COMMISSARY: Coupon Police...It was ridiculous..advice on what to do.

[TonyBreandthe4]

So Ive been comm shopping for a year or so... about 6months with coupons. My last two times Ive been to the checkout, one time the head cashier came over and rang me out to be able to scrutinize my coupons, and the other time she came over and stood behind the cashier and watched each of my coupons over her shoulder. Now yesterday was ridiculous. I ONLY use the appropriate coupon- the head cashier should have known that seeing as how each time she has watched me like a hawk everything checked out spot on. So right when i get to the line and unload the cashiers phone rings and she just says ok.. ok. ok. Then looks up right at me like as to look me over head to toe. Then about 3 minutes into scanning the head cashier walks by and my FIL overhears her saying to the cashier "You know what to look for". Really??? Can you embarrass me anymore by saying something like that? Anyway Im just grinning and bearing it because by now like all of us I have learned the hard truths about being a couponer. So I get to the car, and we drive over to the class six for my FIL wants to make a purchase there and I sit in the car going over my receipt. Well I found that she missed one of my free marcal coupons, and 2 of my 1.00 off coupons. So after he came out and we drove back around to the comm and guess what. The head cashier and another supervisor were going through all of my coupons and had printed a copy of my register tape. So we just stood there and watched them as they finished it and then they looked up and saw us. It then took them like 3 minutes to even come over to us and I said.. I understand you have them watching me like a hawk, and now you just went through all my coupons and they all were spot on.. Id appreciate if youd have your cashiers watch to make sure they are scanning ALL the coupons I give them. I then told the supervisor that they had immediately called my cashier and what the head cashier had said aloud as she walked by to my cashier. She told the head cashier to refund me the 2.34 and she didnt even go over and check the coupons against my receipt because she had to know that all my coupons had checked out fine.
How ridiculous. Then all of a sudden the head cashier was nice as pie and gave me back the 2.34. Now dont get me wrong. Its not about the money. Its about the principal. I said to the head cashier that next time Im in there I am going to have her ring me out so she can investigate each coupon while I use it that way she doesnt have to go tearing through the cashiers till. The bagger lady said I should file a complaint with the commisary board about being discrimated against in an obvious way.

The funny part is .. is most of the time my FIL drops 300 in there no problem and I use around a hundred or so coupons- yet they never check his few coupons...nor did they check the guy behind me who was trying to use a target coupon over and over in the USCAN. I dont go in there all scruffy looking- I dont believe I stand out in anyway- but I know for SURE they are watching me when we get in there.. and in a way I think its funny. I am proud of how I use coupons, and that I only use them correctly and if they want to check me up and down Im fine with it. I just dont want to be embarrassed in front of others.

What do you think?

[amandem]

oh my goodness, I am so sorry you had such a bad experience! Thankfully as of yet my commissary visits have been pleasant! We even have workers there compliment our coupon book(that my husband organizes!!) and asks how much we normally save. I would make a complaint...above that store. They shouldn't scrutinize you for being a smart shopper! Best of luck to you!

[shandyms]

Sorry for the crappy experience, but good for you for standing up for yourself!

[TreysMomma]

Wow, yeah I think you have every reason to be upset about that! That's just completely uncalled for. Sorry you had to go through that and I hope next time it's better for you!

[jillynoodle]

i think thats awful!! too funny though you were watching them go through you reciept and coupons and they didnt know:giggle2: i think next time i went there i would go with my cart or basket find the head lady when u are ready to check out and insist on her examining your coupons and items before you even get to the register...and if she says "no dont worry about it just go check out" i would insist and tell her "i would like to know while I am here if you have a problem with any coupons I am using instead of after I leave":smile:

[wantedcoupons]

Sorry about what happened to you, it is sad that they treat you that way. I always make big purchases at the commissary and I always have a coupon for each item. I give them 4 coupons at a time to make sure they are getting scanned. They even know who I am and they can't believe the savings each time. I forgot to give my i.d. and the cashier said we know you. I know they think I am crazy but in the end it is more money in my family's pocket. I like you check my receipt when I go to the car to make sure they scanned each coupon. Coupons are basically money.

[saving-n-va]

Sorry that happened. You do have the right to complain to DECA.

