Reader Victoria sent me a picture her friend took of her local Wags in TX.
The Wags in that area put up signs limiting customers to 2 deals per day for items with Register Rewards, sale items or rebates. Apparently they are having issues with people coming in and clearing the shelves.
From the looks of this picture that policy didn’t prevent the shelves from getting cleared of Clean & Clear Body wash (except for the one lonely bottle of sitting up there).
I’ve been having a difficult time lately finding items in stock in my area too. I think there has been an increase in coupon use and many stores have been taken by surprise. Do you find your store is getting wiped out, or maybe not ordering enough stock? What are your thoughts? Have your stores started to impose limits like these? Let us know.
{ 143 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d have to say a little. I’m a BA and every now and then i get customers in who i have NEVER seen before and they try to take EVERYTHING off the shelf. I tell the customers they can’t because it’s unfair and sometimes they want to argue but i always tell them they can ask me and i will order more items in specifically for them to avoid my usually customers who only want and item or two and don’t know about the coupons. Sadly sometimes i’m not there when people clear the shelves and the other cashiers don’t know to tell them a limit even though the store manager always tell them.
Usually if there is a good sell coming up and i think people with buy stuff like crazy i tell the store manager or the head BA to order more. Sometimes it doesn’t always work…
This is how WAGS operates it 8 stores in Corpus Christi and I doubt seriously other stores in AL, LA, NY, MA, WV, SC, NE, CA, etc. are any different.
Almost without exception WAGS store orders are automatic and are generated by their POS systems. Very seldom are the shelves actually inventoried to ensure the POS system inventory and the actual inventory are the same. More often than not, there are gaping holes in the retail shelves.
Most shelf items are not automatically reordered until 80% of the inventory is sold. That’s why many itmes go on sale and two days before the sale stsrts there are only three or four items available. Once sold, it takes one to four weeks for the new items to arrive on the truck. Employees have no incentive to check inventory to ensure accuracy.
In the eight Corpus Christi WAGS stores, there is typically one row on a shelf per item. There could be eight to twenty items in the row at any time if fully stocked, which rarely happens. Let’s say that 12 Tylenol Precise items are the shelf at each of the 8 stores. That’s 96 items for sale in the entire city. There are 310,000 people in Corpus Christi. So just who are these 96 items for. And once there are sold they and won’t be available for the weekly or monthly sale for quite some time. Tell me this is not how it is.
And here is areal kicker. All of the stores in Corpus Christi are located within 3 miles of one another except for one. All receive their orders from the same distribution warehouse in Houston. All of the orders come on the same 2 truck which maked deliveries 7 days a week. Yet three of the 8 stores have very different everyday prices. For example, when Old Spice Body Wash is $4.49 at most stores, 3 of the stores have the identical item at $4.99. When I ask why there is a 10% price difference even though these items come from the same warehouse, are delivered on the same trucks, and the closest store is less than 1/4 mile away, all I really get are dumb looks.
Is setting limits fair? Of course not. Sale items are loss/leads to get you in the store. Should stores set higher ethical limits? Of course they should. The is the proverbial Cat and Mouse Game. The Cat (WAGS) really doesn’t ever lose and neither do the mice (you and me). What WGAS can’t stand is chasing us back to our mouse hole (Setting Limits) and then smashing their head into the wall when they chase us (Try to enforce limits and an Old Tom and Jerry Classic). In the end don’t sweat the small stuff; and remember, it’s all small stuff.
I’d have to say i would feel frickin’ annoyed also. There are so many problems who knows what is what. At my store we do counts on inventory gradually over the week. The problem with that is we only count and look for items when the she;f is empty. Sometimes counts are drastically wrong on item we have in. I mostly deal with cosmetic items.
For the problem with them being under stocked that is partially to blame on warehouse. We have certain days that we order items but it’s not like the manger always know what is going on sale and what will be a hot item to order. Sometime warehouse takes care of it and sends us crap loads of items. I was VERY surprised when we got boxes of Nivea body wash for the sale with the $3 coupon. I just don’t know if the manger ordered more or warehouse did.
Walgreens is being cheap and unorganized. Places are short staffed yet they keep opening new stores. They aren’t telling us stuff ahead a time that we need to know. And LP is a pain since now i can’t just accept coupons from people i have to be nitpicky and that’s a pain since i don’t want to lose my job!
I have found empty shelves a LOT here in North Florida. It’s so bad. We have a Flea Market nearby and those who are clearing the shelves are reselling it there. I have seen it, and them. It stinks for people like me who just want 2 of an item because the stores never get enough back in stock before my coupons expire. It’s very frustrating. I hope they do impose limits, even though I’m sure those people who are reselling will figure out a way to get past it. =-( I appreciate free market capitalism, they are making a buck in a creative way, but it’s really hurting everyone else.
