Coupon Abuse and Rude Staffers

[rayraycanuck]

I thought I would ask for your opinions. Of late I have been noticing three things happening more and more in stores. Many people having heated discussions with cashiers over coupons, cashiers being overly beligerent over coupons, and other patrons going off about Extreme Couponing.

This has become such a double/triple if such existed, edge sword that I have even changed my shopping habits to late night or when my favourite cashiers are working. It's nice and quiet, great service and less others around.

I like Walmart's renovated express check outs where the kiosk sign/computer announces when to proceed to the next cashier. It is so nice not to have someone over my back when I do my transactions. As for Extreme Coupon comments, I just say I don't have cable or don't watch t.v.

As for the staff, get the heck out of customer service no matter what if you can not handle escalted situations. For the nasty shoppers, yes sometimes one might know better than the person behind the til about a policy, but don't rip them for anything. Even if they are rude, escalate it properly.

I really could care less in most ways but I enjoy a good relaxing shopping trip to the grocery and am getting tired of a few of these factors that seem to be being driven by bad couponers more so than store policy.

You won't hear me agree with Walmart much as I have tried to support Canadian owned or actual local non chain stores where possible, but they have it right in my opinion. Easy for the customer and easy for their staff.

[KellyC]

I refuse to argue with anyone. If there's a problem I just take my coupons and leave...and leave all my stuff right there for them to put away. Easy!

Walmart will rule the world!

[KrazE]

I have coupon policies for the stores that are around me printed out & on hand. If you know that you're going to use a number of coupons at a location, give them a quick call & find out if the policy has changed recently.

[JennyFromTheRock]

I usually have little problems with couponing in my area, as there arent too many of them here, so its not something they have to do a lot -

I did however have a nasty cashier yesterday who was really snippity to me aout the $5 WUB3 Gillette coupon. I had 4 Gilette gift sets - they were the ones that were regular $17.97 and on clearance for $10 - I bought 4 of the sets. I gave her 4 coupons and she said "you can only use one of those" I said no - I bought 4 sets, and she said well I cant take them..... again I asked why and she said "It says WUB3 or a gift set OVER $10" but the ones I was getting were EXACTLTY $10 - not over - so with a huge line behind me she went to the customer service desk - then tracked down a CSM, then ran and talked to a manager - she finally came back ( at least 15 minutes later ) and said "I'll take them this time, but don't try it again" the whole while a line up of people were behind me either thinking im a criminal or the cheapest crook on the planet..... I was so irritated with her - I even asked after "Will the coupons be comming out of your paycheck??"

I don't appreciate this kind of treatment AT all!! I am always polite to cashiers so to have one talk to me like I was trying to scam her was so not right in my opinion. Not to mention they have no problems with selling 3 shaving creams that cost under $4 with the same coupon for overage - and I was trying to GIVE them money!! Ughhhh....

[rayraycanuck]

For sure, I am never rude with cashiers either, and am still polite if they are rude, but they are going to get it on the back end later when I quietly look for the Manager, and follow up with a letter to the store and corporate. Rudeness anywhere I don't tolerate. Agree with you all.

[miztia]

I have to laugh every time I hear the " I'll let you do it this time, but never again" line. It just doesnt make any sense. The store will get reimbursed for the coupon this one time only? LOL

[yl33k]

I usually have little problems with couponing in my area, as there arent too many of them here, so its not something they have to do a lot -

I did however have a nasty cashier yesterday who was really snippity to me aout the $5 WUB3 Gillette coupon. I had 4 Gilette gift sets - they were the ones that were regular $17.97 and on clearance for $10 - I bought 4 of the sets. I gave her 4 coupons and she said "you can only use one of those" I said no - I bought 4 sets, and she said well I cant take them..... again I asked why and she said "It says WUB3 or a gift set OVER $10" but the ones I was getting were EXACTLTY $10 - not over - so with a huge line behind me she went to the customer service desk - then tracked down a CSM, then ran and talked to a manager - she finally came back ( at least 15 minutes later ) and said "I'll take them this time, but don't try it again" the whole while a line up of people were behind me either thinking im a criminal or the cheapest crook on the planet..... I was so irritated with her - I even asked after "Will the coupons be comming out of your paycheck??"

I don't appreciate this kind of treatment AT all!! I am always polite to cashiers so to have one talk to me like I was trying to scam her was so not right in my opinion. Not to mention they have no problems with selling 3 shaving creams that cost under $4 with the same coupon for overage - and I was trying to GIVE them money!! Ughhhh....

i got that line today "this time only". because i got shave cream and the "its only a dollar something you shouldn't, it be free" off to customer service for like 10 mins and me saying sorry over and over again to other people waiting for her to get back.

