What Would YOU Do in this Situation?
I received the email below from a reader and can completely relate to what she had to say. If you’re a couponer, then I’m guessing you’ll be able to relate too…
I read your website religiously, and have gotten over being treated like a criminal when I use a lot of coupons by managers/cashiers. What I am having a hard time with, however, is “letting it go”, when I know I am right regarding a certain deal.
I went into Target this past weekend with my sleepwear coupon and Tums MC/TQ among others. The cashier said I couldn’t use the sleepwear coupon because it wasn’t pants as shown on the picture. I nicely explained to her the bakery coupons show a whole cake, does that mean that is what I have to buy? She then said I couldn’t because I would be getting it for “too cheap”. Pardon?? She then set that coupon and my Tums coupon aside and called a manager. I was glad because I thought she would set her straight, given Target’s recent coupon problems.
The manager proceeded to say I couldn’t use that one or 2 Tums Coupons because I would be getting it “free”. She said she would only take one coupon for the Tums and not the sleepwear at all. I pulled out the policy, but nothing I could say would sway her. She said “the problem is, you people don’t listen!’
By this time I was livid, and called customer service while in the store. She said she was a supervisor and read from the manual, and said it is up to a managers discretion to accept a coupon if it beeps, with no apology whatsoever for the horrible customer service.
My question is, what do you do when you are very honest ( I call it CWI, couponing with integrity) but you know you have every right to a deal, and get treated with such disrespect? What happened to Customer Service? What would you do?
Here are my thoughts…
I am a very positive person and well, don’t spend too much time or energy on being angry. It’s not worth it to me. Now don’t get me wrong, I have been angry upon leaving a store before, however, letting it ruin my whole day doesn’t do any good and really makes me feel as if I’m letting the store “Win”. Instead I try to focus on the positive shopping experiences I’ve had and the amazing cashiers and employees I’ve dealt with. There is always going to be a not so coupon friendly cashier out there and maybe even one that is downright disrespectful… but there is also always going to be a kind and very coupon friendly cashier. Focus on those great experiences and the bad ones will start to feel like distant memories. Being positive, laughing, smiling… it can do wonders… even to grumpy cashiers! 😉
Now it’s your turn – what would YOU do in this situation?
I had trouble using the $5 Hallmark coupon this weekend at 2 different Hallmark stores when I tried to buy the Wrap @ B1G1 for .99. It says that it could be used with other offers & sales, not other coupons. The first store said that it said it couldn’t be combined with sales. When I pointed out that it said that it CAN be, she rudely said “we still won’t take it”. At the second store, the customer in front of me asked the owner if the vitamin store was still next door and he said that he was too busy worrying about keeping his own store in business to notice. He then turned my coupon down saying that the wrap deal was a “coupon deal” even though you didn’t need a coupon to get it. I told him that he just lost this business & any future business from me.
Cara, I just found out that if a Hallmark store is independently owned, Hallmark Corporate doesn’t reimburse the store for any coupons. So, maybe if you try a corporately owned store it will be honored. That’s what I did and I didn’t have any problems.
After too many encounters like this one I quit going to Target as often. The cashiers often do not know ANYTHING about coupons and the machine beeps A LOT. So, I cut my losses and quite using them except for absolute steals and then go really not expecting it. I was too upset last time. They definitely got me, so I thought it best not to deal with them if I can help it.
I agree with you, Carey – I don’t go to Target very much at all anymore. I recently have gotten coupons for free eggs or free bread from them and still I did not want to drive all the way to that store to possibly be put in an ill mood. I just figured that I have been able to streamline my chosen stores to coupon for – I’m now down to Kroger and Walgreens. Instead I put all of my energy into these 2 and forget about the others that give me problems time after time.
I’ve had a few bad experiences — a cashier at Walgreens who accused me of photocopying coupons because she apparently had never seen an Internet coupon, for example — but on the whole I’ve saved far more than enough to make couponing worthwhile.
And while I’m at it: The Safeways in Portland, Ore., were always fantastic about coupons. Alas, I no longer live there, but the cashiers were super courteous and always treated me very well. I have nothing but good things to say about that supermarket.
My motto is that if they do not want to sell me the product at the price I want to pay, then someone else will. First , I am always very pleasant, I tell them that I have a “TON” of coupons so be prepared. 🙂 I choose a cashier that looks like they know what they are doing. 🙂 You know who I am talking about. 🙂 I make sure I shop at “off” times, so that they don’t feel rushed. I don’t throw a fit about anything, if the coupon doesnt work, I simply tell them I do not want the product. This goes far, in the smaller stores, I think, not sure, but think, that they are responsible for having to restock the merchandise that is left at the register. So, if they don’t want to make it easy, ( and I am by the book on everything), then they have to work a little harder to deny me. Good for them. If they want to work harder for their wage, and tell me no, when it is completely ok. Let them! Someone else will tell me yes. Very simple, stay happy, stay honest, and dont let people drag you down. Eventually, after all of us smart people keep doing this, they will HAVE to get on board. Good shopping to you all!
