YOU In Bloom ~ Letter to Walmart
Most Room For Coupon Improvement
Thanks to your participation in last week’s “Most Room for Coupon Improvement” survey I have a winner (or loser?! 😉 )…. Walmart received the most votes tallying 1,230 of the 3,461 votes that we received. With this information and a slew of reader comments, I am emailing corporate headquarters a letter requesting that they consider reviewing and revamping their coupon policy based on the recent Hip2Save survey.
This week’s YOU in Bloom topic is All About You… part of putting yourself first is knowing how to have a voice and use it. It is empowering and gratifying to share your views and opinions. It helps build confidence and self image. So, with that being said, I have an opportunity for you to take your voice and put it into action. Power is in numbers…if each one of us writes an email to Walmart, think of the impact that we will make! I suggest that you copy and paste the paragraph below and then add to it an additional note with your personal view and/or experience(s). Together, we CAN & WILL make a difference!
In addition, the actions we take will hopefully help to improve customer relations and increase business…. It’s a win, win. 🙂
Below is the paragraph that you may want to copy and paste into your personal email:
My name is “your name here“ and I am a reader of a coupon and savings blog called Hip2save.com. Last week, Hip2Save hosted a reader survey asking which of six national department stores (Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Target & Kmart) had the most room for coupon improvement. Walmart received the majority of votes totaling 1,230 of the 3,461. I am writing today to encourage you to use this information towards improving your current coupon policy. I would also strongly advise you to make it a priority to provide ongoing education for your employees regarding your coupon acceptance policy. I appreciate you taking the time to consider my request. With some positive changes to your current coupon policy, I will be much more inclined to offer my patronage as both a shopper and deal seeker at Walmart stores in the future. Below this paragraph I urge you to please add your own personal comments or experiences to your letter.
Please use the contact information provided below:
President & CEO of Walmart Stores/Supercenters USA
Michael Duke
Email Address: michael.duke@wal-mart.com
This is my letter to Walmart President & CEO, Michael Duke:
Dear Mr. Duke,
My name is Collin and I run a coupon and savings blog called Hip2Save.com. Last week, I hosted a reader survey asking which of six national chains (Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Target & Kmart) had the most room for coupon improvement. Walmart received the majority of votes totaling 1,230 of 3,461. Hip2Save readers are dedicated to saving money and prefer to shop at stores that support their thrifty goals. In addition to voting, many Hip2Save readers also left comments. Below are a few of the comments that I would like to share with you. Please keep in mind that these are only a few of MANY that I received.
“My biggest complaint is Walmart, of course. I can’t stand the coupon limit per transaction; they limit you on the amount you can save, but not on the amount you can spend?”
“My Walmart questions every insert, peelie, blinkie, or tearpad coupon, and now they refuse to take online coupons. Even though you show them the coupon policy on the corporate website, even if it’s printed that day, they will not take printable online coupons.”
“I voted for Walmart. Their cashiers are not trained on coupon policies and it’s always a huge hassle to use coupons and always ends up taking a lot of time. It’s too bad because I always find so many things to use coupons for at Walmart, but honestly it’s just not worth the trouble I have to go through to use the coupons. So I don’t shop at Walmart.”
“One Walmart I shop at is just not consistent. I can go one week and they take all coupons…the next week they have to ask the CSM if they can take internet coupons (and the answer is yes if they scan)…the next week they hand them back to me and say they don’t take internet coupons……today they took them no questions asked…next week…your guess is as good as mine……”
After personally reviewing the comments left by Hip2Save readers, the top 3 complaints about shopping at Walmart are the following…
1. Inconsistency of accepting internet/printable coupons; Although the Walmart Corporate Coupon policy clearly states that Walmart accepts internet coupons, many readers have had cashiers and/or managers refuse to accept valid and scannable internet coupons.
2. 40 Coupon Limit at Checkout: Many readers have complained about the fact that Walmart requires a manager override if more than 40 coupons are used at checkout; Often, the cashier does not understand why the cash register is beeping and thinks that it is due to an invalid coupon…there have been many occasions where readers have had to educate the cashier as to the fact that a manager override is required. This makes the checkout process take that much longer and causes frustration for both the consumer and the employee(s).
3. Lack of details and specifics surrounding the Walmart Corporate Coupon Policy. One area to note is that the coupon policy clearly states Walmart accepts “Store Coupons”. However, Walmart employees seem to have no clue as to what “Store coupons” are. As far as I know, Walmart doesn’t have their own store coupons, so I would assume accepting store coupons would mean that Walmart accepts other store coupons, such as Target coupons. This needs to be clearly detailed and explained in the coupon policy.
I hope that you decide to use this information towards improving your current coupon policy. I believe that if you make a few necessary changes to your policy and create greater consistency with your cashiers by providing ongoing employee education about your coupon policies, the “couponer and deal seeker” patronage will greatly increase.
