Using coupons when we shop is one of the greatest ways to bring down the cost of products we are buying. However, sometimes when we coupon, we run into cashiers that are not too happy to see our mile high pile of coupons.
I often hear that cashiers intimidate people into not wanting to use coupons when they shop. Here are a few tips that I use to make checking out with all of my coupons a positive one for both myself and the cashier at the register:
Tip 1 - Positive Feedback
If it’s a store you love and they are always good to you, let the managers know. If there's a survey on the bottom of your receipt, fill it out positively. It’ll take you an extra minute, but the stores appreciate it and will remember you.
Tip 2 - Be Friendly
Talk to the cashier as you check out. Ask them how their day is; fill in little friendly chit chat. They are people too and honestly, they get flustered by long lines (just like customers do). Make their experience checking you and all of your coupons out a happy one.
Tip 3 - Coupons Ready
Have your coupons all ready to go when you get to the register.
Tip 4 - Hand Coupons One at a Time
I hand over my coupons to the cashier one at a time. I have a few reasons I do this.
- Sometimes I have a coupon in my pile that I did not use. If I didn’t buy the item, I just place that coupon to the side and can move on to the next. This saves time from having the register beep, and then realizing that I didn’t purchase the item.
- On occasion, I have had coupons that did not get put into my purchase, if I hand over the coupon one at a time; I know every coupon has come off of the purchase.
Tip 5 - Check the Coupon Carefully
Don’t use coupons that are expired and don’t use coupons on wrong items. Sure, we all make mistakes, but stores will know if you are always using wrong coupons and will remember that. The cashiers can get in trouble for this.
Some cashiers do get flustered by all of the coupons. Honestly, it does add time to the check out process. If you make the time they are spending with you pleasant, all the coupons aren’t so bad.
It’s a fun game for me to watch my hundred dollar purchases go down to practically nothing. I get pretty excited, and usually the cashiers do get excited for you, too! Tell them what you are doing - get them involved. Everyone is happy to see another person happy. Get them in on your fun!
Michelle Bank is a married “thirty-something” mom with 2 beautiful daughters. In her “free time” (what mom has that?), sheam a High School Special Education Teacher. She has three passions in life…her family/friends, teaching, and couponing!
Embracing the encouragement from her family and friends, she decided to combine all of her loves and Michelle Bank - Teaching Countless Ways to Save was born! She teaches many tips to help you stretch hard-earned dollars and begin to save big; and along the way, hopes you find the joy and “rush” in couponing like she does!
Kathy Hartmann
My sister in law has been couponing for almost a yr and she has tried to get me involved but I just keep putting it off. I always use a few coupons here and there but never to great extent. I was at her house a while back and she had a counter full of free items and samples.. wow I want the 411!
Teresa Eckert
Hello! I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your positive approach to dealing with the not-so-excited cashier! I was a cashier for many years also and remember what it was like to be in the "cashiers shoes" per say and I will say if the customer was prepared, knowledgeable and courteous for the most part it was never a big deal to accommodate. It was the customers who thought they were owed something and tried to get away with cheating the store which I never could understand? So "Thank you" for taking a more positive approach to address the not-so-fun situation.