I was really surprised last week at the response to my post “When Your Cashier Says No”. If you haven’t read it, you can check it out HERE.
I wanted to continue the conversation into this week, because I thought so many good points were made. I want to talk more about some of the comments. There were so many great comments, I am going to make this a weekly feature. Please just post your thoughts in the comments. If you just want an outlet to vent about a stinky experience, go for it. If you want to ask me a question about a specific scenario, go ahead! Got a great tip for everyone else, please comment.
#1. Celia says: Go alone! The last thing you need when dealing with a picky cashier is whining kids, or worse… a whining husband!!
If you can block out a period of time to go alone, it really is best. Even if you have little angels (and the Lord knows my son is no angel), it is sometimes hard to concentrate on buying exactly what you need to. I find that if I am with anyone, my sister, my mom, my husband – I tend to get distracted. Also, when I check out with my son, I am too focused on him trying to put candy up at the register, I can’t pay attention to the cashier.
I know that shopping alone is a luxury for most of us, but if you can go alone for the tricky transactions, you will probably fare better.
#2. There seemed to be many complaints about Target and lack of knowing their coupon policy. DD Devito left a REALLY great tip about how to specifically handle situation at Target. I love that it is instantaneous service.
DD says: At Target – they have a “red” customer service phone in the customer service area. If you have problems at the register – ask the cashier to “suspend” your order as you will be back in a moment. Pick up the “red” phone and speak directly to corporate customer service. They will ask to speak to a manager and then problem solved – it’s like magic! Just try it. No threats…just corporate reminding them of “their” store policy.
#3. Jenn says: I had the coupon “$3 off ANY 3 of the following – reach floss and/or listerine and/or toothbrush”. I bought 3 floss and the cashier refused to take it because she thought I needed to buy all 3. I told her ANY 3 but she refused to budge and I was already having trouble with my coupons so I didn’t pursue it. Was I correct? What should I have done? I cannot stand the attitude I get from cashiers.
Jenn you were absolutely correct.
You needed to buy a combination of 3 – could of been 1 of each or 3 of each like you did. My suggestion, which is sounds like you did, call a manager over. Don’t let the cashier frustrate you, especially when you are absolutely right. I take the never let them see you sweat mentality when it comes to my coupons.
If you really want to make a point, tell the cashier never mind and cancel your order. Go back into the store, and check out at another register. Of course, you need to know that you are 100% correct with your coupon usage. I am certianly am not advocating being a jerk but sometimes you just need to prove your point and this is the most passive way I can think of.
#4. CJ says: I won’t apologize that I have coupons, but I do say “I have coupons, please” and I thank the cashier after they’re scanned. If I have a bunch of coupons or the coupons end up being a problem in any way I say “Thanks for the extra work with my coupons, you did a great job!”
I really like CJ’s tip. We all liked to be praised for a job well done, so take the extra second to say thanks if you run into problems.
Lastly, I agree with CJ. I never apologize for using coupons, because without my coupons, I probably would be working fulltime and I am NOT sorry I don’t have a full time job!
I don’t want to ramble, but I do like this conversation. I know that many people in my life don’t understand my slight coupon obsession. I am glad I have all of you to talk to about coupons!
judy says
I love Target price cuts, but hate their receipts and sometimes the personnel. I have finally figured out how to avoid losing on my coupons and the confusing receipts. I will hand all my coupons to customer service after checking out and checking the items on my receipts. This should save me time since the last 5 to 8 times I have been there I have had to go to customer service anyway to correct a charge or a left out coupon. In one transaction I almost lost $30 because there was an extra tag on a clearance item for @29.99 instead of $3.74 and they left out coupons.
What do you think?
Chrissy says
I read both Parts 1 and 2 and love your suggestions. I’m definitely going to put them to use! Do you know of a web site that explains the “fine print” on manufacturer coupons? Every so often I get a cashier that thinks they need to read the fine print and will interpret it in any way they please so that they can refuse my coupons.
Jen No says
Do you guys/ladies have any suggestions for when there is only one cashier to choose from? Lately I’ve been stopping into Walgreen’s on my way to work, and for some reason the morning cashier just doesn’t like me. I’m sweet as pie to her, ask how she is, how her morning is etc, but she has it out for me!
I went this morning and she shoved my receipt and change back at me when I wasn’t ready, and the change went everywhere because I barely had my hand out!
I don’t know if it’s worth it to complain because I’ve only stopped there 3-4 times and she already recognizes me. I feel like if I complain, I won’t be able to go back there because she will know who it was that said something.
