to only 5 coupons, though!
I plan on going a few different days as I drive by every day to work…. depending on what is on sale that week to match my coupons. I don’t have a super kmart so groceries are slim.
Thank goodness the last post I get to read tonight was something somewhat positive about doubles with no mention or “boo hooing” about the you know what. 🙂
I went to my kmart in carol stream, il today and I handed them my kmart coupon and they took it twice with no questions asked.
What was the number of your coupon. Mine was 40522104334 and it would not scan …. Carol Stream told me they wouldn’t take any more coupons.
I’m in MN and I used mine today. Actually, I used 4 in a row! With my other coupons I scored BIG!!
When I went to pay the cashier immediately asked if I was going to try to use one of those “$10 off $20 coupons”–before I even pulled it out! His manager said they had been instructed that those were for NY only and they had been told not to accept them.
I go the same response. The manager politely told me that they were only valid in NY. I’m in TN.
Kmart is so full of it. Regardless of what they “intended”, they screwed up when they left vital information off of this coupon. At this point their customer service representatives are flat-out lying, and accusing customers of fraud, and this is unforgivable. (not that I shop there anyway, because Kmart is a dump compared to Target)
I tried to use mine today in Pell City, Alabama and was told that it was “not valid at this location” eventhough the coupon clearly states that it can be used at ANY Kmart. 🙁
I went to my local UT Kmart and the cashier told me that this coupon is a fraudulent one, that someone hacked the Kmart website and made it accessible to everyone. I couldn’t use it, and I got confused since I read that this is a legit coupon and only for NY area.
coupons for the 3 city’s mentioned as working have been taken down from website so DEAD DEAL NATIONWIDE
So if that coupon is supposed to be valid on April 1, I think it will just be an April Fool’s Joke. LOL. The whole thing is obsured. I really don’t believe what KMart is saying. I don’t like shopping there and don’t know if I’ll be back.
Yeah well I am from New York and they wouldn’t let me use it today, said it was fraud but I printed it from K-Mart web site. That is K-mart for you, dishonest and unreliable. Sounds like a bait and switch scam- you know lure us in then refuse the coupon.
Are you from New York City and Long Island region? Or upstate? I heard that only NYC and Long Island stores are accepting this coupon in the NY area.
I do not like Kmart for multiple reasons; the biggest reason: I went in to purchase a child life vest last summer. The price tag on the vest had the actual MSRP ($25.00) marked out with a black sharpie (I could just see through the mark) and the sign above the vest display had a higher price listed ($34.99). I took the vest to customer service and attempted to purchase it anyway; my main goal was to start an argument with the store that would raise some eyebrows. Of course, the vest rang up for the altered price. Of course I did not buy it.
I think KMart is horribly run, and the coupon issue related to this post drives home my view.
I printed the $10 off $20 yesterday. Actually, I printed it 5 times – I hope I didn’t commit a coupon faux pas (I’m new to couponing). I’ve been reading the comments RE: this coupon and thought it would be worth a try (I was doing other shopping in the same strip mall, so no special trip). I first tried to do the Huggies deal Collin posted abt yesterday = no go. The manager said I couldn’t use manufacturers Q + store coupon. She said no problem w/ the $10 off $20. Since I’d read abt everyone’s problems w/ the Q, I figured I’d better strike while the iron is hot. So, I bought a little over $100 worth of items and broke it down in 5 transactions. Believe me, they scrutinized the Q – one person even got out a magnifying glass! In the end, they put it through manually 5 times. This was in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Collin, thank you for posting the Q – you couldn’t have predicted the hassle it turned out to be for some. I do plan to shop there for Super Doubles. I probably will use the max / day and make several trips during the week.
