If you are a fan of our facebook blog page, chances are you have already read about my terrible experience at a local Fred's Super Dollar. I have taken time to breathe and reflect and find myself still upset about how I was treated. For those of you who haven't read my blog post, I will sum up. On Saturday I went to my local Fred's to purchase a number of things with my coupons including the Gain Dishsoap that was priced at $1.00. Using the .50/1 Gain soap coupon, these should have been free, as Fred's doubles coupons up to .70 on Saturdays only. So, often I save all of my Fred's shopping for Saturdays to get it all done in one swoop. Now, I live in a small town, and as you know with small towns (or even large ones) you tend to run into equally small minds. So I have ignored many of the ugly looks, quiet stares of dissapproval and even the occasional loud beligereance that comes with walking into a store coupon binder in tow. Some people just don't understand that coupons are a valuable asset in today's fickle economy, I myself am a stay at home mom and my husband works for himself, so we don't even have the luxury of at least one regular paycheck, so why wouldn't I want to supplement our limited money thru the use of coupons? If I can save a dollar, that's one more dollar I have to put toward other things like utitllies or gas. Of course, I don't expect everyone to understand it, but I DO expect the stores I shop at to uphold their own policies and rules. Fred's clearly does not care about upholding their coupon policy or even being hypocritical in the way they appraoch couponers.
All in all I had around 30 coupons to use at Fred's on Saturday, I left only being able to have used about 10 of them. I was met with disrespect, ignorant superiority, and vile behavior with nearly every coupon I tried to use. The asst. manager seemed to find joy in making an example out of me and made sure she spoke loudly enough in a snooty tone that everyone around the registers could hear her. I heard people snickering and even a few "mm-hmm"s from the peanut gallery as she told me repeatedly that I couldn't use my coupon on a trial size. The item I was purchasing is a 9 fluid ounce size, harldy trial size. To be honest, I am sure she was jealous and upset that I had managed to get something for free from her store, as tends to be the case at almost every place where a couponer finds animosity. I DID point out to her that P&G does not sell trial and travel sizes without the appropriate labeling deeming it a trial size. Her story THEN shifted gears "Well, I'll scan it, but if it doesn't go thru then there isn't anything I can do, I can't override the system if it won't scan" Of course she could, she had done it before, in front of me, I even knew how to do it! Clearly, she was only interested in denying me my purchases and in turn making herself feel good about being able to "get one over on a customer". I was commited to standing behind my coupon, I KNEW she was trying to force my hand and make me get aggrivated enough to be escorted from the premesis. I did not give in to her game and didn't yell even tho she interupted me mid sentence to hold up the dishsoap difiantly and asked me with a huffy attitude "DO YOU WANT THIS??????" I answered without losing control (i was VERY angry at this point) "No, not if you aren't going to take my coupon."
With that, she turned to the cash register, pulled her key and stormed off. I finished my transaction with the four coupons I had left for $1/1 Campbell's Chunky soup. The cashier scrutinized these coupons as well, seemed to have a debate in her own mind, and then scanned them. I am sure the assistant manager told her NOT to take my coupons, and the fact that I witnessed a tiny war in her head over whether or not to take them, tells me she will probably not be woking there for long. This particular store doesn't keep good help very long.
I know that was a long summary, but trust me, this is only the tip of this atrocious experience in coupon customer relations. I have been in contact with the corporate office and I am told that the manager has been contacted, they are keeping me updated on this case. I have to say, I really don't hold much hope for anything really being done about it. The manager himself has no love of coupons and did stand by in silent agreement as the asst. manager did what she did. I am posistive that he will shuffle all blame on me and pat his asst. on the back for a job well done. I have done what I can, I notified corporate, I did not yell and scream.
I hope everyone can read this and walk away knowing that this is not something we as couponers have to endure. We do not have to stand toe to toe with the aggressors and have a battle of wits, we must respectfully walk away and take it to a higher office. Reminds me of a quote I heard recently:
"Do not argue with stupid people, for they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" ~unknown
( I will update this story as it unfolds)
Update 7/3/12:
Yesterday I recieved an email from the District manager AND Fred himself.
"I am very sorry for the way you were treated at our store in Dadeville, Al. this type of conduct from any employee will not be tolerated. I have coached and counseled the entire store team on the coupon policy and procedures. I would like to assure you that we value your coupon business as we do with all customers. Coupons are a great source of income for a lot of people during this trying time in our economy, and a great source of revenue for us.
Again I would like to apologize, and invite you back to FRED’S to shop and see our new attitude on coupon shopping."
So, at least something has been done, and hopefully I can resume shopping there with no harassment or terrible attitude. I would like to remind everyone that there is no excuse for ignorant behavior when it comes to couponing, many people just don't understand, and some would like to treat us as the EC participants whom they judge to be so terrible. Remember, keep a level head, don't cause a scene, and go over their heads if need be. NO store wants their employess to treat customers with anything less than respect. If you think your store is doing a fantastic job, tell them so, if not, they still need to know. We must take a stand and let these stores know that we know we have the right to use our coupons honestly and be treated fairly. Fortunately, Fred's was more than happy to correct the behavior, and that says something to me: they value my business and would like for me to continue shopping there. I thanked them for the apology and have decided to try again to shop at my local store, I'll let you know how it turns out. Happy Couponing everyone!
