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WARNING: Coupon Police Alert
Tibbs,The_Freebie_Hunter
Posts: 789 Forumite
Just to warn you guys that Asda coupon policy seems to be getting tightened up, somewhat uncomfortably so. Perhaps other users could let me know whether this is occurring in other areas/regions.
If you remember the flashing lights that checkouts used to have when the SA needed assistance (whether by a Runner or Supervisor) well, there seems to be an invisible flashing light that kicks in but alerts the whole store (Security, Store Management, the works!) when you dare to use a coupon now – and then triggers a feeling of wanting the ground to open up, etc, etc.
I asked the SA today before using the open coupon slot (another store had black masking tape strategically silencing the pin drop sound of the coupon entering the first and final stage of acceptance, but alas no more…)
I was told to step away from the coupon slot (a bit too reminiscent of Annie’s already got her gun, but playing the wrong role in the Buffalo Bill show – I didn’t know if she was going to burst into song or if I would be skinned alive) and she proceeded to inform me in a somewhat rather off-putting Billy Goat Gruff voice that only she could process the coupons – after a long and painful checking process. The SA today overzealously scrutinised the Coke Zero vouchers (despite actually buying the correct item) from yesterday’s Sun, signing and verifying each one (even stating that she’d have to alert Store Management/Security if the coupon value was scanning over and above the actual price of the item). Luckily I didn’t try to redeem a coupon against any item, like you used to be able to do in Asda (there was a distinct possibility of being arrested by the Coupon Police, if I had done). They don’t do this in Tesco, and Asda’s never went this far before. After hearing that Tesco accept the Farmfoods vouchers and many other different conditional spend vouchers, which Asda used to do along with Ad Price-Matching (in pre-Walmart days), perhaps Tesco are fast becoming the best supermarket now that they are also competing with price and accepting such vouchers without quibble.
I never thought I’d see the day. It’s just all so sad, especially when Asda introduced the policy of accepting any coupon (due to making profit from the handling charge for each one) without having to buy the product, with the only proviso being that they stocked the item. Didn’t they start accepting competitor vouchers to compete with the likes of Tesco? Now they just don’t want to know. Coupon use in Asda looks like it’s going to be stamped out for good. Just when another MSE member recently noted that people are starting to feel comfortable using vouchers, the stores seem to want to wash their bloody hands of them.
Would you care to discuss?
If you remember the flashing lights that checkouts used to have when the SA needed assistance (whether by a Runner or Supervisor) well, there seems to be an invisible flashing light that kicks in but alerts the whole store (Security, Store Management, the works!) when you dare to use a coupon now – and then triggers a feeling of wanting the ground to open up, etc, etc.
I asked the SA today before using the open coupon slot (another store had black masking tape strategically silencing the pin drop sound of the coupon entering the first and final stage of acceptance, but alas no more…)
I was told to step away from the coupon slot (a bit too reminiscent of Annie’s already got her gun, but playing the wrong role in the Buffalo Bill show – I didn’t know if she was going to burst into song or if I would be skinned alive) and she proceeded to inform me in a somewhat rather off-putting Billy Goat Gruff voice that only she could process the coupons – after a long and painful checking process. The SA today overzealously scrutinised the Coke Zero vouchers (despite actually buying the correct item) from yesterday’s Sun, signing and verifying each one (even stating that she’d have to alert Store Management/Security if the coupon value was scanning over and above the actual price of the item). Luckily I didn’t try to redeem a coupon against any item, like you used to be able to do in Asda (there was a distinct possibility of being arrested by the Coupon Police, if I had done). They don’t do this in Tesco, and Asda’s never went this far before. After hearing that Tesco accept the Farmfoods vouchers and many other different conditional spend vouchers, which Asda used to do along with Ad Price-Matching (in pre-Walmart days), perhaps Tesco are fast becoming the best supermarket now that they are also competing with price and accepting such vouchers without quibble.
I never thought I’d see the day. It’s just all so sad, especially when Asda introduced the policy of accepting any coupon (due to making profit from the handling charge for each one) without having to buy the product, with the only proviso being that they stocked the item. Didn’t they start accepting competitor vouchers to compete with the likes of Tesco? Now they just don’t want to know. Coupon use in Asda looks like it’s going to be stamped out for good. Just when another MSE member recently noted that people are starting to feel comfortable using vouchers, the stores seem to want to wash their bloody hands of them.
Would you care to discuss?
Invented tradition: Couponology
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict
.
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict
.0
Comments
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Doesn't sound like the member of staff had people skills!! Were you using a self scan till? Why would you put the coupons in the slot yourself? Perhaps Asda have had a lot of out date or wrong product coupons lately. I find Asda a lot cheaper than Tesco, and only go to Tesco when I have sufficient Clubcard and other vouchers to make it worth my while.Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0
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Doesn't sound like the member of staff had people skills!! Were you using a self scan till? Why would you put the coupons in the slot yourself? Perhaps Asda have had a lot of out date or wrong product coupons lately. I find Asda a lot cheaper than Tesco, and only go to Tesco when I have sufficient Clubcard and other vouchers to make it worth my while.