Seems like the same thing big business is doing to our country. Capitalism at its best.
Reselling the items like that is illegal, too.
Wow that really is crappy of them to resell stuff at a Flea Market. We just had our city-wide garage sales last weekend, and I went to a sale (realized I had been to the same exact one the past few years also), where EVERYTHING they sell is stuff you can get free at Walgreens/Menards/Target. It’s sickening. Their entire garage was packed full of tables of all this new merchandise. I won’t spend a dime at that sale. It’s one thing to buy a FEW items, but come on people!
In Texarkana (Texas/Arkansas) I’ve seen quite a few garage sales that consist of almost all Walgreens (and some Target/Walmart) items that were super-cheap or free. They advertise it as a garage sale, but it’s a mini drug store, with the prices being about 30-50% of the store prices. Just tables and tables and bins full of free stuff they bought couponing. It ticks me off because you KNOW those are the ones clearing the shelves.
Did you ever stop to think these people are trying to make some money? Perhaps its a stay at home mother and this enables her to be with her child. Perhaps her husband lost his job and this puts food on their table. Come on. This is what America is about. Free enterprise. If it were illegal to resell these products don’t you think they would have lined up the paddy wagons at the flea markets by now? They are not stealing the products. It seems like many of you KNOW your store runs low on product. You also KNOW couponers are snatching up the products that are on sale quickly. So if it is something you really want then make a point to be there when they open like I do. I had no problem finding clean n clear at my store as I walked thru the door at 9am when they opened the door. Problem solved.
This is exactly what is happening at her stores. It’s one group of people clearing the shelves and selling it at the swapmeet.
Is this 2 per each deal or 2 total, even if there were 10 deals for the week?
I think it’s 2 per each deal.
Ok thank you.
My stores have limited it to 1 per person per day in SD, but the shelves are still empty most of the time.
Just wondering, is “SD” San Diego or South Dakota? I live in South Dakota and am planning a trip to Wags, but if they changed their policy, I might have to double check my list…thanks!!
I really wish my Central Florida stores would do this! Our shelves are always empty. I have stopped rolling at Wags because I can never find everything in my scenario in stock. Short of building scenarios in the store I don’t see a way to make it work for me right now. It is very sad because I know there are amazing deals.
I wish they would too! Maybe you’re near me as my WAGS are clear of all the good deals after coupons by lunchtime on Sunday. The other week I saw a lady with easily 18 rolls of the scotch tape in her cart when the limit was 3 in the ad. I struggled to find 3 left. I asked in another store about them ordering in and he said they used to but it got out of hand so had to stop but he could order say 5 for me. I very rarely get more than 5 or 6 of an item anyway.
We have an issue with people clearing the shelves but it has ALOT to do with our Walgreens being understocked! Buying 1 of any on sale item can be considered clearing the shelves because there’s never more than 10 of each item!
I do agree that there are issues w/stock at Wags – which is frustrating.
For the C&C body wash I was checking out stock at the diffrent stores last week – most of the stores had only a few bottles. I got a few bottles on Sat night when I could find a store that started the sale early.
I admit, I have cleared shelves – like when you need to get a few items to make up a certian dollar amount and you need to get 3 for one deal – which ends up clearing the shelf.
When there are good deals I make the “Circle of Walgreens” as I call it so that I can go to 5 different Walgreens within a radius so that I don’t clear the shelves. I think that it terrible that if you are not there at 9 am now you don’t get anything!
ALL the stores in my area are limiting to 1 per week. Be thankful you can get 2 per day. Last week there were EIGHT of us waiting at the door. 6 of which I’d never saw before. By 8:15 everything was GONE. Luckily I know my store well enough that I was running circles around them to get my stuff or I would have probably said something because my closest store is 30 mins awat. I like the limit idea for the newbies bc most of them are just reselling anyway. I found a booth at the local flea market of nothing but wags and kroger deals for sale marked up 100% or more of what they paid. It’s getting out of hand and I fully blame the extreme couponing show!
I totally agree with you. It is so unfair, I have 3 kids and we homeschooling as well. So we usually go shopping in the afternoon after class. For the past month I have been having problem getting some stuff from wags because someone has already cleared out the shelves.
As for the stocking issue, the warehouse isnt getting enough supply to cover the demand and therefore the store isnt getting enough product. All supply and demand and the demand is become higher!
