People, let's be cool.....
I am a couponer and love the catalina deals. That being said, I just want to ask my fellow deal lovers to be cool when taking advantage of the awesome catalina promotions.
Here's my beef: I was in line behind a woman who was doing the suave and ragu deals. She made the check out man do seven separate transactions each one containing a ragu and a suave.
I got in line when she was paying for her first deal and didn't notice she had more stuff in the cart. So I started loading my groceries on the counter. She turned to me and said: "Just to let you know, I have seven separate transactions to ring up." And NOT in a nice tone.
Now, I totally understand the beauty of getting all these freebies, like I said - I do it myself. But my fear is that people who aren't into this stuff can and will get very impatient with this type of thing, and possibly start complaining to the store management. If the store receives a lot of negative input, there is a chance that they won't do the catalina offers.
After all, their ultimate purpose is to get more shoppers, not to alienate them.
So, how about if you're doing many transactions at one stop, go in the off hours and/or use the self checkout.
Again, I wasn't in a hurry that day and I was patient with the woman and her transactions, but I could see that other people behind me were getting tense and I just want to keep the peace!
Zeke
I think the two transaction rule is a fabulous standard operating procedure. Any more than that and you get eyerolls.
Jill teaches in her class that you should do no more than 2 transactions together out of common courtesy for other shoppers. Remember that the store loses money when a shopper walks out in frustration without buying anything. That shopper is most likely paying full price and the high margins that keep our stores in business. As super couponers we should want our stores to make a profit so they can continue to provide the loss-leader deals that drive us into the store. If you have more than 2 transactions, go to the back of the line again for your additional transactions. It's just the nice thing to do. :-)
Yesterday I was in line with 3 items (your buck items) and it was the after work 'rush hour' - so crowded. There were long lines at all the registers. A woman two people ahead of me was doing a bunch of cat deals - could tell by the items, and she had 3 transactions. In addition she had 2 very young kids with her, who were crying, having tantrums, etc. So she was distracted, the cashier had to wait for her to redirect her attention to her orders. She had a bunch of coupons and cats that would not scan. Her kid was running around, she had to chase him down. The people in line were getting unhappy. All I could think was if I was her, you could not pay me to go to Jewel at that time of day, with small kids and try to do multiple orders.
There was a lady doing a straight Ragu deal at the Jewel, I think I overheard her saying it was for a food pantry. She had a couple of cases, the manager ended up closing a cashier lane and dedicated to just this lady. After 2 1/2 hours, she was finally finished with all of her transactions. Here is what irked me (and I am usually pretty understanding), she was paying cash for each transaction and saving the YB. Why on earth couldn't she have used the self-checkout since she needed NO intervention from any employee. The transactions were straight-up cash transactions, and she tied up a lane with an employee for a very long time. This particular jewel usually only has two cashier lanes open, one of those cashiers floating to the self-checkouts when assistance is needed, so it caused some backup in the one remaining cashier lane and the self-checks.
In the 5 minutes I was at the self-chekout register, there were two customers who I witnessed getting fed up waiting and ended up leaving their purcahses behind.
I think a little courtesy with respect to others does go a long way.
I appreciate everyone's need to have their opinion heard but seriously there are bigger things to worry about in life than how long you have to wait in line at the grocery store. Instead of asking anyone that has the same right as you to be in the store at anytime and have as many transcations as they like, perhaps the people that do not have the patience to wait their turn should shop the off hours.
I have to say Jill that your blog seems to have turned into a huge gripe session for so many now. I think that is sad. I have followed this site for almost 2 years and find myself less inclined to come here anymore due to all the drama and arguing.
I do truly appreciate the work that you have done to educate the masses and YOU have made such a difference in my life and pocketbook. I just wish your forum contributors would be less inclined to gripe and moan and more inclined to read what you have posted each week, hit the stores with a smile, and appreciate the extra cash in their wallets.
AMEN!
Yes everyone has the right to be in the store and do as many transactions as they like.
The issue is common courtesy. Some people have it. Some people don't.
are a bummer to have in your cart in one of these lines. Shopping off hours isn't really a fix since the stores cut staff accordingly. Dominicks and Jewel in the evening can take as long to check out as heading there at 5 p.m.
Most shoppers have patience when a line is backed up if it isn't because of someone in front of them lacking courtesy.
thanks for your intelligent observation, however haven't you just added your own gripe to the situation? The original post was meant to give a heads up to people to possible problems. If you dont want to read it then don't. It's not required "reading" on this web site.
I have to say Jill that your blog seems to have turned into a huge gripe session for so many now. I think that is sad.
It makes me sad too. I mentioned the volume of emails that I've received this week -- it's astonishing how many people blame me for their Cat deals not working (yet they're brand-new and have, honestly, no business black-belting the deals if they're not going to do their homework on them) and are demanding that -I- make this right.
