Reading the comments on my post yesterday about the changes in the Target Coupon Policy, I see that many of you feel it is fair and others not so much. Personally I can live with the changes and understand why they are happening.
While I think the majority of couponers are looking to save on their grocery bill and household expenses and build a modest stockpile while playing by the rules, there are those who completely stop at nothing and commit coupon fraud as a way of life. They are out there, and stores have to do what they see as fit to try and stop the losses they are experiencing.
It makes me think of a story a friend of mine told me. She was shocked when a cashier friend of hers had told her about a woman who put eggs, milk & bread up on the belt at checkout and proceeded to hand her coupons for toothpaste, shampoo and crackers. When the cashier told her she could not take her coupons, the woman waved her hand slowly and said “just take the coupons”. The cashier told her- “Ma’am I cannot take your coupons, you did not buy any of these items.” So the woman slowly waved her hand again and quietly told her to “just take the coupons”. Finally exasperated, the cashier said to her- “Look lady, you are not a Jedi and I cannot accept your coupons!”.
Now while I certainly got a chuckle at the Star Wars reference, the sad fact is that it is not funny because it’s true, and sadder still that things like this happen every day. I think the changes are necessary to try and dissuade the dishonest and protect Target from Fraud and also try and prevent customers from finding a cleared shelf. So anyway, I thought I would take a minute to go over the new items in the policy and throw my two cents out there…
1. Limit of 4 identical coupons per household, per day (unless otherwise noted on coupon)
The limit stated is for a maximum amount of like coupons per day unless your coupon states otherwise. So, if your coupon says one per customer, then it’s just one. If the coupon has no limits on it, then you are allowed to use four. Is it tougher for a large family to stock up at Target? Yes, but they have to set the limit somewhere and personally I can live with this. I am thankful it is at 4 and not two and it seems reasonable to me. Unilever for example now limits their coupons to 2 per customer per day- so it could be worse and I believe more and more manufacturers will be setting limits on their coupons in the near future. So the way I look at it is Target is just jumping on the bandwagon along with P&G, Unilever and other manufacturers sooner than later.
2. Returns of items purchased using Manufacturer coupons may receive coupon value returned in the form of a Target GiftCard.
I think many of you feel like if you use a .50 cent coupon on an item you are returning you will absolutely be given the coupon value back on a Gift Card instead of cash or your original method of payment. While I cannot say for sure, I really don’t think this is an absolute. If you note the word “may” – I think this will be done at their discretion. I believe that this new point in the policy is to try and deter those who are deliberately buying something with a high $ coupon and returning it to pocket the value of the coupon.
Retailers are required to give you back the value of manufacturers’ coupons because they will be in turn submitting it for reimbursement regardless of whether you return an item. The value of Target coupons are not to be refunded, because the store is not collecting any money for them.
3. We reserve the right to accept, refuse or limit the use of any coupon.
I will admit that this point in the policy sounds a little frightening, but I again believe it is there to protect Target, and for the majority of us, it will have no bearing. Counterfeit coupons are abound- and it absolutely boils my blood, but it’s a problem. If a counterfeit coupon can manage to be scanned, consider the losses for a store. The right to refuse a coupon has always been an unwritten rule for any store- but now if something looks funny to them but scans anyway- they have it in black and white and it may save them some arguments should they feel a coupon is not valid for some reason.
For those of you who feel it will be an excuse for your store to refuse to accept any of your coupons- my best advice is to try and have a pow-wow with the Team leader on duty. Try and get to the bottom of why you have such a hard time using coupons at your stores. If you are using coupons as per the wording, you have nothing to fear or hide and perhaps a calm, rational conversation may help. You can take it up with corporate if need be if you are unable to reach some clear set of reasonable rules you can follow. I cannot say you will make headway or improve the situation, but if you like shopping at Target- it is certainly worth a try and make an effort to stay as calm as possible despite how frustrated you may be.
