Target Disappointment

I love, love, love Target.  I'm lucky that I have 4 within 20 minutes of me :)  Then today I saw this....  Makes me very disappointed.  I thought that it was just me that maybe I had missed a coupon being scanned and now I have been the "hawk" that they mention in the article anytime I use coupons.  Be forewarned.....

Customers clipped on coupons at Target

Target, aware of the problem since August, blames a computer glitch that fails to credit some coupons fully.

By GREGORY KARP, Chicago Tribune

Last update: October 28, 2010 - 9:44 PM

 Related Content

• Blog: Target's coupon problems just aren't adding up

Target Corp., the mass merchandiser with about 1,750 stores nationwide, for months has been shortchanging its customers who use certain manufacturers' coupons by crediting them for a fraction of their face value. And they've been aware of the problem since August, the Minneapolis-based retailer admits.

Target is calling it a computer glitch. Avid coupon users are calling it an outrage.

"If I am not going to get the full value of my coupons, I will redeem them elsewhere," said Carrie Rocha of Maple Grove. Rocha, creator of the couponing site pocketyourdollars.com, went to Target on Wednesday and piled her cart full of the 10 frozen entrees required to redeem her $4 coupon. The register took off $2.54 -- the price of one entree -- instead. "I am getting comments on my blog of frustration from shoppers and really kind of a sense that it's probably not worth using coupons at Target," she said.

"I've never heard of this happening at any supermarket," said Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com and author of two books on couponing.

 A Target spokeswoman said Wednesday she had no information on why the problem was happening or why it hasn't been resolved.

"We are aware that some coupons are not scanning for the full amounts," Target spokeswoman Erika Svingen said. "We are aware of the issue and are diligently working on a fix for that and will implement it as soon as possible."

Coupon use soared during the Great Recession. Some 3.3 billion coupons were redeemed in 2009, a 27 percent increase from the year before, according to coupon research site CouponInfoNow.com.

What may be most disconcerting to many Target shoppers is that the coupon problem has been ongoing since at least midsummer.

'We apologize'

Target has instructed cashiers to check coupons to ensure customers are getting the full value, Svingen said. "We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our guests," she said. "Anyone who does not receive the full coupon amount at the register can bring their receipt to guest services for a refund of the difference."

Shoppers complained primarily about coupons that require the purchase of multiple items. Multiple-item coupons make up a quarter of all coupons, according to Inmar Inc., which helps retailers and manufacturers manage coupons.

But Rocha is quick to caution that the glitch spans wider than that and low-value coupons have also been affected. The comments section on her latest Target blog entry is peppered with complaints about transactions involving coupons and Target gift card giveaways.

The glitch appears to stem from a common practice among retailers. Stores won't allow a coupon to reduce the price of an item to less than zero. Otherwise, it would have to pay the customer cash for buying the item. Free is the best they will do, which is also Target's stated policy.

In Target's case, the application of that rule seems to be fuzzy. Coupon expert and blogger Jill Cataldo said she's been shortchanged by Target registers eight or nine times in recent months.
It adds up

"I have no vendetta personally against Target, but it's not fair at all," said Cataldo, adding that she doesn't believe the company is cheating customers intentionally. "Many coupon shoppers are savvy and watch the register like a hawk. But a casual coupon user may not realize it until they're home, or not realize it at all."

Rocha suggests shoppers tally up the value of their coupons and mentally subtract them from the subtotal before handing them to the cashier. "If they tell you your total is $43.25 and you know you have about $9 in coupons, you can do the math."

Retailers typically submit for reimbursement the face value of coupons. If applied, in Rocha's example, Target would get $4 from the manufacturer, netting the retailer $1.46 cents.

It quickly adds up over many items over hundreds of customers at Target stores nationwide, Cataldo said.

Target on Wednesday had no comment on what will happen to that money.

Star Tribune staff writer Kara McGuire contributed to this report.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
http://www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp?1288407044877

Savvy Saver Sunday!

Another week of not so great coupons and ads L  The sales in the area are not too bad.  Marsh has their 99 cents sale on some of their products.  Kroger has a 10 for $10 and if you buy 10 you get $5 off sale going on. 

This week Kroger has cinnamon rolls for $1 each.  I also have a coupon if you buy 2 you get 40 cents off so for 2 packages of cinnamon rolls they are $1.20 for both.

Meijers has the Trop50 orange juice on sale for 2.50 and there is a $1 coupon so you can get one for $1.50.  They also have Jello on sale for 2/$1 and from the 10-17 coupons there is a coupon .50 off 2 so in the end; they are free!

