I've written before about how to deal with cashiers and store employees who are hostile to you and your coupons. Most of the time, it is because they simply don't understand that the store does not lose money when you use coupons, although you will occasionally get the cashier who woke up on the wrong side of the bed and just is in the mood to give you a problem.
But what about the other customers in the store...the ones behind you who roll their eyes when they see you whip out your stack of coupons? The ones who do the completely annoying exaggerated sigh when you point out to a cashier (because you were paying attention) that 2 of your coupons got stuck together and the cashier didn't scan one of them? Or the passive-aggressive not-very-quiet muttering about "these people who have all this time to save $.20 on a bottle of Tide"?
I'll let you in on a little secret (that may not be a secret to many of you): I don't let those people bother me and you shouldn't either!
Etiquette requires us to live our lives inconveniencing the fewest number of people around us. It does not, however, require us to pay full price (or even merely the sale price) in order to do so.
So how do you handle the Cranky McCrankerson behind you? Lemme tell you a little story:
Last week I was in Giant (yes - I know) doing the Stock the Freezer Deal. I had a bunch of BOGO coupons for the SteamFresh meals and it was then that I found out that Giant requires manager approval for any single coupon over $5.00 (the SteamFresh were $5.49). Unfortunately, at the exact time my cashier needed a manager, it seemed that every other register needed one as well and there was only one available manager (hey - it happens!). As we stood there for about 5 minutes waiting for our turn, one of the customers in my line said
"Can't you just suspend her transaction and let the REAL customers check out? I've waited long enough because of her!"
Now, I've had my share of looks from other customers in the past, but nobody has yet to be this flat-out RUDE before (at least, not loud enough that I could hear). "Real Customers???" What did she think I was?
And so, I put on my Snarky Hat and turned to her with a big smile and said:
"Ma'am, I'm really sorry that this is taking so long, but I am saving about $90 with these coupons. Of course, if you want to give me that $90, I'll be happy to have the cashier cancel all my coupons and I'll be on my way!"
Perhaps not the most Emily Post Approved Response, but it got my point across.
And what is my point?
My point is simple: using coupons is nothing to be ashamed of or something for which you should feel the need to apologize.
I hear and read people describing events at a store when they were given a hard time at a store over their coupons and they talk about being embarassed or humilated in front of the other customers. Frankly, it's something that I just can't understand...
Perhaps because I am 40 and realize that life is too short to spend time worrying about what complete and total strangers think of me.
Perhaps it is because I was raised by a mom who has about 18 different and colorful ways to tell you to "get stuffed" and much of that has rubbed off on me.
Perhaps it is because I look at couponing as not only a way to feed my family for the least amount of money possible, but also as a game that I am winning.
Or perhaps....
It is because I realize that, as long as one is completely organized with their coupons before getting in to line and is using their coupons properly (for the right product, not trying to slip in expired coupons, etc), then there is no reason to be ashamed, no matter what happens.
(insert "if the store is busy and I have a full cart of groceries and 50 coupons, I will let the customer with 4 items who gets behind me in line go in front of me" disclaimer here)
If another customer has a problem with you using your coupons...then that is THEIR problem...not yours.
How do you handle other customers in the store who seem to have a problem with you and your coupons? Have you stopped being embarrassed? Or are you still working on it?
cjsime
Nailed it again! You are right, I need to quit apologizing! In the event that I don't let people cut (cuz I usually do) I try to warn people before they get behind me. I step completely out of my comfort zone and am friendly and chatty to the people around me.
I am also not afraid to walk away. If I can't help be embarrassed and I am starting to get frazzled it is better for me to walk away.
Meghan
I want to know what the person's reaction was! 🙂
Skye
Once at Acme when i was using all my 10.00 OYNO for diapers!
I literally had 6 bags of diapers, adn 4 boxes! The lady behind me was LIVID that I was using coupons, but all the other lines were PACKED! I mean I heard it all.. "doesnt even have money to spend on diapers for her kids..", "whats she gonna do with ALL those diapers?", "must be fake coupons..".
My total, after ALL coupons was 0.04 cents..
I handed her my reciept along with a 10.00 OYNO, and walked out 🙂
She found me, putting all the diapers in my car, with ALL 5 kids in the car... and thanked me!
