Jul 19 2010

A KCL Rant: Walmart’s “Coupon Specialist” Registers

I was at Walmart the other day finally buying the Dentyne Gum with my $1.00/1 coupons, and as I was profiling my checkers, I noticed a few registers with this sign “Coupon Specialist”, so of course I head into one of those lines and patiently wait my turn. I was relieved to be in a line where the checker would know the rules, afterall, I had 20 coupons and I didn’t want to hear the “You can only use 1 coupon per transaction, see it says it right there on the coupon” agrument. Oh, and my gum was $0.96 and my coupons were $1.00/1 so I also didn’t want to hear the “I can’t pay you to take the gum, so I can’t let you use these coupons” agrument. When it’s finally my turn I am politely greeted and she starts scanning my items. Then I hand her my coupons and she begins scanning them in. When the register prompts her to enter the coupon value (she technically should be entering them in at $0.96) she just enters the actual coupon value at $1.00, which gives me $0.04 in overage per coupon.

Then I decide to ask her if she had to undergo special training to be a “Coupon Specialist” Checker. She looks a little confused and says “No”, I clarify and say “Well, I just wondered since you are checking at a register that has a sign that says “Coupon Specialist” if you had to doing any special to be able to checkout here”. She replied that any of the checkers can check out at that register, and that one day those signs just went up without any of the checkers knowing.

I had to laugh at this, because here I thought Walmart was actually onto something! I’ve always thought that stores should have lines meant only for customers using coupons, where the checkers know their stuff and are happy to help their customers with coupons. BUT, in true Walmart fashion, they make you think that they are on the ball and they let the details (like actually training their checkers) fall by the wayside.

Am I being too harsh? Have you seen these Coupon Specialists at your Walmart?

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Kelly
Wow, that made me laugh. I feel lucky though, my wal-mart is really good compared to what I read of others experiences, i’ve only had 1 issue in 8 or 9 months of using coupons there (maybe 1 time per month). oh i’m in western PA
Sherri
I haven’t seen the signs, but I finally gave up on Wal-Mart a couple weeks ago and have vowed not to go back. I have shopped there for years, but since I started using coupons a few months ago, I’ve had nothing but problems. Especially with printed coupons – they never want to take them, always have to call a manager over, and they make me feel like I am stealing from them. I tried Kroger, and had about 20 printed coupons, and they had absolutely no problem with it. So, now I shop at Kroger.

M
SHERI
“STEALING FROM THEM”, Thank you.. yes that is exactly how I feel!
As for Kroger, I LOVE RALPHS and they love my cq’a and printed ones too!
http://anneonlife.com Anne Bender
Wow, me too! I stopped shopping at Walmart at the end of June after being ignored by my cashier and the “greeter”. Mine never takes internet printables, but I’ve never had any issues with other coupons. I just didn’t think it was wise to support a store that doesn’t seem to care about its customers.
Terry
A lot of the Walgreens by me (which there is LITERALLY one on every corner) aren’t taking printed coupons either b/c of counterfeiting. I haven’t seen the signs but I also went to Wal-Mart last night and I was soooooo upset b/c when I went to use my printed coupons—which were all high value $2,$3,$5 off coupons—the cashier said that they don’t take them b/c of counterfeiting! Now in order to use them I will be limited to only Target & CVS *SIGH* :/

M
NICE SIGN.. but it’s tooo good to be true!
I have personally given up on shopping at Walmart with coupons. In my city of San Diego,CA they are extremly coupon unfriendly!!
- 1 coupon max even if buying multiple of same item.
ex. buy 3 wipes, want to use 3 wipe cq’s .. only 1 cq per person (I swear)
- Most stores no printed cq’s
- Want to use 5+ cq in a transaction, they need mgr approval
- overage/price down.. that’s a fight
TARGET,CVS,WALGREENS,RITEAID are now my BF’s xoxox

M
one more crazy rule,
- Black and white cq’s, “NO, must be in color” !??

LorMae
haha… don’t get me started on Walmart and their coupon knowledge! It sounds like a wonderful idea to have seperate registers for coupons, but counterproductive if the employees aren’t trained (which they should be whether or not they are “coupon specialists”). No, I don’t think you are being too harsh… personally, I am tired of being treated like a criminal when I check out and use coupons… I LOVE employees that are kind and knowledgable about coupons.
Kelli
That’s hilarious! Good ol’ walmart!!
Jennifer K.
I don’t shop at Wal-Mart anymore so I can’t report about what’s happening in the AL, but I’m not surprised that Wal-Mart isn’t training cashiers to become coupon specialists. They like the appearance of being helpful and a nice place to work rather than actually being helpful and a nice place to work.
mary
I have not seen these signs but I do have to say that every time I’ve ever handed the checker (and I usually use 20 or more) my coupons they have always known what was going on and I’ve never had a problem. So, if they have checkers that have worked there for a while and know their business, then good for them. I like shopping at Kroger a lot though because they double anything up to $.50 and their checkers are always knowledgeable, too.

