Walgreens Why are certain topics not discussable on here?

[hottm]

Isn't the mission to help people use coupons? Please explain.:poke:

"Per the wording on the P&G RR's. You cannot use a P&G RR to purchase any other P&G product. Discussing that isn't allowed on HCW."

[Mama Stu]

It isn't allowed because it is breaking the manufactures guidelines that they have set for their own coupons or in this case RRs. It is not helping someone to use coupons if you help them use them fraudlently. The P&G RRs say that you CAN NOT use them to purchase other P&G products. Therefore discussing the fact that it can be done is not allowed on HCW. HTH.

[Supergirl9801]

I think some common sense should be used in situations like that. I mean, how senseless is it for a manufacturer to issue a coupon good OYNO and tell you you can't rebuy their products with it. Oh...okay I'll go give my business to someone else then. It really does make no sense and I'm sure that it must be an error on the part of the manufacturer and they just haven't caught it yet. This site however, no offense, of course...seems to be the "religious" site of couponing sites and wouldn't dare consider ANY type of "bad" discussions. There are other sites out there that are a little less tight lipped about such things. So feel free to surf and you'll find them. Still...we put up with some of HCW's idiocincricies b/c we love it right!!

[sbp]

I think some common sense should be used in situations like that. I mean, how senseless is it for a manufacturer to issue a coupon good OYNO and tell you you can't rebuy their products with it. Oh...okay I'll go give my business to someone else then. It really does make no sense and I'm sure that it must be an error on the part of the manufacturer and they just haven't caught it yet.

I have to disagree with this. The manufacturer is the one footing the bill so they have every right to say what their coupon can be used on and what it can't be used for. It's the same right they exercise to say whether this coupon can be used on any size product of XYZ or if the coupon excludes trial size.


This site however, no offense, of course...seems to be the "religious" site of couponing sites and wouldn't dare consider ANY type of "bad" discussions. There are other sites out there that are a little less tight lipped about such things. So feel free to surf and you'll find them. Still...we put up with some of HCW's idiocincricies b/c we love it right!!

And I also am offended by this comment as well. HCW is and always has been from day one, very firm in the stance that any discussions about anything that goes against store or coupon policy is not allowed. That doesn't make us 'religious' about couponing, it makes us honest. There are enough deals to be gotten legitimately, there's no need to cheat the system in order to get deals. There's plenty of couponers that feel the same way that I feel and that's why we're here rather than at any of the other sites out there.

[irishlass]

Thanks..looks like the answer to this has been addressed

[kcuts]

I appreciate the posting of accurate q use, I have been to other forums where people post that they can use mq x for product y and while it might work for them in their stores it will not work for me at the stores I shop at.
At least here in most cases what is posted will most likely work for you at your store and I like a deal I can count on working.

[jillynoodle]

i just go by the rule of my own...if im not exactly sure if its ok but maybe ok to use a coupon in a certain i just dont post about it...i have made some friends on the site and if i am not sure about something i can pm them or if you do have any "grey" areas you arent sure of just send a pm to one of the moderators and ask i would think that is ok...i think the warning system they have is a good one..i had gotten a warning sometime back and i leave it up in plain view so i am reminded if i am unsure just dont post about it. it is hard when you are new and arent sure what is ok and not ok but just keep reading you will get the idea:smile:

[uummm]

I would rather know that something is not allowed so when I go to the store I don't accidently try to use the coupon fradulently- that way I don't look like I am trying to do something to make myself look like I am 'stealing'. It is hard enough to use a lot of coupons without looking "shady" in some employees eyes, I certainly don't need to be knowingly breaking the rules and give them something to hold against me in the future.

[cheynesnana]

i just go by the rule of my own...if im not exactly sure if its ok but maybe ok to use a coupon in a certain i just dont post about it...i have made some friends on the site and if i am not sure about something i can pm them or if you do have any "grey" areas you arent sure of just send a pm to one of the moderators and ask i would think that is ok...i think the warning system they have is a good one..i had gotten a warning sometime back and i leave it up in plain view so i am reminded if i am unsure just dont post about it. it is hard when you are new and arent sure what is ok and not ok but just keep reading you will get the idea:smile:


Absolutely! If you need some info or an answer to a question please feel free to pm a Moderator! We are here to help! :smile:

[cbgo]

We can't talk about certain things because the mission of HCW is not "to help people use coupons." It is to help people use coupons legitimately.

