I want to talk about an issue that has been coming up a lot lately. Recently I have received several emails from people who have had problems using coupons at Target. There are 3 specific issues I want to address. Also, I want to give you some action steps so that you know what to do when you have a problem.
A Few Thoughts....First, I want to say that I try my very best to post deals on this site that comply with all corporate coupon policies. I have copies of all of the policies for the stores which I post deals from and I do my best to follow those. When I find a mistake I immediately correct the post. That being said, I am not perfect, so please know that there will be times that I get things wrong. I am still learning as I go, so I ask for your grace as we seek out the best deals together!
Second, I want to share my heart with you a little on this matter. Personally I believe that my life should be a reflection of the love and Grace that Jesus Christ has shown me, and that I am to show that same love and grace to others. The bible tells us to treat others the way we would want to be treated, and to love our enemies as ourselves. I personally believe that these belief's must be the core of everything I do.... Yes even couponing! :)
I also believe that God will provide for all my needs according to His riches. If I don't get to take advantage of a deal regardless of the circumstances, I can rest assured that He will provide for my needs and life will be okay. I think some times it's easy to get caught up in the game of using coupons and getting the best deal and we forget to stop and realize all that we already have. Getting 1 more free tube of toothpaste is not worth loosing my testimony over.
I say all that to say that when you encounter problems, please take a deep breath before you Begin arguing and remember that couponing is a blessing, not a right. There are some stores that choose not to accept coupons and we don't want Target to become one of those stores because they are sick of dealing with all of us "Crazy Couponers" :)
3 Issues that have come up lately:1) You cannot use the $1.00/1 Hershey Bliss Target Coupon on the $0.99 Hershey Bliss Bar.
I called Target Corporate Personally Yesterday and confirmed that this is allowed and that there is no restriction on the coupon. Customer Service and Guest Relations both told me that in this instance specifically the coupon should have been adjusted down.
2) You cannot use the $1.00/1 Banana Boat Coupon on the Trial Size Items because the coupon is for a Regular size item
Again I asked yesterday when I called about this specific coupon and was told that since the coupon states on "Any Banana Boat Sunscreen (Excludes Lip Balm)" that the only item it could not be used on was the Lip Balm. It was perfectly valid and legal on the trial size as long as it doesn't state "excludes trial or travel size"
3) You must purchase 4 items to use a $1.00/2 Target Coupon and a $1.00/2 Manufacturer Coupon.
This is probably the case of a cashier who doesn't understand the coupon policy. Target allows combining 1 Manufacturer's Coupon and 1 Store Coupon. So you would only have to purchase 2 of this item to use both coupons. In this case I am guessing the cashier didn't scan the coupons because both should have scanned just fine.
The Target Coupon Policy:
I suggest that you email Target at guest.relations@target.com and ask for a copy of the coupon policy. You will receive a standard reply back and then can print this off and take it with you to the store.
Also, if you have a specific question you will need to call Target. I have received this same coupon policy 6 times in the last week because regardless of my email I get the same response. I was told by Guest Relations yesterday that it's all automated and you need to call if you have a question.
Here is exactly what I have received:
- We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued and manufacturer-issued.
- We'll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
- We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item; in this case, we're able to adjust the value of the coupon to equal the price of the item.
- We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.
- All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier while you're checking out.
If you have any questions about a specific coupon or experience using a coupon at Target, we want to help! Please give our Guest Relations team a call at (800) 440-0680.
What you can Do:
While I believe that I have to be nice and courteous to all of the stores cashier's and management I also feel a great responsibility to make sure that when there is a problem it is addressed. Yes, I may walk out of the store without my products some times, but I want to make sure that the problem is corrected for the future deals that may come up. We all have to work together to be ethical, informed, and courteous couponers!
Here are 3 steps to take when you encounter a problem at Target.
1) Call Customer Service/Guest Relations from the Store
Yesterday I was told more than once that they WANT us to call Guest Relations from our phone, while we are in the store so that they can address the issue with the Manager on Duty. It is much harder to deal with a She Said/He Said issue later. I have had great experiences with Customer Service on the phone so far, so I highly recommend you stop reading right now and program this number into your phone. 1-800-440-0680
2) Write Down the Manager's Name
This was one piece of information that I didn't have when I called Target Corporate. They asked several times for the Manager on Duty's Name. Even if you don't feel like arguing or calling in the store, simply ask for the Manager's name so that you can call and file a complaint.
One of the things that I like about Target is that unlike Walgreens they are very consistent in what they say from corporate so it's easy to know when something should have been accepted or not. Yesterday I was told that the second lady I talked to in Guest Relations would call the store personally and discuss the coupon policy with the manager that was on duty at the time I had problems!!! Hopefully if enough of us call and complain we will start to see changes at the store level.
3) Save your receipt
I didn't know this one either, but when you call to file a complaint they will ask for your receipt number from the other purchases you made. This let's the computer system track who was working when you were in the store. Have your receipt handy when you call the 1/800 number.
I hope that this post will help everyone know what to do when they encounter a problem. I have seen a lot of complaints recently, but let's also remember all the great deals we have gotten at Target in the past few weeks! In NWA Target is one of the few places I can get Grocery Stuff for free, so I am very thankful that they 1) allow combining coupons, and 2) accept my Internet coupons!
Here are some of my favorite deals this week at Target. You can view the complete ad online at A Full Cup. You can also print Target Store Target Store Coupons from A Full Cup.