I completely agree with you,Michelle, well said. I have done exactly what you wrote, and let me tell you it works wonders. I don’t have to BUY anything from them if they want to be difficult.
Thank you, Amber. Rise above, good for you! The little things are just not worth it. Move on and upward. I try to rationalize everything in my life with one question “Will this make any difference to me in 1 year? And I am pretty sure that the price of a glade candle isn’t going to mean anthing. Good for you!
Luciana- I live in Portland and shop at Safeway! There’s one that’s unfriendly that I steer clear of, but otherwise I love Safeway. One cashier I’ve given coupons to even told me not to buy any cherries last summer and brought me them from her own tree.
I’ve had the same problem! One of my coupons wouldn’t scan and she told me that happens when you scan and make photocopies. I have NEVER set foot in that store again and I would go there 3 times a week! (this was riteaid though)
Here is what bad cashiers/managers have me doing #1 I totally avoid stores where the customer service is bad for example in Meridian Idaho Rite Aide on main street, manager is very bad about couponers, most of that stores cashiers are bad about it and I even have a store superviser take over my transaction every time I shop there when she is there. This theory also goes for Target I have gotten so frustrated with Target I stay a way all together. If I shop a deal at Target it is online only! My local Walgreens corner of Ten mile and Cherry Lane I dont even stop there anymore. So I will drive farther.. usually much farther to go to stores that offer a coupon friendly environment. I consider most of the cashiers my friends now, I know them on a first name basis and have developed a “friendship” with them. The stores profit even with coupons because the manufacturer does reimburse for the coupons. I am an asset to their store! I buy for a big family so I do spend money out of pocket that they are missing out on!
I must live right near you. I hate the Rite Aid on Main and the Eagle Rd. Target too. I also have the Walgreens on Ten Mile and Cherry nearby but they aren’t great either. Which Walgreens do you like to shop at?
I love Walgreens at Mcmillan/Linder they are awesome when it comes to couponers also Locust Grove and Fairview are also great!
Rite Aide Five Mile and Fairview evening cashiers after 5:30 pm AWESOME!, all cashiers at Glenwood & State Street Rite Aide AWESOME!
I think part of the problem is there is such a HIGH turnover of employees @ these stores. They aren’t trained properly and don’t know protocol in these situations. I live in Las Vegas, and I have the same problems and I just avoid stores I know don’t understand couponing.
I must admit, Collin, I, too, share this shoppers sentiments. While I try not to let experiences like these “dampen” my shopping experiences – TARGET is a BIG offender and needs to have their eyes opened WIDE! I repeatedly point out to the cashiers that while they’re not hesitant to “adjust my coupon down”, what is their policy for sending in that coupon to the manufacturer when it’s a “fixed face value coupon”? I’m quite sure they don’t take a “loss” on it when the coupon is clearly printed to be redeemed for $1, $2, etc. They’re not taking a loss and why do they feel justified in letting us customers take a loss on the coupons that we pride ourselves in collecting, clipping, and redeeming to stretch our already tight budget? I appreciate you posting this shoppers concern as I feel there are a lot more of us that should post these concerns to TARGET and many other retailers. We work just as hard for our money and are entitled to SAVE wherever we find fit!
Amen to that.
Wow…this is really a HOT topic! And shows just how poorly some cashiers are trained. I have a great way to at least intimidate that rude cashier. I have pulled out my handy-dandy official looking note pad and jotted down their name (making sure they see what I am doing) noted the date and time while the cashier waited and then snapped their photo with my phone. On girl asked what I was doing. I said “I just want to make sure your regional supervisor sees who I am talking about when I explain what has happened here today. Oh and would you please take that item off of my order if you are not going to honor my coupon?” Then follow through…
Oh my! This is a wonderful idea. It would probably work for the managers that are so rude too! While I hope that I never have another problem using coupons (yeah right!) I’m going to remember this one. Thanks for the idea!
This tactic is awesome. It is made better if you smile (politely) all the while. I don’t ask them to remove the item they disagree with, I just look them in the eye (smiling politely) and say, “Thanks, but I’ve lost the urge to shop here, today. Since you’ve lost this sale, you won’t mind restocking these items, I’m sure. Have a great evening!” Being this kind (not sarcastic) in the face of rudeness makes a rude person wonder what you’ve got going on or what they’ve missed out on.
I am always so polite, sweet and mild mannered that it’s almost funny. I find that being rude just is not productive and I don’t enjoy being a mean person. I would rather keep a positive attitude and just educate myself on the correct policies of each store so that I am a smart shopper. I want to be a good steward of the money that we have been blessed with. I have been in retail work for over 30 years. I know personally how trying being a cashier can be. You meet all kinds of people, the good and the bad. The economy has created a lot of new coupon users some not yet as savy as others so it takes a little more patience on the part of cashiers. Which can be trying, but when a store as large as Target has shoppers that are more educated on how to properly use coupons than their own staff then that is a problem that needs to be addressed.
