Kroger Denies Coupon Use for Serial Abuser!

[Rip Rokken]

Love this...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/23/ge ... al-coupon/

A Georgia woman says she's miffed at the manager of her local Kroger grocery store who allegedly called her a "habitual coupon user" and refused to take her clippings, MyFoxAtlanta.com reports.

Khadijah Herring said she clips coupons with her children at least once a week, adding that her family of 10 relies heavily on discounts to make ends meet.

She said she was trying to redeem some of those vouchers last Friday morning at a Kroger store near her home in Hampton, Ga., about 30 miles south of Atlanta. But the manager allegedly denied her the discounts at the checkout.

"He walks up to me and his only words are, 'I'm not taking those,'" Herring said.

The shopper claimed that when she asked why, the manager replied, "Because you're a habitual coupon user."

Herring said she was trying to buy 20 body washes, among other items for her big family.

"Everything I have, I have a coupon for. I shop not without a coupon," she told the station.

A representative for Kroger said he could not comment about the case because an internal investigation is ongoing. He did, however, say that the use of coupons has its limitations.

According to Kroger's policy, "there is not a limit on the number of coupons per transaction, however Kroger does limit one coupon per item and reserves the right to limit quantities."

Representatives from Kroger said the retailer also encourages coupon clippers to call their store ahead of time if they intend to make a coupon run for a lot of items at one time. But Herring said her experience with the chain store did not match that policy.

"You know what, I've had that relationship with a lot of other stores, but this one told me they do not do that. Their policy was not to do that," she said.

The Kroger representative insisted that the store in question does work with coupon clippers to make sure they and all the other customers get their needs met. But Herring said she will start shopping at another Kroger.


Now I totally relate to coupon use -- I hardly pay full price for anything, and am widely renowned for my frugality. But this is the difference between being wise and just being an economic parasite, sucking the life out of local business. I have even been known to haggle in retail stores (and it works), but I always keep in mind that the stores have to generate profits just to survive, and that hard-working employees need to be paid (and rewarded). I'm an extremely generous tipper, and I don't want any sales person to work hard to help me but not make any commission.

There just has to be a fair balance because business should be mutually beneficial to both the buyer and the seller. Some lady who goes in with 20 coupons for body wash is probably buying far below cost (or getting them for next to nothing, or in best case, the value of coupon might even exceed the price of the item), and wouldn't hesitate to clean out the stock completely if given the chance. Extreme couponing run rampant... I'm glad the guy denied her, because if everyone thought like her, it would affect the store to where price increases to compensate would affect everyone across the board.

Saint John needs to weigh in on this...

[conversationpc]

Gotta disagree on this...If the lady legally obtained and used the coupons, the store manager ought to suck it up and accept them. If they don't want to accept coupons, they shouldn't be issuing them OR they should make them only effective for the first however many customers. I'm sure there is a way to track that kind of thing, considering the technology that goes into scanners, registers, etc.

[Michigan Girl]

Serial abuser ...sounds criminal "she's killin' us w/coupons"

[KenTheDude]

Family of 10 struggling to make ends meet? Sounds like she should have used a coupon on a box of condoms.

[conversationpc]

Love this...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/23/ge ... al-coupon/

A Georgia woman says she's miffed at the manager of her local Kroger grocery store who allegedly called her a "habitual coupon user" and refused to take her clippings, MyFoxAtlanta.com reports.

Khadijah Herring said she clips coupons with her children at least once a week, adding that her family of 10 relies heavily on discounts to make ends meet.

She said she was trying to redeem some of those vouchers last Friday morning at a Kroger store near her home in Hampton, Ga., about 30 miles south of Atlanta. But the manager allegedly denied her the discounts at the checkout.

"He walks up to me and his only words are, 'I'm not taking those,'" Herring said.

The shopper claimed that when she asked why, the manager replied, "Because you're a habitual coupon user."

Herring said she was trying to buy 20 body washes, among other items for her big family.

"Everything I have, I have a coupon for. I shop not without a coupon," she told the station.

A representative for Kroger said he could not comment about the case because an internal investigation is ongoing. He did, however, say that the use of coupons has its limitations.