I am a stay-at-home mother, a writer, a blogger, and a workshop instructor. I am not a customer service rep for Jewel. And I am literally drowning in email complaints from shoppers beyond what you can likely imagine.
...maybe you SHOULD re-think posting ANY BB's. This way no one can B1tch about it not "working" for them. Every week that goes by ...more and more shoppers are tuning into you...and NOT wanting to do any "homework" for themselves. The lesson here is ...if you want something BAD enough, you need to work HARD enough!..i just don't get it. i just sit here, shaking my head. Hey, if your kids don't "STUDY" for a test and they get an "F" on it...is it the TEACHER"S fault? No, i say..you explain how to do the BB's here, in many forums,,,just read and read and read. That's why Jill, they complain to YOU and want YOU to fix it..because YOU told them what and how many to buy"! As the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink",,,,or how about..."You can lead a Couponer to Jewel, but you can't push the cart for them". I don't mean any of this in a nasty way...really..it's just that every week it's the same questions over and over, instead of researching here.
I just love love love you wrote that . I am not saying anyone in general cause I just pulled up your post . But all these questions and deals not working !!!!
I sure hope their kids try harder in school to get a good grade . Jill should make people take a test before they graduate into the coupon world ! And when they ask about black belt OMG watch out !!!I have been at this for almost 2 years and still learning and making mistakes .I blame it on my age lol .
you age...smage...we are ALL youngsters here and GROWING every day and LEARNING every day...my mom just got out of rehab ,,she just had her 2nd Hip Replacement..it is hard to go thru...i think the part that got my mom and the rest of my brothers( i have 5 of them...no sisters..still mad at THAT one)..was being at the "rehab" center...seeing the people there..it just broke my heart..since my mom left there a couple of weeks ago..i still go and visit with them..it's sad..anyways,,,nuf of my rambling...i am just glad everything is good with you and the NEW Hip...makes a BIG difference...doesn't it? you keep up the great work there Joan...you have been a fixture here from DAY 1 !!! i always love reading your posts!!! some of them really make my DAY! take care...
me...
Jill, like the vast majority of people on here (at least I'd like to think so), I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm a teacher who is very likely going to lose my job today after school when cuts are announced. Because of you, I know we'll be okay even if I can't find another job right away. Attending your class has been amazing and life altering.
Maybe we should have to pass a quiz to get a password to get to view your blackbelt scenarios, lol. Or you give a password out to those who attend and "graduate". :) So many people are trying to do them without checking prices, yelling at cashiers, returning it immediately if the cat doesn't print, or returning it a few days later and keeping the cat... Just despicable behavior. I mean really... the deals are SO amazing, and that STILL isn't enough for people?
JILL! It is all your fault Jill that I have a pantry full of food, overstock in the guest bedroom, linen closets full of extra shampoo, body soap and toothpaste as well as special treats that my son or my dog would never get. AND, that I used to be credit card dependent and now I do this all with cash!! I BLAME YOU JILL and CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH for sharing your knowledge and time with me!!! :)
I am SO SORRY that people can't just appreciate you for what you have done and for who you are. IMO, if you can't understand the system or think you know better...go elsewhere; although you won't be able to find anyone as good as Jill!
THANKS AGAIN JILL!
Has anyone ever wondered how many deals Jill had to eat in order to "perfect" the Super Couponing system she so generously shares with tens of thousands of people across the country? That point has been on my brain all week so I thought I would share it. :)
:D
It is completely ridiculous that people are emailing you to push the blame off as to why their deals didn't work! You know what I would do? DELETE, DELETE, DELETE! ;)
Do people realize they can call Catalina to get their cats? If they really did the deal RIGHT and should have gotten the cat then catalina WILL send it to them...and if they did the deal wrong because they didn't do their homework...how is it anyone's fault but their own?
And in regard to all the complaining about multiple transactions...I'm know there are people that get out of hand...but others (like me) don't live close to the grocery stores. I'm a half hour away from major stores so I have to do all my shopping in one trip. It's just not economical for me to go to the store everyday or every other day...otherwise what's the point in all the money I'm saving on groceries...it will just be going right back into my gas tank! ;)
That is insane and unfair to you - I would not blame you if you changed your e-mail and only shared the new one with people you trust.
A friend of mine, innocently, almost went and asked customer service how the black belts work, I was able to tell her not to. I know you write AT YOUR OWN RISK, DO NOT RETURN STUFF with every black belt deal description but I guess it goes unnoticed.
As for people who do not like the griping, well, you can tell when a post is just griping or praising alone with no deals, and you can read or not read accordingly - sometimes I do not read because I do not have time - the website is awesomely designed so that it is very easy to get around and avoid stuff you are not interested it.