OH I AM LAUGHING OUT LOUD! YOU ARE SO FUNNY! I’D LOVE TO BE THE PERSON BEHIND YOU IN LINE!!!!!!!
I don’t think I would have the guts to do that 🙂
I think I’d flip out if someone took my picture without asking. Good or bad. Have you REALLY done that?
Me, too! Creepy.
I was forced to do that at Walgreens about 3 months ago. I had an internet printable that was refused. I asked why and the girl told me that they didn’t take copied coupons. I explained to her politely that it is actually NOT a copy but a legitimate manufacturer coupon from a website that is called an internet printable coupon. She called over a manager who also would not take it. I said are you sure because I have been using internet printables in this store for 2 years. I am not a big buyer, it’s just me and my husband at home so I don’t buy a lot of things. They still refused it. I was embarrassed and confused because downloading coupons from the internet is so widely used and I would NEVER think of doing anything illegal much less try to scam a store by copying a coupon for a few cents. As people piled up behind me in a line I pulled out my small notepad and looked at both of their nametags and jotted down their names. And just bought the 3 items anyway (I only had coupons for 2) I gave her a $20.00 bill and she held it up to the light to see if it was legit. That was the last straw for my mild manner temperament. As I was leaving almost in tears because of being so badly treated in front of others waiting in line. I pulled out my phone and snapped both of their pics. The cashier said why did you do that and I told her I was contacting her regional supervisor and wanted to make sure that they knew who I was talking about when I asked about their policies on internet printables. She rolled her eyes at her manager and I left throughly discusted by their treatment of me. When I got home I sent an email with that photo attached to their corporate office letting them know that because of a coupon for 50 cents they had lost my prescription business of over 5 years. (I used to spend over $1,200 a year on prescriptions there)That afternoon I received a call from the store manager apologizing on behalf of his employees. I asked him the policies on internet printables. He said they NO LONGER TAKE THEM!!!! I said it would certainly be nice if your customers knew that before they had done their shopping. And asked if he would post it somewhere. After about 20 minutes of discussion between us he decided he would and said yes. I went in two days later to see if he had followed through…no sign. He lied to me. I transferred my prescriptions that day. BUT I still go in and use my coupons (Yes, IP’s too!)if I get a great deal. Because it is a legitimate transaction and just to let them know I can.
That’s just ignorant. I am a cashier and it’s not even a big deal if a customer complains on you. I had a customer call and complain on me because I forgot to give her a PENNY back. Someone also called because I didn’t tell them to have a good night. We have people call and complain about ridiculous things constantly. If you have never worked in retail then you wouldn’t believe the types of crazy customers we encounter daily. If a cashier is rude about coupons or whatnot, then it is probably because they’ve had a bad experience of similar situation. I work in a Walgreens that is very protective of their employees. We will listen to a customer and read all the small print and the policies – but if a coupon still won’t work we are not going to risk our jobs over a $1 coupon for a customer. You have to realize that we have jobs we are trying to keep as well and not everyone can be peppy and have a good day all the time. We are people just like you. Unless the situation was completely unreasonable, we don’t even get in trouble when a customer complains. They will just ask us about the situation and usually it is our word over the customers. Taking a picture and writing down the name of the employee isn’t scary or nerve racking. It just shows that you’re annoying and have too much time on your hands.
Huh? “I work in a Walgreens that is very protective of their employees…” That is one strange and loaded statement. It speaks volumes about Walgreens. The one you work at anyway.
Meaning – if someone complains on us they are not just going to take the customers word for it and write us up. We are like a family. If you are a good employee and someone calls and said you did something wrong they will listen to the situation and get both sides of the story. If they believe the cashier is in the wrong they will explain how to handle the situation better next time but by no means would they ever yell or “put us in our place”. I just feel like a lot of people are calling simply to get a cashier in trouble and to feel some validation. People also have different views of being rude. If they are saying really mean things for no reason then that is understandable, but a lot of times it is the customer being rude for no reason, then us having to retaliate and stand our ground.
Jordon, I wish I was your customer.
I would first and foremost say< "What do you mean "You People" what does that mean? Ms.Manager
please explain that to me….And ask is :You People mean your customer??? I would leave and
then contact the service dept. by E-Mail and demand an explanation of "You People". I would
go on to explain that perhaps their store management does not understand that the manufacturer
wants shelf space and that coupons are one way to promote their product and move product. That
perhaps the store management doesn't understand that the manufacturer re-imburses them and
pays a handling fee. As for their own sleepwear coupon, I would ask them to explain the verbage
on that "What does sleepwear mean?" And if they only meant it be pants, then they shouldn't falsely
advertise "Sleepwear" they should put pants only….As for manager discretion, I would suggest they
adapt a universal policy and educate their managers. I'm sure Target doesn't need uninformed
or want managers who are uneducated and insulting. First rule of business-Customer is always right…
This is a great post…i totally agree
I went to Target this weekend and got the Vaseline Lotion with the $5 gift card. The cashier scanned in the gift card before she scanned my coupons so the first $1 mfg coupon only took .38 cents off and then the others beeped. She called her manager over and the manager said yes it is because you put the giftcard on first…void it off, scan the coupons and then reissue the gift card. When her manager went away she did it but she also said ” well what she is really saying is you shouldn’t really get all these because its making it free”. I was shocked…why even say that. And it is not true which I proceded to tell her. $5.19 x2 = $10.38 minus $5 in coupons and $5 in gift card means I am still paying .38 cents cash plus they will be reimbursed for the mfg coupons. I dont understand why cashiers think it is their right to make these kind of disrespectful comments.
