[Judybats]

Since I started couponing a while back I have pretty much stopped shopping at Wal-Mart. However yesterday I went in to do a price match (with my ad in hand) and use coupons on top of that. The Customer Service Desk Cashier said she would price match the item and would take the coupons per their policy, but said she had to ring them in seperate transactions because the wording on the coupon said "limit one coupon per purchase." I tried my best to explain to her that I was purchasing 6 therefore I could use 6 coupons because the coupon didn't have a "per transaction" limit. I even showed her a P & G coupon with the wording of "limit 4 identical coupons per transaction." She just didn't seem to understand the difference between a purchase and a transaction. That said, I can't complain too much, because I did get what I wanted...but what a hassle!

My question is this: Is this kind of mis-information about coupons a common experience at Wal-Mart?

[SLance68]

I would have let them ring them up separate if that made them happy and I got what I wanted.

[tagarza]

I've never heard THAT in particular but some of the cashiers AND managers are just plain clueless. My best advice is to bring the coupon policy with you and call/email if you have problems with employees saying you can't do what the policy says you can. There are only a handful that give me problems, I try to go to certain cashiers that I know know the policy.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by Judybats

My question is this: Is this kind of mis-information about coupons a common experience at Wal-Mart?

Yes.

I agree with Slance68, if it makes them happy to ring it one by one, as long as you get all your savings, let them do it their way.

[Shaylee]

I have similar experiences with couponing at walmart. I once tried to return something that I PM'd and used coupons on. Well I wanted to exchange it for a different kind and they told me I couldn't because I Pm'd and used coupons. So I just wanted to return it then. She was only going to give me what I paid OOP. Jokingly I said, Well can I have my coupons back then? She asked when I used them and I told her last night and she so Oh they have already been in the system, DUH! Finally I asked for her manager and got the correct change back but the lady was being very rude after that.

[Minijump21]

I had Walmart want to ring up 8 bags of rice separately. I gave up after 3 bags. There were already at least 10 people in line behind me. I decided rice just wasn't worth 45 minutes to me. Since I started couponing I'd rather avoid Walmart at all costs.

[flysaver]

I have started to turn away from Walmart shopping. I have noticed lately that any time I present coupons to the cashier, they automatically call the manager over... even before scanning the coupons to see if they work. To me it is not work the frustration.

[Judybats]

I guess I need to add that I did have her ring the transactions separately. That's how she wanted to do it. It just seemed unnecessary, but again, I can't complain.... in the end... I did get what I went to Wal-Mart for.

[AngBuck]

I had them tell me once I couldn't PM and use coupons. The cashier down from me was yelling I can't do that. The CSM came over said the same thing. I already had my policy out and asked the CSM to show me where it said that. She walked back over to the customer service desk came back and said go ahead and do it. She said she couldn't find it.
Then mumbled a sorry and walked off.

The cashier was really sweet though. She was new had no idea how to do a PM or adjust down coupons. She said thanks to me because she needed to learn how to do it.

[rgasmen]

I don't think I have ever shopped at WM and NOT had a cashier scrutinize every single coupon AND price match. And every single time they interchange "purchase" and "transaction". I have also started to steer away from WM. My last experience at checkout there started with the cashier telling me to go to another register after I told her that I would be using coupons. Also, checkout time seems to get longer and longer...and longer...

[deneisetorres]

Originally Posted by Judybats

My question is this: Is this kind of mis-information about coupons a common experience at Wal-Mart?

I have actually never had this experience at Walmart. However, I have had the exact same question at Walgreen's, CVS, Family Dollar & Save-A-Lot. Save-A-Lot went so far as to say that I could only use 1 coupon of any kind per day. Needless to say, I don't shop there anymore.

If you read through these forums, you will find that it is a very common problem at all stores. It seems that people who don't use coupons or mistrust couponers make that interpretation regularly. My thinking is that the wording on Q's needs to per changed to "One Manufacturer's coupon per item" or something like that.

[messijessi77]

I was not a walmart fan before- but definately not for couponing or PM'ing! They always act like I am stealing from them- whatever! Our family goes to walmart maybe once a month or every 6 weeks (and I live in Arkansas- where we have one on every corner!) I would rather drive a little further than shop at walmart! Okay- jumping off my soap box!! LOL

[momabrown3]

Sorry you had problems.Walmart is one of my stores I shop every day or every other day.My store does not have a big turn over in cashiers so I know all of them.I shop the early mornings after I get the children to school.No problems pm & using coupons.