According to Kroger's policy, "there is not a limit on the number of coupons per transaction, however Kroger does limit one coupon per item and reserves the right to limit quantities."

Representatives from Kroger said the retailer also encourages coupon clippers to call their store ahead of time if they intend to make a coupon run for a lot of items at one time. But Herring said her experience with the chain store did not match that policy.

"You know what, I've had that relationship with a lot of other stores, but this one told me they do not do that. Their policy was not to do that," she said.

The Kroger representative insisted that the store in question does work with coupon clippers to make sure they and all the other customers get their needs met. But Herring said she will start shopping at another Kroger.


Now I totally relate to coupon use -- I hardly pay full price for anything, and am widely renowned for my frugality. But this is the difference between being wise and just being an economic parasite, sucking the life out of local business. I have even been known to haggle in retail stores (and it works), but I always keep in mind that the stores have to generate profits just to survive, and that hard-working employees need to be paid (and rewarded). I'm an extremely generous tipper, and I don't want any sales person to work hard to help me but not make any commission.

There just has to be a fair balance because business should be mutually beneficial to both the buyer and the seller. Some lady who goes in with 20 coupons for body wash is probably buying far below cost (or getting them for next to nothing, or in best case, the value of coupon might even exceed the price of the item), and wouldn't hesitate to clean out the stock completely if given the chance. Extreme couponing run rampant... I'm glad the guy denied her, because if everyone thought like her, it would affect the store to where price increases to compensate would affect everyone across the board.

Saint John needs to weigh in on this...

BTW...I think I would bold a different section.

[Michigan Girl]

Gotta disagree on this...If the lady legally obtained and used the coupons, the store manager ought to suck it up and accept them. If they don't want to accept coupons, they shouldn't be issuing them OR they should make them only effective for the first however many customers. I'm sure there is a way to track that kind of thing, considering the technology that goes into scanners, registers, etc.

I don't think the stores issue the coupons, the companies who produce the product do ...they then
reimburse the stores for the coupons collected. I think Kroger runs into problems because
they double and triple the coupons, which is not reimbursed!!

[conversationpc]

Gotta disagree on this...If the lady legally obtained and used the coupons, the store manager ought to suck it up and accept them. If they don't want to accept coupons, they shouldn't be issuing them OR they should make them only effective for the first however many customers. I'm sure there is a way to track that kind of thing, considering the technology that goes into scanners, registers, etc.

I don't think the stores issue the coupons, the companies who produce the product do ...they then
reimburse the stores for the coupons collected. I think Kroger runs into problems because
they double and triple the coupons, which is not reimbursed!!

Which means it's their own darned fault to begin with.

[Michigan Girl]

Gotta disagree on this...If the lady legally obtained and used the coupons, the store manager ought to suck it up and accept them. If they don't want to accept coupons, they shouldn't be issuing them OR they should make them only effective for the first however many customers. I'm sure there is a way to track that kind of thing, considering the technology that goes into scanners, registers, etc.

I don't think the stores issue the coupons, the companies who produce the product do ...they then
reimburse the stores for the coupons collected. I think Kroger runs into problems because
they double and triple the coupons, which is not reimbursed!!

Which means it's their own darned fault to begin with.

Absolutely, for that part of it ...they are reimbursed for the face value.

There are rules, though, too many for me!!

[Saint John]

Saint John needs to weigh in on this

First off, here are Kroger's official policies and exceptions below. I'm quite sure the manager was within his rights:

General Coupon Policy:
* Manufacturer E-coupons will redeem automatically when Kroger Plus Card is scanned and will not be doubled.
* Manufacturers' Paper or Internet 'Cents Off' coupons of $0.60 value or less will be doubled.
* All other Manufacturer coupons will be redeemed at face value.
* All coupon size and quantity requirements must be met and coupons must be in date.
* Kroger will not double 'Free' coupons, Kroger coupons, retail food store coupons, or items prohibited by law.
* Amount of coupon cannot exceed the cost of the item.
* Only 1 Manufacturer coupon redeemed per item, maximum of 8 identical coupons double on any one order.
* Paper Manufacturer coupons and Manufacturer E-coupons cannot be used on the same item.
* Limit of 1 Kroger Coupon and 1 Manufacturer coupon per item. Total redeemed cannot exceed value of the item.
* Catalina coupons are to be used on a future shopping trip.
* Manufacturer Internet coupons up to $1.00 will be accepted.
* "Free" Manufacturers' Internet coupons are not accepted.
* We reserve the right to reject any Internet coupon that is altered or does not scan properly.