Sheralyn
Mary,
Do they always double, or just during special events? I ask because the other day my Ralphs doubled my Cottonelle coupon and I had no idea where it came from, or why. If so I’ll be doing more non-grocery shopping there.

Mary
Sheralyn ~ Kroger in my town doubles up to $.50 always! There are a lot of 4 day sales where it’s 10 for $10 (but you really don’t have to buy 10 items) and a lot of those things I have $.50 coupons for so I get it for free. My husband works there and I know all the cashier’s and they all want to wait on me just to see how much the initial bill is, sub it, and then see what I actually pay. Sometimes I even have other customers hang around till I finish to see what my final bill is. It’s crazy but lot’s of fun. I lost my job a year ago and I put in a lot of time finding coupons to cut down on the grocery bill. I usually save an average of 40 – 60 bucks.

HeatherF
I’ve used the register at the Boise Walmart off Overland with that label 2 times and both time I was actually really impressed. The lady before me had sooo many coupons and the cashier was amazingly fast. I did not know you could even take in Jo Anns coupons to get craft stuff at Walmart 40% off. She did the math so fast.
Walmart can drive me crazy but I guess I’m one of the few people that don’t seem to have problems there. I’ve never had a problem with them taking any coupon.
Candace
I used one of the “coupon specialist” lines once and reading this post just explained so much. It was by far my slowest shopping experience ever and I didn’t have many coupons (8). I had to explain to her how to do the coupons.
Drea
I went to a “coupon specialist” yesterday and it was the easiest transaction I have ever done at Walmart. I also had a large quantity of coupons and some of them where Target coupons. She did them all no problem. It’s really just hit or miss with Walmart. I had more of a problem at Fred Meyer yesterday. The checker said I couldn’t stack my manufactured and the coupons loaded onto my rewards card. He had to call the manager and then the manager would only override 1 of the rewards card coupons and said he couldn’t do the other one so I just told them I didn’t want to buy it. Even though I had printed out the coupons I had loaded onto my card. Every time I have used coupons at Fred Meyer with my rewards card has been nothing but a hassle.

Tanya
The key to using rewards coupons at Fred Meyer is to have them ring all the paper coupons first and THEN scan your rewards card. They can’t do anything about it then and I find most cashiers don’t even notice them come off
Mary
Is that like Kroger? I know you can load Cellfire coupons on your Kroger card and use coupons too and that way you’re saving twice the amount. Cool. I love Kroger.