Watch out annon…..some RUDE people on here may call you GREEDY! I applaud your couponing skills. You are doing really well as a ‘newby’! Keep up the good work! 🙂
I wrote a complaint letter to corporate (I got a babysitter AND had to drive 30 minutes to get there) and got a call from our manager from Kmart this evening apologizing and he said that he would push them through for me if I came in and asked for him. He was very nice- but I was pretty upset too. I was surprised to get a call from him though! I think everyone should write a complaint letter and let Kmart know that it isn’t ok for them to do stuff like this and then treat us like criminals for using coupons printed off of their website. And it just proves that they CAN push it through.
Grand Forks, ND is not accepting them until next week.
Just used twice in Bloomingdale, no problems. Figured it wouldn’t last long, may try tomorrow and see. I usually don’t shop Kmart but have been there recently with the prescription transfer coupons (DH has been out of work for 6 months hey, do what you can) – it’s far from my house so will probably transfer back to CVS but the pharmacist was the nicest I have ever run into. So, with all of that I may well go back for the double coupons if I have the time, depending if I am still working on prescription giftcards and what other deals are going on elsewhere at the time.
My store in Portsmouth NH would accept the coupon but not with other coupons because it says cannot combine with any other coupon for the same items. Not complaining, but I don’t understand why there’s so much inconsistency between stores. semms like almost every store has their own policy
WOW!!!! LINDSEY. I SURE HOPE YOUR NOT A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. FIRST OF ALL THE COUPON SAID “VALID IN ALL STORES” MAKING THE CUSTOMER RIGHT, EVEN BY LAW. HALF OFF OF THEIR PRICING IS LIKE GETTING 25% OFF IN OTHER STORES, SERIOUSLY. I’D LIKE TO ADD ONLY 10% OF SHOPPERS USE COUPONS AND THE OTHER 90% PAY FULL PRICE. SERIOUSLY, K-MART WASN’T LOSING ANYTHING. DO YOU THINK WALGREEN’S LOSES MONEY WHEN YOU GET REGISTER REWARDS AFTER USING MFG COUPONS AND THE ITEM IS FREE OR YOU GET A PROFIT…NO WAY… THE MFG PAYS THEM FOR PUTTING THEIR AD IN THEIR CIRCULARS AND FOR THE REGISTER REWARDS *STRAIGHT FROM THE MANAGERS MOUTH* NOT TO MENTION 90% OF THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FULL PRICE…HE SAID THEY WOULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS IF IT WERE ANY OTHER WAY. ONE MORE THING, MOST FRADULENT COUPON USAGE IS FROM THE RETAILER NOT THE CONSUMER….BET YOU DIDN’T SEE THAT ONE COMING. EDUCATE YOURSELF ON COUPON USAGE YOU’D BE AMAZED AT THE TRUE FACTS
I LOVE YOUR LAST SENTENCE!!
Then, why do the clerks get so upset with couponers and call the managers and refuse some of your deals???
Clerks sometimes get an attitude. That is why choosing young guys is great never once had an issue with a young man..I guess I am a profiler like that. My daughter’s both said if they are having a bad day or they see that you have a ton of coupons they just decide,ok I am going to pick on this one, also kinda gives them a break for a few minutes. Kinda mena but that’s why they harass some and not others. Be a proflier too go to the young men you will notice they are not nearly as picky or attituded
thanks fran
I wrote a complaint letter off the customer service contact on the kmart site and this evening the manager of our local kmart (30 minutes away) called and apologized and told me that if I came in again he would honor it and push it through… I guess everyone needs to write MAJOR complaint letters! And I got an email from corporate back saying that they would send me a $10 off $50 coupon.. yeah like that will make up for it?
I just checked Kmart’s Facebook page and there were TONS of angry people there. LOL
Will call my local NYC Kmart to double check if they will accept this coupon on Sunday and report back. Even though NYC, Chicago and Baltimore are listed as places accepting this coupon, I’ve heard that they pulled this deal everywhere. Is this true? If someone can confirm, that would be great.
What gets me angry isn’t that someone at Kmart screwed up and did not scrutinize the fine print before posting the coupon on their website. Rather, it’s all those stories I’m hearing about customers wrongfully being accused of fraud.