A few last thoughts…
Coupons are meant to be used as per the wording on them. Taking advantage just because something scans or works or is accepted doesn’t make it right and will only lead to further scrutiny from stores and the manufacturers tightening their belts even more. Do your best to read your coupons, follow what they say and follow your gut. I think deep down we all know what is right and wrong and don’t let the temptation of possibly getting another $1 Off cloud your judgement. Coupons aren’ t meant to just be tried for the heck of it to see if it works, they are meant to be used as stated in their terms.
While I certainly enjoy being able to find super-cheap & FREE stuff with coupons- the intention of TT has never been to only focus on that. You certainly can’t feed a family toothpaste for dinner or give them dental floss for dessert, and my aim has always been to help others realistically save as much money as they can on groceries & household needs. In my opinion if you can save as close to 50% or better on any of your needs- you’ve had a good day and it allows the surplus to be saved, put toward other family necessities and so on.
I am very grateful for coupons, as I know many of you are too, and I know that despite policy revisions and other changes to the couponing way of life- saving money using coupons and smart shopping will continue to help my family stay on a budget. Hopefully for a long time to come.
76 Comments
I went to Target today and bought a package of charmin toilet paper and a box of Charmin wipes I used $1.00 off manufacturer coupon for the toilet paper and another manufacturer coupon that says “buy one dry bath Charmin tissue get one box of Charmin wipes free” the cashier told that I could not use both coupons because is only one coupon per product, is that correct? because as I see it I am using 1 coupon per product, one for the tissue (toilet) paper and one for the wipes, am I correct?
I agree with you.To me it is good to limit the amount of coupons because some people get all of the items.My daughter-n-law and I get just a few items per week..our stock pile is growing nicely.I just want to thank you for all the help and info….you have taught me alot:)
I play by the rules, am not a hoarder and love shopping at Target. BUT with that being said I was PROFILED at the Target store near us. Apparently blonde SAHSM in their 30’s must commit a lot of coupon fraud. I did the gerber baby food deal (purchased 5 pouches). Had (2) $1 off 2 Coupons + one Target Coupon B4G1 FREE. During my transaction, I went to hand the coupons to the cashier and the CSM literally RAN to the register and started going thru the 2 I handed her. She seemed like she spotted me and wanted to profile by the way I was approached. The cashier said “she cant use all of these can she” – Let Me Remind You I had THREE for those and FOUR for the 4 Ellas Baby food pouches? I went on the explain that yes, the coupon states one per item purchased. The CSM blindly looks up at me with a scowl on her face and says NO ONE PER TRANSACTION. During this whole situation the store manager stops to look and says yes you can use the coupons it it 4 like coupons per transaction. We then go to hand the store coupon to her and she says oh you cant use that too. Im going to have to call someone over again. The CSM asks did you buy 4. The cashier says no, they bought 9. We go on to explain 4 were a totally different brand. The CSM then looks at us and says you can use this coupon. But you have to understand we have had alot of scammers in her recently.
So Target, Thanks for Profiling Me, Even though Everything Was Legit After I was Yelled at Twice, Literally:
I CANT WAIT TO GO TO YOUR STORE AND SECRETLY VIDEO TAPE MY HUSBAND GOING TO ONE REGISTER AND ME GOING IN AND YOUR CSM’S PROFILING ME. READ THE NEW POLICY BELOW IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF PROFILING IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE. IF SOMEONE DOESNT LIKE THE WAY YOU LOOK, FORGET USING YOUR COUPONS.
“We reserve the right to accept, refuse, or limit the use of any coupon.” This one is tricky because if you have a manager that doesn’t understand how coupons work, and that they actually make the store money, they may refuse your coupons or give you a hard time. If this happens, with the new corporate policy the only option you have is to either call up corporate and see if they can give you assistance while you are in the store. Or, you might have to find a different Target to head to.
first.. the Jedi story had me in stitches! I agree with Allison. I too have a large family. While I understand why they are doing it, it has just made me a little more creative with check out. If there is a really good deal w/coupon I have been know to have my 2 older children go through another line with items in order to get some things. Now I know some folks will say that is just as bad. I’m not the one clearing the shelves. But if I need 6 of product x…..my kids will be in line.
