What's the deal with Tesco & Asda? (Mod; please move if in wrong area)

agaveworm

Last week I asked someone on the till in Tesco what the deal was with using coupons. She basically said that I can have up to 10% of the bill and can't really take the mick. Fair enough.

Having plucked up the courage, last night, to present the vouchers for the first time ever; I was told by the girl that I hadn't bought the goods and she yelled across to a colleague who confirmed the same. I could only use the vouchers against the product and as I hadn't bought the products - I couldn't use them!

Having seen my face turning a nice Rudolph red; she obviously took pity on me and accepted all my bonus clubcard points vouchers (spend £2 on fruit, get 40 points and the like) so I did OK there, I suppose.

On the way home, I picked up a few more bits at Asda and (brave or foolish?) tried to present the coupons again! Again, I was told "no product - no discount!"

Have all the Supermarkets moved the goalposts for maximum profit over the festive period? Or am I merely a man failing to conquer the world of Supermarket retail?

Merry Xmas

RAMBLER

I'm not sure, but I went to Tesco's early this morning and went through an unmanned checkout and used coupons. When the checkout biddy came to authorise the coupons I was told no buy no coupon as well.
Now I might be worried, except yesterday I used a few on one of my regulars who excepted 10%. I think the golden rule has to be go to someone you knwo who will accept coupons. There seems to be a different policy to what is allowed or not depending on who's on the checkout.

agaveworm

I did remember reading on here before that I should look for a vulnerable 'Tilly'. It was a toss up between a moody looking old bint or a young spotty girl! I went for 'Spotsy' and regretfully, she was intelligent, very well spoken - clearly a Uni Student earning a few Xmas quids - d'oh!

Lesson learned - Never judge a 'Tilly' by her complexion....

highguyuk

What coupons are you on about?! Surely if you dont buy the product that is on the coupon you aint gona get the discount?!

*Confused*

rchddap1

I have used coupons myself at Asda's and not bought the product. Generally if you are 'good' about it and don't take in too many coupons they will take the money off for you. Finally persuaded my Mum to give Tesco a try with a £5 voucher that I had....and they refused as she hadn't bought the relevant items.

agaveworm

highguyuk wrote:

What coupons are you on about?! Surely if you dont buy the product that is on the coupon you aint gona get the discount?!

*Confused*

50p off Kelloggs Conflakes (whatever?). Present any voucher like this and Tesco would knock this off the bill; REGARDLESS of whether you bought the item or not.

If you have half a dozen 50p offs - it would be worth it.

I'm too scared now.

MORPH3US

As you say OP, it entirely depends on the checkout person and how on the ball they are.

For me, when I do a big shop, I think that they can't remember what I have brought as they usually accept most coupons. Every store and nearly every member of staff has a different take on how many you can have.

I think the official line in my local store is that you can only use ONE coupon for items you have not purchased!!!

M

debjay

As said before it varies enormously between stores and operators. I have managed to use many £4 off £40 spend Sainsburys and Sainsburys mag coupons, internet printed ones (if they will scan) and various others at my local Tesco. However, my Mum has not been so lucky in the same store being told "no product no coupon" and "we dont take internet coupons".

I just keep handing them in most weeks and so far this month have got on average over £10 worth of coupons deducted from £70-80 spend.

My advice is just to keep trying and pick likely operator. I have found that the male staff are more likely to accept them. :xmassign:

HappyShopper3

The first time I had heard of Tesco not taking vouchers was yesterday.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1272357&postcount=7

I even commented on that thread I hope it isn't a sign of things to come!

They stopped the 150 points on temp cards and it seems they are clamping down on the coupons too.

WELSH-DRAGON_2

I usually shop at Tescos and use vouchers regardless of whether I buy the item or not. I look to see who is on the tills then spot anyone I know who has previously accepted my vouchers. Yesterday, I went to a very mature looking gentlemen, he took my vouchers, muttered you haven't bought most of these items, muttered again about how he would get into trouble then proceeded to hand me 2 out of the 8 I had given him, although he scanned the rest.

Yesterday, I had to buy my Christmas presents off hubby (after last year's paper shredder I am taking no chances) so went to Tescos for the clothing sale, I spent £50.50 and I had some clothing vouchers being disorganised I said to the young girl can you just scan the right ones for the spend - anyway, she put through several of the clothing vouchers which meant I had a £6 off £30 spend, £5 off a £25 spend and a £4 off a £20 spend plus several magazine vouchers it came to £34.50 - the £10 tesco clothes voucher would not scan through. So I went to CS and they gave me a crisp £10 note. So total bill was £50.50, meaning I only actually spent £26 - very pleased with that.

Really OP it depends who you get - get chatting to the cashier and be friendly - if they take them it is a bonus but do not think it is a an automatic right - but if they don't accept them save them for next time.

Also check Rambler's daily newspaper thread as you can pick up some great vouchers in the newspapers to use.

:xmassign:

moggins

The self scan tills took nearly £18 worth of Somerfield and Kwiksave vouchers the other day. I didn't risk putting any more through