There are other sites that are all about using coupons without any regard to whether or not they are legit deals. I am at HCW rather than the other sites because I care about being able to walk into any store with my head held high and being able to sleep at night. I like knowing that if a deal is posted here that it is 100% legit.

I have great cashiers for the most part and really could not live with myself if I did a non legit deal that got one of them written up or fired.

As others have said, the mods have been super helpful to me when I have had questions about whether a deal that I have found is legit or not.

Also, since the P&G RRs have special wording on them, I think that they do it on purpose. I can't begin to understand that purpose, but don't think that it is an accident. :giggle2:

[BBgirl]

THANK YOU!! This is why I stay with this site. I know they have good deals LEGITIMATELY. My cashiers don't look at my stuff so close as others because they know I do legit deals. I'm honest. They know that and they trust me. I get good enough deals that I don't need to cheat.:biggrin:
I'm glad the mods here who are not paid for all their work stay on top of all the deals and let us know whats, what. THANKS ALL MODS:BigHand:


We can't talk about certain things because the mission of HCW is not "to help people use coupons." It is to help people use coupons legitimately.

There are other sites that are all about using coupons without any regard to whether or not they are legit deals. I am at HCW rather than the other sites because I care about being able to walk into any store with my head held high and being able to sleep at night. I like knowing that if a deal is posted here that it is 100% legit.

I have great cashiers for the most part and really could not live with myself if I did a non legit deal that got one of them written up or fired.

As others have said, the mods have been super helpful to me when I have had questions about whether a deal that I have found is legit or not.

Also, since the P&G RRs have special wording on them, I think that they do it on purpose. I can't begin to understand that purpose, but don't think that it is an accident. :giggle2:

[moneysaver3]

I absolutely applaud and support HCW and their stance on this.

However, I also think P&G is being stupid by paying for and promoting a coupon that can only be used on their competitor's product. Still, stupid or not, I will abide by their requirement.

Amy

[ekoury]

My take on this one - I want to be able to do my deals as legit as possible. That way, if a cashier ever has a question as to why I use this coupon on this item, I can defend my position knowing I am right and not feeling like I want to fall through the gound and disappear from his/her view because the coupon is not being used 100% legit. I do not know if the OP is new to to the couponing thing, but there are so many people who use coupons wrong on purpose that it make everyone with a coupon look bad.

There are plenty of deals out there where you can use your coupons legitimately and not worry about being put on the spot by a cashier for misuse of the coupons. The last thing you want is to be arrested for potential coupon fraud, which has happened before (I mean really happen, heard a story.)

[BringontheWonder]

Proctor & Gamble is a global corporation with operations in 80 countries around the world and billions of dollars in sales. Their products are sold in 180 countries worldwide. I feel quite certain they know what they're doing and would prefer you continue to pay full price for their products, especially if you bought one of their items to get the RR when you would not have purchased it in the first place. Sounds pretty savvy to me. They've already got your money, so it's not stupid at all. Unfortunate for those of us who would like to roll RRs as easily as we roll ECBs, yes. Stupid, no.

[MrsPinecone]

I have to disagree with this. The manufacturer is the one footing the bill so they have every right to say what their coupon can be used on and what it can't be used for. It's the same right they exercise to say whether this coupon can be used on any size product of XYZ or if the coupon excludes trial size.

And I also am offended by this comment as well. HCW is and always has been from day one, very firm in the stance that any discussions about anything that goes against store or coupon policy is not allowed. That doesn't make us 'religious' about couponing, it makes us honest. There are enough deals to be gotten legitimately, there's no need to cheat the system in order to get deals. There's plenty of couponers that feel the same way that I feel and that's why we're here rather than at any of the other sites out there.

I completely agree with SBP.

HCW is about legitimate deals, not ways to screw the system. I can go shopping and not worry that I'm going to "get caught" doing something inappropriate.

The more people follow the mfr's rules, the less you have to worry about being one of those who posts in HUTC that you are being treated like a criminal for using coupons. They treat you that way because there ARE so many who try to cheat.

[collegekidsaves]

if i am unsure just dont post about it.