Samantha
Thanks for the head’s up on this one. Further justifies my dislike. I only shop Wal-Mart for odd things that I can’t find elsewhere; flashlight batteries. They refuse most coupons, are rude and I actually had a cashier use some 4 letter words during my checkout in front of my 4 year old.
I have shopped the Wal-Marts in Western, Pa (in-laws live there) and it’s a whole different experience. Enjoyable:)
Molly Lewellen
Yep…this is the exact story we have heard at our Walmart here in Ontario.
Diana
Hilarious!!! This is why I LOVE Target so much and since I save so much on coupons EVERYwhere else, I have no need to have to go to WalMart for a good deal.
Ana
I absolutely HATE WalMart for this reason. The one near me knows nothing about coupons. They’re rude, treat me like I’m such an inconvenience to them, and have accused me multiple times of making copies of a coupon because they didn’t scan on the first try (always scans on the handheld once they try it). A “manager” told me one time that I was stupid to think that I could use a coupon to get something for so cheap (.07c on lotion, I think).
Sorry, just inserted a little rant of my own! But I see what you’re saying about the signs: great idea WalMart, but talk about poor execution (at some stores).
Julie
I’ve often left Walmart “feeling like a criminal” because of the cashiers’ lack of coupon training. There is one in particular who is very vocal and he once told me, “This is probably a fake, but I’ll do it anyhow.” And another time the lady scanned my coupon and put it in her register, but I looked at my receipt and it hadn’t taken off the coupon amount! I had to ask her for my coupon back which meant I had to wait through the next customer’s tranaction, and then I brought it to the service desk to be compensated–lucky for me the folks at the return desk are used to forking out money indescriminately, so I was reimbursed for the coupon:)
To be fair I’ve had one or two checkers who are helpful, at least kind, but I do think the coupon training is seriously lacking.
Katie
I only shop at wallys now! It can be a bit more strenuous, but it’s totally worth it!. Those signs are mainly for the three days that doublers are out. They put people there on those days that know how to Ring them up. They are more difficult because every item has to be price over ridden. As a couponer I found a way that makes it easy on both of us to get through this, but it does take a while. To me it’s worth it because I litterally get to pick what I get for free. Not just have to use my doubles on things that are currently on sale. You were at the 12th walmart? If I have coupons (especialy doublers) I drive to the Franklin one. They are100%better than 12th, and I live a mile away from the one on 12th. So unless you have doubles I wouldn’t take any heed to those signs!
http://www.threetreetea.com LIsa B.
One of the many reasons I never shop at Wal-Mart. Unbelievably rude and incompetent, and only willing to provide customer service insofar as there’s a benefit to them. Nothing for the sake of goodwill. Now that I know how to coupon I’m so glad I don’t have to bother with that place, there’s not one nearby anyway. No, not too harsh, they need to get a clue.
Carrie
I haven’t shopped at Wal-Mart much in the last couple years, since we moved and the nearest one is 30 minutes away. When I began couponing last year, I read lots of negative things about their acceptance of coupons, but didn’t have a chance to put the one in my area to the test until last month. I was pleasantly surprised! I used 18 q’s, some of which were printables, and everything went through without a hitch. The register beeped a couple times, but that didn’t seem to phase the checker, who simply entered whatever was needed to push it through. I even got overage on a few! My total went from $80.01 to $43.26 and both the checker and the lady in line behind me commented on how impressed they were. I’m excited to do another trip there soon, but I’m half afraid next time it won’t go so well. Although, looking at my receipt now, it looks like I was rang up by a manager – I wonder if that helped? I’m also noticing at the very bottom, it says “We want you to pay the lowest price”, which is in reference to their price match policy, but seems like a good argument for using coupons, as well!
My first thought on the Coupon Specialist lines – so people who are NOT using coupons won’t get in line behind people who are using stacks of them, or if they do, can’t say they weren’t given fair warning when they grumble about having to wait longer because of “that crazy coupon lady”!
Lindsay