Other times, ESPICALLY when I need a manager, I will look at the person behind mes cart, and find coupons that match! I always have extra! I hand them to them, and simply say "Here, you can save a little like I am for waiting for me!"
MrsOmura
Dear Skye,
When my husband had cancer, and we had NO income, I really started using coupons. My local Winn-Dixie doubled coupons at the time and that is how I was able to feed our three young daughters, my huband, and myself. Was I embarassed that I was using coupons? NO! No one else was helping us in any way, we had no income while he was in treatment, and I would not have made much money had I gotten a job. I would NEVER be impatient with anyone who is using coupons. In fact, you have to wonder about the people who don't!
Keep on couponing!
kim
Mindi,
I warn people before they get behind me that I have a lot of coupons and that it could take awhile. Especially, when I'm in Giant b/c I have to do 6 transactions since they only double 1 coupon per item.
One lady picked up her things off of the belt and went to another line (just 2 days ago)and huffed and puffed the entire time and the guy behind her said "Don't worry I don't get mad at smart shoppers"! THANK YOU KIND SIR!
Celia
Let me put my retail manager hat on and tell you that I get FURIOUS at customers who try to hurry along other customers. I tell the person I am waiting on that they are important to me, that they can take all the time they need, and that I am there till the store closes. I hate when people feel too rushed to put their wallet back in their handbag and hurry off like I am shooing them. They are paying for my time and the person spending a dollar is just as important to me as the person spending a hundred dollars. Stores like you to use coupons. Argh. That woman is lucky I wasn't there. Furthermore, the store is at fault and not you, for not having two managers on duty.
Manisha
Most of the time, I do self checkout because I don't have time to play nice with the bozos around me.
Normally people don't get uppity with me anymore. I shop at pretty designated times, and the store cashiers all know me. A lot of times they ask, "so how much are you going to save today?!" like it's a fun game for them too.
On the rare occasion someone gets upset with me, I tell them fairly nicely that it will take whatever time it takes for me to to check out. Life is too short to get fed up with them.
Managers or clerks *do* really piss me off when they are snarky or rude about coupons. If they don't know, that's one thing. But I had someone tell me I was cheating by asking for my catalina that didn't print out. Another guy at the same store told me that people like me shouldn't be allowed to shop there because I was stealing from their store.
I informed that jerk that I brought his store hundred of dollars worth of purchases, even if that's not what I physically spent. Then I went home and called corporate on this tucus.
Mary
Hey, I am having a problem with Walmart.. I tried to purchase 20 tide trial samples using the P&G insert for $1.00 any size, and the manager who had to be called, told me I needed to buy the yellow cap, problem was trial size is .97 and coupon is $1.00.. I called Tide customer service, they laughed and sent me a $2.00 coupn for my trouble. I reported Walmart to customer service, store manger said it would be taken care of. He wanted me to get his approval before I use my coupons because I am the only one who uses that many coupons. I asked if everone has to have there's checked he said no. I will be calling Corporate Monday morning and may talk to a lawyer about about discrimination or harassment.. I will continue to use my coupons and to hell with these idiot managers. High 5 to Coupons...
MissyLiz
Since there are pretty much no other options, we have to do most of our grocery shopping at Giant. When other customers get annoyed at my coupons they take a look at my hubby (total sweetie, but a big tall guy) and choose not to say anything to me, if hubby isn't around then my kids usually distract them. (my 2 year old loves to shop, he puts all the groceries up, hands over the coupons and then wants to swipe the credit card! lol
I don't feel bad for holding up the lines either. I am a retail store manager myself so when I'm at work I'm the one responsible for getting over there, fixing the issue,getting things moving again,etc. If Giant doesn't have enough people there to keep things going then that's Giants fault, not mine and I will let the other shoppers know that.
Jennifer A
This has happened to me more than I care to think about. As soon as the others in line see a stack of coupons, the garbage begins. I usually glare at them and go back to what I'm doing. Once I did apologize when I had a bunch of baby food and coupons and was in the only register opened at midnight. that was the time I got to the store after hubby got home from work and could watch fussy kid.