Marsh has their Aunt Millies bread buy one get one free and there is also a 55 cents off coupon.  Another great deal at Marsh is the Dole jarred fruit.  They are .99 each and there is a coupon from the 10-17 newspaper that has .50 off 2.  So in the end they are both .98!

Hopefully in the weeks to come the ads and the coupons get better!  Have a wonderful week to come!

Super Savvy Saving!!!! Free 8x10 from Walgreens

Walgreens is having a free 8x10 collage print!  Enter the coupon code 8X10TREAT.  This great deal ends Saturday 10/23.  (This is a great idea for Christmas gifts!)

My New Best Cleaning Friend!

Sol-U-Mel is my new best cleaning friend!  My darling 3-year-old decided to decorate our couch with pen; beautiful but still not the decorating we are looking for.....I dabbed Sol-U-Mel on a towel and wiped it right off the couch!  Amazed!  Every mommy with little ones should have this stuff!

Savvy Savings and Being Green!

When I first talked with Hillary a little less than a month ago we found out we had so much in common.  We talked about our endless and countless trips to Target to get that "one thing" we needed but ended up buying a ton more.  I mean, come on, their dollar rack.  You can easily walk out with $70 from Target just from the dollar rack. She told me when I start my new "green" journey the trips to Target will be few and when you go in you will look for mostly food or that item you couldn't get with this awesome wellness company.  I listened and agreed but deep down I thought, seriously, I still have to use my coupons.  It can't really be that much cheaper than using a coupon, right?  I mean, I was getting fabric softener for $1 to $1.25 and that was for the good stuff after it was on sale and I had a coupon. 

Well, in less than a month she has proven to me that it is so true.  I have only been to Target once and that was to pick up ingredients for a cake I was baking.  $24.  Normally, we spend about $500 on groceries, cleaning items, etc. a month.  In going over what we have spent with groceries so far this month (half way through the month) we have only spent $150 and then only $50 in our cleaning and other household products.  We have already started to save so much money!  It is absolutely amazing and that is only buying food from the stores here in the area and all of our wellness and household items from the wellness company.  So, come on, see what it is all about.  Go green both in your home and in your wallet!  We promise, you won't be disappointed!  Have a great week!

Savvy Saver Sunday!

 From Red Plum 10/14 coupons

CVS:

Mentos Gum 15 ct- buy one get one free; $1 off coupon; get both for .59

Nivea Mens Wash 4.99-$3 off coupon; 1.99 final price

Today, Sunday, October 17 is the last day to get two 5 lb. bags of Gold Medal flour for .68 each with a $15 purchase and pumpkins for 1.99; must have a coupon from the Thursday paper!

Sunday Coupons:

Kroger: Texas Toast 1.99 if you buy 10 of their qualifying items after .40 coupon-$1.19

$10 off coupon for Krogers Rug Doctor rental.

I'm hoping for better coupons in the weeks and holidays to come!

Oh, I have to add we have tried and love the Diamond Brite.  It is a dishwasher cleaner and every time we have used it we have only had to use 1/4 of what we normally use PLUS our dishes have at the end of the cycle been cleaner than any other dishwasher detergent we have used.  Amazed and looking forward to trying more products and sharing more reviews! 

Savvy Saver Sunday!

Here are the deals from the ads/coupons today....grocery savings will follow in the next few weeks.   In going through the ads and my coupons I found some great deals but couldn't track when I received the coupon so you know when it was out in the newspaper so here is my next little tip....when you get your newspapers, cut out your coupons, quickly just write the day of the newspaper so when I refer to it you know for sure it is the right coupon.  Since I have just started doing this today the grocery deals will come in a few weeks as I will have the dates on the coupons and can help guide you to more savings.  Kroger seems to have some good sales if you are committed to buying 10 of an item and they also have their 10 for $10 sale this week too!

Below is the deals from todays ad (please remember we are going green and not purchasing cleaning and beauty products from our local stores so you will not find those deals here):

In the USA Weekend, there is a coupon for 2 FREE 5x7 cards from Walmart!

CVS: Crest Whitestrips; buy one get $10 extra bucks, plus $5 off coupon.

CVS: Vicks NyQuil: you pay $9.99, get $2.00 extra bucks, plus $1.50 off coupon; after using extra bucks you pay $6.49

Walgreens: Prilosec OTC: you pay $22.99, get $5.00 register rewards, plus $3.00 off coupon; after using register rewards you pay 14.99 for a 42 count box; if you purchase 2 boxes, you still get one $5 register rewards but there is a $7 off coupon.