[MercuryBlue]

I'm lucky, I guess. Most of the cashiers I've had have been awesome! There are definitely a few evil ones that I avoid, though. I don't think it's just me, they hate- when I complained I was told that a LOT of people call in about them. Which sort of made me wonder 'why are they still working there??' but that's besides the point.

When I shop, I treat it as if it's my job. I'm as respectful and courteous as I can be- though I'm also stubborn and won't back down. I will explain things with a bright smile on my face and pull out my coupon policies if necessary. I NEVER lose my temper. I make a point of keeping things as organized as possible, and having my coupons ready before I check out. The cashiers have told me they really appreciate my efforts- and some have told stories of 'terrible couponers' they have dealt with before. Those stories are a great guide to 'how not to act'.

[twinkletoes123]

i haven't had many problems with using coupons recently, but when i first started using coupons i rmbr being rejected a LOT. and i was just too chicken to say anything and always just said "oh its okay" because frankly i wasn't too clear about the rules myself. but now whenever i get the "you can't use this" for whatever reason, if i KNOW my coupon is legit i just say a "yeah you can, it says..." back and they'll take another look at the coupon and then they'll do it! i've never had an argument with any cashier and hopefully it'll never happen i like what another poster suggested, if they really say no then just don't buy anything and leave the things there for them to put back

[kittyboom]

I was also told "this time only" today because of the phrase "one per purchse". Will head offices please explain that "purchase" and "transaction/customer/household" are two completly different things! ARGH!!!!!

[JennyFromTheRock]

I was also told "this time only" today because of the phrase "one per purchse". Will head offices please explain that "purchase" and "transaction/customer/household" are two completly different things! ARGH!!!!!

Gotta love when the "coupon police" lets you off with a warning!!!

[lor1492]

cashiers being rude about coupon use does seem to be reaching new heights. Different friends that I got into using coupons are coming to me with story after story about rudeness, more than one has been followed around the store, as though using coupons means you are more likely to steal- though truth be told we are a lot less likely- why would we have to steal if we are already getting things for free?? makes no sense to me.

Coupons are a lot of work for cashiers in most stores in Canada. Few are set up to scan. We won't see a change in attitude until it reduces the burden it places on cashiers. Additionally, some of these rude cashiers have likely been burned by accepting fakes and getting raked over the coals for it. They are probably equally frustrated by the confusing language on a lot of the coupons. We can have a thread with a hundred contributors discussing the wording and still not be certain, then 5 can email the company and get 5 different answers- and we do this because we "want" to, they don't really have a choice.
Once the ability to scan coupons is widespread I think the stress the cashier experiences at a stack of coupons will really ease up, until then I think it will be a war zone :-(

[Tabby40]

I got to watch a sour face couponer yesterday in the line ahead of me in walmart. While her cereal was being rung in she stood closed lip flipping through her little coupon book and when the cashier was done and gave her the total(not sure what else she bought was under 5 I think) she snaps thats my total, the cashier gave her the printout she looked at it and said jes.. and give her the money, her friend walks over and says something to her and then she snaps I paid more then I wanted to. I was going to try and talk to her until I seen the look on her face and heard her talk to the cashier. Couponers have not right to treat cashiers like they are the crooks either. The cashier was great I had lots of coupons and we laughed and talked the whole time.

[lor1492]

sadly, bad customers were likely bad customers before they started to use coupons - I suppose the same can be said of cashiers- some people are hateful and cranky as a normal part of their personality- normal for them I mean

[Shwa Girl]

Many people having heated discussions with cashiers over coupons, cashiers being overly beligerent over coupons, and other patrons going off about Extreme Couponing.

changed my shopping habits to late night or when my favourite cashiers are working.

As for the staff, get the heck out of customer service no matter what if you can not handle escalted situations.

For the nasty shoppers, yes sometimes one might know better than the person behind the til about a policy, but don't rip them for anything. Even if they are rude, escalate it properly.

Thanks for your post.
I seek out my favourite cashiers too and won't move even if the other cashier calls me over.

Nasty cashiers can loose their job if enough complaints are made to management and head office. I have seen it in my days as a cashier. Cashiers are provide customer service, not customer abuse.

Stores have the right to ban nasty shoppers too. I have seen that as well. Police were called in two instances. If the shopper returned, police were called to escort them out.

If there are comments about me being an extreme couponer, I ignore the comments, keep my eye on the cash register screen and make sure the prices are right.