Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Walgreens Q+A: Adjusting coupons

Kristi writes,

My question is about your comment... “will need to be adjusted down.” Does that mean that since the item’s sale price is less than the value of the coupon, the cashier will need to adjust the coupon down to 99 cents? I’m just wondering because I’ve had issues with these sorts of transactions, where the cashiers have read the coupons and refused to use them because the price was less than the coupon.

I’ve been told that I was more or less crazy by cashiers at both Target and Walgreens for trying to make these kinds of coupon deals work and I have just left the products, taken my coupons, and gone home, embarrassed and confused.

Thanks for asking. Yes, it means that the cashier will need to manually adjust the coupon amount. I cannot speak for all stores, but I know Walgreens is quite capable of this. If your cashier doesn't know how to do it, you might (nicely) ask for a manager, who should know how to do this.

(And for the record, I've had them do it at Target, too. You're not crazy. :-) )

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had issues with this at Walgreens as well and called the 1-800 number to clarify. I asked for their coupon policy in writing and was informed that they don't make their policies public.

But I was speaking with a district manager and she said she would be more than happy to answer my questions. This exact thing was one of my questions and she read me the policy. With a few exceptions their policy is to adjust coupons down to sale prices.

HOWEVER, if you have trouble with this and ask for a manager who won't adjust then your only recourse is to call the 1-800 number after the fact and complain. Which won't save you any money unless you go back to the store and they then take your coupon.

Walgreens is the worst about this! I told the district manager that I would be happy to comply with all the rules if I just knew what they were and their employees were consistent with them as well. She said it's a training issue and to call back when I have any problems. Ugh!

Anonymous said...

I think this might vary my store because I get hassled at Walgreens too. Last time, they told me the new corporate policy is to not adjust coupons so they adjusted the price of the product up. Don't know if you could suggest that?

Unknown said...

I had a problem with this recently at Target. I asked for a manager and he wouldn't do it either. I explained that the other Target in town does it for me no problem but he wouldn't budge. I left everything there at the register, took my coupons and went to Walmart where I purchased everything and had no problems whatsoever. Got lots of overage from my coupons to help pay for my other items!

Rose | RoseBakes.com said...

I tried this at Walgreens with the recent Chex Mix sale. The cashier wouldn't adjust the coupon. I asked for the manager; she called him/her and they agreed with the cashier, that they could not adjust prices or coupons to 'make' them work. There's one or two cashiers at my store that can/will do it, but if I don't see them working when I go in, I don't even attempt to use coupons that have greater value than the product. It's disappointing, but not worth a hassle!

Helene said...

I had this happen at Jewel. The cashier said no way, the assistant manager came by and mumbled something about we have to scan the coupons therefore not being able to adjust down. It was $1 for a .99c item (the Gillette body wash travel sizes). I had her take them off and will try them somewhere else. Walmart never gives me a problem. Except when I use internet coupons. That's when you have to know your cashiers.

marci lambert said...

i had trouble with this at target and went home and emailed their corporate customer service. their policy states that they will adjust a coupon down to the purchase price. i printed out the email and carry it with me, although i haven't used it yet.

Anonymous said...

Both Walgreens in my area refuse to adjust coupons down, even the manager won't. I just will not shop there unless I absolutely have to. CVS never has a problem with it.

Adie said...

I've had the same problems at Walgreens that other commenter's mention. Only once would a manager adjust the product UP to the coupon price. Since then, every manager and asst manager has insisted that they can't adjust either up or down. So frustrating!

Walmart just scans them on through; the cashiers don't seem to notice. I do, however, make sure I'm purchasing one or more items to take up more than the overage, so that I always owe them something. Several dollars over is best so that they won't as likely notice how low my total is.

larson fam said...

I've had the same problem at WalGreens, they claim they can't adjust the coupon down. Funny how CVS can...! Finally, I got one asst. manager to adjust the item price up. If you've got a great deal, I would strongly suggest you take the other store's ad and coupons to WalMart and price match the price (Do all WM's do this? Ours does), then use your coupons. At least in our area, that would be an easier strategy.

misspooh8 said...

I would think the store would be better off to adjust the price of the item up b/c they are getting paid back for the value of the coupon not the adjusted price. I have only had a problem at target with them not taking a coupon for an item that was priced less but I have found at walgreens that the people in the cosmetics area are much more coupon friendly and seem to know what to do if a coupon doesn't want to scan. You might try there if you keep having problems.