I agree Kmart is the pits. I really don;t know how they stay in business. However, I used the coupon 3x’s today before I read the updates. They didn’t even question it & I had no idea that they should. They tried to scan it, then just pushed it through. I used it in conjunction with the HAsbro Star Wars coupon & got a great deal on some toys.
When I saw the Kmart coupon I didn’t bother with it because my Kmart is so disgusting. It literally needs to be torn down. They use trash barrels (from the hardware section) to catch the rain coming through the ceiling! The prices are always higher too. The Kroger next to it has lower prices! lol
I totally agree with you! I wish they would just tear down the one here~ Ours is NASTY! I really can’t figure out why they are even in business???
I guy stocking shelves at my K-Mart in Lansing, MI saw my $10 off $20 coupons and told me not to even bother, that they were denying people at the register. I decided to try anyway and was able to use 2 of them. Along with some other coupons I got some great deals:
6 pk Bounty Big Roll Select a Size $2.30
Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks $0.86
Pull Ups Jumbo Packs $4
and lots more!
Ok, bottom line is, do these stores want our business or not? If so, they need to not make such an issue when we attempt to SAVE at their store, because that is what KEEPS US COMING BACK and KEEPS US SPENDING. Making the customer feel like a dishonest person does not make us want to do business there.
Hi~ I was able to use that coupon yesterday in CT. Thanks so much for that scenario and the valuable info!
However, I will not be darkening that Kmarts door again! Why? I was frightened for my safety at this particular Kmart. Suffice it to say, I used my $10 coupon and got the crud out of there! No doubles or deals could bring me into such a mangy flea bitten store again~ I’ll be at Target or WalMart…. I still feel gross from that whole experience! Grateful for TP~ But, never stepping foot in that Kmart EVER again….. *shudder*
Went to my local K-Mart and there was a sign posted on the door saying they would not be accepting the $10 coupons. I stopped at customer service and asked the girl if they would take it and she told me no. Spoke to a few other employees and guess what they had been taking them and stopped about an hour before I arrived at the store! So I picked up the Princess n Frog DVD, Princess n Frog barbie and a Reeses Egg and went back to customer service.. in a very nice voice I told the cashier she may as well call the manager because I was not leaving until they took my coupon. I printed it from K-Mart’s site, they made the error not me! She did take my coupon plus the $10 off Princess n Frog DVD so I scored the DVD, doll and egg for $6.40. Upon leaving I smiled at the cashier and told her for being helpful and that I was sorry I was Queen Bitch but it was their mistake LOL. I understand they made a mistake and want to do damage control but they handled it all wrong! I personally think they should have honored one per customer and tracked it with their rewards card program just like they are going to do with us on double coupons. We have a decent K-mart in our area and they are normally very helpful.. looking forward to double coupons.
Let me start by saying that I am happy for the people that have actually still had luck with the $10/$20 coupon going through, even if it is not in the NY/Chicago/Long Island region. HOWEVER, I feel that on K-MARTS part, it is UNFAIR that some people in areas not listed on the coupons can still use the coupons, and others are still denied. As a company – they have such horrible communication with their employees. It either needs to be a clear cut – “YES you can use it because it was our mistake as a company to post the coupon in the first place,” or “NO, you cannot use it because it is fraudulent!” And by the way – C’mon, K-Mart! If the coupon was REALLY fraudulent, then why are people still being allowed to use it? What?…Do you support “criminal activity” now?? Ugh. Sorry, K-Mart, you make me sick. I can’t support a company that thinks it’s smart to keeps their employees in the dark, and alienates customers by wrongful accusations.
They have signs outside of my kmart saying the don’t accept them. :(. I live in WI.
I’m glad I printed 2 the day you posted about it! I went on Thursday night – I did 2 transactions, back-to-back. I did the Princess & the Frog DVD deal you posted AND the Huggies Pull-Ups deal you posted (to which I found a Strawberry Shortcake toddler sheet and pillowcase set on clearance for $2.99 as my filler item!) The cashier didn’t even flinch when I gave her the coupons! I guess I was lucky! Thanks Collin!