MommaLove
I probably blush and get nervous when someone behind me gets ticked off, but it's never come to confrontation for me, so I'm not sure what I'd do. When I worked retail though, I tried to stand up for my customers and let them know that they were as important as any other.
It's kinda like being on the road and the whole road rage thing. It makes me so mad when someone gets angry with me for going the speed limit or even over just because they want to go FASTER. Why do they think that where they have to go is any more important than where I have to go? Unless there's a woman in the passenger seat doing lamaze and on her way to the delivery room, then they have no right to get upset with me! Same with grocery lines! And, if someone was in labor behind me at Giant, then yeah, I'd cancel my transaction and let them go ahead 😉
Tirade
My response: "Keep it up and I'll pay for this with a check."
I even keep a paper check in my purse so I can make good on this promise. It's never come down to this, though. They usually shut up and go back to shooting me nasty looks.
Sarina
I wonder how often people get pissy at you when you address them first. I'm not good at confrontation but I am GREAT at self deprecation. I thank the cashiers for "putting up with me" when I have a complicated series of transactions and I smile sheepishly and apologize at the customers behind me if I'm taking a long time with coupons. It's been a surprising result. I've had more people tell me that they don't have any problem waiting for a smart shopper than I ever thought I would. The most interesting thing is most of the people who support my coupon craziness are men. I never would have thought that to be the case.
Michelle Street
Very well said. Love that Skye!!! I myself have never encounted a rude cashier but have seen the customers doing the eye rolling, exasperated sigh and weight shifting from side to side. My thing is I never get in the express lane so if they are in a hurry then that is the lane they need to be in. If I spend my time, which I might add is just as important to me as others is to them then don't rush me in the checkout. I have also heard the same inpatient customers ask the cashier after I have checked out "how much did she end up paying?" "How did she get it for so little?" Maybe if they were paying more attention to what I was doing instead of being so inpatient they might learn a thing or two!!!!!!
Danielle Spence
I always take the time to educate my fellow customers behind me. I show them my coupon book sometimes and often apologize for holding them up. I am not sorry of course but I want them to know that their time is valuable. I aways promote my favorite website to them, momsneedtoknow.com!
Jess
I try to shop at off times so I don't usually encounter many people who are also waiting. I have had quite a few people make comments like "well if I didn't have anything else to do with my time." If I choose to answer I usually just tell them that I work part-time, have 2 children and do hours of community service everyweek. I make time because its not just about saving money, its about keeping the money my husband and I work hard to make!
I've actually had quite a few people (waiting in line & cashiers) ask me where I get all my coupons and how I save so much! And of course I have my favorite cashiers at certain stores that have expressed interest in how much I save so I go back to them!
Just and FYI though, I do still get a funny feeling in my stomach when I go to hand over a bunch of coupons....and I just hope that noone says anything rude!!!
Diane
I don't apologize for using coupons. I don't feel I need to as it's my right as a consumer.
I was once at Target and there was no one around at the checkouts. I had my pick of cashiers and picked what appeared to be a friendly one. Turns out she was a few minutes late to go on break so I couldn't have been more wrong. She hassled me about my coupons and of course by then there was a line. The lady behind me only wanted to purchase a bottle of water. I felt badly for her because the cashier was causing her to wait, not me.
I have told many other customers and cashiers about this great website as a result of the great deals they've seen me get.
3carnations
I don't get embarrassed. I figure I spend enough time waiting when other people have delays at the register. People can wait for me, too. 🙂
kim clarke
i love these posts. they totally crack me up. I too allow others in front of me, as I hate when people huff and puff, but I am not a crook using coupons, and with all the work I do organizing them,etc, i dont feel bad one bit about using them. Sometimes, I try and give coupons away in the store if I see someone buying something that I have extras for. This one old couple was trying to do cereal deal at the Acme and they were carting the wrong sizes. Not only did I correct them so they wouldnt get overcharged, I handed them a stack of Kellogs coupons. They were so excited and so cute. The other day I did the same thing when a lady was buying her grandson Gator Golf and I handed her the $4 coupon, she was thrilled. Its a good feeling to give back with all the savings we get, thanks to Moms Need to Know.
