Family Dollar ~ Other: I sent an e-mail questioning the policy and..

[434Teresa]

I have had the same problem at Family Dollar, I was first told I could only use 1 coupons PER VISIT to the store,so in and out I went, per visit she said.....then a week later I went back got 8 boxes of dryer sheets and 4 of the bottles..the sore manger was at the checkout, look at my coupons back and front and said I will have to call my manger for this many coupons I said go ahead, well she was told as long as I was buying a product for each coupon I was using I could use them, so here we go ring up one and scan a coupon over and over I had my twins with me and they were reaching over for something on the shelf so I had to look away, the total seemed a little off and when i got to where I could look at the items she had rang up extra bottles of the snuggle I went right back in and got my money back.....she was not happy with that at all she had to give me back $4.12 and acted like it came out of her pocket.........

I have sent them a email about this store about 2 weeks ago and have heard nothing back from them..this store is not very people friendly or coupon friendly so I dont go there very often if it was I might go there more often, i have like 5 more coupons and I hate to go there to get the 70 ct box so i may just go to General Dollar and pay 75 cents for the 40 load liquid I have lots of dryer sheets anyway...

They are losing money with these crazy coupon rules they try to say they have....oh and I was told by the manger that Family Dollar has their own coupons and I said yes I know but thats the same as when things are on sale you lose that money with these you get the money back from the manufacture.....rude I tell you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sherry3388]

Ugh! Family Dollar...

My friend gets verbally abused and coupon-refused nearly every time she shops at her Family Dollar store (about 90mins. from me). It sickens me to hear about it time & time again.

She went in last Friday to get :

$1.00 - (1) 22ct. Kotex Pantyliner
$1.00 - (1) 22ct. Kotex Pantyliner
$2.00 - TOTAL (before tax)

And she tried to use a :
Kotex Liners, Any, $1.50/2 - Exp. 11/29/09 - in the10/4SS
coupon and they refused her because they couldn't get the coupon to scan.
They (meaning the cashier and manager) were in agreement that since the coupon wouldn't deduct....it MUST BE that my friend is trying to get away with some crime or something...and so they go on to raise their voices and belittle her in front of other customers.

She told them to just take them off her order and she wouldn't get them....which apparently...was a bit more than they could tolerate...cuz they went on & on mocking her and harrassing her...until she finally left.

She called me from her cell as she left the store...all flustered and upset.
I told her to call corp...but she was on her lunch break and was running late....I explained that what they SHOULD'VE done was highlight (1) Kotex liner on their screen and enter a manual deduction of 75c and do it for the 2nd Kotex liner purchase as well..
The computers aren't programmed correctly..
They are reading it as an attempt to get a "$1.50 deduction off a $1.00 item" - because the "per two" code was either incorrectly programmed...or not entered at all!
But, they SHOULD'VE given her the deduction....in some way or another.

:hectic1: I'm so fumin mad at F.D. for the way they treat their customers..
- so I called corp!

1-704-847-6961

I didn't get an answer....so I left a message for them to return my call ASAP! (in a nice, stern voice)

Right after that....I called the store where my friend shopped....patiently & politely {giving them the benefit of the doubt}....
I explained what had just happened (in hopes of maybe helping to "train" them on how to manually enter the deductions - so BOTH the customer AND the cashier are satisfied in future incidences) and the girl who answered the phone...said :

" Iiiiii was the one who cashed her out AND my manager was RIGHT HERE and AGREED WITH EVERYTHING I did" (real snotty)

...I wasn't about to undignify myself by stooping to her level and act a fool...

so I simply asked "What is your name?"

She said "Mine?"

I said "Yes" ........... {durr...}

She said "Rene"

I said "Rene what?"

She said "Rene R***"...then hung up on me!!

Over the weekend, my friend told me the name of the manager too... she said she remembers it so well cuz she is ALWAYS rude and mean when my friend comes in.

I got a return call from a Corp lady today (at 4:55pm...just as she was leaving work!) and I immediately dominated the conversation...

I asked :
What is your coupon policy?
In regards to Family Dollar coupons as well as Manufacturer coupons?

Her reply : Can I have your name and can you tell me what happened?

Umm...hello...
My reply : Can you please answer MY questions FIRST?

Her reply : Of course.
We accept Family Dollar coupons and Manufacturer coupons, as long as they are :
- not expired
- correspond with the purchases made
- are not internet printed
And she added that, they do NOT accept competitor coupons (such as Dollar General coupons, etc.)

My reply : (This is when I explained what happened with my friend) and added :

1. It is NOT the consumers fault that Family Dollar hired an inadequate computer programmer who can't seem to figure out how to program the system to get single coupons to deduct properly.

