Today's topic has to do with coupons.
I go through phases with them.
Sometimes, I feel like screwing around with them but other days I don't have the time and patience.
Well, recently I've had more patience for couponing.
I think it has something to do with us adding to our family - time to save money.
Good idea.
Right?
So, here's my complaint/rant for today.
Why, in the world we live in today, do we need to actually have printed coupons to be able to use them at a retailer??
Why not be like Michaels and create an application for smart phones where people can download and have coupons scanned at checkout?
The best idea ever.
Michael's application even uses WIFI technology to determine what store location you are in so you can bring up coupons for that particular store?
I'm complaining because of what we have been through in the past few weeks shopping at Babies R US and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
They both require printed coupons and it blows my freaking mind!
At one point over the weekend, the staff at Babies R Us even let us walk out the door, leaving a basket full of stuff in it, with a promise to come back later with a coupon for a 15% discount.
Yes, it's cheapo of us, but it was 15% off the entire order.
What kind of business model is that?
Let customers walk out of your store because of a coupon, knowing that they could walk down the street to your competitor?
Anyone else peeved by this?
Why aren't more and more retailers following Michael's lead?
OR how about Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons never expire, yet they always have an "expiration date" printed on those mailers... and you can use as many as you have on any purchase? why not just have the entire store always 20% off it just makes me crazy.
ReplyDeletea lot of the craft stores take competitors which is great. a.c. moore is annoying with coupons because you have to check the email all the time and they arent in the mailers anymore.
Just an FYI - At Bed Bath and Beyond, they accept expired coupons. There are often 20% ones I get in magazines and you can probably find them online too (ie: the knot, and a lot of bridal magazines). You can also combine them there. So you can have a 20% and a 5$ off coupon.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've heard (but not tried) that they will accept other stores coupons. Not sure how true this is, though. Worth a shot.
Lauren
http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/
I am with ya!! Or how about grocery stores....you have to have "their card" to get the sale price- why not just give everyone the sale price? Why carry around yet ANOTHER plastic card??
ReplyDeleteha, I feel better:)
AMEN!
ReplyDeleteI cant stand BRU in general. I swear I will never shop there again. Their coupon crap is just the tip. ha. yey for micahels!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I also can't stand when the fine print is completely ridiculous (ie: coupon only valid on full price items when the ENTIRE store is on sale for the duration of the coupon). ERGH!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow coupon lover, I completely understand your frustration! I have definitely walked out in similar fashion over an unhonored coupon. GO YOU!
I'm a huge fan of the Michaels app on my phone -- they are definitely ahead of the curve with that one. Bravo to their marketing department!
ReplyDeleteMy local grocery store just started offering electronic coupons and it is now a game for me when I shop there. I was at Michaels last week and had no idea they offered electronic coupons either. I'll need to install that on my phone.
ReplyDeleteBB&B just drives me nuts. Does anyone ever shop there without a coupon?
I love coupons and don't buy anything if it's not on sale or if I don't have a coupon for it... truth. I agree, what you said is annoying. I prefer companies that e-mail coupons to you instead or mailing a hard copy. That way I just pull up my e-mail on my phone and give the store the code on my coupon. They enter it in and BAM... I have my discount. Hard copy of coupons is old school and a waste of paper!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I would have done the same thing! That's crazy! Some stores will let me show them on online coupon that I found but I would have left BRU too if they wouldn't let me use an online coupon. I'm not a huge coupon user but I'm always looking to save a few dollars. M makes fun of me. I think it's just being savvy! =)
ReplyDeleteYou still feeling good?
I don't use coupons because I always forget. But I completely agree with you about the phone. There should be an app!
ReplyDeleteGot power back on about an hour ago! Thanks for checking in on my. Xoxoxo
Not cheapo at all! 15% off baby crap saves a ton of money! I'm planning all of our baby shopping stuff around those coupons! But that's weird about babies r us. I'm just so not impressed with them and their customer service! Did you ask to talk to a manager? Because I just got off the phone with babies r us (like 10 minutes ago!) and they told me when we go do our shopping to ask for a manager and the manager would get us a coupon. I don't know if it's because it's a specialty coupon with my registry stuff or what. But I agree... such a pain to have to have it printed!
ReplyDeleteThe BBB coupons drive me nuts! You can't use them online! I
ReplyDeleteIterally have bought the same things on amazon, for the same price because I get so annoyed that Bed Bath and Beyond will not allow me to use their coupons online!
I agree. I always forget the coupons. apparently, rite aid is following in Michaels lead.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that's pretty annoying. I would have done the same thing.
ReplyDeleteThe Michael's app is the absolutely best. I agree that more companies should jump on the smartphone coupon bandwagon! I always forget about the ones on the bottom of my receipts!
ReplyDeleteBabies R Us is the WORST when it comes to dealing with coupons. My mom and I were literally in the checkout for 30 mins on Sunday because they couldn't figure out how to process the five coupons I had for the store. A manager and cashier seriously spent the better part of half an hour trying to figure out how to use the coupons. I walked away and sat on a bench at one point. RIDIC!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. BRU has changed their policy recently and they no longer accept competitors coupons. I was so aggravated with them the other day. Ugh!
ReplyDelete