Why does the Publix manager dislike me???

[clark6122]

I have no idea what I have done to this man to upset him so...but he apparently is and he apparently does not care for me at all....

I stopped in Friday afternoon, got:
6 steamers
8 strudels
2 scrambles
6 quaker granola bars
4 mahatma rices
2 Mt Olive pickles
2 gal deli tea
2 croissant 2-ct
32 items

had:
1- 5/30
2-1.00/1 bakery-(croissants)
2-1.00/1 Deli (tea)
6- .75/1 Steamers coupons
3- 1.00/2 Publix steamers
2 - .50/1 Mt. Olive
2 - .50/2 Mahatma
6 - 1.00/1 Quaker
10 - .50/1 Strudels / Scrambles
34 coupons

(my store doubles)

subtotal 3.75
sales tax -.12
food tax .73
order total 4.36

By my calculations I should have owed $4. and change after tax and coupons.

I would have owed money on everything but the rice, which was completely free with a coupon

All the coupons came off with no issues except the last 2 steamers Publix coupons. They beeped, I told her that she would need to get a CS person to come over, enter their code and do the last 2 coupons. (which was what had happened at this store on the 19th, when I was in)
Well lucky me...the store manager was the one to come over...he looked at the stack of coupons I'd already used...asked the cashier if I had got all the items I had coupons for..???...then told me I couldn't use the last 2 coupons because the total was already low enough.
I told him that when this had happened before since I had used both publix and man coupons, the cs person had to input their code and take off the last few coupons. He told me I would not be able to use the Publix coupons....and I replied it was my understanding that Publix accepts both a manufacturer and a store coupon on an item. He said your total can't go negative, which I said I understood...then he said we've talked about this before...and I said no, I don't think so...(I would definitely remember had I dealt with this man about coupons before) and he replied yes we have. He also said something about the item being free, which the steamers were not completely free with coupons

SO I finally said ok, (whatever) and asked for the number for Publix CS...he said let me get that for you...and he gave my the actual number for corporate.

I had been in there earlier in the week (Wed, I think) and had an issue where the cashier didn't take off coupons correctly and a couple of the items I bought had expired...but I was like well..It's not a big issue...I'll let it go...but now I'm thinking maybe I'll go back and be a pain...but I hate to completely burn bridges....

So that was Friday..

And todays part 2...LoL

I guess I don't have enough drama in my life so I again this morning went into this Publix (this one is more convenient to son's school)to get a few more strudels, rice, granola bars..etc..all the almost free goodies..well the strudels were almost completely wiped out...so I do my transaction..pay and go to get my rain check..the CS lady tells me that the store manager said that "when you come in and buy them out we can't give you a rain check" to which I replied "I bought scrambles...I didn't buy strudels". (cause MiL had requested scrambles in addition to strudels)

(keep in mind I hadn't set foot back in this store since Friday because of the interaction with the manager):mad6:

and she said you already bought us out...I was like (what???) but just said ok...and looked at her strangely.

now I have a couple different thoughts about this...

...one being that if I bought y'all out on Friday (which 10 hardly seems to be a "bought it all out" number) that it's been 4 days....I'd think that there'd be plenty of time to get more in...I think most grocery stores get trucks daily..at least Bi-Lo here does.

...my second thought is how do you know I bought you out??? Am I the only person in Anderson buying strudels?
( I have it on good authority that someone else was in there Friday after me and bought more then 10...you know who you are...LoL)

...a third thought...if you think me buying 10 is too many...why not say something during the transaction??? There is no limit on the signage or in the circular. (at the other store who was happy to give a rc...I asked if there was a limit, and was told no so I asked for a limit of 5 each strudels and scrambles)

Is 10 too many to buy in 1 transaction? I also buy for my MiL..who is a family of 2 and we are a family of 4 with 2 growing boys...so we go thru some food...LoL

Anyone know the rain check policy? I thought they were supposed to give them upon a customer asking for them. But I also know that stores can limit.

Ok, other then whining about my sucky experiences, I wanted to know if anyone knows the register logic and the raincheck policy.

I am almost to the point of not shopping there anymore cause they're giving me such a hard time and I can go to the one across town to one that actually seems to like selling their products to the customers.

I've called CS to request a hard copy of the coupon policy, and also relayed my experience today. She said a DM would most likely call.

Lynn

[SyLph211]

I had a similar run in with my publix asst. store manager. I came home and wrote a nice (firm) letter to CS about the problem. I heard from the store manager within 2 days(weekend when it happened) and he not only gave me money for the product that I missed out on, but also a GC for the trouble the asst. gave me. It is policy to accept a store coupon and manu coupon but they are not allowed to give overages. Never had a problem with rainchecks so I am unsure. It has been in my experiences that I was told they are limited to only allowing 10 products for a raincheck. If the publix flyer doesn't state limit 2 deals then you are allowed to take as much as you want. I have a good relationship with my publix manager. Sorry OP about the problems, but I am sure you will get it straightened out with the DM.