I'm in favor of store manager's having the final say, regardless of what the "rules" may or may not say. These guys have a store to run, first and foremost. Let them run their stores. And "extreme" anything is fucking stupid. If you don't like go shop somewhere else.

There's a lady posting below one of the articles claiming to be her. She's arguing that many of the 10 kids she has have been "raped over and over" and that's she's actually some sort of hero. I've seen this before and most likely she's using those kids for the checks that come along with them, and she's "couponing" to ensure that the greatest amount of money possible goes into her pocket and to buy what she wants ... but probably doesn't need. Like, say, 20 bottles of body wash!

The bottom line is ... this woman is, at best, a dumb fuck and, at worst, a system sucking parasite. Regardless of which she is, the manager made the right call. And he should be commended for protecting his store and the overall wants and needs of the many, not just one.

[Rip Rokken]

* Amount of coupon cannot exceed the cost of the item.

That's the base rule, but the overall value of the coupon once doubled, tripled, especially in conjunction with an already reduced store price can exceed the cost of the item. I've done it before -- the last time was with Riceland Rice. That's the "extreme couponing" technique - find it on sale, then use a coupon. For me, the store owed me $0.10 for each bag I bought (which factored against my total for the other items I bought that day). There are people who have perfected the art, and I've heard of people who get hundreds of dollars worth of groceries, but the store actually has to pay them. It's legal, but I consider it borderline ethical if not a bit unethical altogether.

I'm in favor of store manager's having the final say, regardless of what the "rules" may or may not say. These guys have a store to run, first and foremost. Let them run their stores. And "extreme" anything is fucking stupid. If you don't like go shop somewhere else.

There's a lady posting below one of the articles claiming to be her. She's arguing that many of the 10 kids she has have been "raped over and over" and that's she's actually some sort of hero. I've seen this before and most likely she's using those kids for the checks that come along with them, and she's "couponing" to ensure that the greatest amount of money possible goes into her pocket and to buy what she wants ... but probably doesn't need. Like, say, 20 bottles of body wash!

The bottom line is ... this woman is, at best, a dumb fuck and, at worst, a system sucking parasite. Regardless of which she is, the manager made the right call. And he should be commended for protecting his store and the overall wants and needs of the many, not just one.

I don't feel sorry for anyone who has 10 kids, then wants to live on the cheap at someone else's expense. They made those choices themselves, and the sad probability is that she's very possibly raising 10 more who will continue her legacy. Plus, they'll most likely be overweight and a drain on the public healthcare system, since anyone relying on coupons that much is undoubtedly buying cheap quality food, fast food, etc. It's just what we see over and over again.

[Jubilee]

Saint John needs to weigh in on this

First off, here are Kroger's official policies and exceptions below. I'm quite sure the manager was within his rights:

General Coupon Policy:
* Manufacturer E-coupons will redeem automatically when Kroger Plus Card is scanned and will not be doubled.
* Manufacturers' Paper or Internet 'Cents Off' coupons of $0.60 value or less will be doubled.
* All other Manufacturer coupons will be redeemed at face value.
* All coupon size and quantity requirements must be met and coupons must be in date.
* Kroger will not double 'Free' coupons, Kroger coupons, retail food store coupons, or items prohibited by law.
* Amount of coupon cannot exceed the cost of the item.
* Only 1 Manufacturer coupon redeemed per item, maximum of 8 identical coupons double on any one order.
* Paper Manufacturer coupons and Manufacturer E-coupons cannot be used on the same item.
* Limit of 1 Kroger Coupon and 1 Manufacturer coupon per item. Total redeemed cannot exceed value of the item.
* Catalina coupons are to be used on a future shopping trip.
* Manufacturer Internet coupons up to $1.00 will be accepted.
* "Free" Manufacturers' Internet coupons are not accepted.
* We reserve the right to reject any Internet coupon that is altered or does not scan properly.



