Have you ever been shopping and felt like you were treated rudely simply because you have tried to redeem a coupon? Perhaps the store clerk is having a bad day, or the policy has changed and the shopper doesn’t realize it. Whatever the case, there is something you can do.
First of all, many stores have their coupon policies readily available on line. I always recommend that you print and keep these handy so that if you have issues when you shop, you can review the policy with the cashier. Here are policies of some of the stores I’d recommend that you print:
Even when you have the policy in front of you, there are times when the clerk does not want to work with you. You may even escalate it to the manager and still have problems. Unfortunately, some managers deem themselves “coupon police” and try to change the policy and decide what they will accept and what they will not.
I actually had a manager tell me today that she doesn’t like internet coupons because so many of them are fake. I honestly didn’t say a word to her as she was not going to listen to what I had to say anyhow. It didn’t affect them accepting my coupons, so I really didn’t have an issue other than a manager with a bad attitude! LOL!
So, what are you to do if you have a store that doesn’t want to work with you? Or worse, a cashier who is rude or unwilling to accept your coupons. Well, you have a voice (or fingers) — so use them!
Read More:
- How to Get Coupons in the Mail
- How to Use Target Cartwheel
- Coupon Stacking Explained
- What to Do if the Store Refuses Your Coupons
Take a deep breath.
When someone is accusing you of fraud or trying to tell you that you are wrong, it can make your blood boil. Before you say anything at all, take a deep breath. It can even help to count to ten. That way, you are calm when you speak with them.
Show them their own store policy.
Once you know you can speak rationally, show them their store coupon policy. You can look it over together and may find that the problem is a lack of understanding on either your or the cashier’s part.
Ask for a manager.
If, after you have tried to be rational (or if the cashier is being difficult), ask for a store manager. In most instances, the matter can be resolved right there in the store. Of course, there are times that even this may not address the issue. In that moment, you can bite your lip, pay and leave. You can also opt to just walk out and leave your items at the store.
Contact corporate.
If your issue was not resolved in the store (or you were not treated in the write way), contact corporate. Each store has a website with contact information. Before you do anything at all, calm down. Your e-mail will be much more rational and easier to type and read.
When you type your email, be sure you have the correct store location, date and time that you shopped. You will also want to be sure to let them know the name of the cashier or manager who was causing you problems. But, you don’t have remember all of these details. Just look at your receipt to find everything you need.
On every receipt is the date/time you shopped, store location information and most importantly – cashier ID code. You can simply provide that to the company when you send your email or visit with them.
I have been told time and time again that the managers appreciate this as most of the time, it is a lack of understanding on behalf of that cashier and this helps them determine who did what. You can also find the manager’s name on the receipt as well (in most cases). Even if not, when your email is sent, the manager’s information is always available as it is directly tied to that store’s number.
Your e-mail should never include curse words. Ever. They will not help your situation and in fact, can make it worse. Instead, write it and then read it aloud to yourself. This can help you make sure you are saying what you intend, in the tone you mean for it to come across. Emails can be very hard to interpret, so it is important that you take an extra minute to ensure it is well written.
If you call to talk to someone, it is just as important to stay calm. Remember that you are complaining about something that happened and angry at another person and not the person who happens to answer your call. You will still need to have the same information (store number, date/time, cashier info, etc) handy to share it with them.
I have been told that the stores actually appreciate you talking to them rather than letting situations brew and fester. Or worse – losing you as a customer over it. They actually ask you to speak up and contact them so that they can make it right. It is like I tell my husband, if you are angry or upset with me and don’t tell me about it – how will I know and how can I avoid it from happening again? The same holds true with stores and their managers.
My experience has taught me that more often than not, it is a lack of training/understanding of cashiers that is the issue than anything else. And, through calm and rational conversations, my issues have been resolved. As a result, I am willing to go back to that store and shop again.
Use your voice – it CAN make a difference.
teresa b says
Thank you and I have to agree. I’ve worked in customer service for many years..and I’ve heard my fare share of complaints.. lost orders, rude reps, the list goes on and on.. and having someone call to complain without an attitude, without lashing out, stating the facts and staying level headed and “nice” made you want to take the extra mile and help them out well above and beyond what you should have done. It’s hard to deal with someone when they are attacking you..so thank you for reminding me this is a great idea of how to handle catching your cashier/manager on a bad day.
Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts says
Thank you for posting this. This has been fresh on my mind because I just had a bad experience with a cashier. It has happened several times. I don’t want to be the cause of getting someone in trouble, but she seems to have an eyeroll problem every-time the coupons come out. I have tried to avoid her, but yesterday it just wasn’t possible. She does not like coupons, or couponers, and it seems to me she is in the wrong business.
Barb says
I was told at Walgreens that you can only use one BOGO free coupon for every 2 items. YOU MUST purchase at least one.
Tracie says
That is wrong Barb…and the policy says that clearly. So, just take that with you when you shop!
Amy castillo says
Can you tell me if Walgreens has changed their coupon policy in regards to their monthly booklets? I try to avoid 2 cashiers because they will not accept for instance a manuf coupon and then a coupon from their monthly booklet for one item. I can’t find any info on this.
Tracie says
Amy, the coupon booklet can be tricky. If the very first number on the barcode is a 4, then it can be stacked. However, if it begins with a 5, then it is essentially a manufacturer’s coupon and it may or may not be allowed to be stacked with the other coupons. That is where it can really depend upon your cashier. Wish I had a better answer for you, but that is the way it stands as of now.
Judy says
Thank you for doing this post. I am new to serious couponing and this has happened to me most recently at Price Chopper. I handed the cashier about 8 coupons and she took them and ran off to the customer service desk. Nothing said…not I’ll be right back. Just left. She came back and said that she thought some of them looked fake. The trick for me is to learn the cashiers that are generally coupon friendly.
Saved almost 50% at Price Chopper on Sunday by stacking coupons on top of sales! Thank you so much!
Tracie says
I had that happen to me too. The cashiers at Price Chopper can get written up for taking fake coupons, so they do ask more often now. I’ve never had them refuse any of mine as of yet (knock on wood).