Supermarket coupon policy

flowerclipper

real1314 wrote: »

I think it's the bizzareness of the police action that is making people wonder.
1. 2 plods and all this over a coupon.
2. A shop accepts a coupon and then calls it fraud.
3. They arrested and bailed without attending a police station
4. Mixed up IUC action
5. Shop could be wasting police time
6. Plods could possibly be done for wrongful arrest

I think that IF this is true then it should really be hitting the daily papers, and be accompanied by police and sainsburys statements. Mind you, I wonder how all those "We accept Asda/Tesco/sainsbury etc" banner adverts stand if they are now classing this as crime? Perhaps aiding and abetting?

What does IUC acion mean? I don't think the police had a very high opinion of the manager. The WPC told him that they had to get off to the police station to look after people in custody, all said with a wry smile. Basically on point 5, if cashiers had been trained properly this would not have happened.

*Jelly_Tots*

real1314 wrote: »

I think it's the bizzareness of the police action that is making people wonder.
1. 2 plods and all this over a coupon.
2. A shop accepts a coupon and then calls it fraud.
3. They arrested and bailed without attending a police station
4. Mixed up IUC action
5. Shop could be wasting police time
6. Plods could possibly be done for wrongful arrest

I think that IF this is true then it should really be hitting the daily papers, and be accompanied by police and sainsburys statements. Mind you, I wonder how all those "We accept Asda/Tesco/sainsbury etc" banner adverts stand if they are now classing this as crime? Perhaps aiding and abetting?

I agree. If this person has definitely gone through this experience, then it's awful for them and I'm sure everyone would sympathise. However, it pays to stay a little bit sceptical about a story which sounds sooooo over the top. There's been a few of these types of 'I was arrested for using the wrong coupon' stories around on various sites and I find them hard to believe. I would be going straight to the local paper if it happened to me. I would be outraged !!!

Makes you wonder if it's a campaign by Tescos/Sainsburys/Boots to put people off abusing the system too much. (If it is true - I hope it all turns out okay for you).

flowerclipper

*Jelly_Tots* wrote: »

I agree. If this person has definitely gone through this experience, then it's awful for them and I'm sure everyone would sympathise. However, it pays to stay a little bit sceptical about a story which sounds sooooo over the top. There's been a few of these types of 'I was arrested for using the wrong coupon' stories around on various sites and I find them hard to believe. I would be going straight to the local paper if it happened to me. I would be outraged !!!

Makes you wonder if it's a campaign by Tescos/Sainsburys/Boots to put people off abusing the system too much. (If it is true - I hope it all turns out okay for you).

Don't really want to draw attention to myself - would make it harder to use coupons if this all works out alright. Can you tell me where you found the other stories you are talking about?

*Jelly_Tots*

flowerclipper wrote: »

Don't really want to draw attention to myself - would make it harder to use coupons if this all works out alright. Can you tell me where you found the other stories you are talking about?

There have been one or two on this site and on another moneysaving site (don't really want to draw attenion to the particular cases for their sake). Perhaps their cases haven't been as extreme as yours, but they have been threatened with legal action for using a couple of coupons.
It's only my humble opinion, but I tend to think either:
a) the people have exaggerated the events a bit; or
b) they are known to the store already for dodgy behaviour (and I mean for more than just using a few coupons); or
c) if the stories are really true I think the stores should be named and shamed. It's outrageous the stores can, one the one hand, get away with taking these coupons sometimes, yet see a perfectly innocent person humiliated and threatened. Surely they are at fault for not having a clear coupon policy.
The frustrating thing is, we'll never know if it's true or not.
Have you thought about writing to your MP ??

flowerclipper

*Jelly_Tots* wrote: »

There have been one or two on this site and on another moneysaving site (don't really want to draw attenion to the particular cases for their sake). Perhaps their cases haven't been as extreme as yours, but they have been threatened with legal action for using a couple of coupons.
It's only my humble opinion, but I tend to think either:
a) the people have exaggerated the events a bit; or
b) they are known to the store already for dodgy behaviour (and I mean for more than just using a few coupons); or
c) if the stories are really true I think the stores should be named and shamed. It's outrageous the stores can, one the one hand, get away with taking these coupons sometimes, yet see a perfectly innocent person humiliated and threatened. Surely they are at fault for not having a clear coupon policy.
The frustrating thing is, we'll never know if it's true or not.
Have you thought about writing to your MP ??

I found a really good article ( see previous posts) saying that each supermarket should have a coupon policy displayed for the public to read. I think that they don't because they welcome the percentage of people who do use them but don't want to have everyone doing it. They make a huge amount of money by claiming money fraudulently from the manufacturer. The article made me see the whole chain. I only started using coupons in Sainsbury's because I gave some and they took them. I didn't force them - it would be impossible to do.

flowerclipper

sparklygirl1 wrote: »

Can't understand why people are asking Flowerclipper for more evidence that this happened....... I mean !!!!!!! Poor Flowerclipper must be going ut of mind with worry. This could happen to anyone and we should all help each other. Hope solicitor has offered more advice.

Just wanted to thank Sparklygirl1. I didn't think for a moment that people wouldn't believe me. It bothered me at first but not now. I just hope that if the same thing happens to them they will have more support.

JimmyTheWig

flowerclipper wrote: »

Don't really want to draw attention to myself - would make it harder to use coupons if this all works out alright.

How could it make it harder to use coupons? I don't get it.
You buy something. You have a valid coupon. You use it.
I don't see how anyone could make that hard.
Just because your face was in the paper for using a valid coupon in the past, I don't see how that would hinder you from using a valid coupon in the future...

heskpesk

How has the conversation turned to whether a VISA is required from soembody blatantly having a laugh at your expense. Do give it validity by raising to the bait!!

Hey_Dude

I for one am interested to see how what result the OP gets on this one.

I think most here are supportive - let's keep on topic.

Duder

PS Thought I was in charge for a minute then

loveandlight

If this story is true, then I suggest you contact the manufacturer of the coupon you handed over at Sainsbury and tell them what happened to you as they are the ones who issued the coupon for you to use!

I would pass the blame on to the coupon manufacturer and say if it is illegal to use them, then they are to blame also for issuing them and encouraging their use.


Whereabouts did this happen? I would also contact your local newspaper. I certainly would not let this happen to me without putting up a good loud fight!!