Love the story! So sad that people abuse coupons that way! My aunt had asked me if I shop like the ladies on Extreme Couponing & I said Ohhh heck no! I do have a stock pile but its taken about 6 months to get too..and I donate alot to my sister,step dad,dad, and now my nephew’s friend!!
Speaking of coupons I ran down to my local Dollar General this evening to get some of the cheap Glade products.I was a little irritated with the cashier! She literally took every coupon held up next to the wall of fake coupons,bad coupons whatever the name of them are lol..and I thought to myself seriously? People really do that! But she questioned everyone kinda made me feel like a criminal..Although it could be because I have tattoos as well lol Always get weird looks! Ahh well! But glad to know I can actually buy stuff at Target before the shelves are wiped out clean!!
Im a cashier at walmart i hate that people think they can coupon stack there. Had a lady use a bogo then try to use a $4 off coupon on top of that. I told her no and she got mad. I simply explained that im a big couponer and if we were allowed to do that id get lots of stuff for free. Us cashiers arent trying to be ignorant but what customers have to understand is that we get pulled in the office and written up over coupon stuff, its ridiculous. Hello, job security, i gotta go by what my boss says, if she says dont do something with coupons i dont do it
i am also a cashier at a grocery store and we see these problems EVERYDAY! for example i had a woman today with printed coupons fro the internet that she copied. i hope everyone realies those coupons have thier own identifying serial number and the store only get reimbursed for one of those serial numbers. The woman fought with our cashier and we brought up a manager and he exaplined the same thing the cashier and myself had explained but for the sake of saving loss of a customer our manager accepted all 4 of the same coupon but told her they would not in the future. There is also the issue of people returning items theybuy with coupons. some people buy items with a bogo coupon then return the free item. because i work in the service desk and i am a couponer myself we keep this down to a minimium but the people out there who use coupons fradulently piss me off frankly! they give people lie us bad names and reputations!
Very well put, I thought the Jedi story was hilarious. I am fine with the changes, but I only use coupons to save money and get good deals. I don’t clear the store shelves, and in fact, I feel guilty if I do that. What I hate is going to stores to find that there is absolutely NOTHING left because some person did just that. It ruins the shopping experience, and we feel cheated, because we may have spent lots of time compiling our list of good deals. All I grab is one or two for myself.
I went to Target the other day and got the free fresh and fruity toothpaste deal for my kids. I grabbed two (I have four kids), and then I hesitated to get a third because it would be too much. I left it for other deal seekers.
Well said! Can’t agree more. I grew up using coupons and still do as a way to save money…stretch our dollar….not to commit fraud and make money. It’s those who are Greedy and dishonest who are making it harder for everyone. I think the new Target policy is completely fair….if they don’t do this the alternative might be higher prices for everyone and fewer Targets to shop at.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post! It is such a breath of fresh air to see a blogger not afraid of losing readers by calling B.S. on the coupon misuse. Day after day I read the “if it scans, it is OK to use it” line and others basically encouraging misuse of coupons. It is not right and I am not afraid to share my comments when others post these things. I have emailed several bloggers about the comments and asking them to make posts about proper coupon usage with no results. People look to you to learn to coupon and help their families. Thank you for encouraging the ethical use of coupons. I wish there were more posts like this!
Well said. Thanks!
Great explanation on the coupon changes…
I have become friendly with the trainers and management as well as cashiers over my many many trips to Target. Last week, a manager pulled me aside to specifically let me know of the new upcoming policy as he wanted to make sure I had time to make any adjustments to my couponing needed. As I read the policy, I told him not a problem on the 4 like TARGET coupons as I rarely use more than one computer in my home to print extras. He then told me that there have been “cheaters” printing out way more than 2 per computer…. Again, changes due to fraudulent cheaters out there…
The extra smile and greeting to the personnel when you walk in the door makes a BIG difference over time. I routinely save 40-50% on my Target purchases and NEVER have unfriendly cashiers or customer service personnel. It appears that they kind of KNOW who the abusers are and watch them like hawks once they identify them. So sad that makes it a bad experience for some of you where some Targets are treating all the couponers like potential thiefs…
I personally don’t set foot into Walmart for anything, and buy almost everything from Target that I can due to the consistent pleasant customer experiences. I rarely notice things “cheaper” at Walmart as you can buy from Target on sale and using target coupons along with mfg coupons which makes Target win almost every time.
