Oh my goodness, I feel like I could be sick! I just got back from Meijer. (yes, I shop during third shift - that way the kids are asleep and I'm alone!) My favorite cashier just told me that he knew all about my previous weeks' trip even though he was on vacation. I was giving him a hard time as he rung me up because I had to use a Uscan last week since Meijer decided not to replace him while he was gone, and didn't have a grocery lane open on third shift.
Well, I HATE Uscans anyway, and then to have to scan, yell at the computer, re-scan, move the bananas, bag, cart, etc. for a very full cart of groceries... UGH! You get the picture; I am usually a very even tempered person, and I was trying hard to be calm, but when I got to my coupons and the AC had to hand key them ALL in, I was quite peeved.
NOW, here's the reputation-wrecking part. My Meijer is going through a remodel, and had Iams dog food 8 lb bags for $5.62 on clearance. I had $5 coupons, but the AC did not want to take them because they have a Menards logo on them. I understand that they are confusing, but they do not state 'valid only at menards'. They are manufacturer's coupon put out by P&G out of the SS inserts. I explained nicely and helped her read the fine print, but she did not want to accept them. I didn't think 32 lbs of dog food was worth a fuss, so I asked her to just void them, and she did. It was a very confusing and trying half hour. We were both fed up with the computer by the time she got done, and we were discussing how many customers Meijer is ticking off by cutting cashiers in favor of Uscans. I told her that I appreciated her help, and told her that I did not fault her for not taking my Iams coupons, that I could see the confusion, and not to worry about it. We parted on a friendly but pooped-out note.
Tonight I heard from several employees as I walked through the store (yes, I know them; I shop the same time every Thursday) that they heard about my trying to use a Menards coupon last week! I feel like throwing up!! I have ALWAYS used coupons to the best of my ability and I save a lot of money, but I also make sure that everything I do is above board. I would never jeopardize my honest reputation by cheating. I have been shopping at this store as long as it has been open, (20 yrs) even worked as a cashier there, and still know many employees from way back when. I do not feel like I did anything wrong, and I knew that there was a possibility that those coups could be misread, and wasn't too upset to leave the dog food behind. I wanted to apologize to the AC tonight, but couldn't catch up with her.
I need to find a P&G coupon policy somewhere just to show her I wasn't trying to steal dog food! (after all, I already have a very large stockpile of Goodlife pet foods!)
Somebody cry with me...........

Awwh Honey, My Mom, once told me,( no I should never say once because that never happened,) you can't stop people from talking about you while you are standing there, so how much luck do you think you have you are not around? You know what you did was honest and aboveboard so you can sleep at night...dry those eyes. They will think what they want no matter how much you protest. You said it yourself, you would never jeopardize your honest reputation by cheating! It did not say Menards Coupon, I get confused by the same thing maybe we can get clarification...I feel if it says Manu it can be redeemed anywhere, that the name on it is a suggestion.

Maybe they were just teasing you? It sounds like you have a decent relationship with them all. I'd just bring the coupon along with next time you shop and if anyone says anything, just show them the coupon and discuss it's validity with them. The AC was probably just talking in the break room about that particular coupon. I'm sure none of them consider you a cheater

I wouldn't panic..you can either ignore and never bring it up again..or on a calmer note you can show them that coupon or some of the vitamin ones that are for things like nature's bounty but have a suggested store printed on them..they are still paid by nature's bounty and valid anywhere..they are just giving you subliminal advertising to go to a particular store because they paid for the ad they came in....no worries...

I wouldn't worry about it... you know you didn't do anything wrong so let it roll off your back.

Hate to break it to you but they probably all already talk about you. When you save what we save word gets out. Most are happy to see you save, some act like it's coming out of their pay checks.

Thanks everyone! I feel better this morning. I still want to talk to her, but at least I feel less like a cheat today! I guess I just needed some confirmation from fellow savers. Holly