Can anyone direct me to the official Riteaid corporate policy re coupons?

[Iwillsurvive]

Manager told me I cannot use 2 coups on the Glade carpet deodorizer BOGO deal "because she will not be payed for 1 of the coups". When I told her that this was the first time anyone had challenged my usage, she replied "that's because we hadn't monitored it before!". WWWHHHAAATTT????

I really need the corporate policy so I can carry it around (along with my copy of Target's policy!).

[ncscgirl2005]

Originally Posted by Iwillsurvive

Manager told me I cannot use 2 coups on the Glade carpet deodorizer BOGO deal "because she will not be payed for 1 of the coups". When I told her that this was the first time anyone had challenged my usage, she replied "that's because we hadn't monitored it before!". WWWHHHAAATTT????

I really need the corporate policy so I can carry it around (along with my copy of Target's policy!).

They emailed it to me. You can use two coupons on a BOGO.

[natandnick]

I just received this response from Rite Aid customer service after problems I had with the $5 off $25:

Coupons, and their face value, cannot be exchanged for cash. Front-end
competitor coupons will not be honored at Rite Aid. Coupons are to have a
valid expiration date, those that are expired or ineligible will be returned
to the customer.

One internet coupon can be used per item; however, there is a $5.00 limit on
each internet coupon. Similar to manufacturer's coupons, only one internet
coupon is accepted for each item, unless coupled with a manufacturer's or
valuable coupon found in a Rite Aid circular.

When items are featured on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two
coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net
price does not go below zero for the item being purchased. The register will
automatically calculate any sales tax due on a zero sales transaction based
upon your state and local laws.

Regarding the $5 off $25 purchase coupon, it is to be taken off first
followed by any other coupon the customer may be using.

Carrie
Customer Support

[RA1]

I am the manager of a Rite Aid, and i will tell you there is no real official policy regarding either of the main issues i have seen discussed here.

for many years, you were only supposed to use one coupon on a BOGO purchase, given that a coupon can not exceed the cost of the item (ie- cant use a $5.00 coupon on a $2.00 item), and with the item free, obviously using a coupon on it is more than whats paid.

And the $5.00 off of $25.00...
There were at least 4 emails from corporate telling us, as manager, that the $5.00 off coupon is to be scanned LAST, which makes sense because your PURCHASE is supposed to exceed $25.00, not just the retail price. While sending us emails telling us that you must be over 25, this "Carrie" in customer service was telling customers it was to be scanned first.

In the interest of Customer Service (and frankly, avoiding dealing with it) my region decided to let you guys use them... However, this may not be true region to region, and dont blame the manager, or the clerk... Its not their fault.


(and if you call, or email to complain DO NOT TIE IT TO A STORE NUMBER- those managers get those held against them, even if it is just over a corporate policy.)

[natandnick]

" (and if you call, or email to complain DO NOT TIE IT TO A STORE NUMBER- those managers get those held against them, even if it is just over a corporate policy.) "

When you email RA through the website you have to put in the store and if there is a consistent issue with a store I have no problem giving the store number, clerk or manager name. People need to be held accountable for rude behavior towards customers, not knowing the corp policies, not training employees properly etc.

Corp policy is corp policy. I try to abide by a stores corp policy if I know it and expect the store staff to do the same. So if a manager gets something held against them "just over corp policy" then so be it.

I will also email or call in positive comments before a complaint. You really have to get me po'd to write something negative. I always give the benefit of doubt especially with clerks.

Use this site as a learning experience. Look at the different complaints customers have about different stores (especially Walgreens). Don't look negatively at couponers. We do get some fantastic deals but we also help clear out clearance and seasonal merchandise. I will purchase non sale merchandise without a coupon and pay a few more cents at a store that consistently treats me well before making a stop elsewhere.

[RA1]

Originally Posted by natandnick

" People need to be held accountable for rude behavior towards customers, not knowing the corp policies, not training employees properly etc.

Corp policy is corp policy. I try to abide by a stores corp policy if I know it and expect the store staff to do the same. So if a manager gets something held against them "just over corp policy" then so be it.

I will also email or call in positive comments before a complaint. You really have to get me po'd to write something negative. I always give the benefit of doubt especially with clerks.

That was kinda my point...
The store gets blamed for a corporate policy that THEY (as a store) are told that directly contradicts what you, as a customer, are being told.

Its unfortunate, but we were told strictly by corporate, that under no circumstances was anyone to scan the $5.00 off coupon First... and then they sent emails to the customers in direct contradiction to what store level had been told.

Luckily, early on, i had a customer present me a copy of the letter, so i honored it. But i know a couple of managers reamed out for customer complaints... for following the policy as it had been stated.

I appreciate what you guys are doing here, saving money, etc. In fact, i had lurked on this site for awhile to get a heads up on what crazy coupons you guys have that we dont know about.. and i just thought i would clear up the policy issue.... to hopefully help some other minimum wage cashier, and some overworked, underpaid manager when someone comes in angry about the "policy" not being honored, it is entirely possible that you heard it from corporate before they did.

and honestly, there is no hard and fast policy. They have spent the past 6 months making it up as they go along.

[couponmama]

My BOGO Cover Girl got rejected yesterday at RA. I didnt even argue about it because theres no point in reasoning with these folks over their individual conception of RA policy as its been communicated to them. Plus I am onto RA's game....their "soft policies" on coupons that make a transaction nearly free.

