Target q frustration

[3bettins]

I went in to get the Bliss and mac n cheese- what a disaster! They wouldn't take the Target q because they said it had to be exactly like the picture- I pointed out that I had just bought the small can of Pringles, not like the pix; the small bag of Quaker snacks, not like the pix, and they both worked! I said that it didn't specify at all that they were restricted to a certain product, size or type! Called CS- all they did was call the store and talk to the same manager I was talking to! Refused to help, refused to let me speak to anyone else- I was told that the cs supervisor was busy and wouldn't talk to me!
I bought 4 of the Ponds wipes and handed her the peelies with my other q's- she and another cashier read every bit of the q and verified that there was the plastic spot on the package where the peelie had come off! She told me to NEVER take a peelie off the package because they wouldn't take them that way anymore. I explained to her that I would forget they were there if I didn't put them with my other q's and most cashiers wouldn't notice them on the package!
After all that interrogation I gave them everything back and told them very calmly that if Target didn't want us to use the coupons they wouldn't put them on the website and that Target made millions last year on redemption fees from the coupons manufacturers. I told her that making their customers feel like thieves didn't seem to be a rational way to conduct business and especially to then to expect that customer to come back!
If they were at all consistent it wouldn't have bothered me, but it seems they are making the rules up as they go along!

[TurquoiseTurtle]

3bettins ... Wow, what a horrible experience for you. I had a rough week with my coupons last week. I left Krogers and DrugMart so mad ... I seriously thought about never stepping foot in either of those stores again. The gal at Krogers came close to accusing me of committing coupon fraud because I had multiple internet coupons, and then told me that they no longer accept internet coupons for anything over $1. (even if the face value of the coupon was over $1) And at DrugMart, they told me that they no longer accept internet coupons at all. In the process they let me stand their like an idiot, talking about people who abuse coupons.

[Moof219]

I had a cashier at Target once accuse me of photocopying the My Coke Rewards $1 off coupons because I had 3. I finally was able to convince her by showing her that the timestamp and numbers were different.

[DEmomof2]

I had a similar experience at Target with the mac and cheese. She refused to take the coupon because I got the single one and not the 4pack. It was very annoying!! But, she took the rest of my coupons that I had so I didn't want to make too much of a fuss. They do need to pick a policy and stick to it!!

[TravelingMama]

I had a similar experience this week at Target. I argued with them and pointed out the time stamps.

[RNmom]

I guess the economy is tight for them too, but danh I wish they wouldn't talk to us like we are theives.

[onehappybaby]

I had a similar experience this week at Target. I argued with them and pointed out the time stamps.

What do you guys mean by time stamps?
My Target qs of like items all have exactly the same numbers. Do other internet qs have time stamps or numbers that indicate they aren't copies?
Thanks!

[theGibsons]

yep I walked out of target this week as well. Not sure I am going back.

[OprahAddict]

Add me to the list of frustrated Target coupon shoppers. I just shot off an email to Corporate about it- lengthy read, but here's my letter if you're interested in reading it:

To Whom It May Concern:
Let me first say, I have been a loyal Target shopper for over 20 years. However, in the past 6 months or so, I have become increasingly frustrated with my experiences at Target. Specifically, regarding coupons.

Due to the current state of the economy, I have found it necessary to use coupons in my shopping to stay within my budget. I was delighted to find out that Target offers it's own coupons on some products. I became aware of Target's coupon policy and have structured my shopping lists to include coupon items from Target as well as non-coupon items. For example, I know that I may use 1 Target coupon per item per transaction PLUS 1 Manufacturer Coupon per said item. I follow all expiration dates and even print the Target coupons from inside Target stores using Target's computer system/printers.

The problems I am encountering are twofold:
1. Target coupons are beeping for seemingly no good reason. The expiration date is correct, the item is the same specified on the coupon and the amount of the coupon does not exceed the item cost. Since I print the coupons from the Target store, there should be no problem with the barcode. Thus. uninformed cashiers tell me they cannot accept the coupon! This leads to the second issue I am encountering:

2. Untrained cashiers and managers in the area of coupon usage. I have had more than one discussion with a store manager over coupons and we have even called the Corporate office to clarify coupon use. I cannot even count how many times I have had a cashier deny my use of coupons when I know full well the Workbench Coupon Procedures and have followed the Policy perfectly.