My store is always cleaned out of items by Monday morning. It is very frustrating when I only want 1 or 2 of the item. But I do agree. Wags does not carry enough stock. I was in there at 9:30am last Sunday, and I bought the Clean & Clear wash. It is B1G1F, and there were only 6 of the product. So 3 people can get the deal. that is crazy..
I live in mid missouri and our wags are always out of sale items the first day shortly after opening. It stinks. I don’t mind the limits personally b/c there aren’t enough to go around.
The way I do things is get 2-4 of all my deals then i go back in the middle of the week and get rain checks so I don’t end up taking everything…and usually I am at Walgreens at 5:00 since I go in to work at 5:30 but in the past 2 weeks there are no deals and all I have to resort to rain checks and lately my coupons are expiring before they bring out the merchandise.
You can’t get RR with a raincheck.
Our Walgreen started doing that this week. My Walgreen frustration is people who are watching the show is clearing the shelves on the 1st day. So our limit is to 2 per day per visit. I understand but it’s going to be a little challenging. What will happen is a lot of people will go to Walmart and price match their 🙁
Jen, I took a sales paper from Walgreens to WalMart to price match the Lipton’s Green Tea when it was 4.99 and Walgreen’s was out, Wal-Mart would not price match it..said it was a WalGreen’s special and they wouldn’t do it. So I went back to WalGreen’s and got rain check…
I have 3 Walgreen’s in about a 5 mile radius from my house here in S FL – I have to say BEFORE Extreme Couponing I could easily get the deals – even if I had multiple coupons I could usually get what I wanted between those stores – now everything is WIPED out by the time I get done with church with my family on Sunday morning!!! Frustrating for sure!!!! The store closest to me that I go to the most the manager is super nice – last week with the Right Guard Body Wash he wrote me a raincheck for 10 which I got 8 of yesterday BUT during the sale the register rang them up 4.49 (or whatever is was) for #1 and 0.00 for #2 but to make it work during a non sale week she had to do 2.49 and 2.29 (or however it worked out – don’t remember exact price) so when she rang the b1g1 coupon it only took off that $2.49 – I ended up paying like $10 for 8 which is still a good deal but FREE last week was better!!!
Even with multiple coupons I NEVER used to clear the shelves – I would do my “rounds” I called it going to all 3 of the stores in my 5 mile radius getting 1 or 2 deals at each. If I stil had more coupons and it was a fabulous deal I would pop in to one of the other gazillion walgreen’s while out and about (I think here in S FL they are on every corner!) Now I find myself wanting to clear or grab more since I may not find it anywhere else that whole week – with that show now the deals are getting impossible to find!!!!!
I am really disappointed in our store. The cashiers are rude and the deals are always gone by noon onSunday. Also half the time stuff is marked wrong so then the reigister rewards dont print. I have only stopped in a few times lately and am considering not shopping there at all. My mom sisters and I are all couponers and have got a lot of our friends to start so its kind of discouraging. Also i have asked if we could order stuff ahead of time so there would be plenty in stock and they just rolled their eyes and said there was no way they were gonna do that for us:(
I have had a very hard time finding things in stock in SC. The shelves are cleared before church is over on Sunday mornings! I have been going to CVS much more lately, because at least there I can get a raincheck on everything, even things with ECBs. Walgreens won’t do that for RR items so I rarely get the deal!
I think limiting is a good idea but the stores should order more stock, even if it means putting out a certain amount each day – right now it’s very frustrating because if you don’t get to the store on Sunday morning after the deals post you’re out of luck.
The Walgreen’s in Lakeland, FL where I go has just started imposing limits and the Manager told me yesterday that it’s a limit of 2 PER DAY. The shelves have been empty since Monday morning (body wash)… I don’t sweat it though. I just get rain checks and pick everything up the next week or week after. Rain checks don’t expire and it takes away the stress of trying to get to the store before everything’s gone 🙂
The cashiers and managers have been rude in every single Walgreen’s I’ve been to, in Florida AND in Georgia, where we just moved from. I gotta’ tell you, I much prefer CVS and I only go to WAGs if the items are FREE.
Last Sunday my store had a limit of two on the body wash. Since I had to drive by two other stores on my way to church I thought no big deal I can get two more at another store. Well the second one was wiped out And the third store a girl just Head of me cleared the whole shelf except two! At least I got what I wanted but no one else in town did and this was at 8:30 am!!!! I am very happy to see limits!!! Also, the bottles I got at one of the stores had a sticker saying it was not inteded for sale at any other place than walgreens and gave a number to call if you found it at another outlet.
when you get a raincheck and use it say the following week or two, does the RR still print?
I agree with this limit idea. It will probabaly help to an extent, but the demand will still be there. I think a store should order extra when they have sales, because people will buy more of something and/or more people will buy the item when it is on sale.
