Must Print Coupons in Color?

[Authentic_Mother]

I went to walmart yesterday and spent an hour filling my cart with all free and nearly free items (after coupon). I went to check out and they said that because my coupons were printed in black and white and LOOKED photo copied that they couldn't accept them! EEK! So.....they went ahead and took them that one time (thank goodness! I got $97 worth of stuff for $25).
I was told from now on I must print in color.
Anyone else been told to only print in color?

[xmysticprincessx]

I was told by the guy who runs a big coupon company that in the near future (next few years) that all internet printed coupons will have to be printed in color. He said that it is due to coupon fraud and couldn't go into much detail but that it had to do with things that were not there on a b&w copy that would not be there on a color one.

When I use printed coupons (which is rare, since the stores I do the majority of my shopping at either do not accept coupons or do not take internet coupons), I usually save the whole sheet it was printed on vs cutting it out. If the cashier/supervisor/office person wants to cut it out after I redeem it, then fine. I just don't want any hassles.

And honestly, those cashiers have no clue. We have a laser printer which uses toner. So does a copy machine. So does that automatically make my internet coupons fake? Someone could easily say "this coupon was printed with printer ink, so its ok." But how many people have the all in 1 printer/scanner/copiers? Someone could just as easily copy a coupon on one of those. (I'm totally not advoating doing this, just saying that the pain with internet coupons is that there really arent many ways to know what's real and what's not. Stores do get lists of fraudulent printed coupons, but of course that's *after* many of these are redeemed and have gone to a clearing house.)

[Authentic_Mother]

I also have a lazer printer which uses toner - I can totally understand why it appeared to be photocopied - however you can see that the coupon was an internet coupon as it said so in the small print. And why would I make copies when I can just print another one? Really?
Yeah -I told hubby about it and since he loves that we save nearly $80 a trip that he will get us a nice color printer. Its something I have avoided like the plague. Mainly because I dont like to have to buy color all the time. And really I get my photos professionally printed and have no reason to print photos myself. But we will do what we have to in order to save in the long run.
Thanks for responding. I was wondering if I was the only one who had that problem.
What I didn't include on my original post (I was in a hurry) was that I had already been there once that day tryingto use them and they told me no. So I went home and printed out their coupon policy and called the manager. I got the manager's name and when I checked out I had them call her to the front and pulled out the policy etc. In the end they let me go - but Im almost positive that wont happen again!
But on a good note - walgreens accepted it willingly and fine! They had no problems taking my coupons whatsoever - even though they really dont carry much of what I still had coupons for. I was still able to get free vitamins, chapstick and orbitz gum!

[Pancakes]

How is requiring someone to print a coupon in color going to prevent someone from scanning the original printed coupon and printing it again in color. Really, it's no different than using a copier. It really bugs me when people try to defraud with coupons, it makes it harder for me to use them correctly.

Personally I've never been denied the use of a b&w printed Q.

[Authentic_Mother]

Originally Posted by Pancakes

How is requiring someone to print a coupon in color going to prevent someone from scanning the original printed coupon and printing it again in color. Really, it's no different than using a copier. It really bugs me when people try to defraud with coupons, it makes it harder for me to use them correctly.

Personally I've never been denied the use of a b&w printed Q.

Yeah - it pisses me off too because I shouldn't have to be required to get a new printer to take advantage of the new coupons. Plus you are right - someone could scan them. It aggravates me that a few scam artists have to screw everyone else.
I did call Kroger's and HEB both and spoke with managers to get an idea of their policies around here and both said that they do not accept them generally. Granted - HEB told me that they dont believe they have a Policy for it so I might be able to go and use them on the basis that it states in policy that as long as it scans it can be used. But Im not sure if its up to the manager in the end or whathaveyou.

