Can't use a coupon on marked down items?

[SC864]

So, I decided to do a quick trip to Ingles because the one closest to where I work is huge, and usually mid-week they do a lot of cleaning up in the store and put all the dented, torn, or discontinued items prominently displayed up front in shopping carts. Sometimes there are five to eight full shopping carts of stuff at low prices. So I go and it's great, I found a lot of canned goods marked down, lots of brand names, and what do you know, I have some great coupons I can use. I have a bunch of stuff in my cart and I had a different question about a different coupon for an item I couldn't find in the store (the One Beyond free cat food box) so I pull my cart up to Customer Service. A nice man asks if he can help me.
Me: Hi, I was wondering if you carried th...
Him: (spotting my coupon carrier) Oh, you aren't planning on using those (points to coupons) on those (points to marked down stuff in my cart) are you?
Me: Huh? Oh, well yes I was planning on it.
Him: You can't use coupons on those.
Me: (pause) Really? Why not?
Him: Well they are already marked down.
Me: Yeah. And they qualify for these coupons. See, this one says "Buy four and g..."
Him: No. You can't use coupons on marked down items.
Me: I think I can.
Him: No you can't.
Me: But why not? I'm buying exactly what it says on the coupon.
Him: We just can't have people doing that.
Me: (puzzled) Doing that, doing what?
Him: Well, using them on marked down stuff.
Me: (pause) You do realize you get paid back for this coupon by the manufacturer, plus 8 cents per coupon, so you'd make MORE if I used the coupon, right?
Him: We just can't have people doing that.
Me: I'm really confused.
Him: It's easy. If it's marked down, that's what you pay. You shouldn't have to use the coupon.
Me: So ... it's not about selling the item, it's personal? You just don't want ME to save MORE money? Even though you would MAKE more money? You do understand that you GET your money for this, plus some, right?
Him: Huh? No, (laughs nervously, really is not listening to me) you don't understand, it's ALREADY marked down, you shouldn't have to use the coupon.
Me: But I want to use the coupon, and according to this, I can use it.
Him: No, you can't do that. I'm sorry.
Me: (sighs) Well, sorry to hear that.

I walk away from the cart and leave the store. I get in my car and add a few more things to my list to get at Publix this weekend.

I know I'm new at this, but I think I'm right. If the coupon specifies a certain kind of Campbells soup, and that's what I'm buying, should it matter if they marked it down because the can was dented? Shouldn't I still be able to use the coupon? Or not?

[blestwithboys]

You are right. There is no logical reason they can say that to you. It's absolutely ridiculous. Just so you know, some people at my Kroger have tried that with me. Lunacy I tell you! I used to get the almost expired Udi's bread with a coupon. They had it marked down with other expiring baked goods. Now I can NEVER find any there, so they probably throw them away. Imagine, throwing it away over letting someone buy it with a coupon! Did I mention, Lunacy?!

[HoosierMomof3]

I agree you should be able to still use your Qs. I am not familiar with Ingles, but I use them on markdowns @ Kroger all the time. As long as the Q is not more than the markdown price. I got a bunch of the Marzhetti Dressings the other night that were marked down to . 50. I used my .50/1 Qs. And because the Q and the price were the same, I had no problem. And my Kroger Doubles so I actually made . 50 on each one.

[SC864]

My husband calls managers like that The Department of Sales Prevention. I'm not a very assertive person, usually if someone tells me "no" and I'm not sure of my position, I just say "ok" and back down. This was the first time yet I've tried to hold my ground and in the end I backed off. I could have gone to the next step and called the corporate office but I really was short on time and not in the mood. When I get a day off of work and a chance to call corporate ahead of time, I'm going to get someone's name at the main office and get someone to explain to me what I really and truly can and can not do. I hate getting in arguments. It's so stupid. I'm not breaking any rules and I'm doing everything as it states on the coupon. Don't they want to SELL the stuff?

[CurtisBeers]

My Ralphs (part of Kroger) used to say that with clearance items (dented, part of label missing, etc.) a few years ago. They would use a marker, put an X thru the UPC code and then write the price on top of the can or box. The cashier would have to enter the item as "Grocery" and then the price. When you tried to use a coupon with it, some cashiers would accept it, others would say no.

Then they started with a new label with a UPC code that they put over the original UPC code. This lets you use coupons as they also scan at self check out. I have gotten many free items this way, especially the after-Christmas sales.