Coupons

I really started to believe things were getting better and we were all ready to move on after the nonsense that came along with the TLC Extreme Couponing show.  However that doesn’t seem to be the case, I’ve recieved way too many emails lately about cashiers and managers getting stricter and/or grumpier when it comes to accepting your coupons.

Here are a just a couple of comments left by readers today…

i think i’ve ended up talking to managers at target my last 3 out of 4 trips! i don’t know if they’re tightening up on the rules or what. i’m not entirely sure that some of the managers even know what they’re talking about…. saturday, i had a manager refuse to scan my welch’s M Q, because it said “redeemable at walmart”. she even acknowledged that it was a M Q! i had another tell me that i couldn’t get the food saver for free (with the T and M Q), because “you can’t get something for free. you have to pay SOMETHING.” after the transaction was through (and i was food saver-less), i showed her my receipt with my free revlon tools and told her “i get stuff for free here ALL OF THE TIME.” and last week i had a manager not let me use an identical T Q, even in a separate transaction! ug!

- Wendy

Wendy, I have actually had the same problem at a lot of stores. Most recently at Rite Aid, and Wal Mart. One of the Target coupons had the final price of the item with the coupon and the store clerk refused to match it, because I didn’t know the items original price. Who cares what the original price is? Needless to say, I spoke with the manager, that said she would honor it “this time” but next time, I need to have the full ad with the price on it, “not just something off the internet.” I get the feeling that all stores are starting to hate couponers because so many people have abused the coupon policy. I wish that instead of buying all of the French’s mustard on the shelf at Albertson’s that are on-sale for $0.99 cents, and getting managers all upset when I ask if there are more in the back, “extreme” couponers would stick to at most four of one item. I have ended up being the brunt of the frustration of managers even though I was not the one that caused the issue!

- Hannah

I wish I had answers for you, but in the end I think it’s just going to take more time, a lot more time.  It’s also going to take a lot more smiling and a ZERO tolerance for any sort of iffy coupon practices.  By that I mean, if you so much as wonder if you should use a coupon on a specific product or promotion ASK someone here on The Frugal Find first.  Let’s not look like we’re trying to get one over on the cashier, let’s make the process as smooth as possible for them.  Now coupons are going to beep, it’s the nature of the beast but please make sure you have double checked the fine print and you’re certain you’re in the right before you push the cashier to accept the coupon.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, how are we going to smooth things over and move on?  Couponing is a way of life for many of us and we’re not going anywhere, but it would sure be nice if it wasn’t so stressful. 

If you want to know what NOT TO DO, you might appreciate this post - How to Be an Extreme Couponer.

{ 9 comments }