I'm in favor of store manager's having the final say, regardless of what the "rules" may or may not say. These guys have a store to run, first and foremost. Let them run their stores. And "extreme" anything is fucking stupid. If you don't like go shop somewhere else.

There's a lady posting below one of the articles claiming to be her. She's arguing that many of the 10 kids she has have been "raped over and over" and that's she's actually some sort of hero. I've seen this before and most likely she's using those kids for the checks that come along with them, and she's "couponing" to ensure that the greatest amount of money possible goes into her pocket and to buy what she wants ... but probably doesn't need. Like, say, 20 bottles of body wash!

The bottom line is ... this woman is, at best, a dumb fuck and, at worst, a system sucking parasite. Regardless of which she is, the manager made the right call. And he should be commended for protecting his store and the overall wants and needs of the many, not just one.

What a load of poop, Danillow. This woman was taking advantage of the offers made by the store chain and the manufacturer who issued the coupon. From reading the story, it doesn't appear that she was trying to get over on anybody; apparently she had coupons for the items she intended to buy. She wasn't trying to use 20 coupons to by ONE bottle of body wash. I'm not in favor of a store manager being able to arbitrarily renege on an offer because he "feels" he's being taken advantage of. If the store manager feels the need to protect his cache of body wash from extreme couponers, he should do what other stores often do, which is post a sign in front of the item on the shelf, or in the ad when it's placed in the paper: "Limit X Per Customer, Please".

What's the difference, anyway? If she had coupons for the items, what difference does it make if she bought 20, or just 1 followed by 19 other patrons? As long as the store gets the redeemable coupon, it's a wash.

[verslibre]

I don't feel sorry for anyone who has 10 kids, then wants to live on the cheap at someone else's expense. They made those choices themselves, and the sad probability is that she's very possibly raising 10 more who will continue her legacy. Plus, they'll most likely be overweight and a drain on the public healthcare system, since anyone relying on coupons that much is undoubtedly buying cheap quality food, fast food, etc. It's just what we see over and over again.

Why do people buy fast food? Because it's cheap, and it's there.

Why do people use coupons? Because they're printed and distributed.

Now, what I would like to know, Herr Ripper, is what you think of all the other people — some of who have been featured on TV due to their "efforts" — who practice "guerrilla couponing" and have accumulated such a cache of "supplies" and "provisions" that they've redone their homes and basements to house all the goodies. These aren't people who are supporting familes of ten or are on unemployment or welfare. They're just doing it because they can.

Seriously, man...some things you've said lately, as opposed to the past few years, are starting to smack of elitism.

[verslibre]

Gotta disagree on this...If the lady legally obtained and used the coupons, the store manager ought to suck it up and accept them. If they don't want to accept coupons, they shouldn't be issuing them OR they should make them only effective for the first however many customers. I'm sure there is a way to track that kind of thing, considering the technology that goes into scanners, registers, etc.

I don't think the stores issue the coupons, the companies who produce the product do ...they then
reimburse the stores for the coupons collected. I think Kroger runs into problems because
they double and triple the coupons, which is not reimbursed!!

Which means it's their own darned fault to begin with.

10-4. Roger that.

[yulog]

Thats just abusive , take her kids away and send her to jail!

[steveo777]

This is an East Indian woman, guaranteed. Anyone in retail who have ever dealt with these kinds of people will fully support this manager. They will abuse and exploit your generosity into eternity.

[Rip Rokken]

I don't feel sorry for anyone who has 10 kids, then wants to live on the cheap at someone else's expense. They made those choices themselves, and the sad probability is that she's very possibly raising 10 more who will continue her legacy. Plus, they'll most likely be overweight and a drain on the public healthcare system, since anyone relying on coupons that much is undoubtedly buying cheap quality food, fast food, etc. It's just what we see over and over again.

Why do people buy fast food? Because it's cheap, and it's there.

Why do people use coupons? Because they're printed and distributed.

