quick coupon question for the experts

[meg-momto2]

i shop at a few grocery stores since they're all within a block of each other. one store in particular often marks down their near date items for a quick sale. i tend to use the self check at this store and hand my coupons off to the cashier. on occasion i find quick sale items i can pair up with my coupons. the cashier has to punch them in but has always taken them. yesterday i went through the regular check out line and was told i couldn't use my coupon on a quick sale item since it was clearance. can they do that? i wasn't about to argue over a $1 with my kids in tow but i'm pretty sure they still have to take the coupon. does anyone know anything about this?

[SubliminalDarkness]

I think they should still take the coupon. Sometimes they code clearance items differently, because the items are already removed from the store's inventory and they have usually added a different barcode sticker to them.

I would ask to speak to a manager if they say that again.

[StephandOwen]

I would politely ask to speak to a supervisor next time that happens. We do this all the time (buy clearance/manager special items and pair them with coupons to get them free or close to it). I've never had any issues.

[Nitenites]

Stores have the right to refuse to take coupons. HOWEVER, I'll bet this cashier was mistaken. I'd speak to a supervisor and/or ask to see their coupon policy in writing.

[thatgirliknew]

Originally Posted by meg-momto2

i shop at a few grocery stores since they're all within a block of each other. one store in particular often marks down their near date items for a quick sale. i tend to use the self check at this store and hand my coupons off to the cashier. on occasion i find quick sale items i can pair up with my coupons. the cashier has to punch them in but has always taken them. yesterday i went through the regular check out line and was told i couldn't use my coupon on a quick sale item since it was clearance. can they do that? i wasn't about to argue over a $1 with my kids in tow but i'm pretty sure they still have to take the coupon. does anyone know anything about this?

All the grocery stores in my area do take coupons on clearance items. The best way to find out is to contact the store through email and get a copy of their coupon policy as well as asking them specifically if they do that. Print it out and take it with you. You should do this with any stores you coupon at.

[sunsetdancer]

I've been able to use coupons on clearance items. I don't see why you couldn't b/c you are buying the product. It's not like you are using a coupon for a different product. The only time I could see a problem would be other value of the coupon exceeded the price of the item in clearance, but you didn't say that was an issue, just that you were using a coupon on a clearance item.

[meg-momto2]

i wasn't exceeding the cost of the item(s) with the coupon. next time i'm at that store i'll speak with a manager in person and see what they say. i found the policy online and it says nothing about not being able to use coupons on discounted items but does say "The store manager has the right to limit the Quantity of coupons/items used/purchased in a single transaction."

i've worked in retail and taken coupons. i've never turned away one for something like this. maybe i'll stick with the self check lanes from here on out.

[Norasmomma]

One checker at my store used to do this, until a supervisor told her that since I was purchasing the product, it didn't matter if it's on clearance.

Many times it's because the barcodes won't match and they have to enter it manually.

[TTLLM]

Actually, for clearance items, they're better off to accept a coupon because they get the face value of the coupon plus the 8c per coupon, so it wasn't very smart to not accept it! I also frequently get overage with my coupons, just make sure you have other items to absorb that overage.