Army & Navy good news, bad news. Need coupon advice pls

[saucyblondie]

Hi,

First the good news: I went to Army & Navy (Londonderry mall) today and scored on Stash Teas for $2.50/box (best price I've ever seen was $3 at Superstore). I stocked up.

Next I went to the sardines. Reg $1.19 and I got them for $.85 each. Again, stocked up.

While at the sardines, I noticed Golden Seal smoked oysters are on sale. Reg $1.99/can, on sale for $1.25 ea. Nice. Even better was the $.40 tear pad coupon right beside! There were only 4 cans left on the shelf, so I took all 4 plus 4 coupons (plus some extras to add to the next coupon train.) I was thrilled....until....

Now the bad news: the cashier would only accept ONE coupon! She pointed out that it was one coupon per purchase. I smiled sweetly and said, "Yes, I have four cans and four coupons...one per purchase." She said, "No, if you want to use all four, you'll have to stand in four different line ups at four different cashiers!"

Whaaaaat?!!!!

I was with a coworker and didn't want to make a big deal, but I intend to go back there tomorrow and raise a stink!

Any advice on what to say to the manager?? Am I crazy? Or are they?

Thanks in advance!

[krempy]

This is how i explain it to the not-so-bright cashiers like you had today:

"Yes, you are correct" I say first (cause that validates them and then you build them up a little so you can shoot their theory out the door with what follows) then I say "my coupon says one per purchase. HOWEVER, (hear it comes) this is a purchase (now pick up one can/item) and this is a purchase (pick up another can) etc etc. If the coupon stated one per TRANSACTION then I would need to go through the line multiple times, but it doesn't say that does it?" (now they are in agreement with you and it's easier for them to see that they were wrong.
Hopefully my method will work for you tomorrow-- I've had lots of cashiers needing these basic "refresher courses" on coupon wording--- and this is very basic training in most cashier positions. I've been a cashier and it was grilled into us in training:
ONE PER PURCHASE IS NOT THE SAME AS ONE PER CUSTOMER OR TRANSACTION.

Good luck at A&N tomorrow!

[saucyblondie]

Excellent advice, Krempy! Thanks!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, I also saw a bunch of Healthy Harvest pasta on clearance but didn't have my coupons with me so I didn't pay too much attention. Will check that out tomorrow, too!

[Cia]

This is how i explain it to the not-so-bright cashiers like you had today:

"Yes, you are correct" I say first (cause that validates them and then you build them up a little so you can shoot their theory out the door with what follows) then I say "my coupon says one per purchase. HOWEVER, (hear it comes) this is a purchase (now pick up one can/item) and this is a purchase (pick up another can) etc etc. If the coupon stated one per TRANSACTION then I would need to go through the line multiple times, but it doesn't say that does it?" (now they are in agreement with you and it's easier for them to see that they were wrong.
Hopefully my method will work for you tomorrow-- I've had lots of cashiers needing these basic "refresher courses" on coupon wording--- and this is very basic training in most cashier positions. I've been a cashier and it was grilled into us in training:
ONE PER PURCHASE IS NOT THE SAME AS ONE PER CUSTOMER OR TRANSACTION.

Good luck at A&N tomorrow!

Well put, I have used the same type of logic on many cashiers. I like the coupons that state that you can only use 4 like coupons at a time, it helps to get the point across a little easier sometimes.

[coolmum95]

Great advice! I would also mention to the manager that it is common knowledge among Coupon-Shoppers that the stores not only receive full face value for each coupon but an extra handling fee as well. They are making money!!! It just makes good business sense to encourage consumers to shop, spend and save money in their stores!!!

[nosobbq]

did you get any shoes???? i did!!

[saucyblondie]

ty again! More great advice! I didn't realize stores got extra $ back! Good to know!

No, nosbbq, I didn't even have time to look at the shoes. But wow, they had a lot! lol

[saucyblondie]

OK...here's the disappointing result of today's visit at Army & Navy:

First I asked the cashiers if their floor manager was in. She wasn't. They weren't buys, so I asked them what the store policy is on coupons. They said that they aren't allowed to ring thru any more than one coupon per receipt. So, if I have 10 coupons, they have to ring them thru as ten different $1 transactions (but no, I don't have to stand in 10 lineups, just get ten receipts.) I said that was crazy, the cashiers agreed, but they can't do anything about it. But they suggested I see Mr. K, the store manager.

So I went to talk to him. He didn't know what the store policy was. He had to ask his admin assistant who told him the cashiers are correct. Each coupon needs its own receipt.

So I asked him if he had a copy of the store's coupon policy. He said no, it is at the discretion of each store.

As I left, I mentioned to him that this creates a lot of extra work for his cashiers and that it slows down the lineups. All he had to say was that's our policy. (What policy?! The one he didn't know they had ten seconds before?!!!)

I also mentioned that the store gets the money back and a handling fee and he said ya but the manufacturer doesn't want that many coupons being used at once. Seriously??

So, my advice to my SC friends: don't coupon at the Londonderry Army & Navy unless you have a LONG time to stand in line!

On the way out I told the cashiers that I told the manager he was making things hard for them and they cheered me on and said THANK YOU!