I find the more I read, the more I learn - thank you, Jill!!!
I am shocked any person would e-mail and blame you for a blackbelt deal going wrong..you clearly spell it out for everyone.. how they work and to CHECK YOUR PRICES!
I love your site and thank you once again for saving my family so much $$$.
Lisa
People never cease to amaze me, and not in a positive way! Jill, I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this. :(
Shopper who feels it's his/her right to hog the register.
Store not putting a limit on these shoppers.
I think if someone is going to do more than two average size transactions, they need to shop at a VERY slow time. When I know that I am going to do a transaction that requires "time", I go very early in the morning or very late in the evening. If we are not sensitive to the "non coupon" shoppers there will be an outcry and the hundreds of dollars we are saving will go away! Even though we think we are a large group of people (couponers), we truly represent a small portion of people in the grocery stores. Next time you are leaving the store and walk past all the cashier lanes, look how many people are not doing what we do!
I try not to do any more than two transactions at at time just to be fair to the other people in the store.
If I need to buy more, I go to the car and come back.
My limit is two and I wont do them during busy times... geesh I would feel bad yet alone how the people behind me would feel. This isn't something that is expected or a right to these freebies, they really should be appreciated more. Someone put in another thread that abuse is a harsh word, but I think it is exactly perfect. I sure hope that person getting 7 ragu/suave/bread/eggs whatever was donating to the food pantry. Remember folks, they typically buy eggs because egg donations are pretty rare unless they are in with a farmer that donates them. My experience at my FP.
I wonder why Jewel can't limit the transactions per trip? Anyone? I have seen signs in WAGS about 2 transactions per visit on the items that end up free with rewards.
I like flying under the radar. I shop on the way to work between 7:30-8:30 in the morning.
I may split one order into two but that is my maximum.
Don't want to lose a CAT and I don't believe in clearing the shelves but it can be tempting when you know there may not be another shipment prior to the deal ending or you've gone several times during the week and can't find the item....like Dannon Coolisions.
I feel the same way. It is sometimes tempting to grab everything on the shelf if you haven't been able to buy any yet, but then common sense kicks in. Are we really going to use up x amount of items before they expire? I'm donating to the FP too but I don't want to deprive others of the deals either. I just try to be REASONABLE.
As long as the FREE nesquick milk has been going on, my store has been completely OUT every time I've gone (And I'll admit I do go multiple times a week - Jewel's across the street). Last night I just needed regular milk and 1 or 2 other things. As I went to get a gallon of milk, what do you know!! There were some Nesquick in the fridge, finally. So I got 4 and did 2 transactions. (they were both SHORT!) By the way, they had more than 4 - I didn't take the whole stock.
Today I went back for another few things and to do some pricing, and they still had some Nesquick. I grabbed 2 more, because my pregnant manager at work has been on a chocolate milk kick :) On the way to the store I just told myself, if they have more, I'll grab a few, if not, oh well.
We can't control what other people do. I wish that posting suggestions on here was effective, but I don't really think it is. The people who don't care about being polite to others are usually the same that will make excuses for themselves about why it's okay that THEY (and THEY ONLY) can break the rules, or not use common courtesy. (A short story: I do my math at home for black belt deals, price check at store & adjust if needed. Earlier this week I was doing my ConAgra deal and they were all out of ketchup. I met another couponer at the scanner & we talked about out-of-stock items. I commented that I had to rework my plan since they were out of ketchup. Her response? "Yeah I grabbed 14".... I was speechless) So we just have to take personal responsibility that we won't ever be one of 'THOSE' people, and trust that if we do, and if we are gracious to the employees in our stores, they will allow us to keep getting these great deals! :)
ps... I could totally go off on a rant about people being driven by fear and being paranoid, instead of being thankful and appreciative... but I won't :)
Two is my limit too, on the rare chance I want to do more (only done this twice) I go to the car and then go back in or drive to another Jewel! Thankfully I'm close to 2 so it's not a big deal.
I go by three different Jewels to get each of the deals. Two are on my way home and one is kind of out of the way, but not too bad. I only do this because there is never just ONE Jewel that has everything I want off the week's deals! :) For example, Huntley and Algonquin had NO Hunt's Ketchup, but Sycamore did. That was just the way it worked this week, but I always have to hop from Jewel to Jewel (and Wags and CVS) to find everything.
Overall, agreed - never more than two transactions at a time. And that's only if the store is dead. If they're busy I only ever do 1.
Yes, I meant to say that I usually Jewel hop because one is out of something. I think that Jewel I usually go to is a bit more busy than the other two I'm close to. Mine was cleaned out of Fiber One bars the other week but the other one had them everywhere! And I know I'm not the only one who does that in my area! I've sen the same two people at all 3 stores with the same items in their carts as me!
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