Remember back in June when I posted about Target adjusting manufacturer’s coupons? It wasn’t long before that post that I began to see Target short-changing couponers little by little.
I noticed a story by a MN news station that highlighted the issue. You can view it HERE. I’m really glad that this is finally being brought to light.
I never posted what I found out from my little investigation, but I emailed it to the producer of that news station.
Here is what I said in my email to her:
| I’m so glad that this issue is coming out! I live in La Vergne, TN and have had many problems with Target and their coupon redemption. I first started noticing issues whenever they were manually adjusting manufacturer’s coupons. I was told by a manager (different store) that NO ONE can adjust a manufacturer’s coupon because no matter what- the retailer will be reimbursed the full amount of that coupon. Meaning that if I use a $4 coupon, Target will get the entire $4. However, I have bee to Target and they have adjusted my coupon down if the item is priced less than $4. I lose the money they adjust and they get the overage in their pockets.
I was even more disappointed when I found out that Target’s computers were automatically starting to adjust manufacturer’s coupons. This to me seems like fraud. I decided to do a little investigation on my own because no one else seemed to be bothered by it. Here’s what I did: 1) I contacted Target’s guest services telephone number and spoke with a representative. She gave me a round-about for a while before I got her to the meat of the issue. They had first attempted to just email me a copy of their coupon policy (which stated that they CAN adjust a manufacturer’s coupon). This didn’t answer my question, so I kept on her to tell me why this was allowed. After going around and around, she finally began to answer my question. The rep told me that if an item is priced less than the coupon for the item, that they will adjust the coupon to the price of the item. She also stated that Target cashiers will then write down the amount that they adjusted the coupon to on the coupon itself to send to the clearing house. I pointed out that the registers were automatically doing this now, so how would they know to “write it on the coupon”? She couldn’t answer me here, but said that they always turn in the register tape with the coupons to the clearing house. 2) I then called Colgate Palmolive. I chose them because they often had coupons available and they are the manufacturers who make the rules, so I thought it smart to ask them their thoughts. I spoke with a representative who proceeded to tell me that she could not comment on how their coupons are accepted. I repeatedly asked for contact information for who could tell me how their coupons should be accepted and she could not help me. 3) Lastly, I contacted a coupon clearing house located in Dania, FL. I spoke with the contact person there. I didn’t give her any background info, I just asked her if Target submits a $4 coupon, will they receive $4 back? She said yes. I then asked her if cashiers were to write a certain amount on the coupon, would they only get reimbursed for that amount. She said NO- that they would receive the full face value of the coupon no matter what was written on it. She she said they are reimbursed by scanning the barcode of the coupon and that is what they will be paid. I then went into the Target situation with her and told her that they were adjusting the coupons down by anywhere from $.01- even dollars. She said it sounded to her like they were getting paid for it and we were getting jipped. She was completely unaware that this was going on. This wouldn’t be a big deal if the small $.03 here and $1 there didn’t add up! My husband and I figured up a rough figure that Target could be ripping couponers of millions of dollars eachyear for adjusting just $.03 from a coupon. People who use coupons do not ask that Target hands them cash back, they just ask that the amound at least be absorbed back into their total towards other items. Its not fair for the retailer to rip us off by a few cents but make millions off of us. |
If I hear back from her, I will definitely let you guys know.
What are your thoughts on this? I want to know what you think!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Woo Hoo! This bothers me too! I am just too mis-informed to do anything about it.
I have been suspicious for quite some time about Target’s coupon policy. They have tried and tried to rip me off several times. I have stopped buying my main grocery items from them, not only is the quality of their products, IE Market Pantry not as fresh as other brands, but their milk has soured on me twice after only 3 days. I will ONLY buy those items that I can get super deals on, and ONLY in small enough quantities that I can keep an eagle eye on the register tape. My sister lives in another town, and she has called me in tears at some of the things they have done to her. I give you a thousand Kudos for taking them to task, and I sure do hope you keep your readers updated! God bless!
I would be that sister that Susan is talking about. I can not tell you the problems I have had. There is not enough space or time. But, I am grateful to you for all your hard work and am looking forward to the end results of this task.
Thank you, God Bless!!!
Target ripped me out of $4 last trip by scanning coupons but the registering not deducting them. Interesting thing is that I believe Walgreen’s new coupon policy states that they will adjust down the price of the coupon essentially doing the same thing!