Lastly, I love, love, love this site as like others say, you can depend on everything posted being valid and accurate. I am certain this is my most used site on my computer!!! I’m sure it’s this way for many others as it saves so much time for all of us! Thanks again for all you and other volunteers do.
For those of you who are experiencing difficulty with Target managers regarding their coupon policy, please do email corporate. One of the team leads at my Target had a very poor understanding of how their coupon policy works and consistently gave me a hard time, even though I’d show her my printout of the policy and explained that even though the Olay/Venus coupon had a picture of a different Venus razor on it, it was still valid for the item I was buying, since the item was specifically listed on the coupon, although not pictured. I’ve had several problems like this with her. One day, exasperated, I filled out the customer service issue form on the corporate website, explaining that my email message was too long to fit in the form, and asked for a real email address so I could fully explain the problem. I heard back the next day, and sent them a long, detailed account of the problems I’ve had with the team lead and a couple of the other managers there. The response was concerned and friendly. After a little polite finessing on my part, they sent me two $3 “I’m sorry you had a bad experience” coupons! Moral of the story: talk to corporate when there’s a problem, be polite, give specific details, and ask for the coupons.
Very well said! IF you are doing the right thing and using the coupons for what they are meant to be used for then you won’t have an issue. I was behind a woman at a Target out by Millenia and she had a whole pile of items I know were purchased with coupons because I had seen the deals posted. She was returning them for the full value of the item and taking the cash.
It is people that abuse the system that ruin it for everyone else. It is sad.
My Target Store was coupon friendly and then I noticed a change..The cashier told me that people were coming in with Fake Coupons for Free Items like Free Tide (lots of them) and Target was not getting reimbursed for them. That’s why they got more strict. Stores are only coupon friendly until some smarty pants (not!) thinks they can out smart them and ruin it for the rest of us.
lol…LOVE the Jedi reference!
i had to share your post here with all of my friends. too funny, i watched a lady at target the other day actually get into a screaming match with a cashier because she was trying to purchase kitty litter with laundry detergent coupons!
Thanks for taking the time to spell it all out for us. I appreciate all you do. I too think the policy is fair, but I am one that is little leery of the “right to refuse”. Not because I try to use coupons for things that aren’t intended but because my local target cashier don’t seem to know how to adjust the price of coupons down to the price of the item. So when the cash register asks if something is correct when it needs adjusting then they think that the coupon isn’t working and they don’t want to take it. For instance the $2/2 degree coupons that were out a while back. The degree trial size cost $.97 each I believe. So when I had 2 of them, they wouldn’t take my coupon instead of just adjusting it to the $1.94, they said it wasn’t valid on trial size. Even though the coupon did not specify that on it. I had to call corporate to get it straightened out. They do this at my store alot. Now if corporate isn’t backing me now because the individual store manager has the right to refuse what they want to, I may never be allowed to use the really good coupons again! I’m sure I will still get other deals, just foresee a problem with these kinds of things.
I totally missed out on the vaccum food sealer deal a while back because my cashier said that the coupon for $10 off was only to be used on items that cost $50 or more, even though the coupon didn’t specify that at all. By the time I came home and called corporate and got an ok to clear it up with them, they had sold completely out of the sealers because other cashiers had accepted the coupons from other customers.
I’m sure we will all manage though and still be able to have great savings!
I guess I am one of the odd one’s out to say I am not happy about the “limit 4” coupon per household per day change and that is because I have a larger family than most. I can see why those with smaller families can sit there and say they agree with it and are ok with it… but those with larger families it really does make it that much harder to even just plan for day to day meals (that means we are not even trying for stock piling when using coupons). I will continue to use Target as I much prefer shopping there a few times a week then going to Walmart, but will have to watch more of what I purchase at Target.
