[WillUBMyKnight]

I spent 3 hours shopping tonight only to come home empty handed, accused of coupon fraud, and probably the most upset I've been in a LONG time.

I've only been shopping @ A&P for about 3 months (just moved back to CT - didn't have A&P upstate NY) and I have never had any problems...

So...back to tonight...I spend 3 hours shopping...at this point there's only 1 person up front - she asks if I would like to go to an actual register, and I said no (because I like to bag my OWN groceries, less hassles with the coupons, and I can take my time doing everything). I rang everything up, it all came up the rights prices - perfect. Start scanning coupons...

I scanned 2 Ortega coupons and the 2nd one beeped...here we go...nope...she went ahead and put it through...ok...put the Suave coupons through ok - I only put 4 of the 6 I was going to use through and then moved on to the Hot Shot...bought 6 cans, scanned 3 Q's, the 3rd one beeped...that's when all hell broke loose...

She started with "the suave coupons should not have tripled because they were only $1.34..." and then it went to "Oh! These shouldn't have doubled OR tripled because they say Do Not Double" (Smart Balance - starts with a "5" and Edwards Singles starts with a "5"). So then I ask to speak to the manager...

He sighs, and says "You should have used the register." When the cashier mentioned that the Suave Q's were tripling and they shouldn't that's when he started with the whole "coupon fraud" and "you're beating the system" speech. He even went so far as to make an analogy..."You don't walk in to a bank with $1 bill and expect to walk out with $2 - so why do you expect this to double or triple?" He went on to say that the coupon says do not double so it isn't supposed to double - by the register accepting it and tripling it, I (me) am committing coupon fraud. We went back and forth (typical stuff) and I finally just told them to give me my Q's back and put everything away.

This is probably the perfect time to let you all know that they had NO CLUE that this week was unlimited triples until MY order at 11PM (they close at Midnight) on Thursday night (the last day)!!!

So here's the thing...I'm relatively new to this store...I don't know their policies and procedures like the back of my hand yet...when I go back tomorrow to speak to the store manager, I need to make sure that I'm right in stating my case...what would you say/do?? (THANK YOU!)

[green_bean]

Wow, that is ridiculous! I do not like A&P very much. Ever since I began couponing there, I almost always encountered problems. I think most are caused because of a combination of employees' unfamiliarity with coupon policies and managements' reluctance to see people save money.

Anyway, a few hints that I have learned (the hard way, ):

-They do not accept IPs except for Kraft ones because of the Big Red Giveaway.
-Sale items are usually limited to 4/each variety. Sometimes the register will allow you to get more.
-Do not go shopping at night. They are terribly understaffed during their night hours, which causes the cashiers to be exceptionally irratable (especially with couponers).

From their website:

We reserve the right to limit the sale of any advertised item to 1 per shopping family.

From AFC:

Stores honoring double coupons can accept up to four coupons for four individually purchased items (example; if a customer purchases five cans of Maxwell House coffee and has five coupons, the cashier can double four manufacturers coupons and take a fifth coupon at face value).

Anyway, couponing at A&P can be a bit difficult but sometimes is very much worth it. As for your situation, I would first begin by explaining how offended and hurt you were by the manager's attitutude. In any business, the customer shoud always be listened to first. Secondy, you should explain the if the coupons were not supposed to be tripled, the register should have recognized that on its own. You are not responsible for controlling what happens to a coupon once it is entered into their system!

Anyway, I wish you luck! Let us know how it goes!

[VintageTink]

Im sorry you are upset its not fun, but if the coupon says do not double then they do have the right now to double them/triple them. Its not anything against you and he shouldnt have thrown out the coupon fraud thing b/c i dont think thats right at all and thats the part id definitely be contacting a higher up manager about.

[WillUBMyKnight]

Originally Posted by green_bean

Secondy, you should explain the if the coupons were not supposed to be tripled, the register should have recognized that on its own. You are not responsible for controlling what happens to a coupon once it is entered into their system!

Thank you!!!

[foolish35]

Always follow the wording on the coupons.. Read the fine print, too. The coupons DID say do not double for a reason...

[WillUBMyKnight]

Originally Posted by foolish35

Always follow the wording on the coupons.. Read the fine print, too. The coupons DID say do not double for a reason...

You're absolutely right...and that's why I didn't push the issue...when I was arguing with him I thought most of my Q's probably said that (more embarassed then anything) but when I got home I realized it was only 2 of them (out of about 50).

I should have just went ahead and finished the transaction, paid, etc...but I've been couponing for about 1.5 yrs now and not once have I ever been accused of fraud...THAT's what sent me over the edge.

I learned a very valuable lesson that night - just sucks that it took 3 hours of shopping and coming home empty handed to learn it...but I made up for it on Saturday at CVS & RiteAid LOL