[Candy0713]

I've contacted Walmart corp twice and each time they tell me one per purchase has the same meaning as one per transaction. The Walmart I shop at now says the same thing and they only allow me to use one 'same type' coupon in a transaction. I've researched on just about every coupon site that one per purchase is NOT the same as one per transaction and have the definitions printed out.

My question is who is the 'divine' authority that has determined that indeed one per purchase is not the same as one per transaction? Do all manufacturers have their own interpretation? If that's the case how are couponers ever to know if they are committing fraud? If a couponer can be charged with a serious crime such as fraud - is there any 'official' documentation on the wording that we can go by?

I've also contacted General Mills customer service and they also told me that one per purchase is the same as one per transaction. Gee.. so everyone using more that one of the same type of coupon is now committing fraud if they do so in one transaction.

I can't believe when I go grocery shopping and buy two boxes of cheerios I can only use one coupon. But general mills said that is the case.?? Can someone please help me. Is there someone I can contact regarding the language on a coupon and it's interpretation? I'm at my wits end and have just about had it with couponing.

[joshmamabear]

our SWM takes one coupon per item purchased. I think that is the wording on their online policy. I don't have it right now but that is what I remember. I have never had issues at any of our WMs while using several "like" coupons, one for each item in one transaction. Will they let you use one coupon in separate transactions? That may be an option although it is inconvinient and impractical but if they prefer it that way, try that.

If I were in your situation, I will just try other branches/cashiers if they have the same policy. If they do, tough luck for me and I'll probably shop elsewhere. I don't see why its fraud to use one coupon per item. It would be fraud if I used 10 "like" $1 coupons to purchase one $10 item to get it free after coupons.

[TJ_2008]

Geeeezzzz... send them all a dictionary!!!!!!!

Or bring your dictionary with you when you go shopping ()

I would call Walmart's district Manager (you find the # usually at Customer Service) and address this issue with him!

[rah0101]

I had this happen last week. Had 2 of the same thing and 2 coupons for them. I get up there to buy and the WTH light went on. Ok, what did I do, she said that they only can do 1 coupon for both ?,* 1)+-= What I got 2 coupons and she said that I can only do 1 transaction per coupons so ok we do 2 trans. NO NO NO only 1 per visit. So I do this one then go to another cashier and do it again. I ask for the manager to teach me on what I'm doing wrong. Has looks at the slips and said that we can only do 1 trans per coupon, so I said ok I bought 2 items and had 2 coupon . I am sooo confused. I left and he was scrathing his head. I think I won, but who knows???

[deedee8102000]

I also had this problem with the coupons at walmart I believe they do this so that you wont use the coupon, but if you notice its only on certain coupons Example the airwick air freshener for 6.00 and since I had 6.00 coupons I had to ring each one up separate the coupon said per purchase so then I had lunchable coupons for 1.00 which made the lunchables free it also said per purchase but the coupons scanned for each item. Only Walmart does that I can go to Kroger and publix and have no problem

[peachjuteux]

i wonder if this is new- i buy 3 or 4 of the same item and use identical coupons per item- but i imagine with this economy- walmart is swamped with more coupon users than ever- maybe its a new policy? i will just go in several times and do several transactions- and send hubby to the car with each purchase- but ya they need to make a uniformed decision on the meaning of the terms and stick to one.....

[deedee8102000]

I just put my coupons on top of each item and let them ring it up one at a time..........its just bad because the people behind you get upset.

[Niddi]

Haven't run into this at Walmart yet (shopping there less and less) but it wouldn't surprise me. Had the same issue at a Food Lion store and called corp. to get it resolved. They also think that one per purchase is the same as one per transaction and wrote me a letter to that effect. I felt like doing 20 different transactions and pulling out all my pennies to pay but decided that just wouldn't be fair to the people in line behind me or the poor cashier that doesn't make up the rules.

[Basketlover]

I used several multiples at WM yesterday. It was great. I had not shopped there in awhile. I usually go every couple of months.