I forgot to add – I’m in CT.
Not accepting the coupon at our WI. stores. 🙁 They even have signs posted outside of the store.
This is statement that was issued on Kmart’s facebook page “A coupon for $10 off a $20 purchase has had unauthorized circulation and we have had to stop accepting it at most stores. The coupons will still be honored in the intended stores in the New York, Baltimore and Chicago area. We regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers. Thank you for your continued patronage and we do look forward to sharing other deals and offers with you in the future.”
Closest K-Mart is 35 miles away. Just not worth the trip for 5 coupons. I would rather drive 60 miles to Target! I’m new at couponing but saved $70 at Target this week!
I went yesterday at the frackville, pa kmart. It did beep but they manually put it in. I am glad because I bought the princess and the frog dvd and doll as you posted and my total was 7.29. Despite all the problems, thank you so much for all you do!
i went to kmart today and a sign was posted in the door saying that they were not taking the coupons! i was so upset!
Not worth it to me. The large Kmart in Medina is almost always sold out of anything with a $2 coupon and they have such high prices to start off with compared to the other stores. It’s too far from my home to keep stopping back in day after day for 5 lousy coupons.
I was in yesterday and they had signs up about the $10 off $20 Q. being only for the NYC area and being posted on coupon sites and not being honored.
I live in Sheboygan Wi and went to the Kmart there to try the princess and the frog deal but there were I didn’t see any dolls or empty shelves but I didn’t even question it or attempt to use the coupon. Yesterday I was driving past the Plymouth store and decided to stop in. I didn’t see the doll or anywhere it would have been so I decided to ask. My sister was with me and I was telling her how dishonest Kmart seems with the whole coupon thing and said I bet they never got any dolls and it was just a bait for some of the stores. Sure enough, the sales rep walked back to the counter with a confused look on his face and then walked away again. A few minutes later he comes back and says that they never received any dolls. Go figure. Kmart being dishonest, who would have guessed. I won’t even be going back for double coupons. They never have anything in stock for good deal (but then again they probably don’t carry the item in the first place) and I could use the same coupon at Target or Walmart and probably get the item for the same price after doubling the coupon at Kmart.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that instead of telling me the coupon was fraudulent they went with the “out of state” excuse.
We’re not big Kmart fans here either, hubby works for a company that deals wuth sears/kmart so when he does spot a deal (like the 24oz 6pk pepsi product bottles on sale for $2.75 last week), we go there. Otherwise, I don’t bother with Kmart. We’ve had problems with them before but with other things. I think it’s crappy that they are limiting it to 5 a day, but if I can score some good deals I’ll be going every day since it’s only 2-3 miles from my house, haha. With the $10/20 coupon, I think what they did was NOT right at all, and being it was an error on THEIR part they still should have taken them. I will definitely be calling them and giving them my two cents! I’m in ohio, and they put signs up yesterday about it all.
I’m not a big fan of Kmart. Frankly, I’m surprised they are still in business. I live in Augusta, GA and everytime I have been in there it is always empty. I have always had problems with coupons and them having the right prices on their products. I tried to use the coupon and they told me it was a fradulent coupon. They had a little note at the cash register saying that they are not honoring the coupon. I did not see a note on the door and would have not seen it on the cash register if she had not pointed to it. If I had known it when I first walked in, I never would have walked in. Everything was all ready scanned before she let me know. After thinking about it, I am taking everything back.
I just used my $10 coupon this afternoon in a Chciago suburb. I didn’t think they would accept it, but thought I’d try it anyway. I was super surprised then they accepted it-no questions asked.
Chicago that is 🙂
I think if everyone is this upset with K-mart we should just boycott them, but I would wager that the majority of you will be standing in the checkout lines during doubles.
Agreed! I won’t be doing doubles, my store of course isn’t participating. I really don’t like that store anyways.