Jen says
I have really enjoyed this series so far. I am new to couponing and have run into all of these issues! One of the things that I have found helps is to stay organized and then as I am checking out, I can put the coupon on the item. I am able to make sure I actually purchased it and I can make sure I get my discount!
Michele says
I just wanted to say that I truly enjoy reading everyone’s comments. Some of them are enlightening and some of them make me feel great because I realize that I am not alone in my frustration regarding some cashier’s opinions of couponers.
Andrea says
Do you get a lot of rejection over the coupons you print off the internet? They say “Manufacturers INTERNET Coupon” on them but I have been hitting roadblocks with stores saying they won’t accept them.
Tracy says
Does anyone know why so many cashiers dislike couponers? At Target the other night, I checked out but noticed that one of my coupons was not deducted. So, I went to the customer service desk and asked if I could have it deducted. The saleslady wanted me to walk over to the cashiers and point out which lane I went through and stand there while she checked the coupons. I was so embarrassed. I would rather take the loss than go through that experience.
Dizzy Mommy says
I know that at Meijer cashiers are “tested” on there item scans per minute while they work. Sometimes coupons can really throw that time off…. granted I doubt they realize the coupons are calculated into the “score” they receive. I dont know of a cashier fired because too many people used coupons. Especially here in the Detroit area Ive seen more and more people using coupons on even just everyday items.
judy says
I thought you might think this is funny. I shop my local CVS on Sunday morning. I try to get there before the local churches let out. I get my extra newspapers and with my coupon binder (huge), my notes and CVS flyer travel isle by isle. I noticed one yough cashier was very nice and wanted to know more info about getting coupons. But there is another one that is not as nice. I try to always have my coupons out, separate my orders and if there is a problem, I finish my transactions, let the people behind me pay and then question the item.
Well my daughter-in-law is in this CVS shopping when she hears the “manager” and a couple of cashiers talking about this lady that comes in on Sunday mornings with all her coupons. One cashier was complaining with the manager and the other cashier defended me.
Can you guess who they may be talking about? I debated whether or not to confront the manager, but I guess its not worth it, I am the one saving every week. LOL
Katie says
Having an outlet to discuss cashier frustration is a great idea! I used to be a cashier. For 4 years, I dealt with people that didn’t know their coupons were expired, that they got an item that didn’t apply to the coupon, and sometimes it was a coupon for a different store. But if I could, I always helped them find the correct item.
That being said, I think the most important thing is to plan before you go into the store. My Walgreens knows who I am when I come in and employees whisper about me because they know I have coupons. I am always very polite and make sure that I know I am correct before I check out. That way, I won’t question myself. I also do one transaction at a time, take my bag out to my car, and come back in for the next transaction.
Still, despite me doing everything I can to make sure that I make it easy on the cashier, there is one whom it is obvious doesn’t like me. Every time she calls the manager over to “ask” if she can take my coupons. And every time he says he doesn’t see what the problem is. But saving that much money is worth it to me. I just wish the cashiers were as nice to me as I am to them. I know I was never that mean as a cashier! Whew! That felt good to let that out! Haha!
Lee says
Thanks for the great info. Remember to use your coupons honestly and in the spirit they were intended and no one can give you any grief. The Sears $10 Junior Dept coupon bait and switch is an example of a few people being greedy, printing out multiple coupons and making everyone else “suffer” or just be denied using a good coupon. And Sears did its part by reminding me why I stopped shopping there…..
Shannon says
Lee,
I love this, so very true!
I will be using this for next week!
Thanks for taking the time to write!
Tracy says
It is definately a luxury for me to shop without children. My 3 year old is impossible in the store and it can be very embarrasing when he won’t listen. But I noticed twice when checking out at Target and the cashier was having trouble with a coupon or it seemed like she wasn’t going to take it, that it actually helped to have my 3 year old causing a scene. While it was still embarrasing, I think she just wanted to get us through quickly so we would leave.
Dorothea says
Anyone have problems with internet coupons not scanning? I honestly print them off my computer and cut them out, but they won’t scan and the check out person has to hand type them all in. I always feel so bad about it and worry each time they are going to acuse me of having fake ones.
There is one person whose line I won’t go to as she will look at each coupon and then look in the all ready bagged items to make everything is there. It always is, but it makes the check out time even longer.
