All internet coupons denied?

[jodikay1]

This is long, but I really need help.

Oh I need to vent and need some advise before I handle this on emotion alone. I went to the Austintown Giant Eagle on Mahoning last night (Monday 5/18) at 5:00. I hit the register at about 5:30 and didnt leave the store until almost 6:30.

What a great ad week --- I was so excited with the great deals and frees. I got to the register, purposely went to an assistant manager, she has a key anyway. I had about 20 items. I had about 15 coupons. More than half were internet coupons, printed at home, by me, in black and white. I made sure that there were no more than 4 of one item and no more than 4 coupon for those items, to save any possible "shelf clearing" issues that have happened to others. I did print off 4 of some of the coupons, because I have two computers.

I had an issue with internet coupons a few weeks back, very publically accused of coping. Unfortunately, I didn't take it as far as I should have and let the issue rest.

The cashier turned down every single internet coupon, without even looking at more than 1 or 2. She said that they are not allowed to take them any more because people copy then. She held it to the light and said, we can't take it if it doesn't have a watermark. She said I have more than one per product type. She said they will only take them in color. For every argument I gave, she came back with another unverified excuse. Once again, there ends up being 4 cashiers at my register, scrutinizing my coupons. The final verdict, they wouldn't take them. AHHH....
Well, once again horribly embarrased, I told her to cancel the whole order and that we would finish it at the customer service desk. I asked to be shown their written coupon policy. Two more managers were called and came with their copy of the policy, obviously no copy for me. We went over step by step, each rule on that list. I had violated none of them.
The managers kept saying, well that is what the list says, but it is vague on internet coupons (it is not). They kept saying, "we have no way to know if they are real". Then they would stop talking, waiting I'm sure for me to cave. I'd have a very nice, polite come back only to get "we have no way of knowing if they are fake". On and on it went.
I showed them the verify email address on the coupons. They said they had no internet access. I showed them that some had come from the manufactures website directly. Same stall tactic. It was absolutely infuriating, embarrasing, but I did not back down.
We went back and forth for 45 + minutes. I even asked them if they had every been to a website that prints coupons. They said no. I asked them to please look at it, see how it works, print some out and see what they look like. I received no comment.
The head manager (dumb I did not get names), started saying things like "maybe I can just limit the number of coupons"... long pause (was she waiting for me to give her permission?)... "maybe I can only allow one per item type".... long pause.... "maybe I can only allow them in color".... long pause.
They are supposably getting in touch with corporate to have it explained more fully, what they are able to do, and not do, in regards to personally overriding coupon issues as they come up.
I called at noon today and talked with Brian, who said that an email had been sent to corporate and they were waiting a response. I once again gave my name and number.

Please I need advise. Please I need to know how to handle this. We have very few choices of groceries in town and I don't want to stop going there, but I'm scared to go in now. I dread the issues that always seem to happen.

Jodi

[amypepsi]

I would go to another store..
I have never shopped in Austintown GE. But I do go to a few in the Warren ,Howland, Liberty area. I use a few IP coupons.. If they don't go through the move on and set it a side and try at the end..

[sagesonamabuster]

That is terrible Jodi. I am so sorry you are going through that at the store.:sad:

[jen276here]

Jodi- Is this store an independent or corporately owned store? It will make a difference. Go to the GE website and on the contact page you will find an e-mail option. E-mail (you will have it in writing this way). them at once and explain the full situation including how you received multiple excuses as to why they would not accept the coupons plus that they began 'negotiating' how to accept the coupons. They are really quick (or have been for me in the past - I'm talking minutes to respond!). Although they will tell you that each store has the right to limit the # of Q's etc. they do have a general corporate policy that all corporate stores must follow - including accepting internet coupons. Then ask that they contact your store to rectify the situation (meaning you would like the general manager to contact you to come back in and have your order rang as it should have been. (You should note all sale prices and have coupons ready when you go to do this) HTH and good luck!

[jodikay1]

How do find out if a store is independent or corporate owned?
I just want to say that the whole time I was polite, nice and calm, I don't want anyone to think with all my ^&*ing that I am starting trouble that doesnt need to be started.
As I told them yesterday -- I want to follow the rules, what ever the rules are, but I have to know what the rules are! If they keep changing them based on which cashier, manager or time of day you get, what am I to do? Not use coupons???? --never...
I never did get the milk I as suppose get and told my husband I wasn't going back in there. He said, thats okay, I'll just go to the drive-thru!!!! Can you IMAGINE $3.50/gallon???? :shrug7:

[jen276here]

I just called them -spoke with Lori - they are corporate

[FunnyFace]

JodiKay,

I agree with Jen to email corporate. You shouldn't have been put in that situation, yet you remained calm and mature about it. That is nothing to be ashamed about and I don't think any of us think you are out of line or extreme wanting to know the rules and have the store follow the rules corporate has set. This wasn't the first time they tried to suggest what you were attempting fraud when clearly you are not. I hope you are not only given the sale prices and catalinas, but also an apology from the accusers and "compensation".

[pittsburgh24]

I think they are just confused. Even at my store the cashier said "no internet coupons" - we talked and when she pulled out her notes, it was only the Free Velveeta and another Free q that were not allowed to be accepted. She gladly accepted my IP's (in all 3 orders)

[powermxpx]

Wow, what a frustrating situation--I feel your pain!

I always print my coupons using a laser printer, so they are always black and white. Many internet coupons state, "Coupon may appear in color or black and white." I'd point that out to them. Also, if the coupons have pin numbers/security numbers, point out that each of them are different.

Whatever you do, when you go shopping with internet printables be prepared in your mind that there's a chance they may get shot down and think of how they will scruntize the coupons. I'm a guy and I can't stand it when stores modify their own policies right on the spot, so I do my best to be polite and firm at the same time. Being polite and firm is the key--the second they think you are being rude, the managers will not budge. Along with that, many cashiers give generic responses because they simply don't care and know the average shopper won't put up a fight.

I'd pursure this issue until you find satisfaction--even if it takes alot of time and energy because if they are rejecting your internet coupons, chances are they are rejecting everyone else's internet coupons. I know everyone on this board is here to support you if you need any other advice or need to vent.

If all else fails, use the coupons two at a time at the shelf checkouts.

Keep us informed...I'm excited to hear how everything works out for you.

[jen276here]

Also wanted to mention the GE Q policy from their website - HTH!

Giant Eagle - Coupon Redemption Policy