[williamsmom2]

I just looked at the online coupon policy, and it says one coupon per item.

I got 2 of the same item yesterday (Nerds candy), and had 2 q's, and they took both. BUT, I got 2 Olay Quench Lotions, had a q for $3/1, and a BOGO q. After the cashier had scanned all my items and I handed her my q's, she pulled out her glasses and read each coupon repeatedly. She then announced that she couldn't use both Olay q's, even though I had 2 Olay items. She said that if she did that, I would be getting both for free. Told her no, the first one is for $3 off the first bottle, and the 2nd q was to get the 2nd bottle for free. Then she said, "well, you'd still be getting one for free", and I told her that was because that is what the coupon says-buy one, get one FREE... So she scanned the BOGO first, it took off the 5.97, then to make her point after she scanned the rest of the q's, she scanned the $3/1 q, and it beeped. She handed it back to me with a smirk as if to say "I told you so". I think if she would have scanned it first, everything would have been fine, but she was adamant that I was NOT going to get 2 $6 bottles of lotion for $3. Tried to tell her that I didn't want them then, and to take them off. She looked at the people behind me, smirked, turned to me and said "you're already getting one for free. If you want to use this one, you have to buy another lotion." and gave me my total. So then the people behind me start complaining about people with coupons. I just paid for it (choked down that $6 for lotion!) and left, since she made it seem like I was a greedy imbecile. Was I wrong? I had 2 mq's, and 2 items, didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I think I'm just going to stop trying to use the good q's at Walmart, and go to Publix or Kroger, where they welcome my q usage...Not worth the headache, and humiliation I got yesterday at Walmart...

[crissy148]

Originally Posted by williamsmom2

I just looked at the online coupon policy, and it says one coupon per item.

I got 2 of the same item yesterday (Nerds candy), and had 2 q's, and they took both. BUT, I got 2 Olay Quench Lotions, had a q for $3/1, and a BOGO q. After the cashier had scanned all my items and I handed her my q's, she pulled out her glasses and read each coupon repeatedly. She then announced that she couldn't use both Olay q's, even though I had 2 Olay items. She said that if she did that, I would be getting both for free. Told her no, the first one is for $3 off the first bottle, and the 2nd q was to get the 2nd bottle for free. Then she said, "well, you'd still be getting one for free", and I told her that was because that is what the coupon says-buy one, get one FREE... So she scanned the BOGO first, it took off the 5.97, then to make her point after she scanned the rest of the q's, she scanned the $3/1 q, and it beeped. She handed it back to me with a smirk as if to say "I told you so". I think if she would have scanned it first, everything would have been fine, but she was adamant that I was NOT going to get 2 $6 bottles of lotion for $3. Tried to tell her that I didn't want them then, and to take them off. She looked at the people behind me, smirked, turned to me and said "you're already getting one for free. If you want to use this one, you have to buy another lotion." and gave me my total. So then the people behind me start complaining about people with coupons. I just paid for it (choked down that $6 for lotion!) and left, since she made it seem like I was a greedy imbecile. Was I wrong? I had 2 mq's, and 2 items, didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I think I'm just going to stop trying to use the good q's at Walmart, and go to Publix or Kroger, where they welcome my q usage...Not worth the headache, and humiliation I got yesterday at Walmart...

I think the coupon w/ BOGO Q thing is a YMMV depending on the store, etc. But when you asked her to take everything off and she didn't I would have called a manager. You asked, and she refused. Maybe she would have been happy with the one free item, but you weren't, and you shouldn't have had to pay for items you didn't want.

[queenofally]

The same thing happened to me at Wal-mart with the $6.oo Q for Air wick. I think it depends on the cashier. I went back to the same Wal-mart and used two like coupons for an item with no problem.

[jas80]

Originally Posted by peachjuteux

i wonder if this is new- i buy 3 or 4 of the same item and use identical coupons per item- but i imagine with this economy- walmart is swamped with more coupon users than ever- maybe its a new policy? i will just go in several times and do several transactions- and send hubby to the car with each purchase- but ya they need to make a uniformed decision on the meaning of the terms and stick to one.....