[PMFan]

sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

a couple of options to ensure every coupon is scanned

1. total up all coupons prior to checking out. at the bottom of the receipt, check that the coupons used total matches.

2. one time, my cashier scanned each item then immediately scanned the applicable coupon. it worked well. though, i'm not sure if the customer can request the cashier use this method of scanning.

i use method #1 and if it's a couple of dollars off i don't take the time to check/ask for $ back. one time it was $15 dollars shorts so i went to customer service and got the $ back.

[ezzie65]

So Ive been comm shopping for a year or so... about 6months with coupons. My last two times Ive been to the checkout, one time the head cashier came over and rang me out to be able to scrutinize my coupons, and the other time she came over and stood behind the cashier and watched each of my coupons over her shoulder. Now yesterday was ridiculous. I ONLY use the appropriate coupon- the head cashier should have known that seeing as how each time she has watched me like a hawk everything checked out spot on. So right when i get to the line and unload the cashiers phone rings and she just says ok.. ok. ok. Then looks up right at me like as to look me over head to toe. Then about 3 minutes into scanning the head cashier walks by and my FIL overhears her saying to the cashier "You know what to look for". Really??? Can you embarrass me anymore by saying something like that? Anyway Im just grinning and bearing it because by now like all of us I have learned the hard truths about being a couponer. So I get to the car, and we drive over to the class six for my FIL wants to make a purchase there and I sit in the car going over my receipt. Well I found that she missed one of my free marcal coupons, and 2 of my 1.00 off coupons. So after he came out and we drove back around to the comm and guess what. The head cashier and another supervisor were going through all of my coupons and had printed a copy of my register tape. So we just stood there and watched them as they finished it and then they looked up and saw us. It then took them like 3 minutes to even come over to us and I said.. I understand you have them watching me like a hawk, and now you just went through all my coupons and they all were spot on.. Id appreciate if youd have your cashiers watch to make sure they are scanning ALL the coupons I give them. I then told the supervisor that they had immediately called my cashier and what the head cashier had said aloud as she walked by to my cashier. She told the head cashier to refund me the 2.34 and she didnt even go over and check the coupons against my receipt because she had to know that all my coupons had checked out fine.
How ridiculous. Then all of a sudden the head cashier was nice as pie and gave me back the 2.34. Now dont get me wrong. Its not about the money. Its about the principal. I said to the head cashier that next time Im in there I am going to have her ring me out so she can investigate each coupon while I use it that way she doesnt have to go tearing through the cashiers till. The bagger lady said I should file a complaint with the commisary board about being discrimated against in an obvious way.

The funny part is .. is most of the time my FIL drops 300 in there no problem and I use around a hundred or so coupons- yet they never check his few coupons...nor did they check the guy behind me who was trying to use a target coupon over and over in the USCAN. I dont go in there all scruffy looking- I dont believe I stand out in anyway- but I know for SURE they are watching me when we get in there.. and in a way I think its funny. I am proud of how I use coupons, and that I only use them correctly and if they want to check me up and down Im fine with it. I just dont want to be embarrassed in front of others.

What do you think?

What do I think? Hmm... I get the same crap 75% of the time! They see me coming and the same thing happens, the phone rings or a second person from the courtesy booth steps out to help scrutinize my every (legitimate) coupon. It's to the point that I can't even purchase ice cream because it will melt by the time I'm finished checking out!!! I typically use $100-200 worth of coupons in a shopping trip any many are for overages. Personally I think they're all just jealous that they can't shop there or who knows what stick is up their behind! Yesterday I had $195.01 in coupons and the cashier missed overinding $33 worth! Luckily I write out each number of each dollar amount of coupons that I have so when they say for instance your total is $200 I know I owe them $4.99 so when he tells me it's $38.99 I know I've been jerked again and we have to go over the ENTIRE coupon pile and find the mistake, as stated earlier, no ice cream for me! Ugh!!!

[PMFan]

you might remind them of article VI of the customer's bill of rights
Commissaries.com - Bill of Rights (http://commissaries.com/shopping/bill_of_rights.cfm)

Article VI
Quick, Efficient Checkout



Otherwise, you could ask the cashier to scan each coupon immediately after each item. this will ensure none are missed and you can correct an error on the spot should it occur.

