Avoid Frustration at the Register
If you have ever clipped coupons, chances are good that this has happened to you. You're at the register, you hand over your coupons only to get an eye roll from the cashier. Then she scans a coupon and it won't go through. You know that you bought the right product, you know that the coupon is legitimate, but she refuses the coupon and you are standing there red-faced and frustrated. Maybe you argue with her, maybe you hang your head and leave the store without getting those savings. Either way...it's embarrassing and frustrating! Here are a few tips on how to stay cool and avoid frustration at the register.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
First, make sure that you are prepared and educated. Make sure that you are buying the exact products that your coupon indicates. Read the small print...you may have to buy two items to use the coupon or you may have to buy a specific size or a certain flavor. And of course, make sure the coupon is not expired! Before you hit the check out lane, take a minute to organize the coupons...have them all out and ready to go and double check that you remembered every product.
You will also want to be aware of the store's coupon policy. Each store has different rules and guidelines about what coupons they will accept. Some will not accept any internet coupons, others will only accept internet coupons up to a certain limit. Some will only allow a certain number of coupons per transaction, others may not take any coupons for free items. You can sometimes find a store's coupon policy on their website, but in most cases you will have to call or email corporate to ask for the policy in writing. You can also ask the manager if it's a smaller store, but keep in mind that sometimes one manager has one policy and another manager may not agree. If you can get it in writing, carry it with you! Many times cashiers are afraid of getting in trouble for accepting coupons, so if you can show them that their store DOES accept certain types of coupons, you may breeze through the transaction.
REMAIN CALM AND FRIENDLY
You are going to have a better experience if you are friendly and calm during the transaction. If the cashier will not accept a coupon, just point out the products you bought and indicate that the coupon IS in fact legitimate. If they still will not accept a coupon, you have a couple of choices. If you are the non-confrontational type, you can choose to have the cashier take back the item in question and deduct the price from your total (you keep the coupon for future use). Or, you can ask to speak to the manager to clear up the issue. Sometimes if there is a long line behind me, I will complete the transaction with the cashier, then bring the item in question with the coupon to the customer service desk to speak with the manager there (avoiding the dirty looks from other customers). Whatever you do, don't get argumentative or angry. No coupon is worth that! That doesn't mean that you have to back down if you know you are in the right...just calmly state your case and if they still say "no," then move on.
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
If you are treated rudely by a cashier and/or manager, don't hesitate to write down their names, the time, and store location and call corporate (or the store owner) to complain. Stores want to keep honest couponers' business, so by reporting a negative experience, you can hope to improve their policies and communication, therefore making your experience better the next time you are in the store.
And if you are repeatedly treated poorly at a store, well...there are plenty of fish in the sea! We are lucky enough to live in a large metro area with PLENTY of great stores that are coupon friendly with super nice coupon-educated cashiers. Just take your business elsewhere and don't look back!
DON'T BE ASHAMED TO COUPON!
Bottom line is, you don't have to be embarrassed about using coupons or getting hot deals. If you know you are right, stand up for yourself in a friendly way and walk out with your head held high no matter what the outcome! You will win some and you will lose some, but in the end, YOU are the one saving tons of money through your savvy shopping skills!