Many thanks for your time and consideration,
Collin
In an effort to keep track of how many of you are participating in this email event, please let me know by providing a comment below. Thank you!! 🙂
Sent! Go us!
Thanks for everything you do, Collin. You are amazing! I sent an email, too.
I had to email Wal-Mart just last week because the Neighborhood Market near my house wouldn’t take my internet coupons. If you guys don’t know what makes them authentic- it’s the bubbles that appear around the expiration date. I received an email back stating that they still do take internet coupons. I have this email in hand for the next time I shop there. Thanks Collin for protecting the rights of us bargain shoppers!
Just sent my email! Thanks!!
Mine is sent! Thanks! This is a great idea!
Just sent mine 🙂
thanks for taking the initiative on this one. walmart is so incredibly frustrating to deal with. i’ve just written and sent my email. i look forward to seeing what walmart’s response will be.
The problems at Wal-Mart for me extend beyond poor cashier training.
I stopped doing regular shopping there years ago.
For one thing, my nearest Wal-Mart seems to be a magnet for some of the scariest people in town. I’m sure Wal-Mart cannot do anything about who shops there, but I can go right across-the-street to Target or Kroger and see a completely different set of people.
I wouldn’t even bother to stereotype people by the way they look, but the customers at Wal-Mart are exceedingly rude. I have to say the customers are worse than the cashiers by far. I feel quite sorry for SOME of the cashiers.
I think the incident that indicated the last straw for me was when I went into the Wal-Mart restroom and found the faucet did not work. I went to inform the people at the service desk. There were also other bathroom issues. She didn’t even let me finish a sentence and started talking over me, “You just don’t know how to use the faucet; there’s nothing wrong with it!” I wasn’t the only person attempting to use the faucet; there was even another Wal-Mart employee trying. So…I had had enough and told her, “The very LEAST you can do for a customer is pretend to be a polite Walmart employee and listen to an entire sentence before you cut someone off!” Of course, I know that Wal-Mart is not going to take punitive measures for rudeness.
I won’t say I haven’t been back in the store, but quite honestly, they get about $20 out of me every six weeks. If all people were like me, they would be under in no time.
So…I will email. But, to be honest, I think Wal-Mart is on a downward spiral and is going to need a major overhaul as opposed to merely accepting more coupons.
AMEN!!! I commend you for your response. The closest Walmart to me sounds very similar to what you discuss. The mere thought of going there (which is VERY rare) stresses me out! I would also agree it’s hard to determine who can be ruder… customers, greeters (yes there’s even nasty ‘old’ greeters there) or the cashiers/departmental employees. Walmart definitely needs to do some major overhauling!!!
I sent a personalized email, with my own story, and included my friend’s story too. She has not gotten Walmart to take any coupons yet (has tried on different occasions). They give her SUCH a hassle!
Thanks for your hard work on this!
I just sent mine! Thanks for getting the email together!
Sent an e-mail!! Thanks, Collin!!
Mine is sent! I’ve stopped going to Walmart lately too. I’ve decided that pretty much no amount of savings is worth massive frustration and being treated like a criminal for trying to save 55cents on a loaf of bread!
I think we could still do this for the other companies as well. I think Walgreens could use the same email blasts!!!
Haven’t sent my email… YET! Working on it now. 🙂
I just sent my email. Hope they will listen to all our complaints.
Thanks for starting this.
I had to write them a week ago…someone called from the store and confirmed that in fact the cashiers were not trained properly by saying ” The cashier did not understand coupons.” I feel bad that they are not trained properly as I am sure they get in trouble and that could be eliminated if they were trained properly. I am also thinking that editorials to the paper are a great way to get people to notice that unfair treatments to customers is not right.
I sent one!
Thank you for getting the ball rolling. I’ve just sent my email and can relate to the negative experiences that others have described. Walmart use to be a store I enjoyed shopping at but since I’ve had so many coupon issues/poor customer experiences, I now do my best to avoid going there.
I sent my email. 🙂
I’ve sent one. Wal-Mart can be so frustrating, especially when it comes to coupons & also price matching. I’ve stopped shopping there all together because of how frustrating it is. Thanks Collin for being such an amazing leader!
Got ‘er done! 🙂
Just sent my email…thanks for writing it for me 😉
My worst experience a year or so ago was when my child was in the throes of the terrible toddler. He was pitching a mega fit while the cashier was pawing through my groceries to check every single item against the coupon I had for it. It was infuriating and horribly stressful! I had the manager over and nearly yelled at both of them. They ended up apologizing profusely and sending me on my way but I’ve kept my visits few and far between since.
Thanks Collin!
