What are grocery store workers checking for when they look at coupons?

Question

When you give the cashier a few coupons at the supermarket, they have to look at each one carefully before scanning it. What exactly are they checking for? Shouldn't it be automatic where they just scan it and see if it goes through? Are they seeing if it's expired? Why does it take so long?

Someone who has worked at a grocery store please answer. Thanks.

Answer 1

Expiration date for one.

Answer 2

This may be incorrect, but i think it's to check the authentcity of the coupon. To check the coupon if it's for that store by using common sense. This is because the black bars could do something bad to the register if it was modified or something, like give back $100 in change or something :). This is just my guess.

Answer 3

They are looking at the expiration date, the value of the coupon, and the bar code.

Most stores don't take expired coupons. There are many fake coupons being circulated right now. The cashier is doing their job.

Answer 4

expiration date, to see if there's some certain additional purchase that must be made or in the case of a free item coupon, they have to enter the price of the free item on the coupon. There was also a scam not too long ago I read about on yahoo front page about fake coupons being printed online. Some people were actually having their coupons refused because they looked fake.

Answer 5

They are checking for primarily:

1) expiration date

2) if there's an amount they have to write in

3) if the coupon is valid and not a fraudulent one (fraudulent ones coming primarily from the internet lately)

4) if the amount the register software deducted for the coupon is actually the amount the coupon was for

Checking secondarily to see if it's for the correct item, although this isn't quite as important because the retailer will get their money from the manufacturer regardless of whether the coupon was taken for the right item or not.

Contrary to some people's belief, the register software does not allow cashiers to just haphazardly scan thru all the coupons.  I work for one of the largest drugstore chains in america, we have very sophisticated register hardware and software and we still have a LOT of coupon programming issues at the register.  

Answer 6

expiration date, coupon rules, whether you bought the correct product, if they have to fill in a $ amount etc.  Believe it or not, the rules about coupons are pretty complex.

Answer 7

1) the expiration date

2)  if there are any requirements ( like you have to buy peanut butter to get the loaf of bread free)

Answer 8

Three things I checked for when I worked that job, many years (decades) ago:

first, any signs of forgery... you'd be surprised how may people try to pass of fake coupons

second, expiration date

third, the amount to discount

Policy varies depending on the store. Next time you use a coupon; ask the clerk about the process.

Answer 9

I work at one! We are looking for the date that they expire. Sometimes it's really hard to find and it's always really small. I'm not sure why it takes so long, I mean, it's just looking for a date. Also we have to see if there are any condition (You have to get hot dogs to get the buns free).

The coupon should go through if you bought the product so there is no reason to check to make sure it is something that you have gotten. That would be stupid! Honestly, sometimes I ring up and entire cart and couldn't tell you a single thing that the person got. If an error message pops up we sometimes have to read the coupon to see why it wouldn't go through.

EDIT: tylerdur...  is wrong. We encourage people to use them because we actually get paid for people using them from the product provider. And yes, we do check to see if the coupon looks fake.

Answer 10

I used to work at one. Depends on the store.

First you have to check the expiration date

then read the ounces or size and make sure you have the correct item.

Sometimes the coupons go through if they are wrong, and if they do the store does not get credit for those coupons and the cashier gets in trouble.

Oh and if it says "free" the cashier has to search for the price to enter so you get it free.. then they have to write it on the coupon..

It is a pain for both the cashier and the customer lol but definitely worth saving the money =]

Answer 11

i think its for any terms and conditions and the expiry date

Answer 12

Not only expiration date.. but product exact name. So many companies make similar products named differently. Like "Dove". There's dove body wash then there's dove "go fresh" body wash etc. Their checking to make sure you've purchased the exact named item the coupon is for.

Answer 13

experation dates?

Answer 14

I've never worked in a grocery store, but I have worked in a gas station where we received coupons for cigs all the time... a cashier is looking for the expiration date on the coupon.  It takes a long time because you never know where to look for one, they are all so different.

Answer 15

the expiration date...

Answer 16

They aren't looking for anything. An expired coupon would be rejected wen scanned. It's a tactic to deter people from using coupons by slowing down their checkout experience. This is useful against many people who are in to much of a hurry to go through the process, as well as those who fell uncomfortable holding up the line and feeling the pressure from those waiting.