Now, what I would like to know, Herr Ripper, is what you think of all the other people — some of who have been featured on TV due to their "efforts" — who practice "guerrilla couponing" and have accumulated such a cache of "supplies" and "provisions" that they've redone their homes and basements to house all the goodies. These aren't people who are supporting familes of ten or are on unemployment or welfare. They're just doing it because they can.

Seriously, man...some things you've said lately, as opposed to the past few years, are starting to smack of elitism.

To that, I'll echo Christopher Hitchen's reply to Sean Hannity's similar assertion at 4:57 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWoHh4_rVdg



But you may be surprised if you are assuming I'd have no quarrels with the guerilla coupon crowd who do it and stockpile more than they intend to use "just because they can". I have an even greater disdain for them than for people who at least have real needs (though exacerbated thru their own personal choices). But, I understand some of those guerillas give away or donate some or many of the things they acquire. If that's their hobby and they find a way to use it to benefit others, that's cool. If they are just amassing for themselves just to do it, it's the same mentality as the Kenneth Lays of the world who collect houses, helicopters, etc. - just on a much smaller scale.

[scarab]

i just wish there was a "coupon" aisle in grecery stores. (oh yeah, and a check writers lane)

[Saint John]

i just wish there was a "coupon" aisle in grocery stores. (oh yeah, and a check writers lane)

Boy, you ain't kidding! Nothing chaps my ass more than some fuck-head writing a check for groceries! And they just seem less intelligent, too. It seems to take them at least a few minutes to write the fucking thing! Have some courtesy and have the applicable parts already filled out before you get up there. Oh yeah, and have the fucking thing out already!

[conversationpc]

i just wish there was a "coupon" aisle in grocery stores. (oh yeah, and a check writers lane)

Boy, you ain't kidding! Nothing chaps my ass more than some fuck-head writing a check for groceries! And they just seem less intelligent, too. It seems to take them at least a few minutes to write the fucking thing! Have some courtesy and have the applicable parts already filled out before you get up there. Oh yeah, and have the fucking thing out already!

Or how about the old folks who have to count out the exact change and it takes them FOREVER? I know some of them can't help it but I think some just feel entitled because they're old and, heck, you'll just have to f'ing wait.

[verslibre]

But you may be surprised if you are assuming I'd have no quarrels with the guerilla coupon crowd who do it and stockpile more than they intend to use "just because they can". I have an even greater disdain for them than for people who at least have real needs (though exacerbated thru their own personal choices). But, I understand some of those guerillas give away or donate some or many of the things they acquire. If that's their hobby and they find a way to use it to benefit others, that's cool. If they are just amassing for themselves just to do it, it's the same mentality as the Kenneth Lays of the world who collect houses, helicopters, etc. - just on a much smaller scale.

You glossed over the third option:

They sell those goods. For buck$.

[Red13JoePa]

i just wish there was a "coupon" aisle in grocery stores. (oh yeah, and a check writers lane)

Boy, you ain't kidding! Nothing chaps my ass more than some fuck-head writing a check for groceries! And they just seem less intelligent, too. It seems to take them at least a few minutes to write the fucking thing! Have some courtesy and have the applicable parts already filled out before you get up there. Oh yeah, and have the fucking thing out already!

Worst ever.

Like me ALWAYS getting stuck behind the chick filling out 20 minutes of IOUs at the tollbooth b/c they forgot coin.

Do when I forget toll money. Pull the license plate, stick something over the VIN #, throw sun visor down and blow through the EZpass lane. Bada bing, bada boom, bada bang.

[Saint John]

Pull the license plate, stick something over the VIN #, throw sun visor down and blow through the EZpass lane.

Jesus Christ, dude! Where the fuck do you think the Pennsylvania Toll Authority gets their cameras ... NASA?!?! They can't see your VIN as you blow through the booth doing 60! Fuck, that thing is hard to see when I'm trying to look at it ... with the car parked!

[Red13JoePa]

Pull the license plate, stick something over the VIN #, throw sun visor down and blow through the EZpass lane.