Last week I went into the line like that in Nampa and when it was my turn I also commented on the new signs she said actually I usually work in the bakery I dont even do the registers I am just filling in, she actually did ok I did have to go back because she didn’t ring about 6 of my coupons and overcharged me for something but overall it was friendly. I did think it was a little funny that she wasn’t even a cashier and was put in the coupon specialist line, I have gotten a few that are really good though, so if the front manager is around instead of profiling (because I dont always do good at that) I ask who is good at the double coupon thing and that usually works well, because some of those checkers it is just beyong them.
http://Krazycouponlady Keilani
My Walmart may not specially train their checkers at the “coupon specialist” check-out, but each time I’ve been there they’re willing to listen to what I say and each time they’ve called over a manager, the manager was quick, polite, and approved my coupons. So far they’ve gotten everything right, even if was a little slower to calculate prices and check ads. I’ve been very happy with their service and they’ve become my #1 place to shop. However, my sister, after accompanying me to my Walmart and seeing how it was done, went to her Walmart in Nampa. Totally different story. The manager argued most things and made it a big pain. She’ll now be driving to Boise to shop at my store.
Amy Hawkins
I live in Northern Nevada and we don’t get double coupons at any stores. I’m jealous!
Nadir
Maybe it’s just there as a warning to non-coupon shoppers. It’s Walmart’s way of telling them to “pick another checkout lane, honey”
I am completely unsurprised that WM would do a halfhearted job of something.
jennifer
Walmart is so hit and miss with the checkers and every person I have gone to in the “coupon specialist” line tells me different info on the coupons I can use each time! One man told me he couldn’t take the $1 off coupon I was using on a 96cent item since it was more, explained to him to adjust the coupon down, he said he couldn’t do that called the manager over and she said yes then a few items later he accepted a coupon for $5 off a 4.47 item and didn’t even correct it!!! Funny thing too, that manager that had came over told me I couldn’t stack coupons (I was using a target coupon and a man q)and that no other stores allow you to do that! I laughed and tried to explain to her that they do and listed stores that do but she was persistant that she had gone to the local Target and talked with them and they do not allow “stacking”! Silly silly lady!!!
http://www.bargains4wahms.com Sandra
I have not seen these signs, but I agree with you! Collin at Hip2Save did a mass email thing to Walmart to try to get them to do better. Her whole followship emailed them!
Roger
Love the pic of the sign! Classic.
Sara P
We do not have those signs at our Wal-mart, any of them. There are about 6 that I can hit fairly close to home. I have to say I avoid Wal-mart like the plague when it comes to shopping. I always wait in a long line or there is one checker and those self-check lines. The self-check line won’t do half my coupons so I never use it. Cashiers really scrutinize everything, often tell me they don’t think I can save that much money (I find that ironic in a store that boasts to have the lowest prices) and then the coupon limit is frustrating. It has to be a really awesome deal for me to seek it out at Wal-mart. I usually stick to Target even if it means I paid a few cents when it would be free at Wal-mart.
Since I worked at Wal-Mart in high school and college I know it’s not the employees but the company atmosphere and culture. They are really hard on employees for losing 10c and customer service is not the priority there that it once was.
val
I live in Texas and I have never had a problem at walmart taking my coupons. They do take my black & white printed coupons. Some of them get slightly annoyed but that is it.
But then again, I’ve never stacked or doubled coupons there and I rarely have more than ten coupons in a transaction.
April M
Hi- no you aren’t being too harsh at all. I have only been couponing about 2 months and I have given up on Walmart. They treat me like I am a thief every time I use coupons. It’s just not worth it. Not when I can shop at Target or Walgreen’s or CVS and be treated like a valued customer.
maha
I absolutely agree with the statement above. other customers who do not use coupons get frustrated with people ahead of them in lane using a lot of coupons and the issues that comes with it. us who use coupons would understand and be more patient..so they probably decided to assign few registers just for that purpose..over all non of walmart employees seem to be properly trained to me it always feels like they work individually depending on the personality and the mood they in LOL i know..not funny..

