Thanks to The Krazy Coupon Lady for this post!
I saw this email in our KCL inbox, and had to laugh out loud!
I kind of feel like a Mediator or Marriage Counselor. 
What do I do when I have an argument with the cashiers.
At Target they wouldn’t let me stack a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon.
START OUT ON THE RIGHT FOOT:
I always ask my checker if they want all the coupons at the end, or as we go.
It varies on the store and checker.
If they want them all at the end, I usually don’t hand them the whole stack.
I will give them one set, tell them what it is for and how many I have
(this helps, because the less reading and counting they have to do, the happier they are)
LEARN THE RULES.
Be able to quote all the rules in your sleep. Just being confident will help the checkers realize that you know what you are doing.
For example, here is the most common problem couponers face:
Coupons say “Limit 1 Coupon Per Purchase.” , And your checker is telling you that means you can’t use 2 of the same coupon on your order.
You answer will be: A purchase refers to buying any item. If I buy 30 items on a single shopping trip, I just made 30 purchases. 30 Bottles of Shampoo = 30 Purchases. 1 swipe of the debit card = 1 transaction, no matter how many items you bought. When a coupon states “Limit 1 Coupon Per Purchase.”, it is meant to enforce the point that you may not use two of the exact same coupons on one item.
PRINT THE STORE COUPON POLICY AND KEEP IT IN YOUR BINDER.
This should save you every single time. Most often, checkers and managers don’t know much about their coupon policy. Instead they encounter a couponer and think what we are doing is against policy, and they just tell you whatever comes to their brain first. Now, I am being a little harsh but I am sure this has happened to many of you. This is when I let the printed coupon policy do my talking. For example, checkers have been trained that you can only except 1 coupon per item. Which is correct, if you are talking about manufacturer coupons- but most stores, including Target allow you to use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 store coupon on 1 item. They have kindly included that in their printable coupon policy.
Print Walmart’s Policy
Print Target’s Policy
Print Rite Aid’s Policy
STAYING NICE GOES A LONG WAY
I have had my share of frustrating experiences at checkout, but the longer I coupon, the more I am learning to play nice. It seriously helps if you stay nice and calm, smile and just politely (and without force) explain what the policy is. If the checker gets frustrated, just calmly ask to speak with a manager. Offer to let them read the policy and say things like: “It’s my understanding that the policy says [this], can you explain to me what your interpretation is?”
DON’T BE AFRAID TO WALK AWAY
If your checker isn’t following their policy and you don’t have the time or inclination to stick up for yourself- please don’t feel like you need to buy the items. There is nothing wrong with politely telling them that if they won’t accept your coupons, you do not want to make the purchases.
TALK TO CUSTOMER SERVICE
Whether you have a horrible experience or a great experience call their corporate customer service phone number to let them know. Stores want their employees to treat couponers with respect and they love to hear if that is happening in their stores. Target encourages you to call them while you are in the store if you encounter managers or checkers not following their written policy. Please save their phone number in your cell phone. (800) 440-0680
And to answer the question from Sherry, all Target store’s MUST follow the corporate coupon policy. If they are not letting you use 1 store coupon and 1 manufacturer coupon, print the policy and show it to them. If they insist, ask that they call the customer service number (listed above) while you are still in the store, and that should solve your problem. Thanks for the email Sherry!
