J&J 1st Aid overage ?'s

[lizjc]

At the store I've started going to that I've never had a problem with overage or using more than one green advantage flyer coupon etc.. I had a problem last week and it is still bugging me. I tried to use 2 $2off coupons for 2 of the small first aid kits from J&J. It works out to .53 overage or so. When I did this, the cashier flipped a bit and then got the CS rep. She told me that I could not use that coupon because it was not for 2 gauze products. I explained to her that it says OR 1 first aid product. She then told me that "they" did not intend the coupon to be used like that. It was for the bigger ones. She told me that I could use one coupon for two items, but that was it. She said, "We would be giving you money and that just can't happen." While I understand a store's right to not give overage, (which I have done this deal and several other overage deals in this same store) it bothers me to NO END that the coupon states the item I am getting and they won't accept it. Their HQ puts out the coupon.. I'm pretty sure they know how to limit sizes or prices, but I still can't use it.

How do you more experienced coupon people handle these types of situations? I still haven't figured out how to explain to these people that I am in fact NOT a crook, that it is their company that worded the coupon this way and have worded it this way before.. (if I'm not mistaken):shrug7:

Any suggestions?

[vana123]

Personally, if I know I will be getting overage on items, I try to make sure I have other items to make up the difference. I've also found that when I have a lot of items and coupons, the cashiers are less likely to notice something like that. If you just have a couple of items they are more likely to notice that you will get overage and this sometimes creates a problem. As far as handling the situation, there's only so much you can do or say. They have the right to refuse the coupon. Although, I agree that corporate has the ability to limit sizes and quantities, I also think that sometimes it's better to just let things go. You can always try again or you can contact a manager or corporate, but contacting a manager or corporate may get you a similar response. I doubt that the coupon was intended to be used that way. I'm not saying you are doing anything wrong, but you've got to pick your battles. If I want a deal and for whatever reason the cashier won't allow it to happen, I just have them take the item off my order and keep my coupons and either try it again a different time (as long as I know I'm not in the wrong) or I try it at another store.

[Mom2Natalya]

If it were me, the enxt time I went in, I'd ask if the store manager was in and have a convo with him/her about it. Be nice and friendly and just say, hey, I was in here last week and there was a question about this coupon, and I wanted to get your input. The wording states...blah blah...does not exclude sizes..blah blah... doesn't say it can't exceed value..blah...


The store manager is the end all be all for the store so s/he has the final say.

That's what I would do anyway.

[lizjc]

You guys are right, I should let it go or politely ask a manager their thoughts on the situation. I guess it just irritated me because the cashier demanded the coupons up front and then stared at each one. It probably took us half an hour to check out with 10 items after all was said and done. Sometimes all of that frustration and sighs from customers behind me can get to me. lol

[vana123]

I understand. I've been there. Luckily, I've never had any problems at Publix, most of the issues I've had have been at the Walgreens closest to my house.

[bamagirl72]

Yeah my favorite publix has recently asked for coupons first and they scan thru the items and coupons right after. It stinks even though I know I am not doing anything wrong and check out is taking alot longer.

[danivdp]

I freaked out on a cashier when she wanted my coupons first and proceeded to dump them on the bagging tray and "fan" them all out. I thought she was going to lose a bunch!!!

[Mom2Natalya]

OH, I've totally been there, in fact, a friend of mine had a customer behind her in line go OFF one day! (this was at Publix) She was ranting about how "can't SHE do this at customer service?" "How can you have so many coupons" and on and on and on...she then went off on the manager. I mean, good grief!

My favorite is when I politely tell the person behind me in line, "you might want to choose another line, this will take a while", and they say, oh that's ok!, all nice...then when it really does take a while, they start getting irritable. I am thinking, hello? I told you it was going to take a while, did you think I was kidding?