Last night while filming the Tune-In Tuesday at Target, I realized that my “free” items didn’t come off at the register. All of the items were the right sizes to fill the requirements to get the free item. But for some weird reason, they just didn’t come off. So I had to head over to customer service where they put $6.32 back on my debit card.
If you already have the habit of checking your receipts as you leave each store, keep it up! You just never know when the computer will make a mistake. And, if you aren’t doing that, try your hardest to make it a habit.
I can’t tell you how many times the receipt hasn’t taken off the full value of the coupon, or free promos haven’t been applied. And nothing is worse than reading your receipt once you get home, only to realize that it isn’t worth the gas to go back and get a refund on your lost money. That is why catching the mistakes while you are still in the store is so important!
Each time I leave the store, I push the cart and read my receipt on the way out to the car. By the time I get there, I’ve read the receipt and figured out whether it looks right or whether I need to head over to Customer Service to get it fixed.
What about all of you? Are you guys good at reading your receipts or are you good at forgetting?
Cryssi
I always watch as items and coupons are scanned and double check the receipt. It really is a good habit to have.
Renee
Thanks for the reminder! I commented on this already, but I think it’s important. When you stack coupons at Target, sometimes on the receipt they create special sections for those items. It’s now happened twice for me that they show both the Target and manufacturer coupon in the section, but the manufacturers coupon amount was NOT subtracted to get the subtotal amount. I’ve brought it up with management and they don’t understand it either. Just keep an eye out and let them know if you find the same issue so hopefully it will get fixed.
heidi
I have found this very frustrating too, but if you go through and actually add up every coupon, you will see that the missing manufacturer coupons are actually at the bottom of the receipt. I write down the price and coupons used for EVERY item I buy, then when I get home, I go through my receipt and make sure every coupon went through. Sometimes you have to just guess which of the 15 $1 coupon goes with what item, but in the end (unless a coupon was missed altogether), everything usually checks out! Even with the confusing special section itemization on the Target receipts! It is time consuming, but it is worth it considering the time and effort it takes to organize a coupon shopping trip!!
Lisa
If you notice that an item didn’t scan the price it was marked on the shelves, do you always make them go do a price check? Even if is is only $0.25 or less? Sometimes I just feel it isn’t worth the hassle…
Brooke
I actually had DG do a refund last night for .25…Their screens are not very clear to read when they are scanning items, so when I checked over my receipt I noticed it. I had her also do a price check… Even though it might not seem like much, those few cents do add up…
rosanne
i always stop at the door and check my receit. there has been so many times that the item didn’t ring up for the sale price or something else so i’d rather stop and check it before i get out to the car so i don’t have to haul my kids back in! and on saturday i was taking my 8 year old around with me and with his complaining i wanted to just get home so i didn’t check that day and i added up everything and i should of saved 10 extra bucks! so i learned not to take him with me next time:)
Brooke
I had this happen recently & I just called the store, explained to them that I reviewed my receipt & they had overcharged me or not taken a coupon off. Most stores will take your word if you bring back your receipt…
Sara Smith
I have been doing this for years. I would say on average once a month I have to go to get a refund.
Jenette Marie
I always check me receipts, but the other day my husband ran to the grocery store for me (which almost NEVER happens) while I was out running other errands. When he got home he realized they over charged him 50 cents for something he had purchased. He called me to ask what he should do… go back to the store to get his 50 cents back or not worry about it because it wasn’t worth the gas money to drive there again. Did I mention that my hubby has always teased me about my money saving habits? I was so proud! 😉
Bobbi Penman
I check my receipt everyone time. There has been too many times that they overcharged me. Even if it is just a small amount I go back to get the refund. Most stores expect most customers to not notice.
Mary
It pays to check. The other day the dude at Wal-Mart scanned my free items and then went ahead and put the coupons under the till in the little slot and when I looked at my receipt, they weren’t on there. They had to open up the register and it took a while but hey, it added up to about $12.
Jesseca
Last Friday I went to grab some of the $2 tanks at Old Navy. I thought the price was a little high, but figured I’d bought a few other things as well. On my way out to the car I glanced at the recipet, and noticed they charged full price for a few of the tanks I bought. Needless to say, I’ll make sure to check the recipet every time I shop from now on!