Jen
If people give me greef I tell them I lost my fulltime job 2 years ago and now only work partime and need a way to save my money to pay for other things. Oh and I thow in sometimes that smart shopping alowed me to pay cash this year for a demo car from 2008. Their jaw usaly drops after this.
Jennifer Y.
Loving the comments on this one! Skye, I love how you handled that one. And, Tirade, that is classic! MommaLove, love your road rage comparison.
Honestly, most of the time I'm so focused on my transaction that I don't notice the people behind me. I haven't a horrible experience yet, but I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts on how to handle it.
Bonnie
I've had the huffing and puffing, but never anything really bad from other customers. I love it when I am doing a great transaction and the person behind me is flabergasted at my final total. I was in Target one day and heard the teenage girl behind me tell her boyfriend "Did you see that, I wish I had coupons" It always sounds good from another customer, but somehow a teenager saying it really made me proud!
On the cashier side, I had an off duty cashier checking out in front of me the other day at Walgreens. She was buying her items with coupons and she made the manager redo the transaction when the RR didn't print. I wasn't mad at all to wait, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Both girls were laughing about how us couponers don't think the cashiers understand us doing these deals and they do them themselves.
Bonnie
Oh I forgot to tell you Mindi, I love these kind of posts. I always find myself laughing and giving a big "Amen"
fairydust
I've pretty much stopped worrying about folks in line behind me - as one poster already said, I've already waited behind enough other folks when they had hold ups for many different reasons. I also try to point out that I have a big stack of coupons when I see someone getting in line behind me. The only time in the last couple months when there's been a problem was at a Walmart where the poor (untrained) cashier was just having an awful time figuring out all my coupons and the couple behind me with the fussy baby really needed to take it out on someone, and I was certainly convenient 🙂 But having had my own fussy baby eons ago, I didn't blame them. I didn't apologize to them, but I didn't get annoyed with them. I just stood there with a calm(ish) look on my face.
My sense of humiliation and aggravation comes from cashiers who accuse me of doing something wrong when I'm following a store's policy that they obviously don't know, usually at Target and sometimes Walmart. That drives me nuts and I'll argue for awhile, but then just give up - it's not worth the stress, I can always go back again another time with another cashier...
Steve
What a great post, I'll have to remember that "Pay me the $90 and I'll cancel the coupons" line. And just think, if they take you up on it, you can go back and do the same deal again!
I deal with enough garbage when I'm on the other side of the register at work that I realize 90% of the grumpy, huffy, annoyed persons at a register are upset about something else and looking for a faceless vent (cashier, manager, couponer holding up the line, etc...) to unleash upon. And the other 10% are just grumpy people no matter what the situation. It's their problem and I just ignore them. Lord know until I slowed the line a little they were ignoring me...
Julie
This happened to me just today. The cashier was scanning my coupons as an older man placed his order (lots of bottles of store brand soda and some chips) on the belt. When the last coupon beeped and we had to wait for a manager, the man started rolling his eyes and sighing. Loudly. I was thinking about trying to diffuse the situation by saying something like "nobody likes to wait" when he huffed one more time and walked out.
I did apologize to the cashier who then had to put the whole order away.
CJ
I've had plenty of times where I've had to wait while the cashier goes to get change or cartons of cigarettes or a customer writes a check or counts out change, coin by coin. I wait patiently and would never say anything rude to anyone. I expect others to behave civilly too. If they can't, then too bad for them! I make no apologies for my coupons, especially when I am using them right and it's not working because of the cashier or the register.
CJ
I just looked at the title of this post and have to say there shouldn't be an "non-couponers" at the store, EVERYONE should use coupons!! Then no one would have to be cranky at those of us who do use them!
Heather
I have had everyone in the world behind me at some point or another... huff and puff as they might when they see me walk out of Publix with a cart over flowing and I paid $7, they are in awe... mainly because their sub and cola (they got in line much later than me) will cost MORE than my $7 and I could make subs for everyone on their work crew. Plus the cashier ALWAYS sticks up for me!
Jenn
When I know I am gonna have alot of coupons or coupon problems, anyone who comes in line behind me I say to them, just so you are warned.... I have alot of coupons and it might take awhile. most people are greatful I tell them this info and they either shrug it off and wait, or they run to another line.
Julie
I loved your answer!