Also, if you have multiples of the same coupon, the cashier can use the QTY key vice scanning them one by one. this alone saves quite a bit of time IME.

HTH some
What do I think? Hmm... I get the same crap 75% of the time! They see me coming and the same thing happens, the phone rings or a second person from the courtesy booth steps out to help scrutinize my every (legitimate) coupon. It's to the point that I can't even purchase ice cream because it will melt by the time I'm finished checking out!!! I typically use $100-200 worth of coupons in a shopping trip any many are for overages. Personally I think they're all just jealous that they can't shop there or who knows what stick is up their behind! Yesterday I had $195.01 in coupons and the cashier missed overinding $33 worth! Luckily I write out each number of each dollar amount of coupons that I have so when they say for instance your total is $200 I know I owe them $4.99 so when he tells me it's $38.99 I know I've been jerked again and we have to go over the ENTIRE coupon pile and find the mistake, as stated earlier, no ice cream for me! Ugh!!!

[ctmrichard]

Come talk to me when you spend 7 full hours in line with a toddler buying St. Ives only to later have NCIS come knocking on your door to "investigate" your free purchases! They looked through my closets and rooms to make sure I wasn't selling my loot on the black market! LOL. I'm just not sure sometimes if it's all worth it....then I grab free make-up, tp, toothpaste or even free food out of my pantry and remember why I do it. Keep your chin up.

[TonyBreandthe4]

Thanks to all of you for your kind words...
I will never quit couponing- no matter how bad they try to make me feel, as I am a SAHM I feel that couponing is my way of contributing to my familys savings!! Less money out to stores = more money in the bank for that rainy day!

Thanks again...

[Aurianne]

Any update on your situation yet?

Have you tried talking with the store director to explain what's been happening to you when you check out and asking them point blank why you're being discriminated against for using coupons versus federal reserve notes? Putting it that way (discrimination - which is what it is) might just grab their attention.

Anyhow.... hope we hear back to learn how things are going for you lately :)

[TonyBreandthe4]

Hi all-
I havent been back to the comm yet. Just dont feel like dealing with any/all drama. Shopping with coupons is so fun and when they put a damper on that fun giddy feeling you have after saving 95%...kind of doesnt make you want to load up and drive the 45 minutes to go back.

BUT I do have my reach, and my marcal that I will have to go and use before they exp so after that trip I will indeed update you all

Thanks again!

[shellito1012]

I was wondering if they are purposefully NOT scanning coupons....we ran into this same problem last week. They didn't ring up three of our coupons and I didn't notice it until we were home - 20 miles away. I was mad! Two of them were $2.00 Marcal coupons. It was $5 and change that they cheated me. I immediately called customer service and it has been several days....no return phone call. Irks me to no end. So they are getting reimbursed for coupons they didn't even pay out on!!!!

Thank you so much for the suggestions:
1. Give coupons four at a time.
2. Count the coupons and let the cashier know how many there are.
3. Count the value of the coupons and then make sure that value is on the receipt.

I am definitely going to start doing this!!!

Also, a cashier told my husband he couldn't use an Internet B1G1 free. So my husband just didn't purchase the items (it was the Kikkomen coupons). So when he got home I went back and read the coupon policy and sure enough the DO take Internet B1G1...just not Internet free coupons.

So sorry you had trouble...we have not yet been scrutinized like that but definitely feel we have to watch in order to not be cheated. My husband spent 24 years in the service and they want to cheat him out of some coupons...it totally stinks.

[MasonsMommy]

So sorry to hear about your troubles at the Commissary but it in no way surprises me one bit.

I have had many bad experiences at the APG Commissary and have emailed DECA each time with names of the cashiers and assistant managers that have given me grief. I have received a quick reply each time and my email to corporate along with the reply was also sent to the store manager. The one assistant manager that has given me problems still constantly watches me but she hasn't said anything to me directly since my last email to corporate listing her name as the problem.

I have started counting my coupons before I check out and make it a point to say to the cashier as I hand her my stack of coupons that I have X number of coupons today. I have noticed that since doing that the cashier will check the register receipt before handing it to me to make sure they scanned in that number of coupons.