I had a bad experience last week at Target wiht the Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion and the Ponds facial wipes. I had bought four of each and used the coupons and at the end of the transaction the cashier refused to give me the gift cards he had activated as part of the promo. He even made a big scene over the 10.00 movie coupons for Fantasia and Socerers? Anyway another cashier set him straight on those coupons and told him they were legal and many people had been using them. He had set the gift cards aside and told me they had been voided on the order and were no good. I had to insist that he call a manager so I could get my gift cards and prove it to them on my receipt. A lesson for me to continue to pay attention because it would have been easy to have gone home without them since he did not give them to me.
Wow!!! I wonder if he has done that to other customers and pocketed the money!
I had a very bad, humiliating experience at Walgreens (though honestly I don’t remember details… I chose not to dwell on it. ) It did have to do with my buying only items that would be free or really cheap. Overall I have positive experiences, even at Target. I usually choose to go through a very young checker’s lane, and I never attempt to buy ONLY things that will be free with nothing else in the order.
I hate having bad couponing experiences but for the amount of coupons I use it’s a small fraction of the time. I try to avoid situations that I think will be problematic, like using the $1.00 off tide coupon at target. Sometimes it’s not worth it. You have to have a thicker skin and don’t let the bad experiences bother you.
I just kindly say…I don’t want that item…not worth getting huffy….every one is having a hard time.p.s I have the most “questions” at Target.
Great topic to cover. This is an ongoing problem in many stores. I’ve been there myself (not with Target). My DH has always had the same attitude as Collin…you have to take the GOOD with the BAD (he’s in sales) 😉 However, I still have trouble letting a good deal, gone bad, because of the cashier and/or manager go after leaving the store.
I just don’t shop at Target anymore. I don’t care how good the deal is there – I won’t shop there.
Oh Target! When target was doing the Dr.Pepper coupon for 12 pack soda, I ran into the same problem. Because the coupon did not ‘scan’ with the gun or the scanner, they did not want to accept it. But that was not all, they also declined my Old Spice deodorant coupon because ‘it was going to work on the 2 back combined product’. The odd thing is, I use the same type of coupon (which did not restrict anything, just said any Old Spice product, in this case it was Right Guard) and it worked fine in another Target. But that day she made me take everything i purchased to prove the coupons go with the items. I was at a boiling point because I was not scamming them, I was using them according to policy. Since my mother was with me, I did not want to bother with it. For that reason I refuse to use coupons at that Target and go to a different one. Sometimes it depends on the cashier, but at most, even the managers are horrible. So yea, I tend to avoid do Target deals unless they’re worth it.
P.S. I absolutely LOVE my Rite Aid. Once one of the cashiers missed a few coupons, and did not give me the correct price off for BOGO coupon, so I went in the next day and the manager trusted me so I got my $6 the previous cashier missed. That is becoming my favorite store, all they need to do is carry all of the groceries and I’m sold.
How do I handle situations when I know my coupons are legit and I have a bad experience? I ALWAYS call the district manager if it is Walgreens, RiteAid, or CVS. If it is Target I call back to the store manager and then corporate. I have had plenty of problems with my local RiteAid and now I have the personal cell phone number of the Loss Prevention district manager. He heard about what I went thru and said I MUST call him personally and tell him if I ever have another problem with a store manager or cashier. Of course he called the store and let them know that it goes on their record if they do not treat a customer with respect and intelligence. I go in the store now and am treated very well. They KNOW I have his number and I will not be afraid to call. With Walgreens after calling the district manager a couple of times, the store manager now tells me to see her and she will take care of whatever the problem is to my satisfaction and she does. The cashiers all know me because I am always there getting good and legitimate deals and they know that I KNOW what is proper coupon usage and if they try to give me a hard time I will go up the ladder until it gets resolved. In Target I stand my ground and if they will not budge I call the store manager and they are always willing to take care of it to my satisfaction. At my ShopRite if they give me a hard time I call corporate and I end up getting an extra gift card from them for my trouble. I simply will NOTtakeNO for answer when I know I am right.