I disagree with this. I think the best thing here would be to ask. If you're unless what qualifies as a Huggies Bath & Body product, ask. There's no shame in asking a question, and that's the way we all learn.


For me, the bottom line is that I won't walk into the store, pick up a bottle of Dawn, and walk out without paying for it. That's wrong. However, walking into the store, grabbing a small bottle of normal Dawn and using a $1.50 Pure Essentials coupon on it to get it free is also wrong. It doesn't matter if the coupon doesn't beep, or the cashier pushes it through. I wouldn't be using the coupon as specified by the manufacturer, and I wouldn't be okay with that. If it's between misusing a coupon to get free dish soap, or using it right and having to pay some OOP, I'll pay the OOP.

[jennifermevans]

If it's between misusing a coupon to get free dish soap, or using it right and having to pay some OOP, I'll pay the OOP. I couldn't agree more! I have noticed that if something does get rung up wrong, to my advantage, it always comes back to me....coupon karma, baby, it's real!

[hottm]

I bought a Vaseline Lotion and used 2 $6 Gillette coupons to pay for it and some other items. I did not use my $7 Vaseline Lotion coupon or any other coupons to pay for this. STILL, it did not print out a new $7 Vaseline Coupon. What did I do wrong?

[joemarcie]

Thanks to all who contribute legitimate, honest information here. I appreciate the reliability of the information posted here.

[mollysmom]

I bought a Vaseline Lotion and used 2 $6 Gillette coupons to pay for it and some other items. I did not use my $7 Vaseline Lotion coupon or any other coupons to pay for this. STILL, it did not print out a new $7 Vaseline Coupon. What did I do wrong?
It should have printed. Must have been a catalina glitch. You can send in a form to catalina and get your RR. However this is a pain and I usually try to resolve the issue before I leave the store. Did you ?? the cashier about it. Sometimes the machine is not working or is "offline " for awhile. Sorry this happened it's frustrating.

[born2boop]

One of the reasons I am dedicated to HCW is because THEY are dedicated to the correct way to use coupons. We can find tons of free and cheap things without resorting to underhanded or illegimate ways. Including P & G items.
I personally only shop Wag's about every 2 weeks, when my current RR's are about to expire.
How much shampoo/cold meds/etc can any person possibly use?
Less is more in my opinon.
If P & G says don't use it on their items, then so be it.

[girlsgalore]

Is P&G the only manufacturer that states this restriction?

I have other RR's right now but no P&G. I read through them and am not seeing similar wording.

[cbgo]

Is P&G the only manufacturer that states this restriction?

I have other RR's right now but no P&G. I read through them and am not seeing similar wording.

The only one that I have ever seen in person or discussed here is the P&G one.

If another one comes up in the future, I am sure that the mods will put up a note.

HTH :smile:

[girlsgalore]

Thank you, yes it does.

[kleenaechs]

The last P&G one I had, from Herbal Essence, did not have that statement anymore. I did not roll it on P&G items but I did read it very carefully and that wording was not there. I have no idea if that it is the first one to not say that, but I know that one did not say it.

[jen276here]

Simple... the misuse of a coupon is considered fraud and hence is illegal. Discussing how to misuse a coupon is conspiracy to commit fraud and is also illegal. HCW forbids discussing/promoting illegal activities.

[warcraftbaby]

The last P&G one I had, from Herbal Essence, did not have that statement anymore. I did not roll it on P&G items but I did read it very carefully and that wording was not there. I have no idea if that it is the first one to not say that, but I know that one did not say it.

All the Herbal Essence ones I had didn't say it either but I never roll a company into a company for fear of losing out on an RR anyway. The Fusion ones do tho.

[kidsrn]

I have the exact same philosophy as warcraftbaby----I NEVER use the RR on a product from that same manufacturer---irregardless of whether that item will produce a RR. It is just my way of keeping it kind of simple----if I never buy items from the same manufacturer then I never have to even worry that the RR won't print.

As for the shady use of coupons, my philosophy is also simple----how I use coupons is a reflection of my own morality, honesty and integrity. I can't tell you how many cashiers say to me they never worry about my coupons (if they are incorrect, or out of date or anything else) b/c they know that I have never tried to cheat, manipulate, or do anything wrong with my coupons. As many before me have posted, there are MANY wonderful deals out there that can (and should) be done honestly and correctly. Why cheat when there is no need? I sleep well at night and am thankful to HCW for providing legit information in my coupon addiction! :biggrin:

[hotcouponmama]

I'll chime in here as one half of the HCW ownership team.

