VG ~ Coupon Limit (I'm so confused)

[VAS1326]

I went to VG's grocery store today and went to buy 20 boxes of pasta. I had coupons for each box making them free. The sale was 10 for 10 and I had 20 $1 off mfg coupons. I was planning on buying 20 boxes.

VG's ad's and coupon policy state they double up $1.00 on 3 like items.

So I really only needed 17 coupons....anyway.......

I got the pasta and several other items. All with coupons......

We go to checkout and she rings everything up. Then she gets to my coupons and says "you know there is a limit of 3 coupons on the Mullers items" I looked at the coupon again and there was no limit listed. She says no store policy is you can only use 3. I said I know you only double up to 3. She goes no on the Muellers you can only use three. I told her I used 10 on Wednesday and had no problems...when did they change the policy and how come the limit is not posted anywhere. She didn't know.......and neither did her manager. So I returned the pasta that wasn't included with my 3 coupons because I wasn't going to pay for something I could go to the commissary and use the same coupons and still get it for free (was trying to save a trip to the commissary)

Then my daughter who was with me went to check out after I was done. The lady is like you are not suppose to go through twice. I'm like what????? My daughter is checking out the items in her cart with her coupons. She then says "oh they are not gonna like it" I have no idea what she was talking about. Maybe because my daughters coupons took 60% off her bill. I ignored that comment.


My question is this:
Is it normal for a store to limit the number of coupons you use? I know sometimes coupons have limits and say so right on them. I know sometimes stores limit sales items. Neither were the case here.

I'm slightly annoyed by this especially because they were rude too boot. I get some awesome deals and they are the only store around here who doubles up to a dollar so I don't really want to stop shopping there. I just wondered how common it is for stores to limit number of coupons.

Then I also had to wonder......if I'm not suppose to go through checkout again does that mean I can't go back again after taking my stuff out of the store?

[SavingObsession]

First, I would write into your stores corporate office and tell them about your trip; about how both the cashier and manager were unable to answer your questions or back up their new "policy"; and that they didn't handle the situation very well.

Second, stores can limit the use of coupons. I have several friends up north who have told me their store for example will only allow 3 like coupons per transaction. Why on earth a store would put a limit to how many manufacturers coupons you can use makes no sense to me. They get reimbursed. Plus by taking the coupon they'll get $0.06-$0.08 per coupon they've turned in, so they're making money by accepting them. If your store is going to limit 3 per transaction they need to be consistent. The thing that makes it sound odd is that they said only Mueller's was limited to 3 coupons. Why was it only Muellers?

Lastly, I would def. include if you write in how they behaved about your daughter checking out. Why would they say "they're not going to like that"? Can they only check out one couponer per day? That's nonsense. My mom and I (and several friends or coupon class students and my self) sure would be in a lot of trouble since we like to go shopping together.

I hope you get some answers!

[kval07]

Stores that double up to $1 often limit the # of coupons, purely for shelf clearing reasons. Kroger in Howell has a limit of three as well. It makes sense. I've never been to VGs before though, so I'm not sure about the rest of your questions.

[VAS1326]

I guess I was just shocked because 3 days ago I used 10 coupons. In the past I've used 4 or 5 coupons for simiar items and never had this problem. Probably because it make the Mullers free I suppose. I have no idea.

I did write their corporate office an e-mail about my experience. I was really unhappy about how it was handled. I guess my thing is I'm fine with a coupon limit but I feel they should make it know before I put 20 boxes of pasta in my cart.

[amylynne01]

Welcome to HCW!!

I would definitely speak to the store manager about the issue. Coupon limits are a part of life, but they should be well known to the customers and the cashiers so we can plan accordingly. I hope the store realizes that they make money off every coupon you bring to the store!

[VAS1326]

I talked to the manager at the time. She didnt know crap. So I wrote their corporate and am waiting a response.

I understand limits. That's a part of life. I don't understand how the limit changed one day to another. I also don't understand why it wasn't let known there was a limit. If I knew I would have planned accordingly. I also was really upset about the rudeness. I mean fine you have this policy but you don't have to be rude.

[kval07]

Dealing with uneducated employees is a part of couponing. You're going to have to teach them. =)

[VAS1326]

Dealing with uneducated employees is a part of couponing. You're going to have to teach them. =)

I guess I am. Maybe I should start carrying copies of their coupon policy with me so I can show them what it says. Geesh I called my local stores (all of them) to find out their doubling policy and most of the customer service people who answered the phone had to put me on hold to go find out. You think customer service reps should know.

[pasharain]

Upsie!