I can't find the coupon policy and I know that it's here somewhere. I had a horrible Target night and I am soooooo p'd off right now! I had $65.00 worth of goods and coupons for many items (1 of each) except for 6 of the free trial size aquafresh and 8 of the electrasols. The toothpaste was only .99, so the coupons beeped. The cashier (an old timer at 6 months) asked another cashier who told her to adjust the price. She did that and the rent a cop overhead her. He came over and questioned what she was doing the whole time ignoring me. He scrutinized the coupon and said to call the csr over. I was really getting p'd by this time. The csr told her that it was one coupon per customer blah, blah, blah....I told him that I wanted to see the Target coupon policy and he REFUSED to show it to me. "We know how to do our jobs." Then the cashier noticed the 8 free Electrasol coups and they freaked out. "You can't use all of those coupons!" I told them that they had no idea what they were talking about and they owed me a huge apology for being so loud that everyone in all of the lines were staring at me like I was stealing. Doug, the csr, offered to have rent a cop bring me "upstairs" to discuss "security issues." I wanted to rip his head off. Unfortunately, my dd and 1 month old grandd were with me and she was fussing. I threw the crap back at them. Grabbed my coupons back and stormed out of the store. I felt ridiculously helpless over coupons and my family thinks I'm deranged as it is! They don't get it. What do I do now? Will calling the store help or do I bypass the store and contact corporate directly? I want Doug reprimanded for his unprofessional behavior. Okay, he's a 22 year old pimply faced dork and doesn't give a crap anyway, but it would make me feel betterh! Anyway, was I wrong? I don't think so, but....

This is the letter I got from corporate after my last bad experience.

Dear

Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping at Target. But because of the variety of coupons available to our guests, we do have some guidelines for how coupons can be redeemed at Target:

-We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued coupons.
-SuperTarget coupons can be used at a Target store if the item is carried.
-We'll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
-We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item; in that case, we'll adjust the value of the coupon to equal the price of the item.
-We have the right to limit number of coupons used.
-We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.
-All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of sale.

Additionally, I apologize for the treatment you received from the team members at the Columbia Target store. At Target we expect our team members to help you in a professional manner. The attitude and behavior you describe aren't consistent with our guest service philosophy. Your feedback is very helpful to us and I'll be sure to make your comments available to the Store Training Lead for further review with the staff.

Thanks for shopping with us. We hope to see you again soon at Target.

Sincerely,

Adam
Target Guest Relations


I now Carry it with me when shopping at target.

I would call corporate first thing Mon. a.m., or Tues. if they're closed for MLK Day. That is wrong!

Thanks guys. I will call.

Hi. This is my first post on here since I joined. But I had let you know, I got upset like this a couple times back with the managers refusing my coupons. So I had them take those items off, finished my stuff and went back to work since they held me up so long. But then I looked at my receipt that night and they had actually SHORTED me coupons!! All of that embarrassment with ranting and raving like I'm a theif and they screw it up anyway! So I called corporate the next day and they told me the same thing as above, and sent me some sorry coupons for the bad experience. But they told me when that happens, ask to call corporate right there at the store, WITH the manager at the store and have the corporate walk the manager through the policy. The only bad thing is that they can limit how many coupons you can use. So I guess technically they can still refuse to use them. I didn't go back for a long time and still don't go when those managers are working. Sorry you had the problem too!

Kelbarben

It does sour you on Target. What does "We have the right to limit number of coupons used" really mean anyway? If they don't want to take them, they don't have to? If they don't like the looks of you-they won't take your coupons? Even the supermarkets, with all their crazy rules, have clear cut policies. I know when I go into Shaw's, I can only use 6 like coupons. At least I know beforehand! Thanks for your feedback. I feel a wee bit calmer regarding Target, but I'm planning an Electrasol party. I think I'll have my entire family come with me on a Saturday at closing time and have them all stand in line with whatever freebie coupons I have. I have to make sure my friend, Doug, is working though and then the rolls of pennies will have to be used to pay for tax.....

"We have the right to limit number of coupons used." That's kind of a nebulous statement. I don't understand why they can't just come up with a number, and specific policy for this. I'd rather know for sure, and it only be 3 or 6 like coupons, than to have a surprise every time I go there.

When I called "corporate," they asked for names, and I hadn't gotten them. But now I have my copy of my email coupon policy in my purse, and I will ask the refusers to sign their names right there on the letter. Which I will then FAX to corporate right after I call them.

It's ridiculous for any major retailer (especially that redeems directly) to annoy Customers by limiting the # of Mfrs used when the store makes more $ when you use Mfrs.

On Mfrs they get the full value + .08 HF (sometimes more). Smaller stores that use a CH surrender part or all of the HF (depending on volume/contract), but at min get full face value.

If instead of a coup you pay the amount with a CC, the major retailer pays a 1-3% fee (they lose). A smaller store pays higher %s & often a transaction fee too.

So a coupon is not only just another form of payment, but is more profitable to the store.

I wonder if Target just intended to have discretion in limiting their Target store coupons, but a dummie worded it poorly in the emailed policy?

I think they use it more of a way to limit things from those they view as a potential problem. IE those who return stuff to get the full value back or those that go in just for loss leaders and wipe out the store of the inventory.

Possibly a good point & perhaps applicable at ST but I don't see actual loss leaders on Mfr products at Target.

Even at ST, nowadays most loss leaders are subsidized part or whole by the Mfrs in exchange for being included (or prominently featured) in print ads.

BTW is there a different grocery focused print ad in areas that have ST (Super Target)?

Hey, I think I talked to Adam when I called one time! LOL

With my experience with the cashiers at Target, I don't use more that 4 coupons for one item. I know it's a pita... but it makes for an easier experience going through. I also will walk to my car, turn around and walk back in and buy more stuff.

Brigette

I split it up with 10-20 coupons at a time for each transaction and will say I am shopping for two or three people and separate the orders right there and ring one up. then total and pay.. then the next.. It works.. give it a try.. It will save time too.