Dillons: KC Star users - I need your help !

[Tracy_in_Missouri]

I've been buying my Sunday paper at Dollar Tree in Ozark and find that at any given time there are inserts missing from 50% of the papers. I've determined that this probably is NOT happening at the store level. I have emailed the star on one ocassion to inquire about this problem and gotten no reply. Oddly enough when I emailed the same guy about bumping up the supply at my store, he did reply and did bump the count. The ladies at DT tell me that this seems to happen all over the area with this paper.

I want to poll our members on where they buy this paper and what thier experience has been. I went back to exchange 3 of my 6 papers because each was missing one of the red plums. My Springfield paper got 2 SS 2 RP and 1 GM. The Stars that had "all" of thier inserts only had 1SS 2RP and no GM. What gives ??

I need you to do 2 things for me. Please post here your experience with this paper. Please include the location you buy from. what you pay and how often you are missing inserts. You can make yourself aware of how many inserts should be in your paper by checking sundaycouponpreview.com.

The second thing that I need you to do is email or call the guy below and make him aware of your patronage and that there are horrible inconsistencies in the coupon inserts. They need to know that this is not acceptable and it MATTERS to much of thier readership ! I count as 6 readers to thier advertisers. I matter and so do you you .

Ken Batrick, circulation director: kbatrick@kcstar.com, 816-234-4585. Ken is responsible for all logistics, delivery and distribution throughout The Star's coverage area.

[flemishe]

Thought I would mention that I am a subscriber, and one time I did not receive some inserts in my paper and I emailed about it. The email response I got was that on occasions they do not get enough inserts to "go around" and therefore some papers get less. I think it probably happens more to those on stands than to subscribers, but that's the message back that I got. Certainly doesn't seem right though.

[Tracy_in_Missouri]

Here is my email :


Hello Mr Batrick,
I've written to you in the past in regards to the supply at the Dollar Tree in Ozark, MO and appreciate you bumping up the supply there. I continue to refer people to your paper and this particular store. I have been noticing a problem with the coupon inserts at my location, but have heard from others that the same issue is popping up in various locations in our area. I'm fairly certain after talking to the folks at the store that this problem is not happening at the store level.
Its nothing new, but here is an example from this past Sunday :
I purchased 6 papers and expected to find in each 2 Red Plums, 2 Smart Source and 1 General Mills - coupon inserts. Here is what I actually got :
3 papers = 1 SS and 2 RP
3 papers = 1 SS and 1 RP
I returned 3 of the papers and got 6 with 3 inserts each. I still havent figured out why the STAR didn't get the other SS and the GM inserts like the rest of the nations papers. I was very frustrated to have to return 3 of the papers but this is nothing new. Almost every Sunday I need to exchange papers that are missing coupons. A recent case was the KFC coupon which was glued inside the Parade magazine. Half of those were missing as well. I have spoken with the ladies at the Dollar Tree and asked them to keep watch and see if there are any problems at the store level. This Sunday in particular they said that they arrived at the store at the same time as the paper delivery. The papers were not tampered with yet I was missing inserts on all of my papers ( and had Star level inconsistencies in 50%) .
While we may buy your paper for its coupons, Im fairly sure that we count as readership. It might surprise you how many of your papers are purchased specifically for the inserts. I know that in my area that number is particularly high. I moderate an online forum for coupon shoppers and web radio program as well. I recommend your paper to my readers/listeners and want to get this situation straightened out. Please look into the matter. I'd really appreciate knowing what will be done so I can either encourage my readers that a solution is on its way, or stop referring them to your paper.

[eisforpants]

I live in Ozark as well.....small world....we need to hook up! :)

I didn't know the Star was at the Dollar Tree. Do they have different coupons than the News Leader?

I get the NL at Walgreens for 99 cents yesterday. I checked the paper prior to buying it, so I had all the Q's.

Nice to "meet" you.

Kim

[Tracy_in_Missouri]

Hi Kim,
The Star has WAY better ( and more) coupons than the NL. I get the NL delivered and compare them every week. I buy 6 STARs every week at DT. Nice to meet you =0)

[eisforpants]

Thanks for the tip! Looks like Dollar Tree better stock another 5 papers :)

Kim

Hi Kim,
The Star has WAY better ( and more) coupons than the NL. I get the NL delivered and compare them every week. I buy 6 STARs every week at DT. Nice to meet you =0)

[Tracy_in_Missouri]

Thanks for the tip! Looks like Dollar Tree better stock another 5 papers :)

Kim

Do me a favor and email the guy I linked you to above and let him know that you plan to buy 5 a week from DT in Ozark. I did this when I started and when Ive referred a bunch of people - this way the regulars dont show up at thier usual times and not get thier usual Sunday morning paper to read .


Flemishe ,
Totally not right ! I hope that if we can all start emailing them, then they will take this issue more seriously.

[brownie16]

I bought 4 papers for the first time at DT in Springfield yesterday. I checked them all before I checked out and they all had only 3 inserts: 2 SS and 1 RP. I just assumed they didn't get the other inserts in time to stock the papers.

Several months ago, the inserts were shorted both at Walgreens (back when they sold STAR for a short time) and WalMart (yes, my WM sells the Star). Again, figured they didn't have the stock to get them in the papers.

I'll def. email the guy!

[Tracy_in_Missouri]

I bought 4 papers for the first time at DT in Springfield yesterday. I checked them all before I checked out and they all had only 3 inserts: 2 SS and 1 RP. I just assumed they didn't get the other inserts in time to stock the papers.

Several months ago, the inserts were shorted both at Walgreens (back when they sold STAR for a short time) and WalMart (yes, my WM sells the Star). Again, figured they didn't have the stock to get them in the papers.

I'll def. email the guy!

Thanks for helping. I dont buy the excuse that they didnt have enough. Thats just silly and needs to be addressed. Can you imagine if other items that we buy are missing parts and the manufacture simply suggests that its too bad - Mac N Cheese with no cheese packets " Sorry, we ran out" Kibbles without the Bits, Cracker Jacks with no prize, Goober Grape with no jelly ?

[eisforpants]

Just emailed him asking him to add at least 5 more papers to the Dollar Tree location.

Hopefully I won't take anybodys. I'll only be getting 5 tops. Just trying to ease back into it after being away for 5 years...but it's hard not to go full bore right off the bat.

Kim