Kroger (Mid-Atlantic) ~ Question: How Best to Complain to Corporate Offices?

[delsolnc]

I need some advice...

This evening I grocery shopped at Kroger and upon checkout presented my coupons.

The cashier swiped one coupon and then said my coupons were no good and that I couldn't use them. He could not explain why they were no good so I asked to speak to a manager so they could explain the problem.

After about five minutes the night manager showed up and accused me of photocopying my coupons and committing coupon fraud.

My coupons were all IP coupons printed from coupons.com. I had two of the same type of coupons for some items I was purchasing.

The manager first had a problem that they were printed with black ink instead of color ink. I explained that I printed in B/W to save money on ink.

The manager again acted like they were photocopies and I tried to educate her showing that each coupon had a unique code on it showing that it was not a copy.

The manager then read the coupon noting the part that it said "Limit one coupon per purchase" and said that I could only use one coupon for each purchase. The manager indicated that she interpreted this to mean I could only use one coupon per transaction. I tried to explain the logic of purchase versus transaction but it was useless.

I asked for a copy of Kroger's coupon policy to show me what I was doing wrong in trying to use my coupons but they were unable to provide it.

The manager again tried to tell me I could only use one coupon because if I had got my coupons from the Sunday paper I would only have one coupon for each type of product. I explained that if I bought five papers I would have five coupons but again logic failed her.

I could go on but after at least five minutes of discussion she decided she was going to "do me a favor this one time" by letting me use one of my coupons.

At this point I was so frustrated and upset by being accused of being a criminal we just canceled the entire transaction and left the store.

I think Kroger management needs to understand what is happening at the store level with coupon usage and acceptance.

I would be fine if Kroger would publish their coupon policy but since they do not and cashiers/managers make up refusal rules on the fly there is no way I can shop at Kroger and plan to use coupons. If I cannot use coupons at Kroger I will not shop there.

How do think it would be best to communicate this problem to corporate Kroger?

I'm planning on sending a letter to both the Mid-Atlantic and National offices.

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

[Kpurplerose]

I had a problem at my local Kroger store last week, she (the cashier) would not accept my Kroger store coupon with a manufacture coupon on one item. She got the front end manager and she backed the cashier up. I explained to her I have done this a 1,000 and have never had any problems. Well, I told her not to worry about the items and had to go back into the store because she did not take off my $1.99 coupon off of the cough drops. Anyways, I reasked again and she couldn't give me a good answer, so I called the corporate office and I had them call the office. Of course, when I went back in I made sure to go to this FRONT end manager and ask her well did the corporate office call you and explain to you that I could take both coupons on both items ? She wasn't the happiest cookie, but said yes and walked away from me :shrug7:
So, I would say for you to call the corporate office and explain to them what happened. You mentioned writing them as well, which I might do the same. This is no way for a customer to be treated just because we are trying to be SMART shoppers and research and PRINT out our coupons.

[do_not_double]

OP, I would send in (email, snail mail) exactly what you posted here. You summed up your problem and it should be addressed.

(Just leave out the part asking us what you should do-LOL!) Good luck!

[wilkette]

Yeah, that's just silly. I mean, you can print internet coupons FROM THE KROGER WEBSITE. How could they not accept them?

I would write to them so I could have a written response, but I would call them as well.