You'd think they'd be THRILLED about all the new couponers. They're selling items, getting reimbursed, AND making 8 cents per Q. Really, what's their problem?

[jevans1120]

Amen, Julie.

Sorry you guys have had so many problems.

[javaaddict]

Originally Posted by williamsmom2

I just looked at the online coupon policy, and it says one coupon per item.

I got 2 of the same item yesterday (Nerds candy), and had 2 q's, and they took both. BUT, I got 2 Olay Quench Lotions, had a q for $3/1, and a BOGO q. After the cashier had scanned all my items and I handed her my q's, she pulled out her glasses and read each coupon repeatedly. She then announced that she couldn't use both Olay q's, even though I had 2 Olay items. She said that if she did that, I would be getting both for free. Told her no, the first one is for $3 off the first bottle, and the 2nd q was to get the 2nd bottle for free. Then she said, "well, you'd still be getting one for free", and I told her that was because that is what the coupon says-buy one, get one FREE... So she scanned the BOGO first, it took off the 5.97, then to make her point after she scanned the rest of the q's, she scanned the $3/1 q, and it beeped. She handed it back to me with a smirk as if to say "I told you so". I think if she would have scanned it first, everything would have been fine, but she was adamant that I was NOT going to get 2 $6 bottles of lotion for $3. Tried to tell her that I didn't want them then, and to take them off. She looked at the people behind me, smirked, turned to me and said "you're already getting one for free. If you want to use this one, you have to buy another lotion." and gave me my total. So then the people behind me start complaining about people with coupons. I just paid for it (choked down that $6 for lotion!) and left, since she made it seem like I was a greedy imbecile. Was I wrong? I had 2 mq's, and 2 items, didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I think I'm just going to stop trying to use the good q's at Walmart, and go to Publix or Kroger, where they welcome my q usage...Not worth the headache, and humiliation I got yesterday at Walmart...

Walmart has their computers programmed like this. I've repeatedly attempted to do this and it refuses. Seems like Target is the only store I shop who actually understands how to READ the coupons. Blah. Anyway, I feel your pain. And I don't shop there because really, this example is the epitome of hypocrisy. Walmart is doing so many things that are terrible for the economy, underhanded business practices, price setting, driving companies out of business...and then they won't honor the terms of a legal document (the coupon)??!!?!?! THEY care that you're getting something for free? Please.

[Mickow]

Ahh, "Cashier Roulette" most of the time we get great, wonderful, cheerful cashiers who love couponers and try their best to make sure we get good deals and then sometimes we don't. Stick to your guns and just ask for your Qs back and take the items off (they can't force you to buy it, and it is super easy to void an item). Don't let one negative nancy ruin the store, it isn't fair to the store to miss out on your business, and more importantly YOU to miss out on good deals.

[mommyof1beauty]

I feel for you....i went thru that at WM about 8 months ago. That, and my WM's (3 in a 5 mile radius) do not price match at all. So put that together with the coupons and it makes for a horrible experience. WM is higher priced, and they dont double, so I dont go there. In the last 8 months I went there one time, and that was for the I-motions several weeks ago and even then I went through hell - I bought 9, and since they said "one coupon per purchase" (I had 9 coupons for 6.00 off) I did 9 SEPARATE transactions. I am not polite when it comes to making people behind me wait. I really dont care if they're in a hurry. I was child-free that night, and so I had allllll night to spend there. They were angry but hey, who cares.