Sara P
It’s changed a lot (I’m sure due to internet coupons and such) but when I was a cashier at Wal-Mart they were very liberal with coupons, at least at the store I worked in. The manager would let customers use a coupon for a smaller size on bigger sizes or two small items. There was no real training other than check the expiration date and be sure and write in the price when it asks for it. I think the training is about the same now (based on my experience as a shopper) except they’ve put the fear of taking a “fake” coupon into their cashier’s heads.

Carol
I have never seen those signs. It would be nice if they knew what they were doing though.
Dawn
I haven’t noticed the signs at my Wal=Mart but will be looking for them now.
http://growingbarkers.blogspot.com Christina
The checker told me it is some of their fastest cashiers. Which means they probably don’t get get held up and stumped by coupons.I think they still may be onto something.Maybe not! ha ha. I don’t think some people pay attention to those signs. There are always loads of people who stand in those lines and don’t have coupons. I bet they are not happy!
tina
okay so i sent my husband to walmart to grab a few tide trial size with the $1.00 off p and g coupon, since i love them for when we travel. Anyhow, the cashier, and two managers all hovered around his coupon, and wouldnt let him buy more than one tide, because it said one coupon per purchse! he said it looked so ridiculous, 3 people all around this tiny square of paper, so then he said, okay if thats really what you think it means, then lets do it in seperate transactions, and in true walmart style they said no we will just do one, my husband said, you will loose a customer, and the manager said, that’s fine, hahahaha, best customer service ever!
Tina
I avoid my walmart when I have to use coupons, there cashiers are not very well trained in using coupons, I have had problems everytime I used them there. I stick with Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens occasionally they are not so close, but are opening a new one closer, Yeah!!!!
Stephanie
I LOVE that idea! It is so great it would keep us coupon users happy and the other shoppers happy that they aren’t behind us in line. Too bad WalMart didn’t actually provide training for their cashiers but maybe that sign may keep people in a hurry out of that line at the least? Yesterday I did my weekly grocery shopping and for the first time I told the person behind me that “this may not be the shortest line… I have a lot of coupons.” It was a man and he said it was fine then I said alrighty and continued loading my groceries onto the belt and I turned around again and he was gone:-)
Audrie
Leave it up to Walmart to do something super lame like that!
Amanda
I avoid Walmart like the plague if I am using coupons anymore as all my manager does is argue with me and tell me I cannot do it — have never won an argument there about coupons. I try not to go in the store for anything at all anymore if there is any place else that I can possibly buy what I am wanting to buy somewhere else.
Mandi
“Coupon Specialist” my eye! I went through a line the other day and the lady said she didn’t really know how to do it “the fast way” and asked if it was ok if she just did it “her way.” I am guessing that just means the slow way. She had to look at each item, ring it up, subtract the amount of the coupon on the calculator, type that in as an override price, and scan the coupon. She had to do that for EVERY SINGLE item I had! Of course, I didn’t catch that she hand typed in the wrong amount on 3 items!!! Arg!!

Myia
My mother in law had the same thing happen! For every coupon the cashier had to enter it on her hand calculator etc. This has made me nervous to even try it!

