I know I've had my fair share of Target problems, but what about you? Any problems trying to use coupons? Please let me know!!
I do have an answer:
A copy of Target's coupon policy can be found
HERE,
HERE,
HERE, and
HERE. They all say the same thing.
I've had several awful experiences, but one in particular...I had coupons for all my items, my total was $.99 and I still had 1 $1.00 target coupon left. The cashier, another person of some importance and a manager all told me I couldn't use it because it's more than the item, and they cannot adjust the price of the coupon. (And then they gave me some lame excuse that I think they made up).
Here is my conclusion:
1) It's just a job, most employees don't know and don't care to know anything about coupons or Target's corporate coupon policy. If you are getting something for free, most people (cashier's) think they are doing something wrong.
2) Even the managers don't know what they are talking about...again, it's just a job.
3) Even if you are nice about it (like I was, and asked to be explained why), they are still rude. :)
4) They will tell you anything to get you to shut up and make you feel uncomfortable to where you cave in and end up not using the coupon.
5) Nobody is willing to find an answer for you. I called the store the very next day and spoke to the same manager that "tried" to help me. I told her I wanted to be honest when using coupons, and I just wanted to know their policy. Even SHE didn't know, took my name & number and said she would call me back when she finds out.
6) I hate to be persistent, but without people like me and all those avid couponers out there, none of the cashiers or even managers would learn anything.
So amongst all my frustrations, I decided to try calling the store I mostly shop at again, to ask about adjusting down coupons. I spoke to a customer service rep and here is how our conversation went:
Leah: I wanted to know if you can adjust coupons down. For example, if I have an item that is $.99 and I have a $1.00 coupon, can you adjust it down to the price of the item?
REP: No, we cannot do that. Our registers won't allow us to do that.
Leah: OK, is that your store policy because corporate policy says that you can.
REP: (5 second silence) Um...Um... (5 second silence) Hold on, please.
**she put me on hold, but rather set the phone down so I could hear everything she was saying to whoever she was talking to.**
REP: OK, yes we can adjust the coupon down, but with limitations.
Leah: OK great, now what exactly are the limitations.
**she couldn't really answer that question, so I asked to speak to who she was talking with earlier. She did tell me who his name was, and his position. Then all of a sudden the phone hung up on me. So I called back and specifically asked to speak to that person.
So, I spoke to an actual store manager who THANK GOD answered my questions.
YES, TARGET CAN ADJUST THE PRICE OF THE COUPON!!! He said if there is ever ANY problem to just ask for the LOD (Leader on Duty).
He apologized for all my troubles.
MY NEW CONCLUSIONS:
1) Persistence and Self-Control is a must when you coupon.
2) Try to find the right people to talk to and get their name, so next time you have a problem you know what to tell the cashier and who you talked to.
3) Chances are YOU know more than most people because you care about saving money and couponing and you are going to be persistent in finding an answer or finding a way to use that coupon and informing "uninformed" cashiers on WHY you CAN use that coupon.
4) Carry the Target Corporate Coupon Policy with you when you shop there.
I hope this was helpful. When I called and spoke to the store manager, I basically told him that I want to be an honest couponer, and I've been told several different stories from some very rude people at your store, and I wanted to hear it from a store manager's mouth about your coupon policy.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about Target and their policies, or just need to VENT, let me know. I can help!!
My mom and I made trips to CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Albertsons and Wal-Mart. Here is what I got:
