Sick of DND Coupons and Cashiers who follow it - Suggestions for a permanent solution?

[AndroAsc]

This is a long post. It's about problems that I'm sure many people face. DND coupons and cashier that manually remove the doubling. I was hoping that the long time couponers on this forum can offer some advice on finding a long-term solution. Btw, I am talking about DND coupons starting with a 5, i.e. those that double automatically.

(P.S. I know the quick fix is to go to another cashier or another store, but this problem seems to catch up with you with enough time and dumb luck!)



I'm not a coupon newbie and have been at this for some time. I never had problems with couponing until I moved to Michigan, where I have gotten into disagreements with the store manager and cashier about DND coupons (most notably printables). The problem is not unique to particular store or chain apparently. I have got this treatment twice in this month (one from Kroger and another from Meijer).

I know for a fact that "Do Not Double" printed on coupons is not a literal instruction to cashiers to DND. It's a warning to stores to tell them that the doubled values would not be reimbursed. Honestly, I don't fault cashiers for DND such coupons, they may be a bit over-zealous and over-cautious but hey they're neck's one the line with the high incidence of coupon frauds on printable.

What I can't tolerate is the middle management "store manager" arguing with me that DND literally means DND. Today, I was at a Meijer store and I had a fuss over the "store manager" over DND. I even brought along an online printout that explains what DND means. Really bad customer service was what I received!!!

(Rant mode ON - Please skip ahead if you don't wish to read)

The so-called "store managers" (wearing Blue T-Shirts), and to be honest I don't even think these guys are the even store managers, probably just some shift leader:
1) Brushed me off at the counter, claiming that a line was forming behind me. It was 10am in the morning on a MONDAY with 1 person behind me.
2) Did not even read my print out that explains the real reason of DND.
3) Insisted that DND means literally DND (again see the previous point).
4) When I pointed out that the weekly ad did not mention "we will not double DND coupons", claimed that not every detail could be added in the ad (literally making up policy on the spot).
5) Claimed that manufacturer would reimburse the doubled values on coupons that do not have DND (hence the rationale why they don't double DND), even though the fine print on both printable and sunday insert coupons say otherwise.
6) Finally relented and said "OK, **this time** I will double your coupons", as if implying that I am at fault here.

In all my time of grocery shopping, I have not seen any staff make up as many stories and policies as I have heard today and outright even refused to read the printout I provided or listen to the logic that it is the grocery store's decision to double coupons, not the manufacturer!!!

(Rant mode OFF)

Finally after 45min, I spoke to the real store manager. You can tell cause he's wearing office wear and not the Meijer uniform. At this point, I have no idea if he just wanted to "let me win" but he said that he will look into it, and yes he did agree with me that manufacturers only reimburse face value of coupons. I have no idea if he will fix the problem (could be just paying me lip service), but I am sure going to take steps to cover my back if this incident repeats itself again.

So, to fix this problem for the long-term I was thinking:
1) Emailing as many manufacturers who issue about coupons and get a written email confirmation about why DND are there. At the same time, I will probably let them know their DND sign is causing trouble for both customers and the store.
2) Forward these email to Meijer corporate and get a written confirmation from Meijer corporate and the Meijer store that I shop at on whether or not they will double DND coupons starting with 5.



I'm stuck at the first step. Does anyone know where to get the contact information on the manufacturers who issue out these coupons?

Also, any further advice from the long-term couponers will be greatly appreciated!

[anaj06]

Technically, the cashiers that remove the doubling are doing it correctly and following the rules laid out by the coupon. The DND on a coupon means that the coupon should not be doubled; all stores know they will not get reimbursed for the doubling of coupons so there would be no reason to indicate this on the coupon face? Manufacturers do this on purpose for several reasons including marketing, figuring out price points in markets, etc.

My suggestion would be move onto the next cashier; I certainly would not e-mail the manufacturers and tell them that cashiers are doing their job correctly. I think you should be low key about it and enjoy the doubling when it is not removed. I think to push the issue would ensure never being allowed to double DND5s and not the opposite. JMO

[~~Who,Me?~~]

To be honest, I'd pick another battle. Trying to get cashiers and mgrs to jump on board with doubling coupons that say DND on them? Uh, no thanks.