Amy
I need to start, but it is hard with 2 little ones in tow! Even when not using coupons, it is good to check. I wanted an item because I thought it was $5, rang it up it at $10. I said I didn’t want it. He put the item aside, but forgot to take off the $10. When I realized what had happened, I was home and there was no way to prove that I had paid $10 for nothing. Bummer!
Jackie Arbuckle
I do always make sure to run over my receipts before I leave the store, but I find I get confused with Target’s receipts, because they section everything and some coupons you might use for one product isn’t in the products section, rather on the bottom of the receipt. (If that makes sense) Can someone explain to me how to exactly read a Target receipt? It’s confusing to me.
But yes I do always check my reciepts and the other week, a cashier lady at Macey’s charged me $40.00 for my red peppers!! I was happy I caught that! I knew I couldn’t have possibly spent $90.00 for the items I got!
Sara
Often times at Walmart, when price matching especially, when the cashier manually inputs the price, I have had it happen on several occassions an extra one is added ie: 1.99 becomes 11.99. Usually the checker notices first, but there have been times when I’ve had to go to customer service after the fact. You always check your change right, should be checking those receipts too.
Adhis
Heh- I’ve had it happened that I bought 2 pomegranates for $2 each but the cashier absentmindedly put in that I bought *200* pomegranates! When he told me my total, I said, “Um, no, it’s not. This is not $500 worth of groceries!”
Sara
P.S. I really liked the video shopping trip.
Nina
When you start doing several transactions it’s very easy to get side tracked and forget about grabbing your change in between transactions because you are making sure your receipt is right, you have the right items in each pile, etc. I had the cashier forget to give me my $3 in change and when I asked he didn’t believe me because he insisted he gave it to me and was already starting on my next transaction. I made him recount his till and sure enough he was over $3 and he had to give me my change.
Lindsey
Lucky for me my hubby caught an error the other night at Harmon’s. I had purchased 4 cheesecakes for a meeting and the girl somehow scanned 5? They were like $15! Good catch Hubby!! 🙂
P.S.
He teases me too!! LOL!
Mary A.
I have found numerous errors and wonder how long I have been being ripped off since I just really starting couponing a few months ago. I do get frustrated and wonder if going back in over cents is worth it. However, cents can add up to dollars over time.
Gator Pam
Since Publix has their guarantee where any item which rings up differently from the shelf price or advertised price, whether over or under, is FREE, I have learned to always know the prices and to watch as they are scanned. It truly does come in handy at other stores as well.
Nicole Jones
Because I have only been couponing a few months…I have had to go back several times. Just the other night I had to go back to Smiths for about $18 in coupons and overcharging. They were so fantastic to work with and even though I had my receipts and products, they just took my word for it and gave me back the money. I have always had fantastic experiences with the different Customer Services. I felt dumb at first for caring about such small amounts, but now I don’t mind at all!
Candice
I’m usually check my receipt before heading out, two weeks ago I’m so glad I did.
I was shopping at Walmart, the cashier scanned all my coupons but some how forgot to scan all my
” free item” coupons even after I had purposely put all the of those items together so she wouldnt have to search for them. I saw her with a pen writing something anyway,
I had to go to customer service and retrieve fourteen dollars and some change.
Brooke
I am also one who pushes the cart & checks over my reciept while walking out. Just so happens the last couple times I’ve been to DG & had coupons not come off. It actually happened last night, I was overcharged (ready for the laughs) .25 & even though I am donating the item, it doesn’t matter b/c it adds up. When the associate refunded my money she handed me the full value; I had to then explain to her that I had a coupon & she had given me too much money back… If I had got home & figured it out, I wouldn’t of wasted the gas to go back up there, but since I was still in the store I felt like I just had to!!!
Brooke
Jackie, a lot of receipts can be confusing so when I make my shopping list I also include price listed in ad before coupons, coupons (ex: $1/1 SC-store coupon, $1/1 MC-manufacturer coupon) then price after coupons… I know exactly what I am working with & easier to review my reciept b/c I just count the coupons up & check the price…
heidi
Coupons not registering has happened to me WAY too many times!! This is a good article to read regarding the situation:
https://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/28/business/la-fi-target-coupons-20101028
Apparently, the big-wigs at Target are fully aware of the problem!
Nancy
That’s why I like self-check out. I can watch everything and take my time with it!!