When we started the site, we were frankly very tired of the bum rap couponers got. One site had kicked us all off because managing people who wanted to defraud the system took up TONS of their admin and mod resources. So they simply closed the grocery part of their deal site down.

So, we started the site with the intent that we wanted couponers to not be seen as scammers. We also didn't want to bite the hand that feeds us. I've been couponing since the 1990's and I've seen the deals really change as manufacturers got screwed. When internet printables first hit the scene, there were a rash of fake ones, and I'll admit, I redeemed them like everyone else, because, who knew? It was new technology and I wouldn't have known a fake from a real one cause even the manufacturers were hosting them in PDFs.

The other side of it is, I have also been a manufacturer. I owned a gourmet food packing business for several years and I get how much effort it is to bring a product to market and merchandise it, getting it from raw ingredients to a finished product in someone's hand. And I couldn't abide the thought of burning manufacturers when it was an industry I have worked in for years.

It isn't about just couponers holding their head high and doing the right thing, but it's about Heidi and I being able to say that we respect the integrity of the offers in which the manufacturers make available to us. Burning them for a quick deal is shortsighted for the long-term health of couponing/rebating and in-store promotions. The health of the couponing system relies on those of us who aren't just the occasional clipper doing the right thing to keep the system moving.

With all the new technologies coming down the pipe, I see a day when coupons have a lot more limits, a lot more tracking, and a lot more stringent rules around them because of the people who do deals badly. I'd like to be able to hold the community up to manufacturers and stores as a group that strives to be as ethical as possible. Heidi and I hope to continue doing some of the consulting we've started this year to people in the industry to get them to work with couponers to create better offers and find new ways to reach their audiences.

So, it's not us being "religious" about it, it's us being practical and looking at the future of couponing and trying to be ahead of where the industry is taking us, and hoping that by being good at what we do in coaching coupon ethics, that we can help shape the industry so that couponers continue to get good deals and have a tool that positively shapes the financial outcome of all our personal finances.

Where would any of us be without couponing? Yes, these companies are big and they make money, but they also have a right to be profitable, provide jobs and benefits to their employees, and create promotions that entice new buyers to their products. We benefit that others don't partake in those promotions. But bad couponing shouldn't be the catalyst for getting rid of those promos and deals. And the companies have to stay financially healthy to keep offering them. We contribute by keeping inventories turned on store shelves, offering word of mouth reviews on products, donating into the system and sharing with friends so that others might try those products, and in general, being the retail mavens of brands.

And like others have said - there's always a good deal done right just around the corner. Heidi and I aren't naive enough to think people won't coupon how they want at home, but we ask that those discussions don't mar the work we do try to do in keeping it legit, so we just don't allow them. Asking the questions though is always a good thing - information is power. We're not perfect, and we were new too once at this, but we've come a long way, and hope that our bumps in the road can help others.

Hope that sheds a bit more life on the HCW philosophy about couponing ethically. We're really not trying to be snotty you-know-whats about the whole thing. Just being safe than sorry for the long-term health of the system.

[couponsmakecents]

I think some common sense should be used in situations like that. I mean, how senseless is it for a manufacturer to issue a coupon good OYNO and tell you you can't rebuy their products with it. Oh...okay I'll go give my business to someone else then. It really does make no sense and I'm sure that it must be an error on the part of the manufacturer and they just haven't caught it yet. This site however, no offense, of course...seems to be the "religious" site of couponing sites and wouldn't dare consider ANY type of "bad" discussions. There are other sites out there that are a little less tight lipped about such things. So feel free to surf and you'll find them. Still...we put up with some of HCW's idiocincricies b/c we love it right!!

HCW prides itself on being an honest and legit board. Thus CVS and Wags and other stores who applaude HCW for their diligence in remaining legal. There are other site that don't do this and would welcome this discussion there.

[couponsmakecents]

I have to disagree with this. The manufacturer is the one footing the bill so they have every right to say what their coupon can be used on and what it can't be used for. It's the same right they exercise to say whether this coupon can be used on any size product of XYZ or if the coupon excludes trial size.




