[ala119]

Please keep us posted on any updates.

[puglyduckling]

Excellent detailed letter! I'm really sorry this happened to you and I really hope you get the resolution you're looking for!

[kristieboyd]

So I decided to take my chances, gathered up my courage and went back today to do the same deals, minus the Planters (used the Qs at Kroger to get the OYNO cat!) and degree. GSTL had to be called (a different one) because the cashier didn't understand what I meant by "adjust the price of the coupon down" for the $2/2 Buddies. GSTL told me they couldn't do that, so I very polietly explained that's what I'd been told via e-mail from GS, so surely there was a way. She said again the register wouldn't let her, so I pulled out my e-mail to show her. She read it, again stated that she had no idea how to do it, and just K1'ed the coupon...I told her that I was in no way trying to make money off of it and I wasn't looking for overage at all. She said, very nicely...not rude at all, that she knew that....with tax & all it would be over $2 anyway. ?? Oh well...overall, I was pleased. Even though some of my coupons were questioned, it was done very professionally and pleasantly.

[lovelandsalinas06]

Wow! Now thats a horrible target experience, watch a mean hurtful woman and for what? Its not like these are her products and its her store...its a chain store that she just works at...so why be rude to people like that? grrr

[cyph0r]

Glad you had a better experience. I have a phobia of shopping at Target now.

[lovelandsalinas06]

Originally Posted by kristieboyd

So I decided to take my chances, gathered up my courage and went back today to do the same deals, minus the Planters (used the Qs at Kroger to get the OYNO cat!) and degree. GSTL had to be called (a different one) because the cashier didn't understand what I meant by "adjust the price of the coupon down" for the $2/2 Buddies. GSTL told me they couldn't do that, so I very polietly explained that's what I'd been told via e-mail from GS, so surely there was a way. She said again the register wouldn't let her, so I pulled out my e-mail to show her. She read it, again stated that she had no idea how to do it, and just K1'ed the coupon...I told her that I was in no way trying to make money off of it and I wasn't looking for overage at all. She said, very nicely...not rude at all, that she knew that....with tax & all it would be over $2 anyway. ?? Oh well...overall, I was pleased. Even though some of my coupons were questioned, it was done very professionally and pleasantly.

Im just glad your experience was a little better this go around. I mean who knew coupons would create such a fuss?

[nessa1970]

So glad that this day was better.

[stampinonthefarm]

Good for you this time!

[Momtoabunch]

Holey cow!! That is crazy.

I think you should scan all the coupons you were going to use and send a jpg of that along with the letter. That way those reading the letter will also have the coupons and can see first hand that the store was wrong and you were legimate in your use.

So sorry this happened to you.

ETA: Glad you had a better trip this time.

[missadm908]

ya same thing happened to me i would love a copy of that letter and the coupons you used

[mcdlady1]

Mine was better today also. I had my email ready but she adjusted my archer chips down and then rang up 2 alone and gave those to me with no tax or anything.

[lsmare]

I have to say after reading all these posts I honestly will not be shopping there again anytime soon. That is just ridicules how some of you have been treated! There are plenty of other stores I can go to

[kristieboyd]

I went a second time this evening for more Pringles and to use another $5/3. Went find at the register and as I was leaving guess who I saw.......meany GSTL!!! I walked right past her with my bags in hand, looked her straight in the eye and said "Hi! How are you? Having a better day?", smiled....and walked out. It felt SOOOO good!

[maryjoe]

Originally Posted by kristieboyd

So I decided to take my chances, gathered up my courage and went back today to do the same deals, minus the Planters (used the Qs at Kroger to get the OYNO cat!) and degree. GSTL had to be called (a different one) because the cashier didn't understand what I meant by "adjust the price of the coupon down" for the $2/2 Buddies. GSTL told me they couldn't do that, so I very polietly explained that's what I'd been told via e-mail from GS, so surely there was a way. She said again the register wouldn't let her, so I pulled out my e-mail to show her. She read it, again stated that she had no idea how to do it, and just K1'ed the coupon...I told her that I was in no way trying to make money off of it and I wasn't looking for overage at all. She said, very nicely...not rude at all, that she knew that....with tax & all it would be over $2 anyway. ?? Oh well...overall, I was pleased. Even though some of my coupons were questioned, it was done very professionally and pleasantly.

See, I wouldn't have a problem with them scrutinizing every one of my coupons because I know they're all legit, just don't be fricking rude about it. I get mean looks, eye rolling, and secret stairs from cashiers to stl. If they are nice to me before I take my coupons out why can't they stay nice after, I'm still a cutomer like everyone else. Target needs to have some kind of charm school training as well as coupon training.