Jesus Christ, dude! Where the fuck do you think the Pennsylvania Toll Authority gets their cameras ... NASA?!?! They can't see your VIN as you blow through the booth doing 60! Fuck, that thing is hard to see when I'm trying to look at it ... with the car parked!

Taking NO chances, Dano...

Skating through there @60w/ a big grin. Plaza does light up like Rikers Island during an escape attempt but I'm 2-for-2 pulling this stunt

[scarygirl]

I'm an avid couponer and deal shopper, but the people who buy 60 bottles of mustard, as I saw on the show, are disgusting to me. Really, 60 bottles of mustard??? It's like the old folks who steal dinner rolls, salt, crackers and ketchup packets from restaurants...I think it's a character flaw or some kind of insecurity thing. I don't get it. That old person just paid twice what it would cost to buy and cook their own food at home, even at early bird special prices, yet they can't afford a box of crackers or bottle of ketchup?? Get real!

..the only condiments that I steal are Taco Bell packets, those are necessities that I can't get at the store for my homemade tacos and burritos.

I once stole a packet of light may from CHIK FILET. I needed it to make chicken salad......

[Rick]

I'm an avid couponer and deal shopper, but the people who buy 60 bottles of mustard, as I saw on the show, are disgusting to me. Really, 60 bottles of mustard??? It's like the old folks who steal dinner rolls, salt, crackers and ketchup packets from restaurants...I think it's a character flaw or some kind of insecurity thing. I don't get it. That old person just paid twice what it would cost to buy and cook their own food at home, even at early bird special prices, yet they can't afford a box of crackers or bottle of ketchup?? Get real!

..the only condiments that I steal are Taco Bell packets, those are necessities that I can't get at the store for my homemade tacos and burritos.

I once stole a packet of light mayo from CHIK FILET. I needed it to make chicken salad......

You better go turn yourself in. I'm sure your picture is being displayed at the Post Office.

[slucero]

There'a a lot of Mormons in Utah who stockpile 3 years worth of everything... I don't recall seeing any media hysteria (from Hannity no less) regarding that...

the answer is simple... just limit the amount that can be purchased... no need for the fucking histrionics..

[scarygirl]

I'm an avid couponer and deal shopper, but the people who buy 60 bottles of mustard, as I saw on the show, are disgusting to me. Really, 60 bottles of mustard??? It's like the old folks who steal dinner rolls, salt, crackers and ketchup packets from restaurants...I think it's a character flaw or some kind of insecurity thing. I don't get it. That old person just paid twice what it would cost to buy and cook their own food at home, even at early bird special prices, yet they can't afford a box of crackers or bottle of ketchup?? Get real!

..the only condiments that I steal are Taco Bell packets, those are necessities that I can't get at the store for my homemade tacos and burritos.

I once stole a packet of light mayo from CHIK FILET. I needed it to make chicken salad......

You better go turn yourself in. I'm sure your picture is being displayed at the Post Office.

I am the Bonnie of chicken salad mayham.

[Enigma869]

Like me ALWAYS getting stuck behind the chick filling out 20 minutes of IOUs at the tollbooth b/c they forgot coin.

Do when I forget toll money. Pull the license plate, stick something over the VIN #, throw sun visor down and blow through the EZpass lane. Bada bing, bada boom, bada bang.

How about the fuckwad toll taker who looks at you funny when you hand them a $20.00 bill for a $1.00 toll. Don't these fuckers realize that if I had the exact change, there would be absolutely no need for them to have a job? Stop giving me dirty looks, and fulfill your role of being a Professional Change Maker

[Rip Rokken]

Like me ALWAYS getting stuck behind the chick filling out 20 minutes of IOUs at the tollbooth b/c they forgot coin.

Do when I forget toll money. Pull the license plate, stick something over the VIN #, throw sun visor down and blow through the EZpass lane. Bada bing, bada boom, bada bang.

How about the fuckwad toll taker who looks at you funny when you hand them a $20.00 bill for a $1.00 toll. Don't these fuckers realize that if I had the exact change, there would be absolutely no need for them to have a job? Stop giving me dirty looks, and fulfill your role of being a Professional Change Maker

Pull a "Fargo" on them and tell them to enjoy that power -- it's the "limits of their life", lol.