I too, would love to know what the other person's response was.
Also, would you share your mother's 18 colorful ways to "Get Stuffed"? That would be a great post!
Steph
I had an experience in Rite Aid. I planned on doing 3 transactions and if anyone was behind me between transactions I would go to the back of the line. Eventually they opened another register but one lady said to another "what is with all these transactions" the second lady just shrugged, she was my sister waiting to work her coupon magic too. But the embarrasing part was the store smelled like cat pee BAD! My sis found out from the other cashier that it was my cashier who came to work smelling this way but the lady with the comment thought it was me cause it was coming from my direction! I just kept praying that I would run into her at Giant so she would see...errr...smell that it wasn't me and I did. I hope she put 2 and 2 together.
Steph
oh crap-I had a point. I spent $100 in Rite Aid that day. Don't I deserve the time at the register? Yes I know I'll get my $100 back and then some but still.
sharon
I take alot of time to make sure that I have the correct items for the coupons. I even organize the items on the belt in case the cashier doesn't understand the process. Sometimes I will have to pay for an item separately because of a rebate or two (or 3). If I had only 1 or 2 items I certainly would use common sense and NOT get behind someone with a full hand of coupons or cart. But I do try to stay civil and let those people go in front of me. The ones that get really annoyed are the ones in Target. Since my husband works there, we have a discount card. Sometimes we have special coupons or an extra card (like now) for an extra discount. So first we have the large order, like last week:
$467, hand the clerk the discount card which takes off 10% on everything; then the next discount card which takes off an additional 10% on Target brand items; then the HUGE pile of coupons, then the free ones and the bogo;then my gift cards from the prior purchases, then I have no choice but to write a check, UGH, the the little coupons spit out of the register, then the clerk hands me about 4 or 5 gift cards due to promotions..bottom line was $210, so I saved $257!!! let someone give me a hard time about that!!! Today, someone behind me said she should hire me to do her shopping for her! I will take that as a compliment!
cristiniscouponcrazy
i am always apologizing to people behind me when there is a coupon problem or a price wrong. but i am going to stop. its not my ault when these things happen and i dont think people realize how much money we actually save with coupons. i have found however to go shopping later at night when there are less people at the store. i know its not convenient for everyone but i will be starting to do that. that way there arent 5 people behind you during the rush and it will keep the trip stress free. now theres a 24 hr walmart near me and i will be doing alot of shopping there..late at night. people are just rediculous and its not fair to us to have to deal with snotty people behind us.
also this blog was very nicely written.
i think i may start sharing some of my bad and good experiences with cashiers and people in line with my blog readers too!
cristin at cristiniscouponcrazy.blogspot.com
nancy
I always "love" it will I have to fight with the cashier because the PICTURE on the coupon doesn't match the item I am buying, even though it says "any kind of ...." - I had a $5 formula check, and was buying the single serve kind, and she didn't want to give it to me because it wasn't "right" even though it said "ANY of brand x formula". I had this problem with kitty treats too - they had a new packaging, and it was the right type! (sigh) perhaps that is part of the "dumbing down of america" - when people only go by what a PICTURE says, and they don't bother to read!
Shell
Today I had a BAD time at Target with coupons. The girl at the register was ringing and a mananger came over to help bag and looked at the coupons I had handed over. She right away started refusng coupons. I had learned from this site to have a copy of the store policy with you. I explained the way the coupons were to work (stacking a Target with a manufacture coupon). The manager refused to listen and I offered the copy of the policy. I was told she would not look at it and they discussed this a short time ago, and it is not allowed. I asked for those Items to be removed and called the main Target. Even they did not know the policy and were suprised when they found it. The people at the store were so rude I reported the store. Thank you for telling us what we can do to stand up for what we know is right.
cowgirl cashier
I've had my share of horrendous encounters.
I've been asked not to shop at not one but TWO different stores because "you save too much money" and yes, their corporate offices backed them up with the whole "right to refuse service to anyone for any reason" legal disclaimer.
But...I'm also a cashier. I know how couponing works. I know what is okay and what is not okay and even about the gray area deals.