2. It is NOT the consumers wishes to come into their store and be treated like bottom of the barrel trash because they choose to stretch their hard-earned dollars by taking advantage of savings! NOT TO MENTION.. be mistreated in FRONT OF OTHER CUSTOMERS and leave their store WITHOUT their deserved deductions and feeling like they are criminals or slum! They have to LIVE in the community with THOSE other customers...!!!!!

3. It is ILLEGAL to use "Bait & Switch" tactics (google it) ...you simply CANNOT "Bait" customers in by advertising in BIG BOLD letters that you "Accept Manufacturers coupons", then "Switch" the rules at the register...
ESPECIALLY when the "problem" has NOTHING to do with the customer...it has EVERYTHING to do with YOUR computer system.

4. I'm so ticked off right now! It is completely UNethical and borderline harrassment how you're cashiers and managers treat coupon users....and I demand a change NOW. I'm about to take further action! I am a business owner myself and I know the law and I would never in a million years treat ANY of my customers the way your employees do....nor would I permit any of my employee's to treat ANY of my customers badly either! They'd be fired on the spot and I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep! If a customer is using coupons in accordance with YOUR store policy and in accordance with the coupon manufacturers' policy - then the employee's should do whatever it takes to adjust the transaction to allow the deduction so the customer gets the discount they deserve and leaves as a satisfied customer.
I will NEVER step foot in the (said location of where my friend shops) and that store cashier & manager better hope that I never do! I will NOT tolerate their abuse! I would have them arrested for harrassment on the spot, put an article in the paper, contact the Better Business Bureau, seek legal action for their "Bait & Switch" tactics and from here on out...I will take the Family Dollar sale ad (or reg. prices) to Walmart to have them price-matched and WALMART WILL GET MY MONEY - not Family Dollar!

Her reply : I'm sorry that you and your friend have had bad experiences at Family Dollar and I am gathering that this is a "training issue"...

(I interrupted)
My reply : It IS a training issue...but it's also MORE than that...
I agree that you need to better train your employee's so that they know how to manually deduct the coupons WHEN (not *if*) the system won't do it on it's own...
BUT - it becomes a VERY personal issue when your employee's deliberatley indignify customers...
They mistreat, demean, belittle, judge, accuse of wrong-doing and/or raise their voice at customers... and act as if they HAVE THE RIGHT TO simply because THEY wear the black shirt and stand behind the counter...
*C'mon.....seriously?*
This should NEVER happen.....and Especially in the presence of OTHER customers! That is a dignity issue....and it disgusts me!!!
There should be a ZERO tolerance rule when it comes to that!
If anything.....Family Dollar employee's should respect and admire folks who try to stretch their dollars...and perhaps pay attention to HOW they do it...
Cuz lord knows.....they sure don't make a million workin there!

Her reply : I agree....and you are right about everything you've said. Can you tell me which store location this happened at?

My reply : (I told her the store location) and I repeated again, that I will NEVER go to that Family Dollar store! And that cashier hung up on ME when I called to inquire about the incident and try to render a solution...

Her reply : Oh? What was her name?

My reply : Rene R*** and the manager sidekick that was there is Lisa.

Her reply : Thank you. I want you to know that I appreciate you calling to notify me of this and I will take care of this right away!

My reply : I hope that you do.....because if you don't, I will. Enough is enough!

Her reply : Thank you again.

and that was the end...


Sooo.......I then called my friend to let her know...

I have to admit....I'm not bettin my last Benjamin that this will get addressed or resolved...(at this particular store location)...
But, my friend is going to wait until the end of the week, then try again - to use her Kotex coupons.
If she has a problem...

I may just end up eating my words...

Cuz I may make that drive ...and go to THAT store... and make things happen!
I will go as a couponing customer...with MY Kotex coupons...
And if they refuse me...
All hells gunna break loose!

Anyone know if Family Dollar stores have camera's?
Yanno....to watch for shoplifters, etc.?

Any facing the registers?

This "Brick-and-Mortar" business is now on my agenda!
Isn't the NAME itself questionable? *FAMILY dollar*
The advertising is lead by the assumption and/or guarantee that we will save OUR familys' dollars by shopping at their store.

Pffbbllfft! *spits!*

.......
Just some info to pass along...
If you'd like to file a complaint...go to Consumer affairs :

Consumer complaints about Retail Stores

In the upper-right corner - click on the Red "Complaints Button".

.......

If you'd like to read complaints about Family Dollar ...go to :

Consumer complaints about Family Dollar

The last complaint was made TODAY.....hmm...go figure!

..........

