Kroger (Texas/Louisiana) ~ Vent: Kroger is tightening up on coupon fraud

[Anab]

I am fairly new at all this couponing thing and I mainly do whatever is posted on this site. But reading all this really gets me nervous. I have not had to much of a hard time yet but just thinking about it gets me to thinking about really watching what I get. I am a very out-spoken person and can handle a situation pretty well in the right manner but there is something about the couponing that I just become the opposite. I guess because it is new to me.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

It's always a great reminder to folks that there are PLENTY of good deals to be had using coupons the right way. If you follow the golden rule of treating others as you would like to be treated it never hurts.

As far as using 100+ coupons in one transaction there is nothing inherently wrong with doing that. With the price of gas what it is many people do not have the funds to be driving to the store a bunch of times. I have limited shopping time myself and go shopping only once a week (no doubles where I am so no need for multiple trips) and I do use lots and lots of coupons at one time. But I make sure I do the deals the right way. My biggest order ever was 251 coupons. And why do I need to use 251 coupons at once? Because I had them, because I have a large family, and because I can! LOL

[marof3]

I drive over 25 miles one way to coupon shop and I do multiple transactions when I go. I haven't every had a problem with them taking my Q's, with that being said I do it the right way. I try to make sure everything I get matches up with the q.

[marvncarm]

This is so weird to be reading about. Last Sunday, I had a problem using 6 (yes 6) coupons for Electrasol. The cashier said their policy was to only accept one per transaction. She basically eluded to the fact that I could only do 1 transaction. I have never had a problem with Kroger. I wonder if this fraud situation had anything to do with it.

[greenrays]

Originally Posted by marvncarm This is so weird to be reading about. Last Sunday, I had a problem using 6 (yes 6) coupons for Electrasol. The cashier said their policy was to only accept one per transaction. She basically eluded to the fact that I could only do 1 transaction. I have never had a problem with Kroger. I wonder if this fraud situation had anything to do with it.

A lot of Kroger stores are like that. My store closest to me changes with the weather. Depending on the cashier they either only allow 3 like coupons per order or some allow more. Ya never know!!

[jdavidian]

I am completely new to this so forgive my ignorance.. I have never used a coupon in my life so this will be a first.

I have read a lot on this board about cashiers scrutinizing coupons, managers not accepting printables, etc.

My question is... Do these coupons scan and automatically apply the discount to the right item or does the cashier actually key these things in? I would think that if they scanned and attached to what they were suppose to give the discount on, the cashier wouldn't have to figure all that out? Maybe I am ahead of myself and the registers are not that advanced?

Also, what about using the self checkouts.. Can you use coupons on those? In that case, the register would have to know what to do with it becuase there is no cashier to scrutinize it? Or can you not use coupons at those things for that reason? Is it different with IPs vs. actual coupons? Can you use actual coupons at a self checkout but not IPs (evne if they have a barcode) or how does that work?

Obviously I want to do what I'm supposed to do and I'm not trying to get over on anyone, but it just seems to me like it would be easier to use the self checkout and scan the coupons that way, if it's possible, to avoid taking up the cashier's time.. But maybe I'm totally off.

Jill

[zoeys_mom]

Kroger self checks no longer allow the customer to scan their own coupons. You have to give them to the cashier's so you will still be taking up the cashier's time regardless.

Concerning your other question. The cashier's are to scan the coupons and most the time the register does apply the coupon to the product, thus requiring little more than the cashier scanning the coupon. However, coupons, like everything else in life, are not perfect in their programming. You might be buying an item that is valid for the coupon you are using, but the programming was missing that upc, thus causing the coupon to beep. In this case, the cashier has to decide whether to allow the coupon, or deny it. I believe most ppl committing coupon fraud are hoping the cashier's will just push these coupons through, without the followup to confirm the actual items are being purchased. This is where the problem lies for the honest consumers. I see nothing wrong with a cashier asking to verify you bought the product, that is their job. Yes it is a pita when you have 2 screaming kids terrorizing the candy at the register, but that is their job.

As long as you use coupons for products that the coupon allows, I would not worry. There will never be a time that ALL valid UPCS will be programmed into the computers, but we can hope that most are so as to limit our time checking out and the sanity of ourselves, our children and our cashiers!

[jdavidian]

Thanks for clarifying that.. That's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure.

[shelleyf]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5 My biggest order ever was 251 coupons. And why do I need to use 251 coupons at once? Because I had them, because I have a large family, and because I can! LOL

You said it well. I haven't used that many coupons at one time, but if I keep watching you and the others I will.Congrats to you.

[Erikamomof5]

When I used to do the Albertson's triple to $2 several years ago the cashiers used to treat me terribly, I asked why and was told that people who used coupons were were very rude and would pitch a stink over every little thing. I learned years ago to be as kind as possible.