You can bet your tail I contacted Corporate when I got home and I gave the store number. How else will the situation get resolved otherwise?

There's nothing wrong with using coupons in conjunction with a store deal. The total at the end of the transaction is of little importance (as long as its above zero and tax gets paid). The manufacturers pay RA for the coupons! RA does not lose out! Couponing is not stealing.

I understand the managers were probably told to not allow the cashiers to accept the CG coupon this past week. A "soft policy" if you will. I think RA is banking on the fact that most people wont complain and thinking they will save money by just pacifying those that do complain. I dont know why..again MF's pay them for the coupons.

I plan to complain every time I try to use a coupon and am rejected. In fact I'm programming corporate phone numbers into my cell phones to start calling them as soon as I get to my vehicle in the parking lot.

And I dont think hiding behind the overworked and underpaid employee thing is really a good excuse. I work 60+ hours a week and work hard. I too am and overworked and underpaid employee. But I do my job, and do it well. I also treat all my customers with dignity and as I would want to be treated. If you are unhappy with your job and dont feel your getting a consistent message from corporate, find a new job.

[gina4333]

Originally Posted by natandnick

I just received this response from Rite Aid customer service after problems I had with the $5 off $25:

Coupons, and their face value, cannot be exchanged for cash. Front-end
competitor coupons will not be honored at Rite Aid. Coupons are to have a
valid expiration date, those that are expired or ineligible will be returned
to the customer.

One internet coupon can be used per item; however, there is a $5.00 limit on
each internet coupon. Similar to manufacturer's coupons, only one internet
coupon is accepted for each item, unless coupled with a manufacturer's or
valuable coupon found in a Rite Aid circular.

When items are featured on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two
coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net
price does not go below zero for the item being purchased. The register will
automatically calculate any sales tax due on a zero sales transaction based
upon your state and local laws.

Regarding the $5 off $25 purchase coupon, it is to be taken off first
followed by any other coupon the customer may be using.

Carrie
Customer Support

Where do you get the 5/25 for rite aid?

[RA1]

Originally Posted by couponmama

My BOGO Cover Girl got rejected yesterday at RA. I didnt even argue about it because theres no point in reasoning with these folks over their individual conception of RA policy as its been communicated to them. Plus I am onto RA's game....their "soft policies" on coupons that make a transaction nearly free.

You can bet your tail I contacted Corporate when I got home and I gave the store number. How else will the situation get resolved otherwise?

There's nothing wrong with using coupons in conjunction with a store deal. The total at the end of the transaction is of little importance (as long as its above zero and tax gets paid). The manufacturers pay RA for the coupons! RA does not lose out! Couponing is not stealing.

I understand the managers were probably told to not allow the cashiers to accept the CG coupon this past week. A "soft policy" if you will. I think RA is banking on the fact that most people wont complain and thinking they will save money by just pacifying those that do complain. I dont know why..again MF's pay them for the coupons.

I plan to complain every time I try to use a coupon and am rejected. In fact I'm programming corporate phone numbers into my cell phones to start calling them as soon as I get to my vehicle in the parking lot.

And I dont think hiding behind the overworked and underpaid employee thing is really a good excuse. I work 60+ hours a week and work hard. I too am and overworked and underpaid employee. But I do my job, and do it well. I also treat all my customers with dignity and as I would want to be treated. If you are unhappy with your job and dont feel your getting a consistent message from corporate, find a new job.

The point is, they are doing everything they can to do it well, but getting in trouble as individuals for things they can't control is the difficult part. There is never an excuse however not to treat someone with respect- customer or otherwise.


anyways, regarding soft policy coupons. Without question, there are plenty of cashiers/managers etc that just have an ethical problem letting people get too much for free. Its just seems wrong- even if its not. There reason, however, these soft policies are in place at different times is because of... customer service.

The fact is, read this forum, you read post after post of people getting stuff they dont need, and giving it to charity. The problem is, getting stuff you dont need, just because its free/cheap, means its not on the shelf for a customer later in the week who may need it. A manager can not order an infinite supply of something to account for the excess amounts of couponing that may be done by an individual or small group, so the best option many of them have is to make sure they limit people to be fair to everyone.

[truelove0426]

Originally Posted by RA1

The fact is, read this forum, you read post after post of people getting stuff they dont need, and giving it to charity. The problem is, getting stuff you dont need, just because its free/cheap, means its not on the shelf for a customer later in the week who may need it. A manager can not order an infinite supply of something to account for the excess amounts of couponing that may be done by an individual or small group, so the best option many of them have is to make sure they limit people to be fair to everyone.

Just to clarify--we may be getting items that "we don't need", but we most certainly are giving them to people that need them. People in shelters, on the streets, or just hard-working people down-on-their-luck. People who might actually come into your store 'later on in the week and purchase an item off the shelf' if they:

1. had transportation
2. could afford to pay RA's ridiculously marked-up prices
3. didn't mind being seen in public with the shameful evidence of domestic abuse evident

I hear what you're saying and appreciate it for what it is--your opinion--but the fact is that day after day we are doing what we are doing with sales/coupons etc to provide for our families first, but also to provide for others who for whatever reason cannot provide for themselves. Who I'm sure would love the opportunity to complain about being "overworked & underpaid".

Thank you for reading.