Mine is sent!
will be sending an email. Had already sent a complant to the local manager after my last dealing with a very rude cashier and floor manager. In fact i had sworn i would not being using walmart anymore. thanks
My email is on its way! Thanks for your help, Collin 🙂
I sent my letter, thanks for the incentive.
Walmart here in MD only accept 4 of the same coupons in one transaction. example I bought 5 boxes of Kellogg’s cereal and try to use 5 of $0.50 coupons for my 5 boxes the 1 to 4 coupons will scan but the 5 will beeps and need manager. Yes if you use many coupons definitely need manager. Anyway Walmart here still acceptable but Walgreen is the worst. I stop shop Walgreen completely for year even some week they have very awesome but I still pass it. Walgreen has the worst customer service I had ever seen.
I will send my note, with an extra comment,,, I haven’t been in Walmart for nearly a year now.. Although everyone SAYS they have the lowest prices.. I don’t think pricing is consistent or clearly marked. It is hard to get good customer service, and I would rather have a happy friendly cashier than people that DON”T want to be at work. just my personal experience speaking here…..
I shop at Harmon’s.. local family owned with 4-5 locations close to me. Winco, new superstore which is employee owned, Target, Rite Aid,,, Harmons is the toughest on coupons,, because they feel they are being scammed.. as MOST cashiers and service desk personnel do not understand that the store is paid for coupons! And paid for the processing! And they receive MORE products, displays, etc, at better prices for selling more! AND the best thing about US,, the couponers and bargain hunters,, is that we ARE loyal! Once we find our Peeps!
Let’s keep educating people by voicing these opinions in a clear concise manner. and shop where THEY want us…. and treat us good!
Email sent! I really hope we see some great changes at Walmart soon.
I sent a letter today! Hope it helps makes some changes! I’m actually on a roll, I sent a nice big fat complaint to Walgreens about a nasty cashier AND manager. it seemed they targeted my coupon book and gave me nothing but trouble!
I’ve sent an email about a rude manager before and my only response was “thank you for bringing this to our attention.” I then got an email from the manager in question and he was rude in email format, I forwarded that on to corporate and got the same response.
I think we should send a slew of emails to Walgreens too. Just my opinion but they don’t even have a policy at all so this would really be helpful.
Sent mine! Wal Mart is the WORST when it comes to coupons.
Or couponers could take a collective stand against what is easily one of the most despicable corporations in America and take their coupons elsewhere. 😉
They could offer me an entire cart of products free-after-coupons and I still wouldn’t set foot in there.
I”m sure many of us would love to o just that! Unfortunately many of us have precious few options or shopping, for me, most items are still more expensive WITH coupons, than paying regular price at walmart 🙁 I get EVERYTHING humanly possible anywhere else but then, I have to bite the bullet and go to walmart for the rest.
REGULAR complaints sent in though I think would be helpful, as well as filing out the surveys every time they come up on the receipt and logging the negative feedback that way, I truely believe they listen to that MORE!
I sent mine!! I’ve never had any problems at Walmart, but I wanted to be part of the team spirit!! Actually – I struggle the most with Target, though their coupon policy is clearly stated, their cashiers are the least educated on what they can and cannot accept, and in our area – we’ve been seeing problems with the cashier “charging at least a penny” when the coupon is enough to cover the cost of the item. In a few cases one of my friends was charged 6 cents per coupon because the cashier wanted her to have to “pay taxes at least” It was pretty ridiculous!
But, I don’t go to Walmart often – so maybe I would have more trouble there! Thanks for the info, and the help in writing this e-mail!
I’m so happy that this is happening. I can’t even tell you how frustrated I have been with that store. Sent my email already. Hope everyone who visits this blog takes the time to do theirs.
I sent my email! It’s the least I can do considering all you do Collin. Thank you!
Sent!
Sent mine! With this addition to it! Hope you get some results out of ’em Collin!
I used to be a devoted shopper to Wal-mart UNTIL I became a devoted deal seeker. My absence as a customer is mostly due to the fact that when I have tried to use my coupons at Wal-mart I would spend an HOUR (This is TRUE and happened on 3 separate occasions!) at the register pleading my case and waiting for an under-trained employee or manager to sort things out. This was of course AFTER I spent an HOUR in your store filling my cart with items to purchase. In 2 of those occasions, after spending an hour with Wal-mart’s uninformed employees and getting absolutely nowhere I left my products there and decided to get on with my day and tend to my family. I truly cherish my time too much to bother spending it at your stores and dealing with Wal-mart’s employees. Until Wal-mart’s policies and training efforts improve drastically I will not be spending much if any money there.
Sincerely,
A Once Devoted Customer,
Well put, Collin! I will be sending my email tomorrow.
Sent mine! I hope this turns out successfully! It would be nice to rally against all the other stores that give us issues as well in the future!
