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I hear people say all the time – well, the manager can do what they want at my store because the policy says it’s up to the manager’s discretion.
I hear this a lot about Walmart.
The policy is the policy – it’s not a guideline for the manager to make their own policy. It’s there for them to follow, where the discretion part comes in is if there is a decision that needs to be made on a particular transaction that is not included in the policy – the final say on that belongs to the manager. The entire policy is there for you and the manager to follow – not for the manager to change for their store or on a whim. So, when I hear a cashier or manager say “Our store does….” and it doesn’t line up with the policy, I show them the policy. I cannot remember a time when I have done that the cashier or manager hasn’t ended up saying :Well, I’ll do it THIS time.” Ok, in my head NOT OUT LOUD, I say “You’ll do it every time, cause it’s the policy…”
Is The Store Policy Really Up To The Manager’s Discretion?
By the way – none of the 3 Walmart policies (coupon policy, ad match guarantee, or online price match policy) says that decisions are up to the manager’s discretion. One of them may have said that at one time, but, none of them say that right now.
I want to say this again it’s very important that you know your store’s policy. Read it, print it out, bookmark it on your mobile device. They can and will change and they won’t email you, or call you, or notify you in any way. One day you’ll be standing at the register ready to checkout and you will find out thaey have made a change to the policy that will wreck your whole trip. Be smart, check to see if there are any changes before heading out, always, always, always have a current copy for you to refer to and even show store employees, if necessary.
For instance, Kroger went many years without a printed corporate coupon policy, but, now their policy is online and states right at the beginning what store management can do:
Store Management has the right to accept, decline or limit the use of ANY coupon(s). Store Management has the right to limit the quantity of coupons and/or items purchased in a single transaction, by a single Customer, or in a single day.
Kroger Coupon Policy
The policy does not state anything about the rest of the policy being left up to the store’s discretion, it plainly states what they can do.
So, next time you hear that phrase, check your store policy (which by the way you should have in your hand either printed or bookmarked on your mobile device EVERY TIME you go into a store) and see if there is any part of the policy that is up to the discretion of store management.
Tina Hartley says
Hi – I need help getting started – I have made efforts in the past, and ended up doing about 50% benefit and sometimes more, but not often. I need to watch every nickel I have two or three times before it leaves my hands. My husband’s work has been low due to equipment issues with his truck, he is an over the road truck driver – so I have to step up more in my own work as a transcriptionist from home in order to try and fill in some of the holes. I am very busy and I want to keep from overwhelming myself getting a bunch of coupons I won’t use – and I have trouble trying to match up coupons with sales – by the time you get the coupons or find out about the sale – how can you do that and still benefit. I also if I can get good prices – would like to buy multiples – whenever and wherever I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Dian says
Tina,
I have the lists and matchups already on the site done for you. You can look at them and check off what you want and make a printable list and it will tell you where the coupons are and then all you have to do is get them together for your shopping trip.
Check out the Penny Pinching Bargain Bunch and find your stores in there and click on them for the current deals:
http://www.groceryshopforfree.com/penny-pinching-bargain-bunch/
This will help, too: http://www.groceryshopforfree.com/find-any-deal-fast/
I hope that helps,
Dian
RH says
Walmart’s current policies state the right to limit to (1). Instead of discretion, all the cashier has to say is (1). You can only get (1) at that ad match price, use (1) coupon that produces overage, (1) item at the online price match, etc.
One and done…
Dian says
RH,
I don’t see limit 1 in the ad match policy and yes the Online Price Match Policy is definitely, not the right to limit to 1 it is just 1 period. I also don’t see a limit 1 in the coupon policy.
Thanks,
Dian
Michele Adkins says
I went ti Krogers and did the five for 5 deal, the other day then stopped for cold medicine and thought I would get the febreeze, it was ten five coupon buy one get one free five like coupons they treated me like a thief, I called there customer service and they said if a manager does not want to take any at all is there choice, nothing they will do it is the manager decision , I went to another store no problem, the shelves was plenty stocked and they just said no and it is the managers rule for now on, not happy with they way it went, a friend seen me and I told her and she said she did her five for 5 and I had did five things a few days before
Dian says
Michele,
I would have called the DM – the store xan give you their number. They are directly over the manager and I get good results that way. I have done that a few times. The customer service agent should have spoken to the manager. It sounds as though all you talked to were not interested in doing their job correctly or fully.
I hope that helps.
Dian