And I also am offended by this comment as well. HCW is and always has been from day one, very firm in the stance that any discussions about anything that goes against store or coupon policy is not allowed. That doesn't make us 'religious' about couponing, it makes us honest. There are enough deals to be gotten legitimately, there's no need to cheat the system in order to get deals. There's plenty of couponers that feel the same way that I feel and that's why we're here rather than at any of the other sites out there.


:BigHand::BigHand::BigHand:

[mama22qts]

^^^ YES! Perfect explanation.

[couponsmakecents]

I have the exact same philosophy as warcraftbaby----I NEVER use the RR on a product from that same manufacturer---irregardless of whether that item will produce a RR. It is just my way of keeping it kind of simple----if I never buy items from the same manufacturer then I never have to even worry that the RR won't print.

As for the shady use of coupons, my philosophy is also simple----how I use coupons is a reflection of my own morality, honesty and integrity. I can't tell you how many cashiers say to me they never worry about my coupons (if they are incorrect, or out of date or anything else) b/c they know that I have never tried to cheat, manipulate, or do anything wrong with my coupons. As many before me have posted, there are MANY wonderful deals out there that can (and should) be done honestly and correctly. Why cheat when there is no need? I sleep well at night and am thankful to HCW for providing legit information in my coupon addiction! :biggrin:

Well said!!!

[mama22qts]

Well, Lisa, you and I were posting at the same time. I agree with you too but I was directing that at Julie...

(but I still love ya!)

[couponsmakecents]

Well, Lisa, you and I were posting at the same time. I agree with you too but I was directing that at Julie...

(but I still love ya!)

:hysterical:I knew it was for Julie's post. Luv you back.:wink7:

[hottm]

It should have printed. Must have been a catalina glitch. You can send in a form to catalina and get your RR. However this is a pain and I usually try to resolve the issue before I leave the store. Did you ?? the cashier about it. Sometimes the machine is not working or is "offline " for awhile. Sorry this happened it's frustrating.

Because my first ticket printed ok, I thought the second printed ok and did not realize this til after I left the store. The manager is grumpy and lectured me before on this issue, so even if I had caught it, Im not sure if he would have been receptive. The cashiers are low level workers who are at the mercy of the system. I don't blame them.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Because my first ticket printed ok, I thought the second printed ok and did not realize this til after I left the store. The manager is grumpy and lectured me before on this issue, so even if I had caught it, Im not sure if he would have been receptive. The cashiers are low level workers who are at the mercy of the system. I don't blame them.

I am not sure if there is place online that you can print the form out to receive your Catalina coupon via snail mail. But I have had success going back to Walgreens and explaining to the cashier and/or manager that I bought "XYZ" product(s) and was supposed to get a Catalina coupon and it did not print. I bring the products in with me, as well as my receipt and sometimes they can refund and re-ring my purchase on a register that the Catalina machine is working on and get my Catalina coupon right then and there. If they don't do that I just ask them if they can give me the form to mail off for my missing Catalina coupon and they give me the form.

HTH

As far as the topic at hand about what can/cannot be discussed, I think my fellow admins, mods and great members have covered it. Questions are welcome, the discussion about how to defraud a store or manufacture is not allowed. We don't control what you do when you shop. We do however control what is allowed to be posted on our website. If you are ever in doubt we have a slew of moderators that you are welcome to message and ask your questions. I am always available to answer questions as well too!

[Supergirl9801]

I have to disagree with this. The manufacturer is the one footing the bill so they have every right to say what their coupon can be used on and what it can't be used for. It's the same right they exercise to say whether this coupon can be used on any size product of XYZ or if the coupon excludes trial size.




And I also am offended by this comment as well. HCW is and always has been from day one, very firm in the stance that any discussions about anything that goes against store or coupon policy is not allowed. That doesn't make us 'religious' about couponing, it makes us honest. There are enough deals to be gotten legitimately, there's no need to cheat the system in order to get deals. There's plenty of couponers that feel the same way that I feel and that's why we're here rather than at any of the other sites out there.


I believe "honesty" is one of the main descriptions associated with religion :wink7:.

OF COURSE, the MF has the right to set their own stipulations on coupons they issue...I just can't understand the marketing concept behind not allowing a coupon you issue to be used on your own products. It's just :shrug7:.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Not all honest folks are religious, and not all religions are honest.