Kimberly
We have the signs at our checkstands, so I went to one to expect a hassle free transaction with my free wipes. The wipes were $1.97, and the coupon was for $2.00 off, and she just wrung it up for $2.00 off when it beeped. I told her it beeped because the item was only $1.97 and she needed to price adjust down, and she said it had something to do with the taxes being too high, and she just gave me the overage.
http://www.onebrightidea.webs.com Michelle
YOU ARE CORRECT! WalMart is awful. My husband use to work there and their interaction between “associates” and “corporate” is zero to none, you are lucky to find someone who will accept coupons. I have found that the Rite Aid clerks actually help me in finding more coupons to add to my purchase and their quality & quantity is SOOOO Much better than WM. Target & WalGreens are my second and third best stores to use coupons. We NEVER go to WM anymore.
http://therepurposedvegan.blogspot.com cassie
Oh yes, Walmart. They are terrible. I’ve never had a pleasant shopping experience there, and DREAD checking out with coupons…which I always have! Couple those reasons with the fact they aren’t the most ecologically responsible business on earth to begin with, and the fact that they’re unfair to their employees to pass the savings onto you, and there REALLY isn’t any reason I can find to support them. Rollback their business!
Cheri
I have not seen the sign at my local WM’s. When I went in to get the free wipes though, it took three people to figure out if I could use the coupons. The first guy said I didn’t buy the right item. I pointed out that the coupon said “any” Pampers wipes. He then asked a supervisor that did not know what to do, so they called another supervisor, that came by after me standing there for 10 minutes,and she knew exactly what to do. I just hate waiting for the right person!
Beth from Tucson
I have 4 Walmarts that I shop at here in Tucson & I’ve never had a problem with coupons or ad price matching from any store. Also, if you forget to give them a coupon, they will take it off at customer service. It’s a pleasure to shop at Walmart! I did have a cashier at a Walmart in Hayward, WI question my internet coupons & I was shocked because I’ve always had such great experiences in Tucson. At Target I have to take my ad price matching to customer service & they won’t price match any store that has a store card, so that leaves Alberton’s as the only store they will ad match. CVS is great for taking coupons & gives great customer service. Walgreens is a problem in that they don’t have a set coupon policy, so it’s up to each individual manger; therefore there is a lot of inconsistency.
Christi
Oh, Walmart is the worst. I’m so glad here in Portland there isn’t one close to me for nearly 15 miles…I’m not even tempted to step foot in one. I was recently visiting family and was forced to shop at one and girls were doing the matching coupons with Albertson’s Twice the Value…well, some girls were checking out with 15-20 Twice the Value coupons. I was so sad about this…not sure how the explain it, it just seemed like the strange, abusive side to couponing and I’m pretty committed myself. I just don’t want to give Walmart extra business I guess.
Katherine
Alright, I’m glad you brought this up. I have yet to see the “Coupon Specialists” sign at my local Wal-Mart, but I have experienced the “well the coupon is more than the item so I can’t use it”. What’s with that? Should they instead just enter the amount of the coupon as the amount of the item? This way they satisfy the customer as well as their drawer balancing? I was none to happy but didn’t really know what to say!
Katherine
Oh, and also had the check out lady tell me that her manager recently warned the cashiers not to accept coupons over the value of the item. Ugh!
Amber T
Well, if you watch the movie “The High Cost of Low Prices” you will realize that WalMart does many things to get people in the door, that are lies. We actually made a decision as a family to not shop there anymore nearly a year ago, and we haven’t been in since. I think they are a horrible company who will say anything to make a buck, but they really don’t care about anyone.
Melu
I have a love/hate relationship with Walmart. I love being able to price-match produce instead of driving to Provo to go to Buy Low. I have having to search for a good checker. Sometimes I have to go to the longest line just because I know that the checker knows how to handle coupons. I’ve also had bad attitude from several checkers that treat you as if you were a thief. I don’t appreciate that. How I wish they would train their checkers about the benefits of coupons and how to make it easier on them!
Anissa
I have had great experiences checking out at the Boise Walmarts using coupons. The other day I had over $65 off in coupons and they all worked.
Ro
I am in agreement about WalMart being the worst. I went there last week to redeem my $1.00 off coupons I had for kikkoman products offered at $1.42. After being greeted by the cashier she looked at my black and white coupons (printed at home in B&W to save expensive ink) She asked me if the coupons were copies. I said no – they were valid coupons I got off the internet. Instead of quoting policy (I have heard that WalMart doesn’t accept Internet Coupons) she said she would have to call her manager to which I replied- never mind – please void the sale. The same coupons were happily accepted at Target. (The kikkoman product was about the same price there) WalMart is off my list…..
Angela
Funny! I had a similar experience BUT my “coupon specialist” had to call a manager to help her with a Albies doubler and the overage…..I explained it to her and her manager, both were confused! And by the way, I applied to Walmart and they didn’t even call me!
Lisa
In Meridian, although I usually go to the Franklin Nampa Wallies. I have always hated them. Lately I have been shopping there more just to save myself time, because they take everyone’s coupons. So then I only have to go to one place. I had a young girl a while back and she was very good. Didn’t give me grief and pulled out a book to look at possible coupons when I had one she wasn’t sure of. Albertson’s, Winco and Rite Aid are still my top 3. Hearing though that Wallies’ isn’t as good to their employees makes me want to go elsewhere.
Tammy
We have Coupon Specialist at our store in Ontario, OR (about 50 miles from Boise, ID). There is also a giant sign out-front saying “ANY PRICE ANY COUPON” I’ve only recently starting going back to Wal-Mart because of this. I use my Albertsons doublers there since I can use an unlimited amount per transaction, not just the 3 that Albertsons limits you too. So- Sorry to all of those in back of me in line. I try to go during the off-peak hours.
Ruth
that is such a funny story (about the coupon expert!) I’d be surprised to find a single non-management employee who has received any training on coupons at Walmart. After one to many times of being treated like an idiot or a thief when trying to use a totally legit coupon… I’m NEVER shopping there again.
Luann
no you are not being harsh. i will be looking for these signs, and honestly probably avoiding those checkout lanes!
when i first was reading this i saw it as the anti-coupon checkout lane. like they have someone there trained to veto coupons. so i was surprised when u said no training and she didn’t take issue with your coupons.
i too want a coupon lane, yet i want one that is supportive of it no one that is against coupons and under the guise of ‘coupon specialist’ voids/dismisses all your coupons… (don’t know how to adequately explain it)
Dianne
So I’m not a big Walmart fan BUT……took my doubles there last week since Albertsons had nothing too impressive with their doubles. My experience (12th Ave – Nampa) was great. I used the Coupon check out lane – cashier basically asked that each coupon I was using was with the product I was buying since I was also using doubles. She rang up each item and did a price over ride to take the double coupon into account – at the end of the transaction she scanned all my manf. coupons. I ended up paying $8.42 for over $43 worth of groceries – in 1 transaction – that was the selling point for me – did not want to spend the time dividing all of my purchases into 3 groups of 3 at Albertsons – I don’t agree with Walmarts tactics – I’m sure they have their own marketing people that could come up with some double coupon promotion BUT the convenience made me rethink how I will use my doubles – I have 18 to spend everytime they come out and will probably take advantage of Walmarts 15 double coupon per purchase limit -
Krista
Really, this many judgmental people ripping on one store. When you started couponing didn’t you have questions? Look how many people write to couponing blogs and ask questions, and you expect every employee to understand something you’ve taken quite some time to learn. Haven’t any of you had questions in your place of employment, perhaps none of you got to deal with it in front of rude customers worried about getting .50 off.