This practice will definately make me shop somewhere other than Target. I agree that this seems to be fraud of at least stealing straight from my family’s budget. I am not ok with any part of this practice. I am looking forward to your follow-up on this. Thanx Amy!!
THANK YOU for doing this! Just this week I had one of probably at least 20 horrible trips to Target involving coupons & I swore I would never be back! I emailed them, and of course, they sent me another stupid copy of their “coupon policy!” They didn’t answer my question, didn’t address any of the issues I was having….just a stupid form email of their “coupon policy!” I think this was the end of Target for me….
I really appreciate everyone’s support. When I first started noticing this, I felt kinda petty and stupid for complaining about a couple cents. But after I heard that other people were having the same issue, it started to seem less petty. It may be a lost cause that gets completely drowned by the corporation world, but I can assure you that there are going to be loads of upset couponers!
I will let you know of anything that comes of this!
wow u go girl!!
i watch the registers at target now like a hawk, because i hate how they adjust coupons down even if the price of the item is not less than the coupon.
like buying 2 items for 50cents each and having a $1/2 coupon instead of giving you both for free it only took 50 cents off so still had to pay .50 but i’m sure target got the whole dollar back!
frustrating!
I haven’t noticed that yet Jessica, but that to me would be even MORE frustrating! I will have to watch that if I ever go back in there
They did the exact same thing to me Jessica just on this last Target trip I went on last week. I always pull over to the side and check my receipt out before leaving, and I noticed that they only gave me $0.50 off an item that called for a $1.00 off two. I called the manager over and they credited back and then recharged my items. I layed my $5.00 Target gift card down for the dog food that I bought, expecting to get another one after the second transaction charge. It took FOREVER for the second ring-up and I was running late, so I totally didn’t check for my gift card. I lost the card. SO AGGRAVATING! Thanks for letting us vent!
I agree with you on this 100%. I DO NOT shop at Target because they are not coupon friendly at all. I also have this issue with Target coupons policies:
If I purchase an item for $5 but have a $2 coupon, I pay $3 — Target receipts show the item purchase amount, the coupon deduction amount and the actual total you paid — if you return the item, they only give you back $3, not the total price of $5 and they DO NOT give you back your $2 coupon — instead, they get reimbursed $2 (from the manufacturer for the coupon you used), and then resell the item for $5. SO THEY ARE GETTING A $2 PROFIT. Since their register’s computer is set up to keep track of this, shouldn’t they be then required to reimburse the manufacturer for the $2 coupon because the item was returned?
I wrote a post on my blog last night because I just recently (yesterday) had this happen to me. It’s sad that this is continuing to happen to so many people yet Target is still doing nothing to correct it. It was only .24 that I was shorted but think of how many people they are doing that to and how fast those cents add up in Target’s favor. Thanks for posting your story. I am anxious to know if you get a response.
Looking at your posts about Target coupons I get the impression that you would like to get money back for purchasing an item that is priced less than the coupon value (i.e., item costs $.97, coupon is $1.00 – you want your $.03 back). The policy is that you can get the item for free, but you cannot be paid back for shopping there. If this were done on each item, you would walk out paying only dollars for your shopping trip and ultimately would put the company out of business.
Hi tgthoney, thanks for the comment.
While what you are saying makes a little sense, its just not the case. Us couponers would never put Target out of business #1 because they are already jipping us by not giving us the full value of that coupon and #2 because they are getting the full value of the coupon, while we are not. This makes them make money off of us.
I do not ask that we are given money back for shopping. I do ask that if I have items in my cart to soak up the overage that I do get that overage. Since they are getting reimbursed for that amount in full- everyone would essentially be using a coupon like they are supposed to be used.
On top of that, Target shouldn’t accept a coupon, if they aren’t going to accept them the way the manufacturer intends.
First, Target makes no money off of their own coupons; they zero out. Again, it is not fair for Target to give you money back for an item that sells at less than the coupon amount.
We’re not talking about Target coupons here. I never expect to receive anything but face value for those. This whole situation is only based on manufacturer coupons.
And it is fair to give a customer the entire face value of a manufacturer coupon if they are getting the full value themselves! It has nothing to do with the price of the item. The item can be priced at $.03 and if there is a $1 coupon involved, Target will receive the entire $1 and SO should the customer. After all, this is what the manufacturer intended. Not for the register to automatically reduce the amount and Target take the full amount for themselves.