Can't use a competitor's coupon? (Don't tell my mom.)
As my loving mother always says, "it doesn't hurt to ask". And this time I'll agree with her :) Especially because she just tried this herself and came out with some pretty surprising results.She wanted this fancy pants coffee maker but it was all sold out at Bed Bath and Beyond. So what does she do? She brings her clipped out coupon (showing the coffee maker at $20 off) into Best Buy and proudly finds a manager. Now, if I were accompanying her this is usually at this point where i'd be squirming and thinking stuff like, "geez mom, you ALWAYS do this!" or "this is SO embarassing!" like a little 13 y/o girl. Luckily though I wasn't there -my dad was. And like most men, he quietly walked away and just let her do her magic ;)
And what do ya know, it worked! The Manager gladly accepted it and offered her the best customer service she had hoped to receive. Wow, she is good. And so is that manager! Perhaps we can all get away with this stuff now that the economy is in shambles? Or maybe women are the only ones that could work this charm? I'd be curious to see the outcome if my mohawk'd self were to give it a try ;) Either way though, it's awesome. Good for you mom!
I can't promise you that it'll work at all stores, but there surely isn't any shame in at least TRYING to use a coupon at a competitor's store. After all, they'd much rather have your business. It may take a little talking or threating to leave the store, but if you've got the balls to try you just might save yourself some cash. Which is perfect, cuz then you can treat me to a few beers!
Labels: coupons, money hacks, saving
posted by J. Money at
7:12 AM
25 Comments:
I'm that way too. I can't find the courage to ask a worker any questions related to coupons. So what I do is search all over Google to see if anyone out there in the internet world can answer my stupid question, "Can I use coupons at Target". And yes, I recently learned that they do accept coupons. Shocked!
Hey Go J. Money's Mom!! That's pretty awesome that they accepted the coupon and were so gracious about it.
My grocery store accepts competitors coupons, which is great because the competing (nasty) grocery store is forever offering $5 off coupons that my nice grocery store will take! They also accept Super Target's internet coupons, so that helps too. Also, I read an article about Best Buy negotiating on their prices on big screen TVs since the economy is so bad. They do have room there to move and will make a deal! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Go MOM!
I'm such a wimp I'd be scared to ask, but it is a great tip. Often places will accept competitor's coupons or offer to match the price. Like you said, it doesn't hurt to ask. Your mom is cool
That's the key there, TRY. I have not tried competitor's coupons myself before but now that you mentioned your mom's valiant efforts, I will have to try this with the higher priced coupons for stuff like oil changes, etc... I don't shop for stuff but I do have to spend on maintenance and good business is always good business.
My mom is fabulous at this! She has gotten so many good deals, just by asking. She also hits places that are going out of business and talks people down. "Will you take $----" is her catchphrase. I'm not as good at it as she is by far, but I am learning!
As she (and your mom) says - it can't hurt to ask. What's the worst they are going to say, "No"? Well, you won't be any worse off than you are now.
Yes, BBB has always accepted competitor's coupons. Although, recently I heard they were going to stop. So, you mom got a great deal. Good for her!
So your mom scammed best buy because she didn't get there early enough to get it while it was in stock. The policy clearly states it must be in stock to match. This is why Best Buy is fighting price matches recently. People like your mom who do not follow the rules. You are lucky you had a foolish manager.
Wow... that's pretty dang sweet. My wife would do something like this, in which case I would be doing the squirming. But, hey- if it works it works.
Wow... someone must-a pee'd in Cheapo's cornflakes this morning. Somehow I doubt Cheapo is actually effected by Best Buy's bottom line, so my guess is they are bitter cause they don't ask nicely enough to get the good deals. An ounce of honey...
Anyhoo, on a slightly related note, I was at our A&B Sound before they went under and got South Park Season 7 for under $20 after tax because they had left up old sale signs. I just walked up the counter and asked what the deal was (the signs clearly stated the sale was over), but since they didn't take them down they honoured the sale. It might have been because they knew the company was about to go under, but I'm not going to argue, I love me some South Park!
@C.C. - no shame in that! i wasn't aware of that either at Target.
@Brandi - if she read this, she'd say thanks ;) maybe i should send this to her now? i doubt she'd read it though...
@Jamie - woohoo! i bet you could get away with this at multiple stores because of the economy indeed.
@Miss M - she would LOVE to hear that she's "cool", so thanks i'll tell her!
@mark - no doubt. usually business don't offer you discounts just for nothing, asking certainly helps!
@Dawn - yes ma'am, moms = smart :)
@Money Funk - that's interesting, i haven't heard that. i think it's still worth asking though just to see either way.
@Cheapo - haha, well yes i'm sure luck does have something to do with it, but in all honesty if a place wants your business regardless of the circumstances around it, they'll do what it takes to get it. not saying this is right or wrong, but just good business. i wouldn't call it a "scam" as i'm sure you've gotten deals yourself that weren't 100% by the rules at some point in your life.