Samantha
I don’t think it’s the fact that we can save .50, I think it is the fact that soo many of their employees are clueless, and it’s not the employees’ fault. We are complaining about a company that fails to educate even their management staff about how to treat customers. It’s obviously a widespread problem for most of the WM.
There are problems everywhere with coupons and the staff knowledge, but most of the stores that I shop at are at least friendly about it and have management teams that know how to treat a customer.
In the WM’s in our area I have had managers not know where the baby registry is located, signage that is ‘hidden between shelving about return policies, employees cussing, sharing intimate details about their life while cashiering or doing returns, employees that don’t speak English. This is not the employees fault, but a lack of leadership, training, and corporate responsibility.
I have shopped WM’s across the state line, and had a totally different experience. Friendly, smiling staff, happy to accept coupons, willing to take the time to locate an item, and knowledge of their products and policies.

RM
Well the truth is the truth if you are a multi million dollar company and you are dealing with other peoples money then you should educate your employees so that you can keep your customers otherwise they will shop elsewhere where they are not being treated like they are stealing for using a coupon! I do not shop at walmart. They have no coupon speacalist there.
Jeni
I AM BANNING WAL-MART… Someone stole my Coupon binder from there and I refuse to step foot in there again(realistically dont think it will last long…lol). I had noticed a lady watching me as I looked for a coupon (Im usually organized but this trip I wasnt) as I strolled the isles I spotted another product as I went to get the coupon I noticed the binder was missing. I never walked more that 2ft away from my cart but I guess if someone wants something they’ll do whatever they have to do to get it… WHat a bummer…
Lisa
I personally have not seen those signs at my local WalMart (Chicago West Suburbs), but perhaps that is because I avoide WalMart like the plague! I can’t stand their “policy” on coupons and their rude and clueless employees. So now I guess I just have another reason to avoid that store! Thanks for the heads up on their new “coupon specialist” scam.
Sarah
Um, wow. wtg Walmart. I avoid it like the plague too. I’m never been convinced that the few items that they actually have a better price on are worth the aggravation of attempting to shop there with a toddler.
N
I work at WM as a cashier. I have already graduated college and now in a masters program. Our trainers are horrible. Many things will change and we will not be told. We just have to figure a lot of things out on our own. Sometimes you’ll get a good deal on the coupon because we really don’t care to figure out and complete all the steps for 4 cents. Just remember we get paid minium wage and we don’t work at WM so we can serve people to the best of our ability. We have other plans in mind. We just enjoy the paycheck every other week for now. Sorry if we are rude but we don’t get paid or treated well enough to care.

Lora
Wow then maybe you should work somewhere else if you dont’ get paid enought to care about doing your job. This is one of the reasons why I only shop at Target and Safeway with my coupons..their cashiers actually do care enough to be polite and helpful towards coupon paying customers.

N
Have you ever worked retail? I mean, seriously, for more than just a few months? Do the exact same thing over and over every day? If you did you would have a very different attitude toward all of this.
I should find another job? Have you tried finding a job right now? Lol…anyways
Everyone have little respect for people who have such a crap jobs. If you knew why some of these people have the jobs in the first place you would probably feel horrible.
Just know that WM attracts everyone low to middle class. Target probably gets higher class people cuz the prices are a bit more. Customers make or break workers attitudes. It only takes so many people complaining and calling you stupid to make you not so friendly.

Chris
Not true N. Walmart pays much more than minimum wage. I truly hope you do not work for my walmart because your attitude stinks. And that has nothing to do with your job. It’s obvious that that is the kind of person you are. If you dont like your job then leave. Talking smack about the company that provides you a paycheck is very immature.

Melanie
I worked 7 years for Wal-mart. Started at $7.25, ending at $9.18. I was at $9.43 but switched from cashier to the floor (cashiers make a quarter more). That 25 cent pay cut was the final straw, and I left. Tried for years to find a better job, vowing to never go back to retail, but being a full time mom with a handicapped husband and needing part-time hours, all I could do was retail. So your suggestion of “if you don’t like it get another job” does not work for everyone. I don’t think people choose to work retail because they love it. Walmart doesn’t train either. They give one hour of cashier traing before you are on your own. If you work on the floor, there is no training. If I work in sporting goods I pretty much b.s. my way through it when helping customers.

Diane
I am kinda new to couponing & after reading this I have a question, that may seem a little stupid, but here goes…..Do stores actually “pay you” when you have overages, or are they just like bragging rights? If so, I am doing something very wrong!
Thanks!

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/members/heather/ Heather
No, they never hand you cash back. But you can use your overage towards other items in your cart. Make sense?