To say that to enforce the outlines on a coupon or promotion is religious is a bit off base in my opinion.

[talonts]

It should have printed. Must have been a catalina glitch. You can send in a form to catalina and get your RR. However this is a pain and I usually try to resolve the issue before I leave the store. Did you ?? the cashier about it. Sometimes the machine is not working or is "offline " for awhile. Sorry this happened it's frustrating.

I had this happen twice yesterday, and it was only 1 out of 3 RRs that didn't print in one case, and 1 out of 4 in the other (different WAGs, different items that had each worked before, no RR rolling attempted). I brought it to their attention, and in both cases, they did a quick return/rebuy of the item to see if it printed, and when it did in both cases, they just handed me the RRs, and that was that. No messing with forms to mail off.

[cowgirl cashier]

The cashiers are low level workers who are at the mercy of the system. I don't blame them.

ahem! I can assure you that I, nor my coworkers are "low level workers".
That is what offended me most about this entire discussion.
I am a cashier...in fact I work at Walgreens, the recession has brought me back to my retail roots to make less than 33% of what I used to but the bright side is that I love my job and am blessed in that I have one at all when so many others do not. Now ...
I've always been a couponer. My mom raised me to live within your means and not spend when you don't need to.

That being said...I agree that bad couponers give us all a shadow and we need to be careful that we are not 'bending' the rules or walking into the dark side just to save 50 cents or to obtain that high dollar RR.

Couponing really is easy, time consuming yes, but still not rocket science and there is no need to cheat to do well. If a RR says 'not good on xxx, xxx, and xxxx' there is no room for discussion. It just flat out can't be used on those items and no one should try. That is theft. Period.

If you have your heart set on doing another duplicate deal then you need to roll those RR from one manufacturer to the next or pull out your wallet.
And to be perfectly honest if you come in my store I won't let you do a duplicate deal on a Free after RR item. It's one offer per customer per day. That is standard and both myself and my managers have turned away more than one person on Sunday morning wanting to buy 6 identical Free after RR items by doing 6 transactions.
If we allowed that to occur there would be nothing left by noon for other shoppers. There is plenty for everyone in most instances and no need to be greedy. Of course it is your right to get your item at my store and drive down the road to the next Walgreens do the RR deal there and go on to hit every Walgreens in town. Whatever.

The $5 off $25 coupon this week has caused quite a stir. When you read the coupon you will see more legal language and more exclusions.
The coupon can only be used if your subtotal AFTER all discounts, manufacturer coupons and register rewards are deducted is $25 or more.

I had a lady argue with me that WAGS didn't 'mean' it and that wags overlooked the statement so it should read differently. I can't say what WAGS 'should' do. I can say that yes, I too would like it if they removed that exclusion but it is not my place or hers to make that decision so her only option is to use it or not.

Another lady stood and stared at me for like 3 minutes after I told her she couldn't use that coupon because her total was less than $25. I guess she thought she could intimidate me into overriding it in the system -which I cannot do on that type of coupon anyway. and then said it was my fault that she wasted all her shopping time. No it is not my fault that you did not read the coupon and that your suprised because you didn't expect us to hold you to the rules. Sorry but that's poor planning on your part...not ours.

For some people (myself included) it wasn't worth using...or I didn't think so until I looked at all the baking items we had on sale..and realized that it would be less expensive to buy them at WAGS than my local grocery store...so I did end up using it...because after all my deductions my total was stil $34.xx But many decided not to. Others chose items that they needed like make up which can still be expensive even after coupons...

Even then...we, are held to the same standards, limits and rules that our customers are and we'd like them to understand that this is our job. No matter how much we like you personally we will not jeapordize our income so you can save alittle extra or let you do something that may be 'not okay' area. Coupon fraud is a major loss prevention issue and it is not taken lightly.

There is an ongoing discussion about whether it is 'okay' or not to stack store coupons...meaning booklet coupons + booklet coupons, or ad coupons (which we in my store see as 'sale prices') with booklet coupons.
My manager and I had this discussion today. Booklet coupons + booklet coupons is a no go. You have to choose you can't use both. BUT you may use an 'ad coupon' with a booklet coupon...because one is technically a sale price that needs documentation and the other is a true store coupon. make sense?

