Some stores—like A&P Supermarkets and Bed Bath & Beyond, for example—seem to have a sort of antagonism against coupon users. (For that matter, some of our commenters do too, but they are wrong.) Steve Gosset notes on his “Reality Bites Back” blog that the shortsighted coupon policies at these two stores only ended up costing them more fees, or even a sale.
coupons
Dell Charges Customer $300 More Than He Authorized
By 4.3.09
Matt is having some trouble getting Dell to sort out its billing mistake with his new TV purchase. It’s an interesting story because for the most part, Dell employees or outsourced CSRs are trying to be helpful to Matt, but nothing has actually been accomplished yet over email, chat, or the telephone. Matt wants his $300 back, and Dell wants Matt to just return the TV set if he won’t pay the non-discounted price. We think he may have a case here for disputing the overcharged amount.
Domino's Accidentally Gives Away 11,000 Pizzas in Bailout Promotion
By 4.1.09
This morning, Rick Broida posted a great deal from ubiquitous pizza chain Domino’s at his Cheapskate blog on CNET. Customers could get a free one-topping pizza (carryout only) by ordering online and using the coupon code “BAILOUT.”
People Who Complained About Quiznos Million Sub Giveaway Imbroglio Get $5 Gift Cards
By 3.31.09
Readers who had problems with the Quiznos million free sub campaign and wrote in to the email address the sandwichery supplied to Consumerist report they’re receiving $5 gift card in the mail along with a letter of apology from the marketing director. One reader reports that on the back of the card it says that a $1 service charge gets applied to it each month you don’t use it. To see what some franchisees are saying are the *real* reasons for the problems, check out the comments section on this post at UnhappyFranchisee. Quiznos’ letter is posted inside.
This JCPenney Coupon Doesn't Understand The Term "No Exclusions"
By 3.27.09
Hey, JCPenney, an asterisk isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. You can’t just say anything you want and then asterisk it away into meaninglessness. Here, we’ve fixed it for you.
FatWallet Launches Coupon Search
By 3.26.09
Love deal site FatWallet but don’t feel like ragpicking through forum post after forum post? If so, check out their new coupon search function which arranges deals and coupons in a very easy-to-read, and Retail-me-not-esque fashion. If not, you may now return to your regularly scheduled animated smiling faces and OP attacks.
By 3.19.09
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If you transfer a prescription to RiteAid, you’ll receive a $25 gift card. Emily, who tipped us to this, says the cashier told her you could do this for up to four meds, but their website says just two. Also, you can’t use the gift card to pay for prescriptions. Still, hey, free money if you don’t mind where you get your prescription filled. [Rite Aid]
What Do Deal Site Acronyms Like "YMMV" And "AC" Mean?
By 3.18.09
If you’re new to hunting for deals online, you’ll start seeing all these funky acronyms used as shorthand. Here’s some of the most common ones and what they mean:
By 3.13.09
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Combine Coupons Codes For Extra Savings “… did you know you can use more than one code at a time? I didn’t, until Borders practically begged me to. I was buying two books on their site when I saw this message on the checkout page: “You may apply more than one promotion code to your order.” Who knew?” [ShopSmart]
$1 Oatmeal At Jamba Juice W/ Coupon
By 3.2.09
Get oatmeal for $1 at Jamba Juice with this coupon. [Jamba Juice]
This Ace Hardware Promotion Requires That You Go Back In Time To Use It
By 3.2.09
Marketer: [gleam in her eye] …oh, I know how we can afford it. [cue evil laughter]
Why The Quiznos Free Sandwich Promo Burnt Some Customers
By 2.27.09
According to tipster Rich Piotrowski, a former Quiznos franchise owner who won a counter-suit against the company, the big reason why some Quiznos were being jerks about taking the free sandwich coupon is that at first corporate was making the franchises pay for all the sandwiches. (Quiznos mandates franchises buy all their ingredients from HQ, often at above-market rates…). Then it looks like they decided to reimburse up to 400 coupons, then bumped that up to 700 to meet the demand, and now they’re going to reimburse all coupons. Don’t give away free stuff in these times unless you’re ready for an onslaught of interest, at the outset. Corporate seems to have realized this and contacted us to say that if you have any problems redeeming coupons you can email millionsubs@quiznos.com. Tipster’s comment, and an internal Quiznos memo, inside…
Troubles With Redeeming Quiznos Free Sandwich Coupons
By 2.26.09
Looks like some Quiznos aren’t too happy about the free sandwich campaign. Readers report interactions ranging from coupons being denied, to local franchises making up new limitations on it (like only certain sandwiches are eligible, or requiring drink and chip purchase), to being treated like thieving jerks. The coupon says the offer is only good at “participating stores,” but doesn’t say anything that in lieu of free sandwich the coupon will be exchanged for rude attitudes. Inside, the conflict between corporate, the franchises, and the customer caught in-between. Oh, and yes, they do check IDs.
Saving Money With An Entertainment Book
By 2.25.09
Hot off our discussion last week of how to save money by spending money, Free Money Finance lists ways to save using an Entertainment Book. His list of tips includes the following:
Kmart Assistant Manager Hates Your Coupons, Will Not Process Your Transaction
By 2.24.09
If you’re one of those really smart coupon hoarders, you know to save up for double-coupon offers, because then you can get things for next-to-nothing. Nicole has used this strategy at Kmart in the past without problems, but this time she ran into an assistant manager who refused to honor the promotion, saying, “It’s not our policy. It’s not written down, but that’s the policy.”
Free Quiznos Subs
By 2.23.09
Quiznos is giving out free sub coupons. All you have to do is give your first name, last name, zip, birthday, and email address for their marketing database and tell them what your favorite sub is. Once the email arrives in your box, it will be equipped with some kind of send-to-a-friend function so they can also exchange their personal information for sandwiches. Order up one for JackB Nimble at mrmixelpixle9292@gmail.com please.
By 2.20.09
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Got some old Linens ‘N Things coupons? Don’t throw them away. Bed Bath & Beyond will take them until the end of the month. [ShopSmart]
Radio Shack Employee Lies, Says Government Requires Your Name And Address To Use DTV Coupon
By 2.11.09
Tim tried to use a Digital TV coupon at a Philadelphia Radio Shack and was told that he had to provide his name and address in order to redeem it, as per government regulations. Strike out “government” and replace with “imaginary” and you’re closer to the truth. Hmm, did this Radio Shack employee just break the law?