Either find another cashier, another store, or trade your coupons for ones that are $1/1s or something.

[AndroAsc]

Technically, the cashiers that remove the doubling are doing it correctly and following the rules laid out by the coupon. The DND on a coupon means that the coupon should not be doubled; all stores know they will not get reimbursed for the doubling of coupons so there would be no reason to indicate this on the coupon face? Manufacturers do this on purpose for several reasons including marketing, figuring out price points in markets, etc.

My suggestion would be move onto the next cashier; I certainly would not e-mail the manufacturers and tell them that cashiers are doing their job correctly. I think you should be low key about it and enjoy the doubling when it is not removed. I think to push the issue would ensure never being allowed to double DND5s and not the opposite. JMO

That's the kind of flimsy logic that the store throws at me, and honestly it does not stand. Let's review the facts:

1) Manufacturers reimburse face value on coupons to stores, irregardless of whether it states DND. Manufacturers do not reimburse doubled values to store.
2) The doubled values of coupons are coming out from the store's pockets not the manufacturers.
3) Manufacturers have no say in how the stores can set their pricing of items or their coupon policy.

Are any of the 3 statements incorrect? If not, how can you claim that the cashiers are doing their job?

The confusion lies is because manufacturers put DND on their coupons as a way to let stores know that they will be responsible for forking out the doubled value from their own pockets... something which the stores already know.

If you ask me, stores that do not double DND coupons are not honoring their own policy (unless it is specifically mentioned in their policy that they do not double DND coupons). Most stores already limit doubling of like coupons, so I don't see the rationale for the double standard of treatment of DND and non-DND coupons.

EDIT:
I have included references for those who aren't aware of the real reason behind DND, which is apparent from the responses:
Coupons 101: Do not double | newsobserver.com projects
Do Not Double Coupons - Grocery Coupon Guide

[joshmamabear]

for me, the long term solution is to get used to it. If I don't expect DND/DNT coupons to double/triple and at certain times they do, I'd consider that as a bonus. this is one issue I will not bring to corp's attention since it's pretty self explanatory.

soon as I changed my mindset, I felt better and relaxed when I shop :)

[shopaddiction666]

I totally understand krogers in westland mich just did that to me this week i was baffled considering it doubled anyway and than to take it away really ? I thought it was a joke

[434Teresa]

You should be happy to have stores that double anything...you could live here...

[kval07]

You can find the Meijer coupon policy over in the Meijer forum. It does not state anything about not doubling DNDs. So you have that going for you maybe.

I wouldn't pick that battle either. I live in perpetual fear of my Meijer suddenly deciding to quit doubling. I've heard of other regions in MI where they quit. I'll take what I can get.

If you finally get them to say they will double them, just this time, accept it and move on. You are getting what you want after all.

If they refuse to do it, just return all your items right then and there. Maybe they'll change their mind. Who knows.

Just my two cents, for its worth. =)

[briana_jo]

I feel your pain OP. I have been having the same troubles lately. The hardest part is that I have gotten used to the fact that I never had any issues in the past with cashiers manually removing the doubling...just this month I've had it several times! One day, the cashier saw it hadn't doubled and manually FIXED it...the very next day, with the same cashier, she decided NOT to fix it! Talk about double standards! It stinks when you go into a store with a set OOP and end up overpaying by a ton.

[CW&M Mom]

I consider it along the same lines as one per transaction. Does it really mean anything in the end to the manufacure If I use 2 coupons per transaction or I split them up....no...but the coupon states it...so I just separate the purchases. DND...when I have coupons that say them...honestly I don't expect them to be doubled...if they are...great. If they aren't...oh well.

The only time DND really ticks me off...is when some lame a$$ walmart manager tries to use the DND as a reason to not accept a coupon... "we can't take it because it says do not double" ya well Walmart..you've never doubled a coupon in your life...I really think that is not the problem.