Cashier Coupon Scrutiny + More!

Are you having problems using coupons?!?
What is the deal these days with cashiers thinking that the coupons we use somehow come out of their paychecks? I just DON'T UNDERSTAND! It seems we should get praised for how much we save with the economy as bad as it is!

Now I'm not by any means trying to say there aren't some fabulous cashiers out there because trust me I know of quite a few. Check out this post to see what I mean!

I have gotten lots of emails lately about coupon usage and what to do when a store employee doesn't want to accept a manufacturer coupon. Here are a few things I try to do and say to make sure ALL my coupons get scanned:

• The first thing I do and this might sound a little funny, is look around and see what cashiers I have to choose from. Sometimes just by looking at facial expressions you can tell who is in a great mood and well... who is NOT so happy! Obviously I always choose the perkiest of the bunch!
  


• As I get up to the register I always, I mean ALWAYS strike up a conversation! Whether it be complimenting them on a piece of jewelry they have or how it hasn't stopped raining outside. I always come up with something to say. I also try to ask a question as my coupons are being scanned, then they usually don't get scrutinized quite as much!

• Now the hard part-Your coupon gets scrutinized! What to do? First NEVER get angry, that will do nothing for you. Stay calm and realize that most of the time when someone is worried about accepting your coupon it's because they are not educated at all on the use of manufacturers coupons and may be worried they will get in trouble. The is the time to become their little teacher and educate them. I make it short and sweet-Your store will get reimbursed for each coupon that I'm using. Coupons to your store are pretty much the same as me using cash instead. Either way they will get their money. Then I go on to explain that coupons are coded to beep if I didn't buy the correct item which usually gives the cashier the initiative to go ahead and scan the coupon.

• Does she still not want to scan the coupon? If so, my next step usually involves flipping through the sales ad and finding a spot where it says coupon saving in the paper. Walgreen's and CVS have this displayed in lots of places in their ads. This really helps if you can find the exact picture of what your purchasing with coupon savings written beside it. Basically that pretty clearly says you CAN use a manufacture coupon to purchase your item. This happened with the Garnier products that were on sale for $2.99 at Walgreen's last week. There was an EasySaver $2 Walgreen's coupon that would make the price only .99 plus if you used the $1 manufacturer coupon it would make the shampoo free. One cashier told me I couldn't use the manufacturer coupon, so I politely showed her the ad where it pictured the Garnier product at .99 after EasySaver coupon but ALSO had look for saving in the paper written beside it too! Of course after seeing that she went ahead and let me use it.

• If your still having problems your next step is to ask for a manager. Go through the above steps again with the manager and see if that works. If not, get his name and nicely let him know that you will be calling corporate about this. Sometimes just by saying that they will go ahead and let you use the coupons. Either way give corporate a call and see what they say about the problems with coupons usage your encountering!
  

Do you have any other coupon tips?!? Please feel free to share!

A crabby cashier won't crash our party!

We had an interesting experience at the grocery store today. To begin, we noticed there was no "Jedi" to be found and had to randomly pick a cashier... Ugh, big mistake! Low and behold he scrutinized EVERY one of our coupons!

This particular store doubles coupons up to .50. If they didn't we'd never go there since their prices are somewhat higher than other stores in the area.

Our cart was full of groceries and had a large amount of free items. We were excited about all our great finds... that is until the dreaded cashier started to speak. He looked at our first coupon and without even trying to scan it stated, "You can't double this one because that would make it free." In the back of our minds we were thinking well isn't that the point. So we politely let him know we specifically come to this grocery store because they double coupons and we love & appreciate their great deals. He then adds, "Well I can't make it free... that would be like stealing!" Hmph.... Stealing??!! For Pete's Sake. We're just trying to save a buck!

Finally he called over another young guy who agreed with Mr. Crabbypants . At this point our self control was limited but we bit our tongues and nicely told them to put everything back that would be free.

As he was voiding out the sale we noticed an older man who appeared to be a manager. Quickly we gestured his attention and explained the situation. With NO hesitation he said, "Of course we will take these coupons!". He walked directly over to Mr Crabbypants and informed him of their policy. It was obvious he was not happy about this as he handed over the receipt in an icy fashion. He forced a fake smile and said "Thanks for shopping with us. You saved $60." As we walked away he mumbled under his breath, "These tight-wads think they can walk in here and get things for free." Ha! You bet we're tight-wads... And proud of it!

Make every shopping trip you have a learning experience. Our grocery adventure today taught us not only patience but to stand our ground and not back down. If you are using a coupon for a product you've purchased and they won't except it don't be embarrassed to ask to remove it from your purchase. Also, remember to look for a manager if you don't think the employee understands the store coupon policy (which happens often). Thanks Mr. Crabbypants for a good laugh and yet another tale from the till.

By the way - we have yet to come up with a good name for those unavoidable cranky coupon cashiers. If you have a good idea let us know by leaving a comment below... Thanks!