Great post. 🙂
I love using coupons, but shows like Extreme Couponing have shown people ways to basically cheat the system. I don’t like having stricter coupon rules, but I know that stores are a business and they need to be respected as such.
You’re a wonderful person and you run an amazing site. thanks!
I’m okay with the changes too-the limit four is only a problem on the rare occasion. I absolutely love target and I love the coupons that they offer making something so cheap or free. I usually don’t have a problem finding good deals-well on rare occasion when they have MM-but then I live in the land of 10,000 targets.
Thanks for your input in all you do. I think the policy will mostly help couponers rather than hinder them. Yes the cashiers could reject coupons but they do that already (from comments i read and personally experience) so nothing really will change, but now there will be more product on the shelves for other people. I have personnaly watched a woman clear a shelf and had in her hand probably around 15 target coupons. I laughed cause i knew Target wouldnt let her use “one per customer” wording on the coupon to get that much product. Not sure how that ended but i know i wasnt able to get one of the product for myself. At least with the change we all get a chance at a deal.
While it certainly makes me frustrated to see a cleared shelf, it does still bother me that there is no a 4 coupon limit. I have always played by the rules and followed all coupon verbiage. But if the coupon only says one per purchase and you have 5 coupons to get 5 items for free/cheap then why is Target limiting it?It only brings in more traffic for them and they are fully reimbursed for the coupons (as long as the transaction is legit).
I love Target and this won’t cause me to stop shopping there. However, I totally disagree with the 4 coupon limit.
I totally agree. I use coupons to get me through Grad School. My Mom taught me all there is about coupons. Now I am no longer eating a can of tuna for breakfast. I used to have to water down my laundry detergent to the point I was watering down just water. I “play by the rules” and now I have a small stockpile. The summer is a great time to prepare for the upcoming semester.
I too have no problems with Target’s coupon policy change. I understand why they did it & like you said, I believe other stores will soon follow. I work in retail myself & see at least one customer a week try to sneak in a few extra coupons into their stack, but thankfully for the technology we have, it pops up on my screen & says that the coupon does not match anything purchased. I have forgotten to pull out a coupon for a product I didn’t buy when handing the cashier my coupons (it happens to us all) and the couple times that happened, but cashier usually asked if I forgot to buy the product or if the store was out. Never have they been rude to me or embarrassed me in front of other customers. Target is my favorite place to shop & no matter what changes they make, I’ll still shop there. I find some great deals & now that I have been following your site, I am finding even better deals than before. Keep up the great work & thank you for all that you do!
I have no problem with the limit 4 per day. I know at least 2 people who pride themselves on shelf clearing & coupon fraud. They don’t see anything wrong with what they are doing. I am not able to purchase 1 or 2 of the item because the shelf has been cleared on the first day of the sale. Also, cashiers are just trying to do their job for the most part & if I have to, I will ask for a manager to take a look & decide on the coupon. I sometimes have to point out to cashiers that just because the item is not pictured on coupon does not mean the item is not allowed. I just try to be polite yet firm. Works every time.
I’m so sick of hordes of cheapskates who clean out my Target every week. I can’t buy half the things on my list whenever there’s a sale because every single one of the item is gone and gets cleaned out as soon as it’s back on the shelf.
I’m just grateful Target releases coupons on it’s website. The Walmart I have to visit sometimes has the worst attitude towards me whenever I have a coupon that isn’t from the paper. They always ask me if they are photocopied (despite having different numbers) and call over two or three managers over to stare at them while people impatiently shuffle behind me like it’s my fault. Most of them assume if a coupon is big in any way, it’s automatically fake and won’t even try scanning it. One even had a phone number to call to confirm it was real (Sunbelt bars) and they still refused.