[IAmFrugal]

Originally Posted by chunkymonkeesmommy

Then she goes on getting louder and louder practicaly yelling at me about how 'THE COUPON SAYS GET $1 OFF NOT GET THE ITEM FOR FREE!' Then she storms off and comes back with a full sized bottle of All 3x and seriously shoves it inches within my face 'SEE??? THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BUY!!!!' (

Wow! That's unbelievably rude!!!
And I thought I had it bad when my "Coupon Nazi" told me "the manufacturer doesn't want you to use this coupon on the smaller size". They are both idiots but yours takes the cake! Sorry you had to experience that.

[Mommy23]

I visited Target for the LAST TIME last week. I frequent the Target near me (in Katy, TX) quite frequently but when they would not take the coupons I had, I left my $50 of groceries and said "no thank you, I don't want any of it." I was furious. The clerk was actually VERY nice but her boss treated me like I was trying to get away with something. I think it's ridiculous they offer online coupons and then won't accept them because they "got out". Hello? That's what coupons do... bring customers to your store. I actually ONLY went there to get those particular items there because of the coupons. I'd much rather frequent a store that actually WANTS my business. I'm planning to write a letter, but haven't gotten to it. The more corporate Target hears from us, the better.

[kristieboyd]

Originally Posted by maryjoe

See, I wouldn't have a problem with them scrutinizing every one of my coupons because I know they're all legit, just don't be fricking rude about it. I get mean looks, eye rolling, and secret stairs from cashiers to stl. If they are nice to me before I take my coupons out why can't they stay nice after, I'm still a cutomer like everyone else. Target needs to have some kind of charm school training as well as coupon training.

Exactly! I don't have a problem with them reading the coupons, matching them up to items, etc. because I know I'm following the rules. Just do it professionally and respectfully is all I ask!

[mama2gavin]

I am glad you said something to her! You go girl!

[kristieboyd]

Updated with call from corp at the top of OP!

[loveabargain]

Sp glad to hear that they followed through and tried to make the situation right! Good for you for getting your voice heard! And i'm especially glad to hear the lady say they are receiving lots of emails about these coupon issues, if we don't all speak up nothing will be done! So hopefully they will start looking into some retraining for their employees.

[AMS]

I think we may be getting thru to them! Keep the email letters going to the CEO. It is the only way we will see a change quickly.

When we call the guest relations number, it never makes it's way to the top. If we start at the top, it trickles down really fast!

Remember, we are not asking for anything unreasonable. All we want to do is to use the coupons in the way we should be allowed to!

Happy Shopping!
Alison

[NoahsMomma]

I'm am glad you addressed this all the way up to corporate. I hate target because they always give me a hard time. I quit shopping there and have returned to Walmart(no problems there). Even when I produce their coupon policy. Thanks for letting them have it.

[mbpnursy]

Very good letter. I take mine one step further: I actually put this site's forum URL in the body of the letter.
Someone at Target Corporate Headquarters needs to be reading about these incidences, and hopefully they will understand that it is just NOT ONE person, ONE Rare Incident, that it really happens more times in a day then a person can count on both hands to Numerous customers.

Originally Posted by kristieboyd

This afternoon I received a call from Liz, who said she was calling on behalf of Mr. Steinhafel. She was really nice, apologetic, etc. Said the way it was handled goes totally against their coorporate policies, both for coupons as well as handling guests. Mentioned they'd gotten a lot of similar e-mails lately (AFCer's???) and were looking at ways to handle this company wide. That coorporate takes these sorts of complaints VERY seriously. She said she'd already contacted my store's DM and instructed him to set up a store wide training session on their coupon policy and had instructed him that he needed to have a sit down with the manager on appropriate ways to deal with customers.

She said she's sending me a GC for my trouble....guess she read the part about me not wanting the $3 coupons! LOL I said I wasn't looking for compensation, but she insisted. I'm just glad my experience is actually being taken seriously and being addressed.

Just spent over 2 hours dealing with the store and CS for no reason! Here's the short version (although once I calm down I will be writing a more in depth letter that I'm sending to DS, and every exec. I can find contact info for!!)

Basically every issue they could have with my coupons they had ("THEY" refers to cashier, GS rep, and store manager...the head guy!)
-Planters coupon...wouldn't take at first because I didn't "buy the one in the picture" (GS) I fought that...then SM says that my jellos don't count since they're single serve! Even after showing SERVING SIZE:4 on the back, still wouldn't take it cause it beeped
-Wouldn't take Target $5/5 with $1/1 J&J wash & 2/2 Buddies...can't combine Qs
-Archer farms $1/1.....can't use on .99 packs..have to buy something MORE than $1
-Degree $1/1...can't use on trials even though coupond does NOT say "excludes trial size"
-Ziplock 1.50/2.....can't use on the $1 hanging packs buy registers since they're not "in boxes like the picture" (coupon says on ANY)

GS even had the nerve to tell lady behind me that she should go to another register because "It's going to be a while.....she's trying to use coupons that she can't use" I was speechless. Totally humiliated. Ended up leaving my entire $50+ order there and walking out. Called CS in the parking lot...very nice at first, supportive, store was wrong, yada yada. Calls store gets a totally different account (I was trying to use 2 TARGET Qs on 1 item...coupon said "excludes trial" yada yada.) CS not so nice any more...obviously believes store over me. Said he would "readdress the coupon policy with the store" and send me 3 $3 off coupons....I said I don't want more coupons that I won't be able to use. I want the employees to know I was not wrong in my usage and I want an apology. CS said can't make them do that...this is all I can do. Sorry if it's not acceptable, I'll have to end the call now if there's nothing else I can do for you.