Beth
I actually love my Walmart and have never had problems using coupons there. Target sucks! And the fact that it is a half an hour away from me gives me another reason, besides their rude attitude towards coupon users, to never go their even if stuff is free after sale price combined with a coupon.
Chris
Walmart is not a bad place to work. This is the thing guys. The coupon program is a fairly new one. It’s still in the tweaking process. I would think that people would appreciate that walmart is now taking ALL coupons from every store. It is truly one stop shopping. It is no longer necessary to go to several stores to get your groceries cheaper. True the lines may be long sometimes and your cashier who by the way is a human being, is doing a honest days work. They are not stupid or uneducated. There is a misconception that walmart only hires a certain type of person and that they dont pay well. I live in a state where they only have to pay you a little under six dollars an hour and I get paid much more than that at walmart.
It can be very overwhelming to try to please every customer in the way that they would like. We all have diff. conceptions of how our check out experience should be. Running those registers may “seem” easy. but believe me there is a lot you have to know. It’s amazing to me that people are always quick to jump on the anti-walmart band wagon. In this day and age and during this difficult time that so many people are having trying to put decent meals on the table for their family’s I would hope that more people would appreciate what walmart is trying to do to help people do that.
Dusty
Amen. I completely and 100% agree with with your assessment of Wal-Mart. I, myself,have gone head to head with Wal-Mart’s “management” over there inability to follow their own guidelines. In my case, I had to go above store management to have the issue resolved. Rather than take the time to evaluate the photocopies of fraudulent coupons that the corporate office had faxed to said “manager”..he decided to tell the cashiers not to take ANY interenet coupons with the clearinghouse address 1 Fawcett Dr., Del Rio, TX. To my dismay, that included just about all of my coupons printed from coupons.com. Furthermore, he informed me that ALL coupons with that address were fraudulent. To his dismay, I wrote Wal-mart corporate, coupons.com and the local Sunday paper..to let them know their coupons were fraudulent. See, the coupons inside many of the boxes of Quaker Oatmeal boxes (purchased at Wal-Mart)had that same address, along with tear-off pads placed throughout the store. AND, many of the coupons in my Sunday inserts had the address as well. While I knew that the OBVIOUSLY were not fraudulent, I felt compelled to let them know, that’s what I was told. I received the following email from our local Sunday paper’s VP of marketing in regards to my email concerning the said “fraudulent coupons”:
I checked with our coupon vendor and we have notified Wal-Mart that there is an issue with their stores.
Here is the email from the coupon vendor regarding communication with Wal-Mart.
I am sorry to hear you had trouble using your coupons. I have attached some information regarding our online coupons.
We are working with Wal-Mart Customer Relations group to clear up all misunderstandings about redeeming our coupons at Wal-Mart stores. They have directed us to ask you to contact them directly about any coupon redemption issues you are having at their stores. The following quote was provided to us by Wal-Mart.
“It is important to us that we address any customer concerns that are brought to our attention. We prefer to hear from the customer who is directly involved. If they would like to contact us, we would encourage them to do so by any of the following means:
1) Call 1-800-Wal-Mart
2) Log on to http://www.walmartstores.com , Click on Contact Us (located at the top right hand corner of the screen)
3) Write to us at the following address:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Attn: Customer Relations
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, AR 72716
Thank you,
Wal-Mart Customer Relations”
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
Client Services
Coupons, Inc.
_______________________________________________________
Needless to say, the issue was resolved and the manager is, well, let’s say, better, at resolving issues with coupons and properly training his cashiers.
SarahL
I hate walmart. Not even because of the rude employess (Yes, who are rude even though you just have a question and you’re being NICE). But I hate being in a long line, using a coupon and having me wait there in front of everyone while the employees are looking at me and talking to me like I’m a criminal trying to use a fraudulent coupon! I am an HONEST person and would never copy a coupon and try to use it. Thats just wrong. I do understand that there are people that do that, but I am not one of them. And its EVERY TIME I TRY TO USE A COUPON AT WALMART! Anyways, done with my rant now I love target, the store in my area is very coupon friendly, and they don’t treat me like a criminal.
Jodi D
Hi I am new to this site. I live about 3 blocks away from a Super Walmart and I enjoy it there. The workers are friendly and say hi to me and chit chat, like they are my acquaintance. They never have issues with my coupons, or any other issue like that. But OTOH I go late at night usually. It’s open 24-7 and I love going at like 3am, it’s like the store is open only for me to shop there because I rarely see another customer. But yes I always have a positive experience there. Sometimes I just go to window shop, to see what they have and what prices. So not all walmart’s are bad, just some are.
Also working with the public is a hard job. You get burnt out eventually but feel that is your only job you can get. Just because the person is rude it doesn’t make them a bad person, they might of just had a rough day. There are customers that are never happy and they have to tolerate that. I wouldn’t take someone’s rudeness personally, they are obviously that way because of something that you didn’t do, because you just met them.
Brit
I worked at wal mart for over 7 yrs and i have to agree the training is awful in most all areas of the store. The pay really does suck unless you move to pharmacy or vision center which i finally did. They don’t put any time into trainin u properly, just kinda have u watch someone else for an hr then u have at it. Most of the mamagment doesn’t even know proper company policy and u get 10 different answers or ways of doing things.
Cassandra
I have seen this sign at my local Walmart and I went through the line once (just because it was the shortest) and the girl actually knew a lot about coupons and gave me some websites to look up for more coupons on things I was purchasing and id not have a coupon for.
Sam
I can tell you something is being done. The company sent down a memo to all stores about comments left on websites such as this. They stated how a CSM is always needed, and that they feel it is always a hassle. So, I know personally the company does notice. The fake coupons we post at cashier meetings so they know what fake coupons are out there. For instance, free Velveeta, Doritos etc. We have also discussed to call CSM’S over less not just for coupons but also for any other situation. So, as a MALE coupon user and employee I hear you. If something doesn’t work out at a particular store you can talk to the store Manager first. Let them work it out. Than if nothing is done go to the market manager. The contact info is posted at the service desk. If nothing is done there than contact home office. We prefer to be notified at store level first instead of hearing it from a letter to president. Not that we are scared about the president letter but we can most likely address it at store level.