[Jilian]

Many of the coupons even say right on the coupon that it is valid in color or in black and white. I usually print in black and white to save my color ink cartridges - they are expensive! But I also have an HP all-in-one printer and it has the option to copy in color. I'd never do that because the barcode numbers would be exactly the same and it is just bad karma to take things that you are not entitled to IMO. I've never had a problem using black and white coupons or any net coupons. There are some mamas on AfullCup who say that internet coupons of any kind are not allowed in their local stores. I think some managers are doing away with them because the potential for fraud is too high. That makes me sad because I get most of mine online

[crunchy_mama]

Originally Posted by Authentic_Mother

Yeah - it pisses me off too because I shouldn't have to be required to get a new printer to take advantage of the new coupons. Plus you are right - someone could scan them. It aggravates me that a few scam artists have to screw everyone else.
I did call Kroger's and HEB both and spoke with managers to get an idea of their policies around here and both said that they do not accept them generally. Granted - HEB told me that they dont believe they have a Policy for it so I might be able to go and use them on the basis that it states in policy that as long as it scans it can be used. But Im not sure if its up to the manager in the end or whathaveyou.

Just an FYI Kroger's cooperate policy is to accept IPs- they even have printables on their site.

[Norasmomma]

I have a copy of Wal-Mart's policy to take if they give me any crap, it's right on their website.

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by Authentic_Mother

I went to walmart yesterday and spent an hour filling my cart with all free and nearly free items (after coupon). I went to check out and they said that because my coupons were printed in black and white and LOOKED photo copied that they couldn't accept them! EEK! So.....they went ahead and took them that one time (thank goodness! I got $97 worth of stuff for $25).
I was told from now on I must print in color.
Anyone else been told to only print in color?

Do you hear that?

That's the sound of my BS detector going off.

Um...if they MUST be printed in color, then they MUST be printed in color, no ifs, ands, buts, or exceptions.

So....it seems kind of odd to me that they would accept them "just this one time" if they weren't going to be able to redeem them. Right?

[Authentic_Mother]

Originally Posted by llamalluv

Do you hear that?

That's the sound of my BS detector going off.

Um...if they MUST be printed in color, then they MUST be printed in color, no ifs, ands, buts, or exceptions.

So....it seems kind of odd to me that they would accept them "just this one time" if they weren't going to be able to redeem them. Right?

Thats what Im thinking too! I got $97ish worth stuff and only paid $25. So they took a HUGE loss if they supposedly "cant" accept them.
I do have to say though that since I do have a lazer printer and the toner was a bit uneven that they did appear to be photocopied - BUT - you can read right on the coupon that its an internet coupon and why photocopy if I can just print another!? Its ridiculous!
But I did make a steal at 2 different walgreens today and a CVS. Both will accept them as long as they scan (doesn't matter if in color or black and white). I got about $55 worth of stuff for $12. And I also go extra care bucks back on that as well! I took pictures of it all cause I was so pleased with myself! LOL!

[savithny]

Since none of my local stores take internet coupons anymore, thanks to fraud and misuse, I really can't get indignant over being forced to print them in color

[Contrariety]

I know that is the policy at Wal-mart... so what do I do?? Go to the self check out! : If I'm my own cashier, I don't deny myself the use...

My regular grocery store accepts them, no prob.

[1growingsprout]

Do you have a link to the walmart coupon policy. The last couple times ive been there they have been a real PIA about everything. Id love to have the policy to back me up.
Im really starting to hate walmart, really really hate them.

[1growingsprout]

http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx
actually here is the link, printed directly from THEIR WEBSITE< going in my binder asap, with my internet coupons for my next trip to wally world.

[Authentic_Mother]

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

Do you have a link to the walmart coupon policy. The last couple times ive been there they have been a real PIA about everything. Id love to have the policy to back me up.
Im really starting to hate walmart, really really hate them.

How do you turn in the coupons after you scan them at the self check out? Sounds like a good idea!

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by Authentic_Mother

How do you turn in the coupons after you scan them at the self check out? Sounds like a good idea!

I don't know about Walmart, but the Jewel by me has a slot that you slide each coupon into after you scan it. The machine "senses" that you have inserted the coupon (or at least a piece of paper ) and then lets you scan another.

I assume at the end of the shift, the coupons are collected to be processed with the ones from the live cashiers.