Being that I am a cashier I'm careful in what comes across my checkout and I have people who only shop when I'm on duty because they know that I see their coupons as money. Not little pieces of paper to throw around or act as though "oh well, I may have missed one or two" and really not 'get it'. I have run off others that were known to be problem children (as I call them). They are the ones that routinely filled up a cart w/ items, handed you a stack of coupons of which didn't match the items in the basket! The ones that would say "well just scan it, it will work" Um no! We won't get paid for it if our inventory doesn't match up or if you did not purchase the correct sized item, sorry. The bad apples are a real problem. They make it difficult for the rest of us honest coupon users. My favorite is a lady who still comes in and tries to get the younger cashiers to do things that she would never ask me..like "oh I don't have the receipt on this blood glucose moniter but I need a refund". I've had to train my girls not to even consider it, don't bother a manager just tell her NO we do not refund open boxs on health products that work with blood. It could be a major liability to us. If the box is open, and it always is it's because not only did she get it for free w/ a coupon but then she also sent in the rebate w/ the receipt and then planned to get a refund on it too. Double dipping legally is fine by me...but returning it for cash is not.
I could definitely share some stories...!
Marcy
Love this post Mindi! So many great points! And can I just say I wish I could think as quickly on my feet as what you did in responding to the rude and "real" customer? LOL
Sheri
Great post!
I've never had the overtly "huffy" person behind me, but I'm sure they've been silently seething at times when things don't go smoothly. I felt really bad one time when a man and his two kids got behind me after I had already started--think they had like 3 things--and I thought for sure he'd be grumpy about the wait. When I was done, I said something like, "Thanks for being so patient waiting", and he replied, "No problem! I wish MY wife would shop like that!"
Andrea @ Saving Everyday
Love THIS POST! LOVE your answer! I try to be nice and even warn people that I have a lot of coupons. If I see someone only has a couple of items, I will even let them go in front of me. I also try to be nice and helpful to the cashiers. If I know a coupon will beap because of overage, I put it on the bottom so they don't get irritated right from the start. I am nice, but niceness goes away when someone starts being mean. I wrote this post one night after such an experience at Kroger...
http://www.savingeveryday.net/2009/03/to-all-coupon-haters.html
Stephanie J
I have felt bad before but I use coupons to feed my family the best items possible for the lowest prices. I wish I had an unlimited income and could pay full price for everything...okay I would never pay full price for everything!
Great article. Thanks!
Donna Jackson
I haven't ever had any openly rude people to me but I have heard a few comments when my transaction was completely finished. I do hear huffs and puffs from others in line when the cashier is questioning if I got x amount of items for x amount of coupons and I have to dig through the bags to physically prove it. Or if they refuse to take a coupon, I go through the bag and hand them back the item to take off my total. We all stand in line and wait our turn, and everyone else can also. I have gone back and forth with coupons, but find it really saves us so much money to use them. It takes time to sort and shop, but its worth it at the end. I love to tell my husband how much I saved.
Herald
I don't apologize. I am doing the best I can to save money for my family - so we can enjoy life even with the economy like it is -- despite the fact that my husband & I BOTH lost our high-paying salaries in the past year and had to scramble to find whatever we could to pay the mortgage.
If someone doesn't want to wait while the cashier scans my coupons, it's a free country, they can move to another check out line.
To copy what someone else said earlier, I'm 45 years old, I figured out a long time ago that I could care less what other people think about me. What is important is the happiness of my family 😉
BMama
Fortunately, I usually have good experiences with coupons. Only one or two cashiers will even bother to ask if I got something when a particular coupon won't ring. Most of them, and even the folks behind me are flabbergasted by how much I save when the order is totalled, LOL. I even sometimes have people apologizing to ME for not being organized enough to do their own couponing. Lucky me, I know....however I realize that my luck may run out, and I'm pleased to have you folks on my side, with great responses;-)
cindy
I had a terrible experience at Target recently. Following the advice of one of these wonderful coupon websites, instead of letting the coupons expire, I was able to use them on trial sizes (as long as the coupon says any size). The cashier had ti call for help, the items were .94 and the coupon was $3 off two. The rwo cashiers could not add ,94 & .94. Then they had to call the manager because they did not know how to proceed, I explained that they did not have to give me back money. The manager was worse, he told me I could not do it, I told him yes i can. He said if i wanted to do this again, I had to hand the cashier the coupon when she was ringing up the item. HUH!!!