It would be great if someone printed this whole comment thing and sent it to some big whig at Target – of course none of us will because we need to save money on ink so we can print more coupons. 🙂 I feel for you girl – I have been there. We all need to develop a thick skin and not take it personally when they are rude. I actually had been beginning to think complaints to target were starting to work because I have been having no trouble using coupons when I use to have a lot. I think if this sort of thing happened to me again I would take the names of the people who were rude and then write in and give their names. Whether the store doesn’t want to take the coupon or not – no one needs to be rude.
Thank you.
I would be frustrated too…and would not let it ruin my day. I would try it again tho…
You know you are right!
I actually just had a bad experience at Target today. I was buying more than I usually do there and had coupons for almost everything I was buying. The cashier had to take everything out of the bags, scroll thorugh the prices, saying I couldn’t use certain coupons. Had to call the manager over b/c a coupon was one cent over the price and then almost didn’t do all my coupons if I wasn’t paying attention. I had about three people get behind me and then move to other lines and then she kept saying and then you are getting that FOR FREE!!! I was with my two small children and it took FOREVER to check out. I felt exactly the same way, like a criminal and that I was trying to cheat them. When all I was doing was using coupons and spent alot of time putting together my deals. In the end everything went through and I made sure to check my receipt before I left the store. There receipts are very hard to understand!! Does anyone else find this? My Rite Aid and local grocery store have always been great with coupons. I will probably not go there as often and not buy as much at once. I hope that you get some satisfaction whether from corporate or going to another one and it go through without a hitch:)
Thanks. Even though I had this problem I have been shopping at Target for a long time. What helps for me is to add up the total of coupons before I get into line and then make sure that amount is deducted, because you need a PH.d to decipher thier receipts. Hope that helps for you too.
I’m glad it’s not just me. Target receipts are very confusing.
Their receipts are very confusing. I love to show others how much I saved but it is hard to show that when you are looking at a Target receipt.
Size up the cashiers before choosing a line. I’d call corporate and call my local consumer reporter if I didn’t get the desired results. I like saving money on necessities so that I can buy luxuries. My motto: Never pay retail. I’ve not had the problems that so many seem to experience at Target. Maybe southern hospitality rules here.
Most important, don’t even think about the folks behind you (they’re probably jealous that they can’t coupon as well as you can.). If they’re disgruntled because you’re taking too long, smile while asking if they’d like to pay for your purchase to expedite your checkout.
This is why- although I know the deals probably won’t be as good- I think coupons should be electronic. The cashier would never even have to scan them- they would just go through and there would be no evil eye.
One thing big corporations forget is that “word of mouth” is the best form of advertising. I always make sure when I have a great experience to share it. If I were in your situation I would talk about “my experience” on mommy blogs, on facebook, etc. I’m just careful how I word things – such as using the phrase “I feel” because no one can argue with how another person feels! Then I would let corporate know in a letter how “I felt” about my experience at Target – last time this happened they sent me a gift card for the cashier’s rudeness!
I think the bigger issue is the rotten customer service. While I hate when they won’t take my coupons or try to make it seem like I am doing something wrong, I get over it quickly. I can’t get over people being that rude for no reason. And what is the purpose of a coupon policy if the manager can discriminate as they see fit.
Bad job Target!!
I hate couponing at the Jersey City Target!!! I don’t know how many times I’ve had legitimate coupons rejected or I’ve had coupons applied “just this once.” The managers have no idea what “any” means and seem to think that the photo overrides any of the actual language printed on the coupon.
The worst thing I ever heard from a MOD at the Target in Jersey City – “My wife loves to use coupons too so I really do understand what you’re trying to do. I’ll take them just this once.”
Whatever. Thank God I live in Florida now, which tends to be more coupon friendly in my opinion.
I once had a Target cashier tell me I couldn’t use a manufacturer’s coupon on clearance merchandise. (This was for candy on sale after Christmas). She was also very rude and I could tell she had never clipped a coupon in her life. Sometimes they act as if the money is coming out of their pockets. Don’t they realize the store gets reimbursed and it is good for their business to have couponers shopping there?
If you live in an area that has more than one Target, I would try taking it to another Target. You might run into a nicer cashier or a cashier who doesn’t care and just marks it down according to the coupon and moves on. You probably just caught the manager and employee on an off day.
I remember the Sobe gift card deal at Target this summer. I drove all the way there to get of bunch of my favorite drink, for free, after coupons. Well, once in line, they said I had to choose between using my coupons or getting a gift card. I’d like to say I can let things slide off of me like “water off a duck’s back,” but I was fuming. I only travel that far to Target if it’s a really good deal. I still remember how upset I was. I probably have about 1 in 20 experiences go awry like that. Sigh!
Hmmmmm, I hope that someone from Target is actually looking at this blog — obviously a lot of people are upset by this, and hopefully they will do something.
When this happens to me, I contact the corporate offices. By doing this, I received an official apology from Wegmens and Embassy Suites — and some free products. I tried this with Hallmark about their Freaky Pets (had a similar experience to the “you people”, except that the word “fraud” was used in reference to me and my child) and they did not respond, so I will never use their store again and I have told all of my friends.
