Is it tacky as h**l to go into a store with a coupon and just use it w/o buying anything else?

Question

Yesterday I was given a coupon at Starbuck's for one of their new smoothies. I was tempted to just go in there today and not get anything else, but I ended up getting an iced coffee because I felt like it would be too tacky to do otherwise. What say you?

Answer 1

No, not at all.  Do you think it hurts their feelings or something?  Those coupons bring you in there...it brings them business.  Even if they're only making $1 on the smoothie, they're still making money on it.  They wouldn't make the coupons if there was an issue with it.  And the people behind the counter don't care.

Answer 2

It's never tacky to save money.

Answer 3

I used to work in a store and people would do this all the time but I get how you feel. I always think I should buy something. That is really the whole idea of the coupon (at least from the stores perspective) give them a coupon and then they will have to come into the store and they will most definitely buy something else

Answer 4

i think you wasted money!!!

:)

Answer 5

i dont think they really care the person who works there isnt getting the money so i dont think they would really care but i get what your saying i may feel a little funny and get something else too....

Answer 6

No it's not tacky at all.

Answer 7

I would have done the same thing. . . .we are just not used to getting something for nothing, it makes us feel guilty ! !

Answer 8

I haven't been to Starbucks in soo long, but maybe if they sell cookies or something smaller then it wouldn't hurt to buy something cheap and then use your coupon.

Answer 9

Well I think that the point of a coupon is for you to save money and as a promotion to get costomers into their store. Well if you wanted a smoothie too then what is the problem?? You saved yourself some money and got what you wanted!!

Answer 10

Heck no! I receive those Victoria's Secret free panty coupons in the mail. I march right in there and pick out my free cotton underwear and get the heck out! The saleslady always asks: "Will that be all?" And I proudly say "Yep!"

Now, like you, I used to feel guilty about it. I always felt that I should buy a lip gloss or body spray or pjs or something. Then I realized I was wasting money on things I didn't need to get something for free...silly!

The intent of those coupons is two-fold. #1 They want to get you into their store, try their products and hope to make you a return customer. For a large chain, letting someone have a $3.30 drink for free is nothing if it means they'll come back again and again. #2 They hope that you will buy something else while in there.

Go ahead, get your free drink/underwear/french fry whatever! and enjoy. Don't feel guilty! Embrace free stuff!

Answer 11

It's not tacky.  Coupons are meant to make you want more later on.  They want you to try out the smoothie for free and then come back and buy another one later.  It's just business.  The person running the cash register is not going to care.