I got this email today and thought I would give  huge kudos to Mark and the rest of you that have been sharing your successes and your frustrations with us. I will preface this by saying that Marks story is an amazing one, but factually inaccurate in the age reference department as it relates to me.  Other than crushing my feelings great job!

Hey Paul.

Awesome blog.  Hey I am 26 year old male couponer!   I am starting young, because I get a lot of wisdom from older people so thanks!

Just thought I’d give you an update on how our Walmart in Elk Grove Village, IL deals with Catalina coupons.

Here is my experience.

I went to a Walmart a town over from where I lived and tried to used my Walgreens Catalina.  The cashier put it in with no problem.  They scanned in, and I was happy.

I then went to the Elk Grove Village Walmart 20 minutes later and tried the exact same thing.  Bought same products, and used Walgreens Catalinas.  The cashier said “We can’t take these.”  I just explained that they can take them, but she wouldn’t even try to scan it.  I got a manager involved and they said, “Just take the coupon.”  I insisted that I didn’t want the manager to just “give in.”  I responded, “I just want to know what your coupon policy is so I know how to use my coupons here.”

Sure enough after we chatted for a bit, they TRIED the Catalina and guess what!? it scanned in!  They were all fascinated.  🙂

However, yesterday I got a call from the assistant manager at my Elk Grove Village Walmart because a week ago I called corporate and questioned the coupon policy.  The assistant manager (this is a different one than the one who worked with my the time I went to Walmart) said to me “I don’t even know what I a Catalina coupon is, or a Register reward is.”  I explained what they were, and how it even says on Walmart’s coupon policy that Walmart DOES take them.  Apparent the assistant manager doesn’t have to read the coupon policy.

She is going to get back to me on Friday and let me know what she finds out.  I am hoping to change our couponing policy at my local Walmart.  I did explain I will shop at a different Walmart if they can’t figure this out.  Sure enough she said, “NO!  We want you to shop here.”  She also told me she thinks that “the cashiers need to be retrained.”

I see hope at my local Walmart and if we all keep pushing this, we’ll be in a better place.

I’ll keep you posted about what she tells me on Friday.

(post this to your blog if you want.)

Mark S.

As my 5 year old would say BOOYAH BABY! Keep up the great work!