Last year I posted the following blog about retailers refusing to accept Internet printable coupons and how frustrating it is for those of us trying to trim how much we spend on food. The information received a very good response so I thought I'd bring it to the forefront once again.
In the article, When Stores Say No to Online Printed Coupons I outline tips to avoid having our printable coupons turned down. Also, SmartSource, a popular free printable coupon distributor, has issued a letter to accompany their coupons in the event a retailer refuses to accept them. It is signed by Senior Vice President, Henri Lellouche, and includes a phone number for the retailer to call if more verification is needed.
This is a helpful tool for anyone wanting to use SmartSource coupons. Keeping a few copies handy in with your coupon organizer may help answers questions your grocery store management may have about the legitimacy of your printed coupons.
For the printable copy of the letter, please visit SmartSource.com.
Feel Like a Criminal When Retailers Say No?
Don't feel alone if you get embarrassed when a retailer turns down your coupon. Many of us may blush a bit the first few times this happens, but if you use printable coupons, just know - it will happen. My advice? Stand strong. Immediately go see a manager, lock eyes with them and discuss the coupons that are being denied. Also, be very careful to get your printable coupons from reputable distributors. Knowingly or not, the more fraudulent coupons that are distributed, the more difficult it becomes to gain the trust of retailers.
See Also: Finding Printable Coupons
I usually ask at the customer service desk (first) if they accept internet coupons. Also, might be a good idea to keep a short list of grocery stores handy with a column beside the store to indicate whether they accept internet printed coupons or not. Some stores do, some don’t — I’d rather get into an argument with the store manager before I get in line to pay.
My local Walmart doesn’t accept coupons that come from”DelRio, TX”; they say those are not reputable. I don’t know, I always download from the same sites and they’re the only store that doesn’t honor them.
The reason so many have Del Rio, Texas, on them is that Carolina Coupon Clearing, a coupon processing company, has a large facility there, probably the largest anywhere. [ http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_cxbq82 ] {You may find their business profile at the link above} Many coupons, probably most, that have Del Rio, TX, on them say that’s where they need to be sent to be redeemed, not that that’s where they’re from. And really, any store’s manager should know that. It’s quite likely that they do, but are just using it as an excuse. Having been a corporate trainer for years, I have heard some very bizarre stories from managers how they lose an amount double the coupon’s value, or they take a loss equal to the value, or what not. None of that is true. They’re redeemed at the coupon’s face value. Any doubling or tripling is done by the accepting merchant. The individual stores get full credit for the coupon just as if it was money tendered. But the rumor mill persists with bad information and companies need to do a better job of training…and reinforcing…their coupon policies. What WE can do is to vote with our shopping dollars. I make it a point to let the manager, district manager, regional manager, corporate office, and every person I communicate with online, face-to-face and on the phone know that I’m upset with their failure to honor a valid coupon and that I intend to boycott them, and persuade others to do the same. Is it really worth it to them to turn down a valid coupon for $1 when I’m going to stop my entire $100/week worth of business with them? Vote with your $$$, they’ll get the message REALLY quickly.
Jim makes a good point; the average family of four spends over $500 in groceries per month, upwards of 7k a year. Floor managers shouldn’t be hesitating to accept a coupons from customers that are spending that kind of money, as a customer you shouldn’t hesitate to remind them of that.
I was preparing myself for one of these customer, manager smack the other day. I found a coupon online for these roofing contractors. I found it odd but then again I need a new roof so I thought I would at least try it and save a few bucks but thankfully they accepted it. I find it sad how rare those cases are but you never forget that business do you?
How frustrating it is when they don’t accept them! You have to plan out a certain budget, when they don’t honor their own coupons, it is quite annoying. Everyone else honors them; plumbing services, heating services, etc. Why can’t grocery stores honor them?