I have just sent this link to the corporate offices at Target. Most likely nothing will come of it, but you never know! I had no problem with the PJ deal but I used it with a TON of other items and black friday and went to the youngest male cashier I could find! Just have better luck with them at Target (usually–though once I did not)! I get super-worked up about things too, it’s hard to come down from that feeling when you are wronged and you know you are RIGHT! I guess it’s a bit of a control thing too maybe? I just can’t walk away from that feeling too easily.
What is the email address or link to write Target corporate? I couldn’t find it. I think EVERYONE should e-mail this page and comments to Target… overload their inbox!!!
https://www.target.com/gp/help/display-contact-us-form.html?displayLink=tsq
I sent my email to… guest.relations@target.com
I just emailed Traget a link to this post with the following introduction: Hello, The following link may be of interest to your customer service department. At least I hope so. Thanks for your time https://hip2save.com/2010/12/what-would-you-do-in-this-situation.html
….I never thought when I wrote this letter that so many people would feel the way that I do, thanks for your support.
I used the same link as DP above…thanks DP for posting it first! Hope one of us gets a response!!
Well, to add to this coupon bonanza –Staples cancelled my order for the pens.
Cough… I hope Target gets a hold of this WAVE of frustration and attempts to DO something about it. Cough. Remember Collin’s crusade to get a Walgreens coupon policy with video phone calls? And the Wal-Mart posting? Not that Collin is the only crusader for couponing justice, but her following speaks in numbers. We can only hope that Target will take note!!!
That happened to me at Target several months ago. I went to customer service to get credit for the $2 Q that the cashier missed somehow while I was checking out. The lady at the customer service desk asked me to pay her money!! She said I owed her!! I called corporate while in the store also and got the same run around. I literally laughed out loud. I am not near as nice as Collin or the lady who sent the letter and I told the lady what I thought. Needless to say Target has lost my business forever unless they can get it together. I cannot stand that place. It’s a shame really. It could be such a nice place to shop otherwise. They should spend less money on their commercials and devote some to corporate poilcies and employee training!
What gets me is I used to work in a retail place where we KNEW people were stealing from us and then would return the items for hundreds if not THOUSANDS of dollars in store credit. We all knew when it was happening, even the managers, but since we rarely had proof all we could do was smile and do their returns. And now here I am trying to save in most cases a few dollars and I am sometimes treated like a thief and it just makes me sad. That’s why when I find a good store/good cashier I stick with it!
I just got an email the other day about how Target will not support military vets in any way. Their policy “Veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action groups,gay & lesbian causes, and education.”
It said that Target is a French owned company.
I haven’t had any bad coupon experiences yet but I’m sure the day will come when I do.
Corporations are just so messed up…
The email you’re referring to is not legit. It’s been disproven all over the internet. It comes in one of two forms…either Target LOVES to give to gay groups or HATES gays. Seriously. I’ve seen both. Target does have TONS of issues…like the night I tried buying a book that had a “sale” sticker on it…was told the book wasn’t for sale yet, I had to come back the next day…when I argued that there were 20 copies on the shelf and I wanted to buy it they tried charging me full price because “it isn’t on sale til tomorrow”…I held my ground and got it for the sale price marked on it but I was fuming…even called the manager the next day and got an answer of “oh. well it shouldn’t have gone on sale til today”. THAT is what irritates me about Target.
Oooo would that qualify for the scanner law?!! Isn’t there a law against the scanner coming up with the price that is not matched by the sticker and you get money back? Or is that an antiquated law (my goodness i am 40!) LOL!
I have had problems with Target in the past, but today I had a very patient checker who waited when a couple of my Target Q’s rang up “expired” ( I had the current ones, but clear out the old ones at the first of each month, and these expired on the 4th so I missed them.) She talked to me about where to go to get my Target Q’s and when they came out as I shuffled through my stack. The ladies behind me took their cue from her and were really interested in the whole process, writing down where to get the coupons. She rescanned the Airwick $3 off coupons when I pointed out they’d come up short, looking through to make sure she’d given me full price on all of them, and congratulated me on how much I’d saved.
Cashiers like that are what keep me from blowing up at the ignorant ones. If I’m right and I know it I just keep smiling and very politely insisting (in true Southern style) – this is a real face-saver on those occasions when you read the fine print (for me that takes reading glasses, so I do sometimes miss it!) and find out they were in the right after all. Nothing worse than having to back down from a righteous hissy fit!
Call the corporate office and report the problem. If enough of us call perhaps the coupon policy will be better understood by the employees. It kills me because they are getting the money back and the products are not Free because they receive the profit in the long run.
I DON’T HAVE MUCH INPUT ON THE COUPON THING I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A HUGGIES ENJOY THE RIDE REWARDS CODE AS I HAVE ONE BUT DONT BUY HUGGIES ENOUGH TO SIGN UP FOR THIS SO THE FIRST PERSON TO GET IT GETS IT I GUESS. HERE IT IS WFWWL-GGHBJ-QRXTG
ENJOY IT WHOEVER GETS IT FIRST!