@Trevor @ Financial Nut - it indeed takes guts :) i've done similar stuff in my day, like asking for the floor model of something to get a % off and stuff, but usually i won't try the "competitor coupon" route unless i'm feeling the charm.
@PirateKitty - Yes, ALSO a great idea! i do that myself and it usually works about 90% of the time :) thx for adding that! and your comment about Cheapo, that was pretty funny...ya never know though, perhaps he works there and have bonuses tied to it? What do ya say Cheapo?
wow... your mom sure has guts. The first rule for getting a discount is not to feel ashamed. I have been able to get a lot of good deals on same products that my friends bought - simply because I asked for a discount.
J Money,
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Much appreciated, and now that I've got you on my radar, I look forward to learning from and supporting your efforts too! I'm a big beliver of Bloggers helping bloggers. I really like your moms thinking. I am the king of competitors coupons, and businesses who are smart will always honor them. Put the cash and a happy customer in their till, not elsewhere. Anyways, I look forward to looking around more soon!
Peace,
Brandon
Nice job, J Money mom! I have to say that I've been seeing a lot of signs up at stores and restaurants saying they would accept competitor's coupons. I never would have thought Best Buy would do something like that!
Just an FYI, Bed Bath and Beyond accepts expired coupons. At least, I've never had a problem.
Stupidly Yours,
Matt
haha, thx for stopping by Brandon & Matt! looking forward to checking out the new blogs for me...time to go watch "The Man" on tv now....(that would be good friend Mr. Obama...who picked a similar bracket that I did. which means he's my friend. i'm going now..)
I've done this from time to time. The best is when they accept competitors' coupons without your even asking. Bed Bath and Beyond accepts Linens 'n' Things coupons for example. They also accept expired coupons. All the cashiers seem to know and don't even make a face when you try.
This happened to me today! I needed 40 binders, and they were $1.50 more each at Office Depot than at Staples, but since I was already placing a business order with Office Depot, I really wanted to buy them at the same time. So I called Office Depot, and they sold me the binders I needed at Staple's price (plus, they were name brand binders versus the Staples brand!)! Another thing I love about Office Depot is that they will honor any competitor's coupons as long as there is a competitor's franchise in the same area as the Office Depot. So I am able to use Staple's coupons at Office Depot whenever I want!
BBB has ALWAYS accepted expired coupons, but I heard a rumor that this might not last much longer. To Mike- did you realize that LNT has gone out of business? Therefore, BBB does NOT take their coupons anymore. ;) lol
A quote of my Dad's that I always heard growing up, and that sticks with me to this day... "You don't get nothin unless you ask!" Seriously, even simple things like when we stayed at a B&B in Carmel and they started construction right outside our door at 7am, plus our shower alternately burned and froze us.... A simple, polite comment earned us 1 free night in an upgraded room with a jacuzzi tub!
Most businesses would prefer to either a- take your business from someone else or b- keep it! So ask and you just might receive!
p.s. Your Mom Rocks J!
One last thought.... most businesses have in their superduperfineprint that they will match or beat competitor's prices. If it is their policy then why shouldn't you ask?!
Today is a buyer's market and you can benefit greatly by just asking. Recently I decided to reside our house. After getting estimates from 3 companies, I decided to ask if Company B would do it for 20% less than the estimate. They agreed. Of course there is some negotiating room built into these estimates but if I didn't ask I would have paid alot more.
If the worse that could happen is they say NO, it's worth asking.
@Mike - yup, i recall that too. although i never used to get Linens & Things coupons, only about 3,001 20% off blue bb&b ones! i bet i could wallpaper the inside of my entire house with it.
@Phillip and Taylor - Wonderful!!!! It's amazing what a quick question could do :)
@NorCalRN - Your dad seems like a smart man. And i LOVE Carmel btw - so beautiful! well, if you're talking about the Cali one. btw, i can't find your blog anymore :( the link you give in the comment section just goes to wordpress. holla back so I can save it!
@Recycleholic - yessir. excellent work.
Thanks everyone for submitting your experiences and input regarding coupons and saving money.It is nice to know there are wise shoppers out there. As for Mr. Cheapo,I just have to say, I am not into scaming anyone, and that remark can't even apply to what I did. I would have had to go behind the store's back and lie in some way in order to scam them into making the purchase. I did it the only way I know how, by being honest and simply asking them for the discount. J's mama!
well would ya look at that - my mom Does read this! haha...hmm...makes me wonder about my other posts ;)
Hrm I didn't realize Best Buy would accept BB&B's coupon - that's handy information to know *files away*
This reminded me of my parents. I have a couple of childhood/adolescence stories eerily similar to this one. And yet, like you, I grew to love this "I'm the customer" attitude.
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