[kimandkathess]

I got the ole "one per purchase" means one per transaction a the wellsville ny store. Made me so mad that I snatched my coupons outta the cashiers hand and stormed out of the door. And I have had so many different stores on the number of coupons aloud per transaction. One store says its 2 like coupons per transaction, another store says its only 2 coupons, at all, and another one said its only 1 coupon per transaction. Aye yi yi. I am getting frustrated. The only store i have had any sort of luck at is the one in Cuba, NY. It seems like no matter where you go these days, u get hassled about using coupons. I went to dollar general this week to use my libby coupons and had to wait in line for 1/2 hour just to use 8 coupons. The girl rang up all the cans and then tried ringing up all the coupons. Only one would come off, so they had to manually go through and attached .50c coupon to every can, and their machine doesnt tell you what can already has a coupon attached to it untill the end and says something like, coupon cannot match item. So in instead of voiding the transaction and doing it the right way (because voids look bad on them), i had to stand there for 1/2 hour and let them figure everthing out.

[mrsjschultz]

I've NEVER had a good experience at FD. EVER. Every-Single-Time I've EVER tried using coupons they say no. They have a sign right up on the front window saying "We Accept Coupons"

Ummmm, yeah, NO YOU DON'T, lol.

I got into it with a SM while 7 months PG in the spring because they only wanted to let me use (1) $3/1 Cascade. I had 5 sitting on the counter and they refused saying it was one per transaction. Problem was, was that he still wouldn't let me use more than (1) q and I had just driven 10 miles one way to use them

I asked WHERE did it say that on the coupon. He couldn't find it and still refused.

I would have called CS but it looks like it doesn't really matter. They're still not going to budge apparently.

This has happened to me at multiple stores now. One time I was with a friend - getting her FREE Pounce a while back and the SM there said (1) per transaction AGAIN. I said, "O.K. ring it all up separate then." SHE DID!!!!! LOL.

NOW, GET THIS - After ringing it all up separate she had me pay for it ALTOGETHER. WTH??? LMAO. Yeah, THAT made a lot of sense. She SHOWED ME!!!!

FD is a joke.

[joshmamabear]

in my experience with FD, it is YMMV depending on the DM policies. Previously, before this new DM, the policy was to take coupons EVEN for clearance items. the SMs also allowed combining of the $x/$xx store coupons with mfr coupons. Months ago, they had the Olay ribbons on clearance for $2.12 and there were $2 coupons out. I got the 3 they had on clearance. Soon as the cashier saw the coupon, she said "we do not take coupons for items on clearance". I asked, "since when"? her reply, "forever". I didn't argue and took note of the DM's number posted on the register.

When I called, he confirmed, "NO coupons on clearance items. Will not combine FD store coupons with Mfr coupons, will not take both on 1 item".

[liemsmommy]

I am an asst. mgr at FD. I am sorry that you have had crappy experiences. Let me tell you, the workers we get are dumber than a box of rocks. You know the old saying 'couldnt find there way out of a paper bag' LOL. Its too bad you arent near my store, we are VERY coupon friendly. Since I am a couponer, I know what per purchase and per trans. means. Also in response to the 5 off 25, we ALWAYS take that one off first! Sorry again

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by liemsmommy I am an asst. mgr at FD. I am sorry that you have had crappy experiences. Let me tell you, the workers we get are dumber than a box of rocks. You know the old saying 'couldnt find there way out of a paper bag' LOL. Its too bad you arent near my store, we are VERY coupon friendly. Since I am a couponer, I know what per purchase and per trans. means. Also in response to the 5 off 25, we ALWAYS take that one off first! Sorry again

since you're an employee of FD, is it possible to pass on this concerns to FD headquarters, in case they care to know?

[mom2seven]

I went to 2 FD today with my snuggle coupons. I was only getting 5, but at the first store I was told that I could only use 2 coupons. She took the other 3 boxes and put them behind the counter and wouldn't let me do another transaction.

At the next store the cashier was friendlier, but I was told only 1 per transaction per day. She said I could come in everyday and get one.

Forget it! I just went next door to the local grocery store and purchased the rest for 50 cents a box (80 count sheets). I don't think I will bother to shop there anymore. It isn't worth the effort.

[hsanders7595]

I don't shop at my local FD too much, but they have been very coupon friendly. I just used 10 reach coupons 5 toothbrush, and 5 floss. Got them for free + tax. I think it was .85 total. The coupons didn't scan but the cashier made sure they matched and put them through manually. Sorry you guys had those horrible people in your stores!!

[PridesnotPower]

aww man I was hoping to stack the 5/25 I got in the mail today.