One of the biggest frustrations we couponers have is getting to the store, coupons in hand and excited to get some great deals...only to find an empty shelf where the items you want should be!
But no worries! In many cases, you an avoid frustration with just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Be on good terms with the cashiers and managers of your store
I know that this is easier said than done, especially for those of you who live in a 1-store town and the employees of that store are blaming you and your free box of Cocoa Puffs for being the reason the economy is in the tank. But for those of you who don't have to deal with unreasonable store employees, this is the best thing you an ever do! I've said many times that I don't believe in "flying under the radar" and "killing them with kindness" when it comes to doing deals. There are many reasons for this.
1. You are seen as an honest couponer (assuming you are, of course)
2. The staff starts to understand your buying habits (and this is important for Step 2)
3. By not being seen as "sneaky" or...ahem..."female-dog-y", you will find that the staff is more willing to help you (important for Step 2 & 3)
4. Life is too short to be disagreeable.
Step 2: Ask for rainchecks
Rainchecks are your friend. Rainchecks are good. Rainchecks can help to make a deal even sweeter. I have had many times when I have asked for a raincheck on a wonderful deal for which I had no coupons..and then 2 weeks later some coupons were in the Sunday paper. SCORE!
So why did I say in Step 1 that it helps if the staff knows your buying habits? In many cases, stores (or employees) will limit the quantities on rainchecks...even if there was no limit on the number that you could have purchased if they had the items in stock. I have asked for rainchecks and when they asked me how many I wanted a raincheck for, I said something like "well - I would have bought 15 of them". Each time they have looked at me with a smile and said "Yeah - you probably would have, wouldn't you?". The employees at my local stores know that I am only asking for a raincheck if it is a can't-miss deal, and will help me out with getting the quantities that I want/need.
Of course, getting rainchecks isn't always a bed of roses...in many cases waiting for them to get the items back in stock could mean that coupons expire or Catalina deals end.
Which brings me to......
Step 3: Place an order for those deals that you can't miss!
Most store managers (not leads...you want guys in ties, women in "regular" clothes) love coupons and understand that they don't lose money off of them. They also love moving product through their stores! It makes their numbers look good and makes the guys wearing more expensive ties (their bosses) happy with them as store managers.
I got the idea to do this deal to get the water for Bingo Night on Monday. I knew that there was little chance that there was a single Deer Park 6-pack left in the store (it's a "double dip Catalina deal"). I simply went in to the store on Monday and asked if I could order 6 cases of the 6-packs of water in their next delivery, as well as have them set aside 9 24-packs of soda. They were more than happy to do it for me! (and once I told them that the water was for a school event, they were even happier)
No stress. No fuss....I simply walked in to the store on Wednesday morning (when they told me it would be in) and 5 minutes later I had an employee pulling a pallet full of water & soda with my name on it through the store!
Now - items like water and soda often have more frequent deliveries, but grocery stores get deliveries every day. By being on good terms with the employees at your store, they will be more willing to help you out with situations like this (and place that order...just try to get in to the store on the first day or two of the sale to make sure your order comes in before the sale ends!)
So don't be upset by an empty shelf...with a little planning you can turn it in to a positive!
Jennifer Y.
OMG--I was totally going to ask you how you found all those Deer Parks on the shelf! I actually cleared my Genaurdi's shelf of the DP last week, and put a request in to order 16 more. (I cancelled the order the next day, though, since DH went a little crazy with the 8 I had already brought into the house.)
I have a very good relationship with the grocery manager at my store and talk to him almost every time I go in. He is all about substituting or making things work with whatever I need. He will also order whatever you need. I actually just emailed Genuardi's the other day to tell them how great he is. Don't forget to let the stores and/or corporate know when they are doing a good job:)
fran
Mindi,
I like to shop on Saturday when there is a chance they will be out of items...that way I can get a raincheck. I like this especially when it's for frozen food and I don't have room in my freezer. With a raincheck, I can always get the item later when I do have room.
Do any of your stores take rainchecks that are expired? I hate when they limit you to a month or two. CVS rainchecks never expire...I like those ones.
Julie
Last week I was at my Giant store, it's in State College, PA. and was very frustrated that many of the items I wanted were not on the shelves, so I went to the customer service desk to see if they could help. The manager himself went to the back to find the one item I really needed and told me the secret to shopping at this particular store...my point is ask when your store restocks it's shelves! The manager told me that they don't get the info on the coupons much before we do and so once they get that information they contact their distribution center and order the items they are lacking, he said to wait a day after items come in from the center to give them a chance to restock shelves and WALA! No more staring at empty shelves!!
Amanda
I love your suggestions and will be doing them in the future as needed. I was also wondering if your stores have a minimum requirement on the number of items needed to place a personal order.