Thank you for your post and your continued goal of promoting proper coupon useage 🙂
I know of certain sites that tell people it is okay to use coupons other than stated because the wording is simply a “suggestion” not a demand…
Before I found your site I didn’t even know that following what they said was wrong! But yes I agree that the updated policy is very fair and will continue to enjoy my coupon shopping at Target 🙂
I have to say I was so glad to see you stand up for what’s right….so many people (and bloggers) are afraid to call it what it is: greed and dishonesty because they are so afraid of offending someone or losing readers. It has to stop somewhere and until more people take a stand and say Hey that’s not right, it will continue to get worse and worse.
Instead of getting all hot and bothered at Target for the changes we should be mad at the people who caused it. These rules were made by corporate and not the cashiers….corporate did this to help their bottom line not because they don’t like couponers.
Stores have ALWAYS had the right to refuse a coupon whether it is legit or not. There is no law on the books that require them to take it. They can even refuse to let you shop in their store if they want,let alone refuse a coupon. Accepting coupons is a benefit they give us (as well as something that helps them.) using coupons is a privilege and not a right 🙂
That being said…I can’t imagine a manager letting a cashier refuse coupons just because they don’t want to deal with them. Coupons are a money maker for the store….
Thank you Kerry!
I too feel that your post is very well written and I totally agree with Target’s policy.
Beyond that, any store has the right to write their policy any way they like. It is up to us to decide to give them our business or not, business being the operative word. If it was a charity, it wouldn’t have cash registers nor would it accept coupons.
I get a little peeved when I do drive all the way to a Target to get a bargain only to find the shelf empty…shame on the shelf clearers! I don’t purchase more of anything than I can use within a reasonable period of time, and that goes for free items too. Responsible, legal and respectful couponing, should be the norm.
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest…Have a great day all 🙂
Very well put and I completely agree with you! So many times deals that have been posted on blogs by the time I have gotten to the store shelves would be cleared and it’s not fair. The Extreme Couponing that was new this week made me very upset, a lady on there not even caring if she wipes out shelves… I could have cried. What about those of us that work hard for a good deal for our family too? I don’t know why I still watch that show… I live in Iowa and we don’t have double couponing here… but, I do get a lot of great deals at Target with the deals that I can use the manufacturer coupon & target coupon on. I appreciate all you do for this page, I check out your page a few times a day sometimes. Thanks again for the great post and I completely respect Targets decision. Happy Couponing to you all 🙂
I think this is as well and fine, except when you have the “angry checker” as I now call them. Customer service really seems to be lacking in Target lately, which is really disappointing as I used to love shopping there. I actually had a checker refuse all my coupons because I bought quite a few items and she “Wouldn’t be able to keep track.” Mortified due to the line in back of me I just bought everything, paid full price, walked ove to customer service and returned it all. I told a manager and they seemed to shrug it off. Needless to say, I shop at Walmart now unless it’s a fantastic deal.
I love your site! Each week before I head to the store I am able to make a shopping list and save tons of money legitimately. A lot of coupon boards do a lot of coupon fraud deals. I’m glad your deals are legit and most cashiers are excited for me. I’m always telling then about your site and how anyone can do it if you have a pair of scissors. Thanks again!
LOL Love the Jedi reference.
Well said! The coupon world has changed from “I want to save a buck or 2” to “lets stick it to the man and get all we can even if we don’t need it”. I don’t understand it (well I do, but it’s for all the wrong reasons, THOSE I don’t understand).
I use to rarely shop at Target because they are always more pricey vs. Walmart for general merchandise, but the shopping experience is so much better. Plus they have a lot of stuff Walmart doesn’t. I now shop Target on a bi-monthly bases because of your website. Thank you!
Great post and I 100% agree. 🙂 I just wanted to say that I have found that calling corporate hasn’t amounted to anything. I always meticulously follow the wording on coupons. But, my Target often will refuse coupons because the item does not match the picture, even though it falls squarely within the wording (e.g., the coupon states $1/1 of any X item 24 oz or larger, but the picture only shows a particular flavor or scent). And if a Target coupon doesn’t ring up, even though the item matches the description perfectly, the cashier and/or manager will either make something up that is not on the coupon and that I know to be false, such as “you can’t use ever Target coupons on sale or clearance items.” Corporate is unsympathetic and told me that it is up to each Target as to whether to refuse a coupon. I can get some great sales at Target, but I go in with the understanding that I just can’t count on the deal to work.