For example, just this morning, I went to my local store and purchased: 2 Kraft mayonnaise bottles ($1.99/ea) and 1 Ritz cracker box ($2.99). Coupons I used: 1 Target coupon ($1 off 2 bottles Kraft mayo) and 2 Kraft Manufacturer's coupons for $1 each (mayo); 1 Target coupon ($1 off Ritz crackers) and 1 Manufacturer coupon for $1. Lo and behold, the Target coupons beeped and the cashier, Mark, just about sat down and cried, when I told him the coupons I had were correct and for the items purchased. He became very rude, called over the manager (Cecilia), who simply advised him it was correct to use the coupons. He grumbled the whole time about how he has no idea what these "things" are for (meaning, coupons) and was completely ignorant about customers who use coupons. Talk about poor training!

Situations such as these are not only highly embarrassing to me, but also time consuming. I can spend an hour or more shopping in Target stores and then get to the checkout, only to have problems and get humiliated. Sometimes, I am even treated like a criminal! For using Target coupons! It is unreal! What is the point of issuing Target Web Coupons if the Associates (and Management for that matter) are not trained in how to use them?

I would love to go into a Target knowing I will leave happy and feel I received a good value and good service. Yet, it is getting to the point now where I may venture back into the evil world of Walmart (which I banned 10 years ago after their bad media press and rude employees). Their everyday prices are lower than Target and they allow Manufacturer coupons.

Bottom line, if Target wants to keep happy customers, there needs to be better computer systems to handle coupons, and most importantly, more coupon training for the Associates/Management!

Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy comment about my recent Target experiences. I hope that my comments reach the right people and that loyal Target coupon customers, such as myself, can see some changes in the very near future.

Sincerely,

[Jaiden Eats At Mommy's]

Oprahaddict, you go girl!

Very good email. Today I did one of my biggest target shops with coupons yet. I got to the front where only the customer service desk was open with a line of about 10 people. As 5 or 6 of us trotted our way towards the front, management called on their talkies to get more people up front. I was was impressed by the response as 3 registers immediately opened. One lady told me to come to her lane, so I did.

I had her scan all my things while I quickly gathered my q's and separated tq's from mq's. A couple I figured would not work so I left them to the side just in case. Some of the TQ's beeped at her and she had to double check things, some of them took forever to finally scan, then came the Cottonelle TQ's. It was $1 off the BLUE, not the purple package like I had which I didn't pay attention to honestly. I told her to forget about it, give me my mq's back and take off the TP. As if it was a burden on her life she said "I'll just override it and make it work. Ill probably get in trouble but whatever. I don't know what you have going on here." I told her I didn't want her in trouble, just give me my q's back "No, I just don't even know what you have going on so I'll just make them work this time." I really didn't care at that point. She was probably regretting pulling me to her register but if she can't smile and be more personable, then get in trouble.

Blah, oh well. I guess there isn't much to complain about to corporate over that, they might want their $3 back for buying the wrong TP lol. I might drop them a line to make their q's more specific rather than just a picture. Some of my q's get printed in black and white so purple or blue TP would just go over my head.

Nonetheless, I spent $67 (had a few undergarment needs) and saved $35, which doesn't include all the awesome clearance savings so probably saved about $45.

[SelmaAnne58]

What a great letter, Oprahaddict. I left Target today so frustrated I'm not sure I'll ever go back. Every time I use coupons there they make me feel like a criminal. The cashier always has to check with the manager to see if they take internet coupons, even their own, and looks skeptical when told they do. I am extremely careful that what I have a coupon for is the correct product, I double check all expiration dates, etc. They're making me paranoid about using coupons, especially since I haven't been using them that long. Can I be the only one in my area who does? Doubtful.