[kdownie]

I am sorry you had such a hard time! My Publix has gotten harder to deal with too. The manager is nice but the cashiers aren't so if I tell them they can call Mr. so-and-so over, they seem a little pissed. Anyway...
I don't have answers for all of your questions, but I can tell you this much...
I have gotten rainchecks on a number of occasions when I bought the last one. Being a typical HCW couponer, I was planning on buying at least 10 of this item. They only had 2, so I got them and also got raincheck without a problem.
I have been told the limit on a raincheck is for six items, unless there is a different limit on the particular item (i.e. "limit 2 deals" )
When I did have an issue, I emailed CS twice (I hadn't gotten a response from the first one after several days), and the store manager called me. I guess the email was forwarded. He was very nice, and he told me to ask for him if I have difficulties with the cashiers.
My old publix was easier to deal with than this one, but that might be because I am rather new and haven't learned which cashiers are better to deal with coupons with.
I would write corporate if I were you! Good luck

[Macaela25]

I've not had issues with my Publix, and never had to call corporate...I live so close that I have several clients that work there and I simply ask them all my questions. I've never gotten a clear coupon policy though. Is there a possibility that you've been mistaken for someone else? I know that a manager spoke to me once (VERY nicely) and told me that I couldn't use WIC checks and formula checks in the same transaction. I explained back very nicely that I don't have WIC and never have, so she obviously was mistaken.
Speaking to corporate DOES work though, although I've never done it. My mother had an issue once with an AM over free Purells last year (she went a little crazy and got about 200) and the AM got snotty with her. She called corporate and complained, and within about a week he disappeared. Don't know if it's related or not (I would hate to think something rash happened) but we shop 6+ Publix in this area regularly, and he's nowhere around here.

[qponqueen]

I have had better luck in WRITING rather than calling CS. That way, they have time to research the problem before giving you a response (without knowing what the store managers side is). When I had a problem (CS supervisor threatened to call the police on me!) I wrote CS, and was sure to give the register Number, transaction Number, and time and date, and encouraged them to review the transaction for which I was threatened. It took about two weeks, but I got a call from a very humble CS supervisor along with a big apology. When I have called, I have not had much luck.

[clark6122]

The DM, Phil Caldwell, called me. Had pretty decent turn around time...about 2 hours.
He said basically that he would check on things and get back to me.

He tried to say that if the item was negative or the transaction was going into the negative it would make the register beep....I told him I understood that but that neither the item or the transaction went negative....so we'll see....

He also said the stores reserve the right to limit..etc etc which I said I completely understand but I told him that I didn't think 10 like items in different flavors 4 days ago was "buy out quantity". I also told him that I bought for 2 households...

Figure he'll talk to the store manager and there's no telling what will be said...he did say his wife used coupons so maybe that will help the cause so to speak.....wish I had a clue what his issue was with me....
Is it so bad to be thrifty, and buy when it's b1g1 and use coupons??? Don't hate me cause I put the deals and coupons together....the less money I spend on groceries the more I have for other things....

I was hoping to make a final trip to the other Publix today to get more tea, croissants, and steamers...but I'm about burned out on Publix....isn't that sad?? LoL

[Macaela25]

Originally Posted by qponqueen I wrote CS, and was sure to give the register Number, transaction Number, and time and date, and encouraged them to review the transaction for which I was threatened. It took about two weeks, but I got a call from a very humble CS supervisor along with a big apology. When I have called, I have not had much luck.

EXCELLENT idea...lots of valid proof will make your point. Also, most people are generally better able to express themselves in writing.

[Macaela25]

Originally Posted by clark6122 The DM, Phil Caldwell, called me. Had pretty decent turn around time...about 2 hours. He said basically that he would check on things and get back to me. he did say his wife used coupons so maybe that will help the cause so to speak.....

ROFLMBO

I know Mr. Caldwell...I went to school with his daughter. She is also a "higher up" with Publix. Mrs. Caldwell is a couponer, but not someone I'd call hardcore. He's a great guy though, and will certainly take care of you.

Small world!

[clark6122]

Originally Posted by Macaela25 ROFLMBO I know Mr. Caldwell...I went to school with his daughter. She is also a "higher up" with Publix. Mrs. Caldwell is a couponer, but not someone I'd call hardcore. He's a great guy though, and will certainly take care of you. Small world!

Maybe I should name drop ???

Mr. Caldwell....do you by chance know Mary in Sweatland...LoL

Hey if it'll help....LoL

[clark6122]