As a person that has been in the position of a cashier… Please, PLEASE remember that the cashier is only doing his/her job and is human. I worked at a store that does not accept internet coupon (and for good reason– a number of of internet coupons are frauds and the store rarely got the amount of money they should have been reimbursed for.) Cashiers would be written up and possibly fired if we accepted internet coupons… so many cashiers are just scared to accept “too good to be true” (i.e. free item) coupons. I am a happy person but having a stranger (a customer) call me names and yell at me for not accepting their coupons does eventually wear on a person. If a cashier says they can’t accept it, and after you refute… STILL doesn’t accept it, leave it at that. Don’t have a tantrum and ruin their day (and your’s) … get the item elsewhere. With that said, it is the stores responsibility to understand and follow their coupon policy, nor should they insult their customers.
And to the “can tell they’ve never cut a coupon in their life” mentality… cashier’s can tell who has never had a job in customer service. Cashier’s deal with coupons every day… they’re not clipping them, but they’re matching them to the right products, counting them up at the end of the day, someone else is sorting them by denomination, type, and where they need to be sent in… Coupons can be a pain, for customers AND cashiers.
I think most people have no problem with a store that doesn’t accept internet coupons…if a store doesn’t want to accept them fine…put a sign on the door of the store and maybe in a few other places stating this..no biggie. I don’t think anyone should jump someone for not taking a coupon…they may feel their job is in jeopardy.
If a cashier tells me they do not accept internet coupons, then I just feel it was my bad for not doing my homework. However, if they say this, and I happen to have a copy of their coupon policy in my purse, which states that they do, it unnerves me. Mostly it is the cashiers who hand-pick through my stack and simply refuse to even scan my coupons that I find upsetting. I have worked in retail in the past, and I might get mad if a customer told me I was doing my job wrong, but at the end of the day I would have to wonder if there was some truth to what they said. The people who work in the stores need to know that they are not abiding by company policy, one way or another. But, however frustrated, I am always friendly, because I too know what it’s like to be on the other side of the register.
I find myself shopping less and less at Target also – there is one cashier that I absolutely love – and I jump for joy whenever he’s there. And then of course there is a a horrible woman who called me “one of those people” – I refuse to go to her – and told her that one day when I opted to stay in line for the “good guy”.
It was disrespectful for the manager to say, “the problem is, YOU PEOPLE just don’t listen!”
I wouldn’t have enough guts to do what the H2S fan was doing. I’m sure she was hoping that she’d get it straightened out when she called the Target customer service right in front of the cashier and manager right in the checkout. I could not have gone through all that.
As a H2S viewer and daughter of a retail store manager I have shared the deals with my dad. My dad has also commented on how he hates these kind of sites because there are always customers coming in trying to fight the policies. It is true that some of the store’s policies are up to the discretion of EACH store under the MAIN store headquarters. So the policy of the national store’s headquarters may be different than each individual store. Personally, I think that’s messed up for both the customers and employees.
I guess all you can do is call the Customer Service line to report the issue, but it may not get you anywhere or you may not end up being able to use the coupon because of how that particular store has done their policies. However, maybe if people start calling the main headquarters for any retail store with these such policies, the headquarters will change the policies for each store to make every store the same.
I used the Huggies code – thanks so much Christie!!
Thank you for sharing this post with us, Collin.
I have been getting some push back lately and was thinking of what I should do. You’re absolutely right. Its not worth getting upset over. If they won’t honor the coupon, I’ll take back the coupon, finish with my purchase, and then on my way to a Starbucks I go! :):):):):):):):):):)
Haha, Starbucks will help any situation!!!
I’ve worked as a cashier and now I’m a couponer. And as an ex-cashier I think its sad when I come in the store and I know more about the store policy than the manager or cashier. I actually had a manager offer me a job because she was shocked at how much i new about retail and their store. I don’t care if you are a doctor or cashier, you better know your job and what u r doing.
You are so right Tatyana. If someone is a cashier then they should be WELL trained in that position. Just throwing someone on a cash register and teaching them how to key in items is only a small portion of the job.
I had many frustrating moments (I’m trying to be nice) at Target until I decided that my local Target belongs to Target, not to me and other loyal local customers. My attitude today is to take things as they come at Target. My successes far outweigh my failures. Today my purchases totaled $49.85. I had a handful of coupons, including a $5 off $50. Since I wasn’t quite at $50, I grabbed a $5.00 Target Gift Card and added it to my purchase. That $5 gift card only cost me $0.15. My coupons brought my purchase down to $13.74. When the cashier moved my coupons to his register a $3 coupon scanned a second time and he pushed it through. My purchase was now down to $10.74. I gave him a $5 gift card from the Pond’s Deal and $5.74 in Cash. He gave me the $5 gift card I purchased for $0.15 and thanked me for my business. Not a bad trip at all and not a single coupon beeped when scanned.
