Lori had a frustrating coupon story:
I am not sure if you know the answer to this, but I read your blog and I thought that you might know! I have been shopping at King Soopers for 5 years and yesterday, for the first time, they refused to let me stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons. I got a ‘tude from the checkout girl as she handed me back all of the coupons that wouldn’t work.
Do you know if there has been a change in policy? I was annoyed at the time and ended up paying more than I had intended, because I was flustered and just put the coupons back in my organizer.Thanks for any info that you might have!!
Lori, I don’t shop at King Soopers (the nearest store is 30.6 miles away) but it sounds like your grocery store got burned one too many times by fake coupons. Or perhaps the store managers or owners simply decided not to let shoppers combine manufacturer and store coupons. A third possibility is that the particular cashier you dealt with took out on you her crummy day.
Here are seven things to do.
1. Check the store’s coupon policy online. I could not find it on the company’s website, but Springs Bargains shares the response she received via email from corporate. The policy is fairly strict, but does allow stacking manufacturer and store coupons.
2. Email King Soopers’ corporate arm and bring in the response the next time you shop (if you go back).
3. Find the manager first and ask him what the store’s coupon policy is. Share your experience and ask him/her if the policy has changed.
4. Try another cashier.
5. Complain to King Soopers customer service. Seeing how the cashier did not adhere to the store’s policy, you may be in for a coupon or sincere apology.
6. Hand over your manufacturer coupons first, then your store coupons. Word on cyberspace is that this tactic often results in being able to use more of your coupons.
7. Register your King Soopers loyalty card online, then load coupons onto it directly using the grocer’s website.
What would you do if you were in Lori’s shoes? Contact me with your success or failure story!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I’m not sure what is meant by stacking coupons, but if it means trying to use two coupons for one purchased item, I’d consider that double-dipping, which is not generally permitted at any of the stores I patronize. Most coupons state clearly that only one coupon can be used per item. Look carefully at the coupons you have (both store and manufacturer) to see whether any restrictions are stated.
@EllieD You are correct. By “coupon stacking” I mean using more than one coupon per item, which many retailers allow and even encourage. If a manufacturer coupon says it cannot be combined with any other coupon, it is up to the store to decide if it will accept its own coupons in addition. So while you may find coupon stacking unethical (“double-dipping” does not usually have a positive connotation), it is often legal and is a fantastic way to get groceries and toiletries for pennies on the dollar.
Actually, I read coupons thoroughly before using them, and generally try to be aware of the store’s coupon policy, although they change, so sometimes I get caught off guard.
I instantly ask for a supervisor/manager if something (a coupon) that I believe should be working does not.
I just had an encounter a few days ago at a Michael’s craft store, because I had their general 40% off on one regular priced items, and then a Bonus 40% off on Art Supplies which said it was good on Markers and specifically stated some exceptions, which did not specify the Markers that I was trying to use the coupon on, and they were trying to tell me that these markers were for Scrapbooking and are excluded, but I pointed out that the coupon had said, in Bold, that it was good on “Markers” and I had to get the manager to come up and give the credit for the 40% off, because the cashier couldn’t figure it out, even after the manager told her, over the phone, to give the discount. I of course got the attitude from the inconvenienced manager, that this coupon isn’t good on this item, but they would do it this time, wherein I pointed out to her that it excluded some specific brands, but not the brand that I was purchasing.
Went through a very similar situation at Toys-R-Us one day (several months ago), because I was following the terms of the coupons, but they were trying not to honor it.
Anyway, Always get the Manager/Supervisor to step in and give you the anticipated savings.
@Christine ~ I’ve had similar problems with coupons at Michaels in a couple of their stores. Sometimes even coupons that clearly state restrictions won’t be accepted by cashiers if there’s even a slight chance of an error. You’re right about asking to speak to the manager… usually that works, but unfortunately not always.
It has happened to me (in more than one store). In both cases I asked to speak to the manager. The first stores manager corrected the cashier and said that what I was trying to do was fine and l legal, so the purchase went through. The second store wasn’t so nice. The manager said that he had to speak to the “higher ups” to see if they were allowed to do it. I told him that he should do that, but I wouldn’t wait around to see what happened. I put the items back and left. After that, I stopped going to the store.
In regards to King Soopers specifically, they don’t usually put out store coupons so I want Lori to tell me where she’s getting them, LOL! They do frequently put out manufacturer’s coupons with the store’s logo on them, but they are coded as manu coupons and typically state that, so I’m wondering if there might be some confusion there?
In all honestly, I try to coupon stack where I can, be it Ralphs (Ralphs coupon + mfr. coupon), or Target (Target coupon + mfr. coupon). At Rite Aid, I use Rite Aid coupon + mfr. coupon + Rite Aid rebate, if offered on a particular coupon. Would this be triple-dipping (lol)? I’ve had no problems at these three merchants so far…
@bargainbabe ~ Thanks for the info. I think next time I shop, and have both store and manufacturer’s coupon, I’ll try what someone suggested, and offer the manu-coupon first, then the store coupon. I guess if it’s legal, I’m all for it. I clip and use coupons on a regular basis, and share the ones I don’t use.
I have tried to offer mfg coupons before store coupons at Walgreens and was told that they needed to run the store coupons first because of pricing discounts, then they will run the mfg coupons.
I shop at Dillons and found out that they don’t double the coupons that you load onto your Rewards card..so now I just print them and take them in and they double them!
I have read several times on various BB blogs about loading coupons onto a rewards card such as Mart mentioned here. I asked about it once specifically with regard to Ralphs on that weekly blog that provides Ralphs sale prices for the week. However, I never got a response. How does loading coupons onto a rewards card work?