I emailed corporate about this and I got the following response:
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for your recent correspondence. We are always interested in
hearing from our customers, and regret it was this situation regarding
one of our coupons that has prompted you to contact us. We apologize for
the confusion regarding the coupon.
It has come to our attention that there are some unauthorized coupons
that have been circulated on the internet. The coupon you are referring
is only valid at specific stores in the Baltimore, New York City, Long
Island and Chicago area. However, since we value you as a Kmart
customer we would like to send you a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase.
If you would like to accept this coupon please respond with your name,
phone number and mailing address so that we can mail the coupon to you.
Once again, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this coupon
error has caused you.
Sincerely,
Jacob G.
Retail Customer Care
Sears Holdings Corporation
hahaha…funny that they mentioned Long Island b/c they are not accepting it here!
“KMART SUCKS!” – “Rain Man” Although I DO live in the Chicagoland area and I DO have a kmart right down the street from me, I NEVER shop there. KMART is gross, expensive and now just a pain in the ass. NO where does it state on the coupon that it is for a specific location! IN FACT it reads that “VALID AT ALL KMART STORES!” SHADY KMART! And what’s with the bogus spend $50.00 we’ll give you $10 off?! Way suspect! BOYCOTT KMART!
i got this email after my complaint (notice, i didn’t even get offered the $10 off $50 coupon!):
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the coupon. We are
always interested in hearing from our customers. Unfortunately the
coupon can only be used at select Chicago area locations. We sincerely
apologize for the confusion.
We appreciate your business, and value you as a customer. We certainly
hope you will continue to make Sears Holdings Corporation your choice
for quality and value.
Sincerely,
Jacob G.
Retail Customer Care
Sears Holdings Corporation
I was able to use the $10 off if you spend $20 Kmart coupon today at the Kmart in Crofton, MD with no problem. I was sure it wasn’t going to work but it didn’t beep or anything. I bought 2 packs of Huggies Pull Ups for $9.99 each & a $0.79 candy & then he took $10 off the purchase and I only paid $11.42!!! I never buy Huggies Pull Ups because they are too expensive (we usually buy the store brand & get more for less) but this time I spent about $5.30 for each pack! SWEET!!! I’m loving this site. Tx!
I just found a new blog post about this Kmart fiasco here and thought I would share it with everyone.
**WARNING: PG-13 language!
I just found a new blog post about this Kmart fiasco here and thought I would share it with everyone.
**WARNING: PG-13 language!
I have always hated K-mart. However, this year we ended up getting a lot of Christmas items there b/c of the prices and layaway. I went in with the coupon for $10/$20, and the cashier showed me a sign that said they were not accepting them. She said “It says on the coupon that they are only good in New York.” I said “No, it says right here that it’s good at all K-mart locations.” She didn’t know what to say, but told me that I could talk to someone if I wanted to. I told the manager what I had told her, and said “I would like you to honor the coupon.” He said that corporate said they were not allowed to accept them and there was nothing he could do. I then told him that he was going to lose me over $10.00, and that he’d be losing a lot of money as I have 5 kids and spent a lot at K-mart every year. I walked out. I am a sensei and I teach a girl whose grandfather was a k-mart manager for most of his life. He said if I complain to corporate they will do something about it. I think it’s shameful to do this to customers, and I plan to complain. Sad that they would alienate their customers over a $10.00 loss. Give me a break. You’d think they’d be happy we are taking the time to come to their stores when we could go to Target or Walmart. Quite frankly, I am more comfortable in those stores b/c they are cleaner and have more options. Who carries red and navy blue pantyhose for girls but not white or cream? Come on!
what happens when you use a $3 coupon…does it give you a $3 +$2 or just a face value $3 off.
I am sorry if this is a repeat post from earlier. I am a cashier at Kmart. The coupon in question has came to my store, and I had taken one. Although it did scan, the next day the manager posted that we will no longer be taking them. The reason: They are only for the stores in NY. I understand the frustration of having a “good deal” however I simply ask that if you have been denied, do not take it out on us. We have no control over the situation. Stop and remember that CORPORATE makes the decisions, and we have to follow. I agree with the above post about complaining to corporate, if enough cages are rattled you will be heard. Just go to Kmart.com and follow the links, if you call your local store you can also request the corporate store number. You may end up talking to the store manager first (they don’t like complaints coming to corporate, makes them look bad. When you do complain make sure you have a few peices of info. 1 the store number, 2 managers name, 3 patience.
I will try to address some of the questions posted about the clerks. “Why do we get so upset when there is a coupon problem? My answer is this, you are not the first person to come in and use coupons, and not the first to have a problem. Let me give you an example: My store had for a time done double coupon once a month. We would have what I called the part time couponer. A person who found some good coupons (under 10 in number ) and came in. There is the serious couponer (10-15 coupons), there is the serious couponer (come in with notebooks no less than 2 and 3” inches thick filled with coupons and three of everything (a nightmare for us) and then there are the scammers. No coupon fraud is not done mainly by the retailers but by the unscrupulous. The first two are no big deal, in and out in a few minutes. The third usually has at least one full basket of stuff. These take longer (they have to break the order down to different tabs, due to the fact that there is sometimes the “catalina coupons” that may be offered (buy 2 of these get $$ of this). This order usually lasts at least 10 minutes, provided the customer is organized and there is no problems. The last one is why we get upset, the scammers will come in and have a coupon (for example a coupon to get a free glade warmer if they by the whole kit) I had some people come through my line and the coupon scanned and gave them the oils free, not the warmer. They would try to use it on some make up and not have that exact one but the coupon would scan. We have barred a family from my store for doing that more than once. Why more than once? It took that long to investigate and catch them. They would have at least 200.00 of stuff and walk out only paying 4 or 5 bucks. Who loses me, you and every other honest couponer. My store hasn’t done double coupons since Nov of 09, and I don’t know if we will again. We get the brunt of a customers wrath, we are the closest person they can vent at. For the most part we try to maintain some decorum, but we can only handle so much. We have so much we have to do to make sure you get the right price. Some times it calls for getting a supervisor. We only have a 5.00 lea way on an over ride. If we try to adjust the price over that we need to get them. Supervisors can only do 10.00, and then the Manager can go the rest of the way. The store that I work at is the regional headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. I am not new to the retail world nor cashiering as well. I will say that for the most part the customers that I take care of are polite and cordial. However there are those I would love to put into the bailer and turn it on. I ask that you consider your attitude when you approach the register. If you are unhappy feel free to ask to speak to the supervisor or manager on duty. The cashier has nothing to do with the fact you couldn’t find item X or Y. We have no idea what all is on sale, and we have to follow the directions of the management. Nobody is perfect, we all have “bad days” unfortunately cashiers tend to catch heck from some customers for no reason. I understand the attitude some of you have towards Kmart, we are not the prettiest, nor the glitziest, I can only speak about my Kmart that I work at. We are in the process of remodeling, it is slow because of the economy. If you boycott Kmart, you will have people losing jobs. My store is finally getting enough customers purchasing stuff that I now have more hours to work. I like most lower level employees am part-time. I call it some time, for the longest time I would work only 3 days a week on minimun wage, for a total of maybe 15 hours. I have now bee working 5 days now. The stores can only do so much with the money that comes in. I am a single mom with a teenage daughter. If you want to see changes in the Kmart near you, I say again call corporate. If you have cell phones with cameras take a picture and send it to them. Words alone can only do so much, pictures tell the tale.
I myself would like it if when it did come to coupons, the customer was well organized, honest, and fully understand the process. Just because you have a coupon for 25 cents off and another for 40 cents you cannot use them on the same item. It is a major hassle especially when we hit the total button and you hand us a stack of coupons 2″ thick. We have to check to make sure that you got the right item which means going through the purchase screen item by item. The easy way is to put the coupons with the items that way we can visually verify right then and there. I had one lady who did that and I loved her for it!