The staff used to just say to scan the coupon and place it in the coupon slot - that's how they taught us to use the self-scan machine from day one. I don't know about out-of-dates or wrong products (used to be any coupon for any product, as long as stocked in this particular store), but had heard people were sometimes putting notes into the coupon slot in error.
I used to find Asda the cheapest and the best for value all round. However, I'm finding that prices keep getting over inflated, then so-called placed on 'Rollback' to a price dearer than they were first time round. This is happening far too often for my liking. Lately our particular Tesco (massive) has started to compete in the price stakes, which Tesco never really used to do (not ours, anyway).Invented tradition: Couponology
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict.0 -
My local Asda have virtually banned all coupons.....even if you buy the actual product !!
I spent about £10 inc a mag for which I had a £1.80 coupon - which they refused to accept because it was more than 10% of the whole bill !!
Needless to say, I told them to forget the magazine.:cool:
Asda have better offers than Tesco, but with Tesco coupon policy and their club card vouchers and double-points etc they are the shop of choice for me now.
Agree with op sentiments about being made to feel a criminal. I rarely bother even trying coupons in Asda now as they reject every coupon I offer with various different excuses.....all the while making you feel like you are trying to rob the charity collection tin0 -
I have to say my Asda is the same they won't take coupons now and are very picky when you even have brought the item. I also have found that their Roll Back is a big con. Eg: You have had bread at 38p for ages it goes up to 50p for a week then they say it's a Roll Back item as it now sells for 48p. Sorry but to me thats is NOT a Roll Back that is them trying to con you.
I have found this on a lot of their product lately and am getting more and more disheartened with them. I am also finding that you can not see a lot of their offers anymore as they cover them with their home shopping trolleys, these trolleys are all over the shop making it very hard to shop now.
I have also adding up what I have brought as I am always getting overcharged one week by as much as £20. They also have issues with a lot of their offers not going through the tills, so please take the time to check your receipts.Thanks for any help and advice given
~~~Nicky~~~0 -
...I have also adding up what I have brought as I am always getting overcharged one week by as much as £20. They also have issues with a lot of their offers not going through the tills, so please take the time to check your receipts.
Really good advice. I always make sure that I check every single item. You're right, it can really mount up.
Oh, and thanks for confirming that it isn't just me or an unlucky experience.Invented tradition: Couponology
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict.0 -
...
I spent about £10 inc a mag for which I had a £1.80 coupon - which they refused to accept because it was more than 10% of the whole bill !!
Needless to say, I told them to forget the magazine.:cool:
You should have taken this up with the customer complaints team. Again, it's consistency (edit: or rather inconsistency) of policy that needs to be addressed.
One minute you are welcomed with open arms, the next you are some kind of leper, just because they've decided to change something without thinking of notifying the customer first. Even if they allowed some kind of grace period, in which they could explain new policies are in force, but no...this just doesn't happen.
Instead, you just get embarrassingly crucified and ridiculed, as if you're some kind of naughty school kid.Invented tradition: Couponology
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict.0 -
Thank you for your message.
Dear [Tibbs,The Freebie Hunter],
Thank you for contacting me.
The new coupon acceptance policy is as follows.
We will accept all manufacturers' coupons (including internet coupons) in line with the terms and conditions of each coupon i.e. Customers must buy the product to redeem the coupon.
There is no limit to the number of coupons that can be redeemed in a transaction however stores discretion does have to be used and most stores do say only 10% of the customers bill can be used in coupons.
The coupons do have to be redeemed against the product specified, e.g. 24 x 10p coupons off Heinz baked beans - customer must purchase 24 cans of Heinz baked beans.
1. The coupon must be 'in date'
2. The coupon must not be for a specific retailer other than ASDA. e.g. 20p off toothpaste at Tesco
3. The customer must have purchased the product
Each coupon has a bar code, which should be scannable.
Self Scan
All coupons tendered at self-scan will now require authorisation. This means that with each coupon scanned, the system will automatically trigger an intervention and the host must authorise.
Kind Regards
Lucy Robinson
ASDA Service Team
Without having asked about this, I would have not been informed.
The 'intervention' on the self scan checkouts, at the moment, is triggering an alert to Store Security, not to the SA hub. Are things really that bad for Asda?Invented tradition: Couponology
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict.0 -
My local Asda in Thornaby has been tight on Coupons now for about 2 yrs especially on the self scan ones
I dont even bother taking coupons in anymore to be honest not worth the agro0 -
My local Asda in Thornaby has been tight on Coupons now for about 2 yrs especially on the self scan ones
I dont even bother taking coupons in anymore to be honest not worth the agro
Two years worth of restrictions? Wow, I've been lucky then.
I agree it's just not worth the hassle.Invented tradition: Couponology
Fancy title: Couponologist
Motto: Because I have conviction doesn't mean I'm a convict.0 -
the 10% of bill bit is interesting. Say I had a coupon for 30p off butter which is only 99p in the first place, that means I can only use it if m total bill will be in excess of £3 and not to just buy the block of butter i need.MF aim 10th December 2020 :j:eek:MFW 2012 no86 OP 0/2000
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