Well said! Thanks.
honestly I like these changes… except the ” We reserve the right…” but I hope that that will in fact be reserved to those who not just use, but ABUSE coupons. Any time there is any good deal at my target (esp ones with gift cards back) the shelves are CLEARED w/in a few minutes of target opening on sunday, and it makes me sad. I know that isn’t TONS of people getting a bottle or two of lotion (lol) but instead a few people attempting to profit from target’s coupon generosity.
My target has never given me any problems, and when an issue arises customer service helps beyond what is expected, so hopefully that won’t change 🙂
Nicely said! Thank you for taking the time to post this, and for everything else you do! You help so many of us save money!!
The limit is cool with me too. I am so sick of showing up at the flea market every weekend only to find it FULL of all the items that were free or cheap that week with coupons. It means there is not a single item to be found in the stores.
Thanks for your post!
I find this policy very fair. I had an experience at Target where the cashier would not take the coupon because the item I purchased did not match the picture on the coupon, but the coupon said any product. She went to her team leader, who clarified the policy for the cashier. If you abide by the rules, then you should get a fair deal allowing everyone the same deal.
Amen! I totally agree with everything you said. I get annoyed with the shelf clearers– so hopefully this will help- buying 4 of one thing is understandable, buying 100 of something is not.
Yes, very well said. I admit that the new one about them being able to limit/refuse a coupon is a little worrisome, especially if you get a cashier who simply doesn’t want to deal with coupons. Thankfully, I’ve not run into such a cashier at our local Target. The majority of us out there are simply trying to get by these days, and I hope this cuts down on those extreme couponing, shelf-clearing types who ultimately make it more difficult for the rest of us.
I just now realized that Target would take more than 4 before. Truth be told, I was never tempted to buy more than 4 of any particular deal. Since other stores limit at 4, I always assumed that Target did too…
Well said Kerry! Im also annoyed by that story with the jedi lady. Such a shame… that people are that greedy and low. Personnally im ok with the changes, infact its for the better for me since now i have hop on snagging a target deal since all the shelf clearers at my store will pout. I do agree that last one is scary because of how vague that is but, again your right on this one. This is that price every one pays for the few who ruin it for others.
I totally agree. It was an obvious change that we all felt was coming sooner or later. Just common sense though I am also glad like you said that they made the limit four and not two!!! That was a close one!!!
I understand and appreciate your calm, rationale approach to the new policy. Recently, there was a coupon stack for Nivea for .99. My store would not accept my newspaper coupons and Target coupons for two items because they said the item I was trying to buy was too small. The coupon clearly said the 1.7oz product was acceptable, but the store said no. When I contacted the Target corporation, I received no response from them whatsoever.
The way that I see it, is that thieves, and the Extreme Couponing Show, have ruined couponing for the rest of us who are just trying to legally maximize our savings and have some fun using coupons. If I’m at the register and one of my coupons does not match up perfectly, it’s because it is a mistake, not an attempt at getting over on the store. I never steal, or try to steal, and yet I cringe when I hand over my coupons, because I know what is going to happen . . .
I am perfectly fine with the changes. It will allow more of us to get a deal, rather than one person who clears the shelves. What absolutely drives me nuts as a blogger is when people say the deal works because the coupon scanned. It doesn’t matter if it scanned – if you’re using it in a way other than it was intended, that’s fraud.
And as far as getting the coupon value back on a gift card? I’m fine with that too, since I shop at Target a lot and can always use a gift card. I personally don’t return things I buy with coupons unless something is really wrong with the item. I’m surprised they haven’t done this earlier, to be honest.
As usual, very well said! Thank you for a great explanation of the policy, as well as a bit of humor. 😉 My kids, if given the choice, just MAY eat toothpaste for dinner…Or anything else that comes in a tube, lately.
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