Anyway...sorry this turned into a novel on me...but I just want to make sure that you know we are not being mean (well most of us aren't) and yes it is true that some cashiers barely have training on coupons and proper usage...but I can say my store does and we do our best to be sure that you get the prices, RR's and total your supposed to.

We like our customers...all of them and we want you to like us as well.

[couponsmakecents]

ahem! I can assure you that I, nor my coworkers are "low level workers".
That is what offended me most about this entire discussion.
I am a cashier...in fact I work at Walgreens, the recession has brought me back to my retail roots to make less than 33% of what I used to but the bright side is that I love my job and am blessed in that I have one at all when so many others do not. Now ...
I've always been a couponer. My mom raised me to live within your means and not spend when you don't need to.

That being said...I agree that bad couponers give us all a shadow and we need to be careful that we are not 'bending' the rules or walking into the dark side just to save 50 cents or to obtain that high dollar RR.

Couponing really is easy, time consuming yes, but still not rocket science and there is no need to cheat to do well. If a RR says 'not good on xxx, xxx, and xxxx' there is no room for discussion. It just flat out can't be used on those items and no one should try. That is theft. Period.

If you have your heart set on doing another duplicate deal then you need to roll those RR from one manufacturer to the next or pull out your wallet.
And to be perfectly honest if you come in my store I won't let you do a duplicate deal on a Free after RR item. It's one offer per customer per day. That is standard and both myself and my managers have turned away more than one person on Sunday morning wanting to buy 6 identical Free after RR items by doing 6 transactions.
If we allowed that to occur there would be nothing left by noon for other shoppers. There is plenty for everyone in most instances and no need to be greedy. Of course it is your right to get your item at my store and drive down the road to the next Walgreens do the RR deal there and go on to hit every Walgreens in town. Whatever.

The $5 off $25 coupon this week has caused quite a stir. When you read the coupon you will see more legal language and more exclusions.
The coupon can only be used if your subtotal AFTER all discounts, manufacturer coupons and register rewards are deducted is $25 or more.

I had a lady argue with me that WAGS didn't 'mean' it and that wags overlooked the statement so it should read differently. I can't say what WAGS 'should' do. I can say that yes, I too would like it if they removed that exclusion but it is not my place or hers to make that decision so her only option is to use it or not.

Another lady stood and stared at me for like 3 minutes after I told her she couldn't use that coupon because her total was less than $25. I guess she thought she could intimidate me into overriding it in the system -which I cannot do on that type of coupon anyway. and then said it was my fault that she wasted all her shopping time. No it is not my fault that you did not read the coupon and that your suprised because you didn't expect us to hold you to the rules. Sorry but that's poor planning on your part...not ours.

For some people (myself included) it wasn't worth using...or I didn't think so until I looked at all the baking items we had on sale..and realized that it would be less expensive to buy them at WAGS than my local grocery store...so I did end up using it...because after all my deductions my total was stil $34.xx But many decided not to. Others chose items that they needed like make up which can still be expensive even after coupons...

Even then...we, are held to the same standards, limits and rules that our customers are and we'd like them to understand that this is our job. No matter how much we like you personally we will not jeapordize our income so you can save alittle extra or let you do something that may be 'not okay' area. Coupon fraud is a major loss prevention issue and it is not taken lightly.

There is an ongoing discussion about whether it is 'okay' or not to stack store coupons...meaning booklet coupons + booklet coupons, or ad coupons (which we in my store see as 'sale prices') with booklet coupons.
My manager and I had this discussion today. Booklet coupons + booklet coupons is a no go. You have to choose you can't use both. BUT you may use an 'ad coupon' with a booklet coupon...because one is technically a sale price that needs documentation and the other is a true store coupon. make sense?

Anyway...sorry this turned into a novel on me...but I just want to make sure that you know we are not being mean (well most of us aren't) and yes it is true that some cashiers barely have training on coupons and proper usage...but I can say my store does and we do our best to be sure that you get the prices, RR's and total your supposed to.

We like our customers...all of them and we want you to like us as well.