[becky80]

I agree. If they wanted to ring each one up seperately, thats fine. They are just making more work for themselves. You got what you wanted

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by becky80

I agree. If they wanted to ring each one up seperately, thats fine. They are just making more work for themselves. You got what you wanted

at this time where there's too many "serious" issues going on in different stores, I'd consider this the least of my worries if that is all the challenge they're going to present to me. I have learned to pick my battles, I won't battle on this issue

[sSsLiZARdSsS]

Originally Posted by deneisetorres

I have actually never had this experience at Walmart. However, I have had the exact same question at Walgreen's, CVS, Family Dollar & Save-A-Lot. Save-A-Lot went so far as to say that I could only use 1 coupon of any kind per day. Needless to say, I don't shop there anymore.

If you read through these forums, you will find that it is a very common problem at all stores. It seems that people who don't use coupons or mistrust couponers make that interpretation regularly. My thinking is that the wording on Q's needs to per changed to "One Manufacturer's coupon per item" or something like that.

I agree. It boils down to how the stores are managed, IMO. A good store manager makes sure s/he has good, capable people and creates an environment where they want to do the best job. S/He makes sure those under him are doing their job, including training cashiers properly. I've worked at three different grocery stores and management is the difference between having an efficient, profitable store and a hostile work environment.

[bnorris10]

Originally Posted by demeter_aurion

I have similar experiences with couponing at walmart. I once tried to return something that I PM'd and used coupons on. Well I wanted to exchange it for a different kind and they told me I couldn't because I Pm'd and used coupons. So I just wanted to return it then. She was only going to give me what I paid OOP. Jokingly I said, Well can I have my coupons back then? She asked when I used them and I told her last night and she so Oh they have already been in the system, DUH! Finally I asked for her manager and got the correct change back but the lady was being very rude after that.

I woulda just returned the item with out the receipt if they wanna start getting cranky like that

Originally Posted by rgasmen

My last experience at checkout there started with the cashier telling me to go to another register after I told her that I would be using coupons. Also, checkout time seems to get longer and longer...and longer...

I would have immediatly asked for a manager and requested a reason why you needed to go to another register while the manager was there

Originally Posted by becky80

I agree. If they wanted to ring each one up seperately, thats fine. They are just making more work for themselves. You got what you wanted

No doubt it's them who gets annoyed ringing up seperatly

Originally Posted by sSsLiZARdSsS

I agree. It boils down to how the stores are managed, IMO. A good store manager makes sure s/he has good, capable people and creates an environment where they want to do the best job. S/He makes sure those under him are doing their job, including training cashiers properly. I've worked at three different grocery stores and management is the difference between having an efficient, profitable store and a hostile work environment.

Whats sad is when the managers don't undertstand the jargon I have one manager at a store that if you go to her she will say no one per purchase is per transaction .... Almost made a cashier cry telling her she could get fired for taking more then one and not reading the coupon ... Then all of a sudden it was Well fine I will let you do it this time .... When she finally left I apologized to the cashier told her that manager had no clue what she was talking about and to not let it bother her

[Goddessoflubbock]

My latest was when I had two coupons, each for $1/1 of something - I forget what exactly now. The cashier said "you can't use two of these, right here it says no doubling". I managed not to laugh, and explained to her what doubling is. It required a CSM but she finally rang them up.

I suppose if I had 3 she'd have been apoplectic!

[Judybats]

Originally Posted by Goddessoflubbock

I suppose if I had 3 she'd have been apoplectic!

Hahahaha~~~~~

[holsha3]

my last trip to WalMart, a few days ago. I was walking past registers scrutinizing my options on cashiers, looking for 1 that I recognized & could check out through without much hassle, I walked past a cashier straightening something(her lane was empty). As I stepped closer I overheard her saying to the CSM "you can take your PM & go on down the road, go to Kroger!" I have really debated calling & making a fuss, but was so dumbfounded by such behavior that I didn't even get close enough to take her name. I definitely didn't go through her lane! I instead went through a young girl(looked like best option @ the time.) What a mistake! She wanted ads for the 3 PMs that I had (most times I do carry, but did not this day). 1st Pm she would only allow 4 items @ pm price bc the ad said limit of 4. I told her i would just do a seperate transaction fot the 5th 1. She wouldn't have let me have the 1 PM because she didn't have the ad to check it as she had the other 2. I nicely but firmly went back & forth with her on that. Finally another cashier came over, then she ran back & forth with the CSM, who then came over, then allowed it. sheesh! I apologized to the lady behind me, who said it was alright & that she understood. Next this cashier studied every single Q, OMG, even the ones that were identical to the previous ones! She took forever on what should have been a simple checkout as I only had a minimal amt of items! She even apologized for "being so thorough" ha; I just stated "ummhmm, I can't imagine how you would handle a normal amount of groceries if this is such an ordeal."(I had already gotten beyond fained niceness!) The lady behind said something to the effect of great savings, worth the time,etc. As I'm moving the bagged items into my buggy this cashier is saying, "oh, my mom is an avid couponer". I just commented that she must be like my daughter (trying to soften the blow, but still get the point across) apparently hadn't paid much attention to the things her mom said about using Qs."
I am getting to where the store that I used to shop most is the one i now go to least because of the continual behaviour of cashiers & some CSMs.
K, now I'll get off my soapbox,.