Kay
My coupon buddy an I have so much fun at Target with our coupons. Because I am not as bothered by huffy people behind me as she is, I make sure to get behind my friend in line. I'm her buffer, and of course I harass her mercilessly (or, if we have gotten a nit- picky, cranky checker, I back her up for a while, but then I throw it in reverse and go to another checker lol), but we act like we don't know each other. It really makes for a lot of giggles. And if someone comes behind us, I kind of roll my eyes and warn them that the lady in front of me has bazillion coupons and they might want to find another line. This usually keeps the line down behind me a little bit. We've decided our first choice in checker is a young man, who has absolutely no interest in the middle aged ladies he is checking out, and is thinking about his Saturday night plans. If you mention something about the store being overheated, and a hot flash maybe coming on, they can't wait to get rid of you! I must interject here that I don't have a Super Target in my hometown, I have to go to a neighboring town where nobody knows me to have all this fun! LOL
MommyMel
My first experience at Walmart came when the manager would not take my coupon because "it was not in color". For the life of me, I could not understand the logic of that. I sent a letter to corporate and the store once I had their policy in hand and attached it to the email. I never heard back from either. That same day, I sent a letter to GAP about 3 sweaters I was unhappy with and within 2 weeks I had a response and they sent a $25 gift card and allowed me to return them even though 2 were worn. Gap's response and Walmarts' lack of spoke volumes. I swore of them for about 3 months and then went back. All was fine until a month or so ago, the same thing. The cashier checked with the manager, he said no because they were not in color. I showed him the policy and he would not accept them and would not step to the side with me to call corporate. I was going to remove my items and call them myself until the person behind me starting carrying on. That sealed it. While online, I called corporate to confirm the policy and she could find no mention of color. Just as I was to hand the phone to the manager, he accepted them only because the line (express mind you) was backed up. When we left, my niece told me the woman who was making noise had said "you know how these people are". Well.....as an African American I immediately went to a racist point of view. However, after some thought I prefer to think of her comment as these people meaning couponers 🙂 The bottom line is this: It's my money and I work hard for it and work harder to make sure it works for me and this includes using whatever methods available. I will not apologize for that ever. With that in mind, I never begrudge anyone who holds up the line while taking care of their money (coupons, price checks, separate orders, returns, check writers, slow money counters, etc...) I find another line, leave the store or wait patiently. I typically wait patiently and read a magazine. And it's true, usually when the overhear how much I saved, they are impressed and yes especially if you give them a coupon for a nice saving of their own.
lara
i have become an avid couponer in recent months, and luckily haven't run into too many cashier or customer issues.
(excuse me while i climb up on my high horse)
but to those of you who purchase mass quantities of trial sizes. i hope you recycle the bottles! trial sizes generate so much waste, it's always best for the environment and future of the earth to buy in smart packaging. i am shocked at the number of people who don't recycle. it's not hard.
larger bottles are the most economical buys. trial and travel sizes are exactly that. for trying a product before comitting to it, and for easy packing during travel.
just something to think about. : )
now, happy couponing!
Katie
I'm only 21 and other people's rude comments, sighs, eye rolling, etc, already have no effect on me. Maybe some people see me as inconsiderate because I am young, but hey, I saved over $40 just today and I am proud of it!
sellingmom
I would NEVER apolpogize for using coupons! I am proud of my savings! Other people are jealous they aren't saving as well.
jessica
i'm jealous of everyone who has double coupons, etc. In MN there are no stores that do double and triple coupons, except Rainbow on the first Wednesday of the month, Wednesdays being the day i work from 6:45 AM to 9 PM.
i don't use coupons at all now. My mom lets me know if there's a really good coupon in the store ad, (i unsubscribed from the newspaper) but normal coupons still don't make whatever item it is cheaper than the store brand. So i just buy all generic, all the time. It's probably saved me a lot of time, not couponing, but i am jealous of all of you with your stacks of coups you can double and triple!
Nancy
Thanks for the chuckle cause that cracked me up:) I wish I had been in that grocery store line because no doubt I would have started laughing out loud to see the look on her face. You go girl!