:BigHand::BigHand::BigHand::BigHand::BigHand::BigH and::BigHand::BigHand::BigHand::BigHand::BigHand:: BigHand:

[irishlass]

:nocomment77:
on some of these posts

:BigHand: to some of the posts

[Artemisns]

ahem! I can assure you that I, nor my coworkers are "low level workers".
That is what offended me most about this entire discussion.
I am a cashier...in fact I work at Walgreens, the recession has brought me back to my retail roots to make less than 33% of what I used to but the bright side is that I love my job and am blessed in that I have one at all when so many others do not. Now ...
I've always been a couponer. My mom raised me to live within your means and not spend when you don't need to.

That being said...I agree that bad couponers give us all a shadow and we need to be careful that we are not 'bending' the rules or walking into the dark side just to save 50 cents or to obtain that high dollar RR.

Couponing really is easy, time consuming yes, but still not rocket science and there is no need to cheat to do well. If a RR says 'not good on xxx, xxx, and xxxx' there is no room for discussion. It just flat out can't be used on those items and no one should try. That is theft. Period.

If you have your heart set on doing another duplicate deal then you need to roll those RR from one manufacturer to the next or pull out your wallet.
And to be perfectly honest if you come in my store I won't let you do a duplicate deal on a Free after RR item. It's one offer per customer per day. That is standard and both myself and my managers have turned away more than one person on Sunday morning wanting to buy 6 identical Free after RR items by doing 6 transactions.
If we allowed that to occur there would be nothing left by noon for other shoppers. There is plenty for everyone in most instances and no need to be greedy. Of course it is your right to get your item at my store and drive down the road to the next Walgreens do the RR deal there and go on to hit every Walgreens in town. Whatever.

The $5 off $25 coupon this week has caused quite a stir. When you read the coupon you will see more legal language and more exclusions.
The coupon can only be used if your subtotal AFTER all discounts, manufacturer coupons and register rewards are deducted is $25 or more.

I had a lady argue with me that WAGS didn't 'mean' it and that wags overlooked the statement so it should read differently. I can't say what WAGS 'should' do. I can say that yes, I too would like it if they removed that exclusion but it is not my place or hers to make that decision so her only option is to use it or not.

Another lady stood and stared at me for like 3 minutes after I told her she couldn't use that coupon because her total was less than $25. I guess she thought she could intimidate me into overriding it in the system -which I cannot do on that type of coupon anyway. and then said it was my fault that she wasted all her shopping time. No it is not my fault that you did not read the coupon and that your suprised because you didn't expect us to hold you to the rules. Sorry but that's poor planning on your part...not ours.

For some people (myself included) it wasn't worth using...or I didn't think so until I looked at all the baking items we had on sale..and realized that it would be less expensive to buy them at WAGS than my local grocery store...so I did end up using it...because after all my deductions my total was stil $34.xx But many decided not to. Others chose items that they needed like make up which can still be expensive even after coupons...

Even then...we, are held to the same standards, limits and rules that our customers are and we'd like them to understand that this is our job. No matter how much we like you personally we will not jeapordize our income so you can save alittle extra or let you do something that may be 'not okay' area. Coupon fraud is a major loss prevention issue and it is not taken lightly.

There is an ongoing discussion about whether it is 'okay' or not to stack store coupons...meaning booklet coupons + booklet coupons, or ad coupons (which we in my store see as 'sale prices') with booklet coupons.
My manager and I had this discussion today. Booklet coupons + booklet coupons is a no go. You have to choose you can't use both. BUT you may use an 'ad coupon' with a booklet coupon...because one is technically a sale price that needs documentation and the other is a true store coupon. make sense?

Anyway...sorry this turned into a novel on me...but I just want to make sure that you know we are not being mean (well most of us aren't) and yes it is true that some cashiers barely have training on coupons and proper usage...but I can say my store does and we do our best to be sure that you get the prices, RR's and total your supposed to.

We like our customers...all of them and we want you to like us as well.

:BigHand:I completely agree with what you said. Thank you for writing this novel:smile:. I just hope that people will read it and understand what they are doing wrong and why it is wrong.

[StockPileDiva]

Well... it's a good thing that HCW doesn't allow the discussion of doubling DND's then huh?
Wait, maybe they do?
Well, maybe it's different, I dunno....

[irishlass]

Well... it's a good thing that HCW doesn't allow the discussion of doubling DND's then huh?
Wait, maybe they do?
Well, maybe it's different, I dunno....

if discussion of DND coupons is going on......report the post, it is not allowed.