Lana says
YES! I HATE using any coupons at Wal-mart! They never scan right and the cashier has to fold each coupon and then to arm lifts to get the hand-held scanner to “read” the coupons. And then people behind me are getting angry. The last time I actually said something to the girl with 8 items next in line. I stood there the whole time listening to her huff and puff (why she didn’t go to the express line, I will never know) and after the cashier finally got them all scanned, she had to call a csr to override the error code since i used over 40 coupons. The girl LOST it! She started throwing the biggest fit ever and I turned to her and said “I just saved $100. So you’re not gonna make me feel bad.” I used to apologize for coupons, but you’re all right. I am NOT sorry. Money is too tight and if I can use the money I save to get more, I’m only helping my family. Especially with 2 older kids who think shampoo grows on trees. therefore dont see a problem with putting it down the drain. :)
Jocelyn says
Very interesting. Keep them coming!
Samantha says
Great Articles!!!
Dizzy Mommy says
This week at Rite Aid I was told my copy of the coupon policy was fake… this wasn’t the first time I had this happen it occurred at Target also. Then the cashier refused to take my coupons… told me items that have a SCR cannot have coupons attached. Which I know to be false… the fight ended with the store manager (a very nice lady) coming and over and ringing me out personally.
My personal motto… You never know who you speaking to… therefore I speak nice and when I’m at Meijer I always make a complaint about a cashier who doesn’t know there own policy. The main reason behind this for me… my mother is a district head and has been for nearly twenty years. I grew up in Meijer stores and I know nearly all the store directors personally… not like I recognize them walking through a store. One time I was making a complaint… I used the term GM Merchandise and referred to myself as a guest (not customer as per Meijer rules.. they are guests)…. the manager taking the complaint looked at me and goes…
“Are you a team member?”
“I said no however my Maiden name is ____” she starred at me turned to the cashier and told her to get her union rep. The higher ups in Meijer hate it when employees don’t know there own policies and they put a lot of time and money into them knowing them. They would also rather not be reimbursed for a coupon taking accidentally.. then lose a good customer. In the same instance I am nice to the cashier because you never know she could be the store directors kid.
I’ve found with stores such as Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens especially its good to go to the same ones and get to know management… the higher the better.
Dizzy Mommy says
I just wanted to give a brand new example of knowing people. The store manager of my Rite Aid is really nice.. shes pretty and god knows I’ll be in deep do-do when she goes on Maternity Leave pretty soon. Anyhow… I just stopped at Rite Aid to do the diaper deal for my mom. I was told point blank I couldn’t use the adperk coupons and regular coupons together because they said manufacturer. I told the shift manager that I knew I could use it because I had on Sunday. She told me no that it was a manufacturers coupon. I told her blunty… “Sara your store manager let me do it… shes slender and very pregnant but carries it well… has dark brown hair…shoulder length, she told me to have her called if I ever have a problem”. It only took a moment and another shift manager told them to at least try scanning the coupon and low and behold it took without issue. I know it ticked off the cashier but too bad… I knew what I was doing.
Jessica says
In a recent Rite Aid weekly ad, there was a product advertised in word at “Price 1” minus “adperk q” minus “manu q from Sunday paper” = “final price”. This is in picture with words proof that you can stack these coupons. I seriously thought about keeping that ad just in case. I’ve never had a problem at Rite Aid, so I didn’t. But for those that do have this issue, watch your future ads, how can they argue with their own ad?
Shannon says
Love it Dizzy Mommy.
Big smiles :)
judy says
I have 3 Target’s in my area. I do like one over the other 2, but I do shop all three. On multiple occasions I have submitted over $30 worth coupons. The cashiers in these instances have what looked like applied the coupons, but when I reviewed the receipt (horrible receipts) I noticed more than one coupon missing ($4 coupon is very noticeable)or overcharge of products. I have to go customer service and explain what I think is wrong. They actually went to the register and pulled out all my coupons. Sure enough there were mor than one not applied.
Now everytime I go to Target I make sure I review the entire receipt before leaving the store. I have received between $1 and $10 back.
Dizzy Mommy says
I always check my receipt. Last night at Meijer I purchased a mop on clearance. It rang up $3 more then its supposed to. I was in the middle of dealing with my 4 year old so I didn’t notice. When we started to walk away I realized it and went to the service desk. The service person got very upset I had noticed it. Michigan has a law that forces all items (with a few exceptions such as milk and baby food) to be marked with a price. If the price charged is more then what was paid then the customer gets the difference and at Meijers at least they get five times the amount up to five dollars. Well the difference meant I got my mop for free. The cashier was nasty about and goes…. “Thanks to the Michigan Scammers law.. you just got a free mop…” and huffed away.. she wasn’t nice about it, you would’ve thought I was literally stealing money out of her pocket.