CVS: Buy 2 Cover Girl Ageless get $6 extra bucks, plus $5 off coupons when you buy 2.

Have a great week!

Christmas in October and our reviews!

We got our big order of products this week and it felt like Christmas! The three of us were going through all we had ordered and trying it all. I had mixed up all of our cleaners (tub and tile, pre spot remover, and stain remover (great for us that have kids that feel the house is their canvas). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that I can have my fabric softener and laundry detergent under the sink and not have to leave it out. The containers are small but the amount to use is HUGE! Yesterday, Lilly wanted to take a shower with The Gold Bar and she loved it; rubbed it all over :) it leaves your skin feeling soft but not dried out. I tried the body wash, shampoo and conditioner and I loved all of them! The body wash has a great smell and it feels silky. I used half the amount of shampoo and conditioner I normally use and no products after and my hair feels so soft! I don't know if it feels like that for other hair types or just mine because it is thin. I did notice a huge difference if I shampoo/condition my hair first and then leave the conditioner in until right before I get out and then rinse. It feels even more soft and easier to manage. The organic crackers are awesome! Those will be hidden and not shared; sorry Bryan and Lilly! The lip balm makes your lips feel soft and smooth instantly and the Renew lotion...oh my gosh! It is like no other! Both Lilly and I put some on last night (just a little bit) and after we rubbed it in; our hands were not greasy like that normal just putting lotion on feeling and oh so soft! That makes me regret all of the lotion I bought last year. I haven't found anything in our new products I haven't liked. I am so excited to get more green cleaning products to add to my collection that my order for next month is ready! Plus, I am super excited to try the make up! As we continue to use our products, order more, use them we will continue to blog our thoughts on our products for our going green journey! We are off to our retreat for the day! Get ready for Savvy Saving Sundays tomorrow! Enjoy this beautiful day!

Savvy Saving Sundays!

Mark your calendar for Savvy Saving Sundays! 

Every Sunday I will share with you the deals from the ads and how to match them up with the Sunday coupons to get the best deal!  For my Indy followers, there will be a special addition for you from our local grocery stores!  Get your binders, scissors, coupons, and ads ready for Savvy Saving Sundays!

My First Blog & Coupons!

First, I have to thank Hillary.  Without her, well, I wouldn't be where I am today.  She is a great support, friend, and a great inspiration!  Plus, she has gotten me blogging!  I also have to thank my wonderful family; my wonderful and supportive daughter and husband and of course I can't forget my awesome and supportive parents!  So with that being said, my first official blog :)

I LOVE coupons!  If you know me well enough you know that and if you really know me you've seen me in action! I've been named the Coupon Queen and hold the title well.  Sunday mornings are one of the best days of the week.  Coupons in the newspaper!  The next best day?  Shopping day!  I actually have three delivered to the house every Sunday morning.  Our local newspaper had a special for $1 a paper and I took advantaged of that and ordered three.  I look at the coupons, if they are good and I know it is something we can stock up on and it is regularly on sale I will go to the Dollar Store and buy more.  This past weekend I bought 9; so I had 12 total newspapers.  I pull each page out, line up the same page and cut once.  They all get organized in their little sections.  (As I go through my huge coupon binder I throw out the old as I put in the new to prevent any future disappointments of having a good coupon and not being able to use it). 

Then, I go through each of the grocery store ads one at a time.  Since I have just organized my coupons I know what coupons I have so if I see it on sale I just need to grab the coupon.  I then go and make my list.  I write down what it is, how many I need, price, and then a circled c if I have a coupon.  So, fruit snacks (3) 1.99 (c) then pull the coupon to paperclip to my list.  Then, I go through the other store ads. If I see the same product cheaper I will cross it off the previous list and add it to the new store list and move the coupons over.

Yes, it can be time consuming especially at first however, it is SO worth it!  We have saved hundreds of dollars on a single grocery trip.  (Just recently, I have a sub total of groceries of $610 and ended up only spending $264 after the store sales and coupons).  This has become a competition (with myself) and my goal...to save at least 50%  on groceries and to beat the last trip.  Also, a lot of prep work actually saves you time at the store.  Writing out your list like I have allows you to go into the store, know exactly what you are getting and how many.  Then follow the golden rule, if you don't have a coupon, it's not on sale, and it is not a necessity (milk, bread, eggs, fresh fruits/vegetables) don't buy it!  Smart shopping is the first step to smart saving!

My coupons in the baseball card holders.

My Coupon Binder!

The BEST envelopes for those big coupons; I have one specifically for my Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons!