Attention K Mart Shoppers - Double Coupon Confusion Continues

by Debbie Clark (DealDebbie) | More from this Blogger

09 Jun 2009 05:41 AM

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

The KMart double coupon confusion continues. When Kmart announced double coupons this week, they announced it for a large group of stores - pretty much every store everywhere except Hawaii, Guam, and certain locations in a few states. This meant that Kmarts in states that have never doubled were going to do it.

Note to self - expect the unexpected. Stories from around the country vary wildly as to the experience of shopping there this week.

Note to Kmart - when corporate makes a decision, it might be wise to inform managers in writing. It might also be wise to post your coupon policy, (including rules for doubling) at all registers, and train your cashiers with clear rules.

Kmart has regular limit of ten coupons doubled per customer per day. Some stores, seeing the ad in Red Plum this week announcing a 75 coupon limit, have accomodated customers. Others have not. Some stores have also limited customers to 10 coupons per day, doubled or not.

Then there is the usual aggravation of buying 4 items with 4 coupons and having the cashier tell you that you can only use one coupon, since it is "one coupon per purchase". We can understand the store making the choice to not double multiples, and putting a limit on the number of items purchased, but someone needs to tell cashiers at Kmart,(and managers too) exactly what is meant by "One coupon per purchase". Some Kmarts won't accept internet printed coupons - yet the Kmart website features coupons.com listings.

Let's not even get into the stores who are supposed to be doubling according to the national list published by K Mart corporate but the managers are clueless about it. Shoppers calling those stores to ask questions about coupon limits before going have had to wait and be transferred around while people scratch their heads and ask if they're doubling coupons!!!!

Of course, there are places where it is going just fine, and all employees are clear on store policies. But the confusion the public experiences is mammoth - and Kmarts limitations make it more confusing.

Those limitations have not prevented their shelves from being emptied of the items that have $2 coupons which can be doubled for great savings. Many stores appear to not be restocking those items this week.

Adding to the confusion - some shoppers are finding that their Kmart has no problem with limitations, and will put through coupons as long as they beep. The registers are not configured to stop at 10 coupons and the cashiers are not imposing the limit. This can vary between two different Kmarts in the same city.

One would expect that a store the size of Kmart would have fewer restrictions on the number of coupons doubled. Certainly, a large international chain known for discounts should not be limiting the number of coupons used, double or not, to 10 per day. One would also expect that the limits, if any, would be clearly posted and programmed into the registers; NOT subject to the discretion of the individual manager or cashier.

I guess K Mart does not realize that we're in a recession, and coupon use is the new normal. We've become a nation of coupon queens and kings. When a store known for quality at a low price announces double coupon promotions, it WILL bring bargain hunters into the stores - and the double coupon discounts don't have to be the only thing promoted. Savvy shoppers will notice other things while they are in the store, such as great deals on clothing, electronics, back yard equipment. The sales potential is enormous.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of savvy shoppers who will not be making Kmart their saving place on a regular basis. They're angry at how they have been treated, and perceive that the double coupon promotion was a bait and switch, and a waste of time.

KMart could avoid this in the future by removing the ten total coupon limit, increasing their limitations on doubles, and posting their policies prominently at every cash register and the entrances to every single one of their stores. It would also be helpful to clearly print the policy in their circulars advertising double coupons.

And for some, a little training in attitude adjustment might be in order among the managers and staff, along with communications 101 for the corporate office.

Learn more about Debbie Clark (DealDebbie)

I'm a veteran deal hunter with two grown sons. I have been clipping coupons and doubling up with rebates and sales and points rewards since they were babies.

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