Read Your Coupons Well
This past Saturday morning I went to Macy's - reluctantly, I might add as I had chosen to boycott them after they took my beloved Strawbridge's from me. I went only to buy maternity clothes. I have been looking around at a lot of places and they appeared to have a very good selection and reasonable prices. I also had a 20% coupon that no where on it could I find that it excluded maternity clothing. I did look very closely - my years working in retail trained me well in this arena - and I am well aware that department stores attempt to exclude maternity clothing from coupon discounts. The coupon said nothing so I choose about $166 worth of stuff and made my way to the register.
I was exhausted, hot, my heart was beating very fast and I was generally not feeling well. I stood in line for a while and when it became my turn I told the cashier that I had my coupon - twice. So she gets through the entire sale then tells me that maternity clothing isn't eligible for the coupon. I pointed out to her that it said no where on there that it couldn't be used for maternity clothes. She and the cashier next to her proceeded to try to show me where on the coupon it said it was excluded (it didn't) and showed me by scanning the coupon that it didn't work. I said, "I worked in retail for 10 years - do it manually". The said they couldn't, yada, yada...
Meanwhile, a very large line was forming behind me. I know this only from hearing the women clucking as there was no way I was going to turn around to see their nasty grimaces. I knew I was right and I was going to get what I wanted no matter what anyone else thought or how long they had to wait. After all, it wasn't my fault they neglected something on the coupon anyway. The original associate scanned a $10 off coupon and expected me to be excited that something worked. I said, "20% is a $33 dollar discount - that's a big difference than $10". They looked at me like there was nothing they could do. So I leaned over the counter - and I'll remind you that I did not feel well and it was physically obvious - said to them, "Don't do this to me today. I don't feel well. I wouldn't be doing this if I it said anywhere feasibly on that coupon that I could not use it on maternity clothing." Of course they figured out that I am pregnant b/c of what I was buying and the sick look on my face. Their faces completely changed, they immediately got the department/floor manager over and he, of course, had to examine the coupon closely for as long as it took him to determine that I was right and then pridefully said, "I guess you got a lucky coupon today". BITE ME, ASS FUCK! Is what went through my mind, but I was gracious and waited for them to void the entire sale and proceed to ring each item up and individually enter the 20% for me. That brought my total down to $133. I thanked them kindly for assisting me and was on my way. :) They also said something about me obviously feeling poorly. It actually came in handy that day, I suppose.
My point - those women behind me probably wanted to shoot we with a sniper rifle from behind the bin of Snoopy dolls, but to me it was worth it, even though I thought I was going to pass out the entire time, to get my discount. I must also admit that it was gratifying to take advantage of one of Macy's mistakes.