Food Basics Rant

[Dayanara]

I cannot win with this Food Basics...last week I have a huge fiasco with the Greenworks, now this week I had another (did not fight this time though, just wanted out of there).

I went in to go stock up on cup-a-soups. I have a ton of the WUB3G1 Free coupons. I didn't want to push my luck so I grabbed 8 total, figuring I would get more throughout the week. While I was walking to cash I saw a clearance table and on it was one of the large pouches of M&M's for $1.00, perfect time I thought to use my FREE preztel M&M coupon, so went and grabbed one. And lastly I grabbed a Lantancia margarine on sale or $.99 and I had the $1.00 off coupon from the half and half creamers.

Pretty simple transaction I thought....boy was I wrong...

First the soups went through and I got the "you can only use one coupon per person" even though the coupon says per purchase. I said fine just put the others back, so only got 4. Then the margarine went through and I was told she could not use a coupon that was more than the product itself, that was cheating (ugh), I suggested writing on the coupon itself that only .99 was used, she refused. Fine, took the coupon back but still bought the margarine (ran out at home). Then the M&M's...according to her Food Basics is no longer accepting any web based printed or mailed out coupons....Seriously? Ugh...I asked when that came into effect because I was here just last week and used a bunch of them. She then said that person should not have put them through. I thought about asking for a manager but then I saw what manager it was....the same one as when I had my Greenworks argument there last week, so I said screw it and said I didn't want either of them then.

So I walked away with about half of what I went in there for.

I am really tired of all these places making up their own rules. I am starting to want to give up on couponing sometimes.

[gracesmommy]

hang in there! think of all the great deals to be had. don't let some cashiers rain on your coupon parade

[screamy]

Write to HO, seriously. FB is notorious for making up the rules as they go along; you should get an email from them explaining things.

The HO CSRs are pretty decent. Be specific about your transaction, dates, times, etc. and exactly what the cashier told you - she will wind up getting some remedial training if you're calm and collected (and I say that because I almost always have to put my own letters aside for at least a day until I cool off, LOL...otherwise I rant at them and accomplish little!).

[pac182]

My food Basics quit taking web coupons a long time ago so I haven't even bothered going there much. Do wish cashiers would get better training for coupons.

[carlyincanada]

I used to have the same trouble last year at FB...but when they gave me a hassle I asked for the manager...cashier called him/her & I asked for the HO phone number & they said they would put threw my coupons (was save.ca at the time)...I think they make this stuff up as they go!!!

But for this much trouble I would call HO or try to PM at Zellers or WM!!!! Who needs the headache!!!! lol

[Dayanara]

Yea I might just do that.

I knew they did not accept web printed coupons, that I have come across at all FB I shop at, but to not accept save.ca, brandsaver or websaver? This is new to me.

The manager on duty whenever I go there is this young guy who just seems to want to impress the big boss. I argued with him so much the last time I was there.

But I will cool down and write sometime up tomorrow to send off or give them a call. I should be able to find this info on their website, correct?

[eric53]

Too Bad but for added excitement, I would have walked away and left Everything there. I would have just simply stopped what I was doing at that moment and just walked away Really! Obviously they did not want you there buying their stuff with coupons so to heck with them. And I would never darken their doorway again.

[Dayanara]

Too Bad but for added excitement, I would have walked away and left Everything there. I would have just simply stopped what I was doing at that moment and just walked away Really! Obviously they did not want you there buying their stuff with coupons so to heck with them. And I would never darken their doorway again.

I am seriously going to consider doing that. It is only an extra 5-10 minutes to Walmart so if I know what I need I will just PM there (The only reason I ever go there is on my lunch break from work, it is the closest store to grab things I need). But walmart is always a zoo at lunch time, ugh.

[$avvy$hopper]

oh so sorry op! that's not great at all. hope you stick with it...though maybe at another store. take care

[lecale]

.

[coupon girl]

hang in there, i was in f.b last week and the girl yelled ove to the other girl do we take this coupon and it was a websaver - she replied yes- that was in hamilton, ontario

[Dayanara]

Technically the cream carton is for the 2lbs (Parkay, brown tub Traditional Spread) and that was on sale last week for $1.88; this week they have the 1lbs for $.99. The mail-in offer margarine coupon is good for 2lbs also, but on Olivina, Healthy Attitude. Didn't notice both were for 2lbs until now.

I could have swore it said 850g or something like that. I don't have it with me right now, left it in the car. If that was the case now THAT would have been a valid reasoning for not taking the coupon, not it is for $1.00 and the product is $.99

I wish I could tell some people how to do their job sometimes, lol.

[lshortt]

Technically the cream carton is for the 2lbs (Parkay, brown tub Traditional Spread) and that was on sale last week for $1.88; this week they have the 1lbs for $.99. The mail-in offer margarine coupon is good for 2lbs also, but on Olivina, Healthy Attitude. Didn't notice both were for 2lbs until now.

Sorry for your luck because I like FB deals and you can't PM a few of their brands (Zellers/Walmart do not have Lactantia and you'd have to pay me to eat anything from Zellers' freezer). GT carries some Lactantia (cream at least) and otherwise your faced with - Metro!

Last FB trip I forgot to use $4 milk coupons and bought Highliner Signature there ($9.99) instead of Zehrs ($6.99) so there's $7, my goof, easy. It's a lot more annoying when someone is actively costing you $, though.

I've left $80 on the belt at Metro because the coupon rules were out of control (only one of any coupon, no coupons on flyer items, etc.) I told the manager you're really putting barriers to getting me in the door here. The store is 24h but if I'm shopping when every grocery store in the city is open I expect to use a coupon. If my Food Basics were like that I would actually *write* the manager - look, this is a no frills chain, people pack their food in boxes, look at your clientele (deal seekers) - do you really want to alienate them? It's fairly easy to ignore Metro now because they have few real deals but FB is usually a lot better.

At Walmart if I have a problem it's usually an experienced cashier that recently came from a store with an anti-coupon policy and hasn't absorbed the local spirit yet.

Anyway tell your FB Manager he's not running a Metro and get with the program!

what I like about price matching at walmart and using coupons if you have any trouble you take names and email their home office and usuallly you get results asap.

[IRefuseToPayFullPrice]

May I know which FB this is?

[lecale]

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