Why do we limit? Let take a look: Customer A comes in with 10 coupons for a certain brand of soap (we will call it bubble clean). She picks up 10 packages, clearing out the shelf of that item. Customer B comes in with 2 coupons for bubble clean, goes to the shelf and we are out of stock. Customer B is of course disappointed, goes to other aisles and finishes her shopping. Customer A then gets to the register and then customer be comes in behind her. Customer B sees Customer A’s order and sees the 10 packages of bubble clean soap. Customer B asks customer A where she found them (not know that she got there before her). Customer A says that she got them off of the shelf in the HBA department (where they are usually stocked) and that she got the last 10 that was there. Now Customer B is thinking not so nice thoughts of A. In other words we limit so everyone has a chance to purchase the items. Simple really. If you don’t bogart, hog, hoard or other wise be over indulgent in the product everyone will have a chance to enjoy the savings the store I work at limits it to 4 of the same. Oh and when we say that what we have is on the shelf we really mean it. Our stock room is not large enough to hold 10 or even 5 of everything. If something is on sale, and we don’t have it, ask about rain checks, on most things we will issue one. Kmart is not as huge and “all powerful” as Wal-mart (I used to work at one), nor are we a mom and pop place (of course). I hear it all, and most of it is good from my customers. I do hear the bad, and when I do I apologize, ask them if they would like to speak to a supervisor. Most of the time it is a “no” but once in a while they will say yes. I have done my part to help the customer (if I am unable to help directly). Also contrary to popular myth we do not have meetings before our shift to discuss what is on sale ect. I don’t know what goes on sale till I see the sales flyer on Sunday. Then there is the monthy flyer at the beginning of the month. We only know from that. We don’t know when something will go on sale except for Holiday stuff (xmas, easter, halloween), everyone knows that that stuff goes on sale just before and right after the holiday. You want something that you know will go on sale? Be sure to get it with in the first two days other wise you just may loose out. Just to let you know, I have over 12 years of cashier experience, from grocery, to retail, to specialty, to truck stops. I have heard it all, from “oh I didn’t know it was expired” to “the lady at the customer service desk said it was ok”.(I always check that one out, usually false). I understand your feelings, and in some cases been there myself. If you want to boycott go ahead, but if enough boycott to close down a store over 100 people will be unemployed and in todays economy work is hard to come by. Also if you boycott Kmart then boycott Sears, since Kmart owns Sears, (not Sears owning Kmart). Kmart bought Sears several years ago to save them from bankruptcy. All I ask is for patience and understanding.
Thanks for your post. It’s unfortunate that the few scammers cause problems for honest couponers. As a “customer” my only bad coupon experiences have been at Wal-Mart. I had a coupon “beep” and had a cashier supervisor tell me that I couldn’t purchase two like items and use two coupons. I kindly said that I’ve couponed for years and have never heard that. She insisted, not so nicely, that that had been Wa-Mart’s policy for YEARS! Said I’d have to have more than one “purchase” (yup…she didn’t know that one per purchase didn’t have anything to do with your transaction). I told her I’d gladly let my cashier break up my transaction into two, if he wanted to. I really think she wanted me to be upset, but I refused to. She just got angrier and angrier, and told me she’d put my order through “this time”, but not in the future. I tried to think that maybe she was just having a bad day, and told her that I wasn’t trying to upset her and didn’t want her to be upset or have a bad day, but she wasn’t having that! Strange. I wrote Wal-Mart to clarify what “one per purchase” meant, but never got a reply….surprise.
I’ve not had any coupon experience with Kmart, but am hoping to try out the super doubles next week. Who knows? Maybe it will be great! :0
thank you for your post!!!
Robin and Ken, you are welcome, by the way I was turned on to this site by a customer..ironic huh LOL.
If you call K-Mart headquarters and tell them about this, they will send you a $10 coupon!!!
My Kmart (in Illinois) took the $10 off $20 coupon today…no questions asked!