[IrrelevantMuffins]

All this is making me scared of my first q/pm trip ever this weekend... and I chose Walmart. The people at my local store are rude without even reason. I was once told "excuse you!" by a fricken stocker because I slipped by her when she was turned away. I can only imagine how horrible this is going to be.

[tagarza]

Originally Posted by IrrelevantMuffins

All this is making me scared of my first q/pm trip ever this weekend... and I chose Walmart. The people at my local store are rude without even reason. I was once told "excuse you!" by a fricken stocker because I slipped by her when she was turned away. I can only imagine how horrible this is going to be.

Holy crap, that is upsurd! I can't imagine an employee saying something like that. I would've been talking to management before I left AND reporting their butt. What nerve!!!!!

[bigdogmom187]

Originally Posted by IrrelevantMuffins

All this is making me scared of my first q/pm trip ever this weekend... and I chose Walmart. The people at my local store are rude without even reason. I was once told "excuse you!" by a fricken stocker because I slipped by her when she was turned away. I can only imagine how horrible this is going to be.

Short of intentionally (or cluelessly while on say a cell phone!) ramming them with your cart. That's GROSSLY inappropriate of any employee! However since it doesn't sound like you were "bowling for stockers" yah they should have been set straight for that

[tagarza]

He must have forgotten that is their POLICY, whatever the advertised price is they have to sell it for that price. period. I had a situation a long time ago when some clothing rang up wrong, I told them about the display saying otherwise and they went and had someone check it. They said the kids changes the signs all the time, mind you this sign was not even within my reach! They gave me the price. Sometimes you just have to be willing to stand your ground, good for you

Originally Posted by cookingwithlove

This isn't about a coupon. But I was purchasing a digital thermometer for class and it was on clearance for $2.97 (red sticker), and it was originally $12.97 so I thought I was in for a good deal. I went up to the register and it rings up $12.97. I told him the price says $2.97. He says he will ask his manager, and his manager comes back and tells me he can't tell it at a $10.00 difference. He WILL sell it to me for $7.00 though. I told him that didn't make sense. The price says $2.97 and you want to sell it to me for some price that you are making up. I walked all the way back to the kitchen aisle, showed him the price, debated with him. In the end, he took the price tag off the rack where there were two more thermometers and then gave it to me for $2.97.

I would have argued the price so much since I needed it for school, but I thought it was unethical that for he would sell it to me at $7.00 when it clearly states that the price is $2.97

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by cookingwithlove

This isn't about a coupon. But I was purchasing a digital thermometer for class and it was on clearance for $2.97 (red sticker), and it was originally $12.97 so I thought I was in for a good deal. I went up to the register and it rings up $12.97. I told him the price says $2.97. He says he will ask his manager, and his manager comes back and tells me he can't tell it at a $10.00 difference. He WILL sell it to me for $7.00 though. I told him that didn't make sense. The price says $2.97 and you want to sell it to me for some price that you are making up. I walked all the way back to the kitchen aisle, showed him the price, debated with him. In the end, he took the price tag off the rack where there were two more thermometers and then gave it to me for $2.97.

I would have argued the price so much since I needed it for school, but I thought it was unethical that for he would sell it to me at $7.00 when it clearly states that the price is $2.97

This happened to me yesterday. @ the auto dept, they had a cart with a sign that says Everything $2 and less from $12++. DH and I grabbed a huge pack of felt marked $2. DH went to check out while I went to the Garden center. My mistake! he wasn't paying attention to the register while items were scanned. The item rang up 4.72 and right underneath, it says was 9.47, with xx discount.(who would buy that item for less than $10? ) So I went to CS with receipt and the cashier didn't know how to handle it so she called for CSM, I was totally surprised, this CSM is one of the notorious gals who has a mindset that all returns were fraudulent or you use a coupon that's why you're returning them. There was no coupon used for this trxn since they were mostly automotive stuff. Miss B was so pleasant, sweet as sugar, and very apologetic. I was prepared if she'd say, "did you put this sticker on here?" She acted out of character, it was like Twilight zone but I'm glad I got back the difference plus tax without fussing @ anyone.

Had they insisted that was the price, I sure can live w/o it and return it right there.