I usually shop at Target - they have better prices, plus they have store coupons you can combine with MFR. I am lucky though here also that I live in a big metro area where all the stores practically double, and most weeks, they quadruple or quintuple, making it nice for me

[couponcrazies]

This is why I never shop at Walmart. Its not worth the low prices to deal with the rude underpaid staff, obnoxious policies, complete lack of customer service, and long frustrating waits at the checkout line. I'm a committed Target shopper

[coupondiva55]

I had the coupons for the free nestle water from the rebate...I purchased 2 cases and had 2 coupons - the wording on the coupon I think it said one coupon per purchase...so I am purchasing 2 and using 2 coupons...the cashiers scans and says the coupons are not going thru, the amount is too large...so I pointed out to her that the coupons were for up to $4.99 and the water I purchased was for $3.88...she would not do it so I asked her for a mgr...she left me at the register and another mgr walked by and asked, did she just leave you here by yourself? So, I explained to the mgr what the problem was so she went looking for the cashier and told her that I was right...so my balance was 00.00. I think the cashier thought I was lying to her...why was she worried? I was getting it for free anyway...!

[Candy0713]

I've been doing a lot of research since my initial post, everything from the origin of the word transaction and purchase in the Britannica and dictionaries online to calling corp again and also contacting several manufacturers who create the coupon.

I don't like the answer I've found but at this point, I don't see anything else I can do (of course maybe hire an attorney ). Corp tells me it's completely up to each individual store on how they want to redeem and interpret a coupon.

The manufacturers told me this; although their intent is for the consumer to be able to use one or more same type of coupon in a transaction (as long as there are an equal number of products) it's ultimately left to the retailer to redeem and interpret the coupon. *sigh*

I wonder if it would help if I contacted the CIC (Coupon Information Corporation) since they represent the major companies that make the coupons and explain to them why it is so important for coupons to have standardized redemption verbiage.

My next question is why haven't companies done this already? Having wording on a coupon that is open to interpretation is extremely frustrating to the consumer, retailer and manufacturer. Think of how many of us have boycotted a store because we are upset that 'they' don't understand the wording or how many angry consumers call the manufacturer because we feel we've been wronged. Wouldn't it be a "win" "win" if the guess work between consumer and cashier were completely removed with a simple coupon guideline that everyone follows. It's mind boggling to think of how much time and money could be saved for both consumers and retailers. But...I suppose that would be too easy.

[Luvinmah2girlz]

Wow Sorry your Walmart is giving you a hard time. I actually work part time as a cashier at a walmart in my area. I was never given a rule to run off of when accepting coupons. As Long as the coupon isn't A. Expired B. Another Stores Coupons (i.e Food Lion, Target)...we accept them. Most of the time if the coupon wont go through, I just put it through manually.

I love Couponers who come through my line. I love coupons myself so I always make sure that the coupons come off.

[deedee8102000]

Originally Posted by queenofally

The same thing happened to me at Wal-mart with the $6.oo Q for Air wick. I think it depends on the cashier. I went back to the same Wal-mart and used two like coupons for an item with no problem.

I had that problem at Walmart with the same 6.00 coupon. The first time she rung up 3 and the register beep when she went to put in the second coupon she called the manager and she said one per purchase I said ok. But the cashier was nice and she said we will just ring up one at a time she said dont worry. I bought those 3 went back and got about 10 more and give her 3 coupons. she was very nice.

[frogprincess]

Just do separate transactions if they're going to be that way. I bet they change their policy really fast after that. I personally don't get why they are so whatever about the one per purchase (after all one per purchase means one per item - if they want it to mean one per transaction they should write that in bold print on their coupons instead) thing. What difference does it make if someone is going to do one transaction with multiple coupons or multiple transactions with one coupon at a time. In my opinion it only makes it harder on the cashier and the other customers in line. I personally think that they are trying to just make it more difficult for us to use coupons - possibly to discourage coupon use? It makes sense for manufacturers to do this because they lose more money when more of us use coupons.

[peachjuteux]

one per transaction just makes no sense to me- they want to get those products off their shelves and sold why dont they just take the coupons without limiting ... so silly- i cant imagine a manufacturer limiting the amount of coupons they refund the store with- .... so i think its store policy which hurts their store in the long run..........loosing sales- loosing customers- loosing money when they dont sell and have to mark the products down to get rid of them...

[frogprincess]

Exactly, you would think they'd want some money instead of having it go to a competitor.