Tesco...beginning of the end?

dawny10

Went into my local Tesco yesterday (Bursledon, Southampton) to get some shopping, clutching my handfull of vouchers as normal. The girl at the checkout very politely pointed me to a notice displayed at every checkout saying that from 13th September they would only take coupons or vouchers if you purchased the product.

I asked if this was just for this store but she claimed it was policy across all Tesco stores. I'm assuming that this is not the case as I would imagine it would have been noticed here!

ROCKINGHAM

So its back to Asda!

Clarebear_Barton

Not nationwide as my store in loughborough accepted about £8 worth of vouchers only 4 days ago!! How long this will last, however............

Scottish_Saver_2

Went into my local Tesco yesterday (Bursledon, Southampton) to get some shopping, clutching my handfull of vouchers as normal.  The girl at the checkout very politely pointed me to a notice displayed at every checkout saying that from 13th September they would only take coupons or vouchers if you purchased the product.

I asked if this was just for this store but she claimed it was policy across all Tesco stores.  I'm assuming that this is not the case as I would imagine it would have been noticed here!

Think this could be the Managers policy and not Tescos (maybe this branch doesn't want the work involved in handling the coupons!)
I have a letter from Tesco, on their letterhead, stating the official company policy on coupons.
I have put a copy .jpg at http://junk.paulm.com/TESCO_LETTER.JPG
if anyone is interested.

Loobeylou

The checkout statement regarding Tesco not accepting coupons for goods not purchased has not filtered through to the Tesco I use. I went in on Saturday morning and used loads of coupons.

However, I do feel that they will call it a day soon.

ROCKINGHAM

My Tescos refused to take any Internet coupons (geniune Home Solutions) yesterday even though I had bought the product. Even the Manager was called to the checkout by the Supervisor to debate whether to accept them or not. Apparently Head Office have issued a directive about Internet Coupons.

dawny10

I emailed Tesco to ask them to clarify the situation and they said they had not changed their policy regarding vouchers but that the Store Manager has the discretion to refuse them if they think a customer is 'misusing' them.

I have emailed back and asked what the point of a 'policy' is if it can be overuled, but no reply yet. I am not sure that a manager's discretion should extend as far as to ban all vouchers for all customers!

Incidentally, I travelled to my next nearest Tesco (11 miles away) who would happily accept vouchers for up to 50% of the total cost!

shropslad

As, mentioned before on here I really think it is the luck of the the draw if you get vouchers accepted or not. It seems it is dependent on the person at the checkout. Last week for the first time ever I was unable to use any vouchers at Asda. The cashier was quite firm that I could only use the vouchers if I had bought the product. Next day in the same store I had no problem getting a few vouchers through. The same sort of thing happens at my local Tesco...sometimes they accept one or two..next time all. You get all sorts of 'policies' quoted at the checkout...ie 10% of total bill, but never a consistant theme. It's just a case of luck isn't it. :-/

FranDan

My Tesco are still taking vouchers - however not printable internet ones.

Friday I used a £5 one and the cashier didn't want to accept it, quoting the 10% rule..... however as I pointed out to her, the voucher was less than the 10% left to pay. She checked it with the supervisor who allowed it. ;D

I think often if they are busy they will allow things through just to stop the queues of customers behind becoming irrate!

dawny10

shropslad...I am used to the 'pot luck' aspect of using vouchers, different cashiers having different ideas, but this isn't the case here - every checkout has a sign up saying they will not accept vouchers so it is a store policy.

I wouldn't mind so much if it was only internet vouchers they wouldn't take (understandable given the obvious possibilities of photocopying etc) but it is all vouchers, even my nicest, glossiest, absolutely not from the internet ones!

JezzaD

I now go armed with an email from customer service which confirms they take vouchers, including internet vouchers, regardless whether you buy the item, providing they stock it. The manager can refuse 'large numbers' of vouchers. I still get some saying no, but i am getting used to arguing my point - after all it is worth it!

I tend, however, to keep my shops small, but still aim for 50% vouchers, plus BOGOFs if I can!