I just sent my email!
i sent an email. great idea!!
Wonderful idea! With the encouragement from Collin, I recently mailed Walmart about a lot of different issues I had and of course the not accepting my hard earned coupons was one of the biggest complaints. It took a few weeks, I got a call from the local manager who must not have had my original 2 page complaint and he sounded a bit confused as he appologized. He admitted that the cashier needed to be retrained on coupon procedures and that their policy is to not just send you over to Customer Service for all the coupons that didn’t scan. He also said their scanners there were fine and up to date but I wonder how true that is across the board since we all know we have REAL coupons that unjustly beep! The apology was nice but now I go to Kroger instead. Sometimes I know their prices are higher than Walmart on certain items but if my coupon doubles, it might make it a better deal. And even if not, I still feel better not supporting Walmart anymore. It’s sad too since Walmart does do a lot of donation money for the local hospitals, etc. But, then I just tell myself I would rather donate directly to the hospital than give Walmart my money.
In the end, I think Sam Walton would be disappointed as the things he fought for and what orginally made Walmart what it is today are now happening everyday in Walmart; the rude cashiers, undertrained staff, product disorganization, coupon refusals, etc.
And what’s up with Sam’s Club not accepting coupons?!! There are other warehouse superstores that accept them such as BJ’s. Although I don’t have one of those in my area!
I will gladly email the CEO and recap my story. It’s funny, we’re not asking for money or giftcards for our disappointment, just change. Maybe they could go coupon Green and do digital coupons?!
I just sent my email today and here is a snippet:
In response to our April 1, 2010 letter, a local manager at the Martinsville, IN Walmart contacted me and briefly discussed the previous rude cashier and further explained the proper handing/procedure for coupons. I did question the accuracy of the Databar scanners at this location and other nearby locations. I am not sure he understood my question but assured me they take coupons every day. I would appreciate additional information on this as I still question the accuracy of the scanners since I know I have real, even straight from the manufacturer themself, coupons that still unjustly “beep” and thus deal with reluctant cashiers to accept these coupons as they have been told not to accept coupons that “beep”.
I appreciated the apology but there is still no change. Thus, we have discontinued our regular shopping at Walmart and have advised family and friends as well. We now go to our local Kroger, who accepts all of my coupons, with no coupon limit issues, no internet printed hassle, even doubles coupons up to .50, and also who does digital coupons. I believe digital coupons are going to be a huge part of our future and I would also hope that Walmart could go, what I like to call “coupon green”, as well. I understand coupon fraud is a big issue and this might help limit those type of issues while saving a few trees along the way.
If truly saving people money so they can live better is the heart of what you do, then please consider a coupon handling reformation such as, discontinuing the 40 coupon limit override nonsense, retrain the staff on coupon processing, and consider digital coupons or other great ideas. Why not be the number one coupon handling retailer? We’re not asking for money or gift cards for our disappointment…just simply change.
Ok! I sent out a little message for the Walmart CEO. Hope it helps!
I know they didn’t win, but could you send a similar letter to Walgreen’s. I’ve given up shopping at both Wal@$%# stores because the coupon thing is so frustrating. I know I’m missing deals, but I’m a lot less stressed now…and I’d still like the deals, without the stress.
Well, I just sent mine. I feel accomplished trying to fight the big bad wolf! It was great to see this post because I has such a nasty experience there this afternoon. Hope this makes some difference!
I just sent my e-mail.
SENT!!!! 🙂
I like target better than walmart by far!!! I use to love walmart so much I practically lived there!! But then, the employees just stopped caring so it seemed, I even got yelled at by a manager one day when I was trying to return an item I bought the day before, when that was the lady who told me that they would take the return if the item didnt work out.. I just think walmart doesnt care anymore because they have made so much money they dont need to care anymore.
Sent mine!
Collin, I hope this works. I emailed Walmart customer service over a month ago after being told they no longer take printable coupons. I did post on one of your Walmart deals asking others if they had heard the same and got lots of responses.
To make a long story short, no response from corporate or local stores. Which makes me feel they really don’t care what type of reputation they are getting, just as long as they are making money.
I will be emailing the prez, I will be tackful, but I will call for some resolution in my matter due to the rude manner I was treated by the clerks and manager (the one with no name). Most of all, I want you to know how much I appreciate how you have taken control of this problem.
I feel terrible for everyone having trouble at Walmart. I have had NO problems with my Walmart. I read through a bunch of these entries to see what the troubles were and honestly have not met one of these besides your occasional “strange” employee who seems a little uneducated, but it’s probably more their fault than for lack of Walmart trying. I love that they will price match everything and there are no questions asked. I don’t even need to have my ads with me. So, I’m sticking up for my Walmart and apologizing to those of you who don’t have it as good as me 🙂