The reason Michigan has this law is because of TARGET… When they came into town they kept over charging people… they still do. Walmart is horrible also. Nowadays though those two stores just take the millions in fines and go about there day. I also hate Target receipts.
Maria says
Try handing them one coupon at a time. I know this might tick them off, but it’s in your best interest…oh and watch the register window to see if it’s actually deducting the amount of the coupon. My excuse to the cashier is that “I’m just checking to make sure I have all the products in this stash, so I’m going to give you one by one”
I’ve had many times where it sounds like the coupon went through, but it was merely asking “is this valid Y/N?” and the cashier has already moved on to the next coupon. Meaning, it never deducted the previous coupon. Slow and steady wins the race!
maygan says
haha, my Target took their phone out! The rest of the tips are great though. My biggest issue tends to be having to explain the difference between purchase and transaction, especially at Walgreens.
Bonnie says
This sounds like it could be interesting to know. What problem have you run in to and how do you respond with the definitions of purchase and transaction. Thanks!
Laurie says
Our Target has also taken their red phone out at the CS counter. And I’ve actually called their customer service # from my cell phone with some of my issues. After the corporate person telling me I was correct, they wanted to speak to the manager. The manager walked around the corner to talk, came back and handed me my phone back at which time I was told that due to specific circumstances at this store the store is allowed to “tweak” their policy! I’ve stopped shopping at Target.
Dizzy Mommy says
I’ve never been told that at a Target by customer service… although my Target took out the phone also.
Kara says
I have had no problems with my Target, however I shop my local Kroger’s and I have encountered some very bad cashiers over my coupons. I was told last Sunday that there is a new coupon policy that only two internet printed coupons per transaction. The cashier was more than delighted to show me the policy and acted as if she had won a “battle”. I am new to couponing and I will say I am obsessed! I am always curtious and excited to check out, I just don’t get why “some” cashiers are “haters”! I will say the cashier made quite a scene and wanted everyone around me to know she was right. The whole experience prompted me to write corporate and let them know that the customer service I experienced was horrible and the cashier says she is not to blame because corporate sets the rules and she just follows them. Not sure it did any good, but I feel better anyway! I still love coupons!!
Jaime says
Well, you can still win the war (forget the battle!). The policy states 2 IQ per TRANSACTION. Now this can be time consuming (as Giant Foods in PA will only double 1 like coupon per transaction), but if you can bear it and have some extra time, just separate out your order into multiple transactions so that you can use 2 each time. Then find the same cashier and have fun.
Dizzy Mommy says
I had a cashier tell me they weren’t allowed to do seperate transactions because it held the people up in the line. Even though there was nobody else at like 10 at night. So I took a couple things… walked out to my car… back in grabbed a couple more… and kept doing this. Finally by the 6th or 7th time I had a manager ask why I was doing it. I explained the problem. She told me the policy was based more on not having 2 printed coupons that were the same item.. since most have a print limit of 2. Then told the cashier to ring me out… boy was she ticked. Other then that I’ve never had a problem with several IPs at Kroger.
Jaime says
Great follow-up! I’ve had too many problems at Target, but recently I’ve done 2 separate trips with NO problems! Yes, the register beeped, but the cashiers were great and agreed that my usage was correct. And that’s always the main thing…make sure you are right! Regarding Jenn’s problem…did they give you any other grief for the rest of your coupons or was it just that one? Because I had the same problem until I read the FINE print on the bottom of the coupon…”Items cannot be duplicated”. Which is REALLY confusing since the wording initially is “Buy any 3, save $3…Buy floss AND/OR Listerine AND/OR Reach toothbrush”. It seems with the and/or phrase that you can buy 3 flosses, but the latter statement sort of squashes that. I think maybe if you got 1 waxed/1 unwaxed/1 cinnamon flavor that it would have worked since they are not duplicated items. The cashier probably wasn’t wrong on that, leave it to P&G for not knowing how to phrase things on the coupon!
Shannon says
Jaime,
Ok, now I need to see this coupon.
Do you know what insert it is in?
Jaime says
Wow, I’ve had this coupon for a while (a few months at least). It expires 12/31/09. It is a J&J coupon (I misstated earlier a P&G).
Samantha says
Yes, I was going to say that the coupon does say Items cannot be duplicated.
Kriket says
Excellent ideas!