Wanna talk about FURIOUS!!!!

UPDATE: Here's my letter. I think I may send copies, along with a copy of the coupon policy I received, to the STL and my local news station, just for kicks. LMK what you think. BTW....I am NOT a shortwinded person! LOL

Dear Mr. Steinhafel,

I am writing to share my extremely frustrating and humiliating experience at your Target Store located on Two Notch Road in Columbia South Carolina that cause me to leave empty-handed today. I am still in shock over the way I was treated by the GSTL, STL Mark, as well as the “customer service” I received when calling Guest Relations following the incident.

I was checked out by Emily, who greeted me and is the only person to remain friendly with me throughout the events that transpired. As she went through my coupons, she placed all internet printed coupons to the side informing me that she needed to call a GSTL for approval. This I fully understand because I am aware that there has recently been a fraudulent $5 off coupon circulating.

The GSTL (no visible nametag and did not give me her name when I asked) was rude from the beginning of our interaction. She looked through the coupons and then began to give me countless reasons as to why they could not be accepted. All of the reasons go against the Target Coupon Policy I received via e-mail today from James in Guest Relations. Among the things I was told are:

-You cannot accept a Target coupon in conjunction with a Manufacturer’s Coupon
-You cannot accept a coupon for more than the price of the item and adjust the amount of the coupon down (for example: Item is .99 coupon is for 1.00. I was told
that the coupon cannot be adjusted to .99, that the item must be OVER 1.00 to use the coupon)
-You do not accept coupons on trial sized items even when the coupon does not state “excludes trial sizes”
-Coupons can ONLY be used on the item in the picture, not onan item that meets the written description.

This GSTL huffed and sighed throughout our conversation and even told a guest behind me that she should “go to another register because she (pointing to me) is trying to use coupons she’s not allowed to use”.

Eventually the STL, Mark was called. The GSTL proceeded to insinuate that I was using my coupons fraudulently and Mark just nodded. Some coupons he offered to push through “this time”, but at this point I was beyond frustrated and humiliated and wanted nothing more than to get out or the store. I asked them to cancel my entire order, save the candy my son was eating, and left my $35+ order sitting on the counter.

Once in the parking lot I called Guest Relations. I spoke with Kevin, who was very supportive and understanding. He apologized for the way things were handled and called the store to get more information. He spoke with LOD, Casey. Casey spoke with someone who was involved with the incident and proceeded to share incorrect information with Kevin. I am not sure if it became misunderstood as it went from person to person or if someone was intentionally untruthful, but many false statements were shared with Kevin, such as I was trying to use 2 Target coupons on one item and that my coupons excluded the items I was buying.

From Kevin I was transferred to Adam, a member of the Special Case Team. Adam was not nearly as friendly. His only resolution was to revisit the coupon policy with the store and send me 3 $3 off coupons. I stated that I was not interested in receiving more coupons, as they were the root of my problem. I simply wanted him to speak directly with the GSTL & STL with whom I’d dealt, inform them that my coupons were in fact being used appropriately, and I wanted an apology from the GSTL who was so incredibly rude to me. Adam stated that he could not do that and if I was not satisfied with his resolution that there was nothing else he could do for me and to have a “nice day”. That was the end of our conversation.

Mr. Steinhafel, up until today I have been a loyal Target shopper of over 15 years. I frequent this very store 2-4 times each and every week. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’d choose Target over WalMart or Kmart any day of the week…..until today. I am also a member of an online forum for coupon usage and I cannot begin to tell you the countless number of seemingly identical stories that have been shared there in the past few months. Customers are flying out of your doors as a result of this and will continue to do so if something is not done. While your cooperate office continues to issue coupons on your website each week, customers in stores are having more and more difficultly using them. As the economy continues to tighten and families are forced to use coupons to make ends meet, they will search more and more for coupon friendly stores in which to shop. I am sorry to say that what used to be my favorite store, Target, no longer falls into that category.

Sincerely,

Kristie

[mbpnursy]

I agree, scan, mark "Void" on the pdf copy. This way whoever reads the letter, will actually have a copy of the coupon in their hands to understand the situation fully.

Originally Posted by Momtoabunch

Holey cow!! That is crazy.

I think you should scan all the coupons you were going to use and send a jpg of that along with the letter. That way those reading the letter will also have the coupons and can see first hand that the store was wrong and you were legimate in your use.

So sorry this happened to you.

ETA: Glad you had a better trip this time.

[nessa1970]

So glad someone did call you.