Last week almost every coupon beeped, the cashier was stressed, I was stressed, the floor manager put out her talons and had her evil eye on me. I abandoned my purchase and told the cashier that I would be back in a day or two when they got their scanners fixed and walked out. I went to the grocery store and saved a little over 80% on a $65 purchase. Not a bad trip at all. I went back to Target two day later and every coupon went through (Many were multiple Target coupons with a one coupon limit per transaction). The cashier took all of my coupons and thanked me for once again shopping at Target. It’s a love hate thing!
good advice
In a perfect world… I say the companies who issue the coupons for their products should lower the prices to make them affordable, instead of wasting a lot of paper to some people who have never took a glance at a coupon before. It would save us couponers some time and cashiers would be much happier! I am very productive with my coupons and sometimes I just want to scream when they have coupons like save 25 cents on these 2 items. Save paper and just make it affordable already!!!! LOL! I know this would never happen just like it will never be a perfect world 🙂 I hope you guys see better shopping days ahead!
I had a large postcard sent to me by pampers. had a .50 off large pack. not the 26/28ct packs. Just makes me laugh. I have my pampers village account set up with the appropriate ages for my kids (2&4) and I was getting monthly Swaddlers coupons and new parent mailers. I emailed their cust svc through the village website and they just ignored what I said and retold me to check my mail prefs and add my kids bdays to the account. wtvr. i like easyups better but when I can get pullups for $2-$5/pk, what can I do…
I honestly think Target’s “guest relations” has gone downhill in the past 10 years. I used to work there (many moons ago) where anything under $20 that is disputed by the customer is just adjusted by the cashier (no manager involvement). In fact, they insisted upon it.
Now years later, I won a year supply of diapers that are given to you by coupon. Take them to the store and redeem. I was appalled to be harassed from a cashier claiming it is fake because she made a copy of it and the ink mark printed out “void”. Hello? Of course, when you photocopy a legit coupon it would say VOID. Manager on duty was no help. Customer service acknowledged cashier shouldn’t be a “coupon police” and supposedly notified the store. I go back to get the same treatment from the same person. I was fortunate to win these coupons only to make me feel like dirt for trying to use them. I still go, but do not hold them in any high regard at all. Times are hard for all, but to belittle your customers is just uncalled for.
I have learned that when you are dealing with customer service on the phone, you can always hang up and call back to talk to someone else if you don’t like the way things are going. To the rude manager in the store telling you that you don’t listen…I would have chewed her up so loudly that other customers could hear or I would ask for her supervisor’s number. I do understand how you feel. I’ve learned which stores are friendly to couponers and I only go there!
I haven’t read any comments yet, so I’m sorry if I am repeating, but I have to say what happened to me at Target last time. I had two $3 coupons for the airwick candles. I also had a couple of other items. With all of those coupons it was hard to follow the discounts applied. Then again, I thought I heard a couple of odd beeps. At the end I didn’t see the two $3 coupons. I took it to customer service and explained that the coupons are in her drawer and she could ask the cashier to give them back. First the customer service said ” that would be free.” and I said “oh, ok” then the customer service lady gave me $5.98 back in cash. I didn’t feel like arguing over the two cents. My point is, customer service is trying to figure out how to make it work, but the cashiers may not be able to distinguish the difference between angry customers who have been wronged and crazy people who need to be asked to leave the store.
Collin, can you make up Hip2 save buttons that I can wear when I shop and if any of you are around we can find each other and back one another up at check out?!! I would LOVE to have your faithful readers on my side when dealing with all of this craziness at check-out!! It would be like a couponers revolt! But a polite one of course… 🙂
After couponing for 15 years, I’ve learned that couponing is ALWAYS ymmv. That’s just how it is. If you can’t get the deal today, go back at a different time tomorrow. If it doesn’t happen, there will be another deal. I hate the waste of time or energy any time I hike my buns to the store solely for a deal, but O’well. Write a note to corporate and explain the situation. There’s nothing to be done about the idiots that walk among us. Couponing is a game…that’s why we like it, right?
Target seems to just willy nilly change their coupon policy or the face value of coupons whenever they feel like it. It makes my head spin.
Several months ago, I bought the Mead portfolios when they were on sale for 50 cents each and I had a coupon for $1 off two. The coupon scanned in at .50 off two. Huh? I had to spend quite a while explaining to the manager that I DID buy two and just because a coupon makes an item free,that doesn’t mean that the customer is doing something wrong. I’m not the one who makes up the sales or decides the value of the coupons that the manufacturer puts out!
Then today at Target, I bought the Oral B rechargeable toothbrush. It was $12.89 at my store and my $10 coupon only took off $6.41. Say what!? I will be going back tomorrow to discuss it with the manager. I KNOW that Target will be reimbursed $10 for that coupon, so I don’t think it’s right for them to steal $3 and change out of MY pocket.
That happened to me with the notebooks too. “well you can only get .50 because that’s how much one was”. but the coupon is on 2….
I would go to another Target in town, and try it there. Some managers are just stinkers so I would just try again elsewhere.