sage Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Do any of the big supermarkets accept coupons if you don't buy the product. I know they all used to many years ago. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Waitrose don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Tesco does - I used a £1.00 off PG Tips this evening without actually buying any. Got home and discovered - guess what - that I needed to buy t bags Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Not sure I approve of this really. Surely you should buy the product to get the discount? It doesn't sit happily with my ethics...sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Not sure I approve of this really.Surely you should buy the product to get the discount? It doesn't sit happily with my ethics...sorry. I'm afraid I agree with Cinnamon. I know times are tough but I wouldn't do this either. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 As long as the store sells the product I don't see what the problem is. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 There's normally something in the smallprint about not embarressing the till person if you haven't bought the particular product isn't there? I think there was a phase of being able to use say, Sainsbury's loyalty vouchers in Tesco to lure your custom, but even that was years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 As long as the store sells the product I don't see what the problem is.Sage What does the coupon say ? If it says x amount off of product A, how can you justify claiming x if you don't buy product A. If you don't buy the product, you haven't fullfilled your obligation enabling you to claim the money, surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 I am aware of what the coupons say. I only asked as not so many years ago all the major supermarket would accepted coupons as long as they stocked the item. Only earlier this year Waitrose near me would do this to a max of 5 coupon and value of £5 per transaction. I was told this has now changed. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 A coupon has printed text that describes the agreement between the consumer, the store, and the manufacturer. This text is what creates the agreement; the bar-coded information is a method to expeditiously handle the coupon entry into the store's payment system. The information revealed in the code MAY allow the code to be accepted by the store for a product other than that stated on the coupon, BUT if it does not fall within the stated text of the coupon, the use would be determined to be fraudulent [i.e. illegal]. Coupon misredemption takes place when a coupon is used other than in connection with the purchase of the product as stated in the PRINTED text. Its not a victemless crime. Coupons aren’t free money. The money to cover the coupon has to come from somewhere. Coupon misredemption costs the manufacturer, and when the manufacturer is losing money, they raise the prices, hurting consumers everywhere. In January 2010, all key grocery retailers in the UK announced that they would abide by the general coupon policy of not accepting coupons from consumers unless the product on promotion had been purchased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I think there was a phase of being able to use say, Sainsbury's loyalty vouchers in Tesco to lure your custom, but even that was years ago. This is still happening. Only today I was in Tesco and had a '£12 of if you spend £60' (think that was the amount) sent to me by Sainsbury. The assistant was happy to take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 This is still happening. Only today I was in Tesco and had a '£12 of if you spend £60' (think that was the amount) sent to me by Sainsbury. The assistant was happy to take it. It is a recognised problem see eg. http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/944269/ISP-claims-coupon-misredemption-victory-against-Tesco/ As I wrote above, we all end up paying, in the end, as manufacturers will simply raise their prices to make up for the misredemptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 This is still happening. Only today I was in Tesco and had a '£12 of if you spend £60' (think that was the amount) sent to me by Sainsbury. The assistant was happy to take it. It is a recognised problem see eg. http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/944269/ISP-claims-coupon-misredemption-victory-against-Tesco/ As I wrote above, we all end up paying, in the end, as manufacturers will simply raise their prices to make up for the misredemptions. These coupons are not for specific products but just your general shop so I suppose Tesco are happy to have the customers business instead of it going to the supermarket named on the coupon. I was told in our Tesco that they would take any other supermarkets 'money off shopping' vouchers except M&S. This is different from using a coupon for a product when you haven't bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 In January 2010, all key grocery retailers in the UK announced that they would abide by the general coupon policy of not accepting coupons from consumers unless the product on promotion had been purchased. This is why I asked the question, I was unsure if the policy had changed from what was once a common practice. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Do the tills not have a system in place to identify whether you have actually bought the item though? A while back I had a voucher from sainsburys - I can't remember if it was money off or extra nectar points if you spent five pounds on fruit and veg. I handed the lady the voucher because I had bought some and said I wasn't sure if we had spent £5 or not. She scanned it and said it had not accepted it so obviously we hadn't spent enough to qualify. Not sure if it is different if it is a coupon from a box of tea bags etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Yes,they do have that system,but at Waitrose (where I work),you can override it by just putting in that you have been part paid by coupon,& the value. we need to have this in case the barcode on the coupon won#'t scan for some reason. I guess it would be the same in other shops too. I get either an out of date coupon or one where the customer is trying it on & they haven't bought the item about once a week,& I only work 12 hours a week Oh,& photocopied coupons are around too now A slightly different thing,but we had an offer on Muller rice the other day,buy 5 for a certain amount,which took off the saving at the til. However,it was the end of the day & the rices had been reduced to 10p each,but the til still took the saving off for the multiple purchase........I ended up owing the customer £1.25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 A slightly different thing,but we had an offer on Muller rice the other day,buy 5 for a certain amount,which took off the saving at the til. However,it was the end of the day & the rices had been reduced to 10p each,but the til still took the saving off for the multiple purchase........I ended up owing the customer £1.25 I've had that on a couple of items. Its nice when it happens As for coupons, I'd be worried about being embarrassed by the cashier if I gave the wrong coupon. Actually, I think I have a mental block when it comes to coupons full stop. I have a purse full, and only ever remember them, when I have paid and left the shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