Actually, I support their limits. I think it’s great. Especially until THAT SHOW dies down. It’s been nuts and frankly I’m tired of wasting my gasoline (which is so high that it almost negates my coupon savings…) running back and forth to stores to find out if they have anything.
I LOVE my Walgreens, there are two I shop at but my favorite is always accommodating. I fully support the limitations if they were to start doing it here. Perhaps then, I could actually spend my money there at the shop instead of pouring it into my gas tank.
I think it’s great that they are limiting 2 per day. I usually go on Sunday and then, time permitting, I’ll go again on Friday or Saturday. This allows me to get anything that is left without clearing the shelves.
And yes, Mandy and Amanda are correct. My manager tells me how frustrated they are because they do not get all of their stock, even when ordered in advanced repeatedly.
As for the reselling, that’s such a fine line. What if they didn’t clear the shelves but had been doing the deals for a while to accumulate a stockpile. Then, to the person who only gets the ONE item to last until the next purchase (no stockpiling), getting two or more is unfair. I do get frustrated with someone who talks about hitting 30 stores on early Sunday morning and netting $1500 in profit, but then goes on to COMPLAIN about those who clear the shelves. That’s insane.
Getting a great deal is fantastic because that is what this blog is all about. Unfortunately, with the good comes restrictions and frustrations.
Okay, I’ll get off the soapbox now. 🙂
you are so right on…
I am new to the whole WAGs thing, so I am not sure what is normal in my area. That being said, there are certain deals that I find running out very quickly after the store opens, so we’ve been heading to WAGS before church for me to get the deals I really want. I have always only done 1 deal (except for the splenda deal a few weeks ago, and even then I went to 3 separate stores so I didn’t wipe out the stock in ANY of the stores!)… I don’t need 50 bottles of body wash, and I know there are others who want to get a good deal too. They should do a segment on the show about coupon etiquette so that some of the hoarders will learn to be nice to everyone.
I agree, I’ve noticed on the show they make it look so cute to just dump the whole thing in their buggy like no one else matter..it’s free and I’m going to get it. Do they ever look at the USE BY DATE…
I really think there’s two factors on why Walgreens can never keep sale products in: 1)The warehouse does not send us enough product and 2) Shelf clearers.
We only got 4 or 6 of one of the BOGO body washes. Gone within a couple of hours on Sunday. Writing rainchecks left and right for them. You would think that if Walgreens wanted to increase their sales, they would keep the product in stock. Just a thought.
ONLY got 4 or 6 body washes? Do you know how long those things last – you have a good year or two’s worth of body washes! That’s more than some of us got! B1G1 free sales happen a lot – there’s no need to stock up for 7 years on this stuff! But leave some for other people!
By the way Beth worded her statement, I think she works there. 🙂 Her STORE got 4 or 6 in, not her personally.
OH JEEZ my apologies!!! I just re-read it (slower this time) and I see now. I’m sorry!!!
I think she means she works at WAGS and her store only got 5 or 6, which is why she is writing rainchecks right and left. For this q, a raincheck is really not much good as the q will expire before they restock.
I have a few rainchecks that I’m going to have to throw away soon because my coupons are expiring and they haven’t re-stocked. This week I’ve visted each store every other day and the area is still empty.
I think I’m just going to start contacting the manufacturing companies to complain because my complaints to Walgreens and Rite Aid have gone unheard. I’ve been complaining about this for about 4 months now and they aren’t doing much to improve on it.
If I shop at a Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, etc for a sale item I can almost guarantee the item is in stock or they will allow a replacement item. Not walgreens or Rite Aid.
don’t throw your rainchecks away. coupons may expire but rainshecks don’t. coupons always come back around for the same items again and again. you will have your raincheck when they do.
Beth I want to apologize! I read your post wrong and I interpreted it wrong. You’re welcome to slap me sideways. I’m really sorry.
I have just started couponing in the last 3 mos. But I have always shopped at Walgreen’s and found them to never have any of the items in the sales paper..just really aggrivating.
All of my local Walgreens stores have recently put up signs PROHIBITING PHOTOGRPHY inside. What’s interesting is that the sign uses very specific language and bans photography using “cameras of any type, including but not limited to: still film, digital, video, cell phone, smart phone, laptop webcam, tablet webcam, iPad webcam, whether BLACK & WHITE or COLOR…” I guess this is meant to end any argument by customers who break the new rule.
Not that I blame them… it’s their right to choose to impose new rules. Since I still like Walgreens, I currently comply by not using my camera inside.
There must be a small office filled with several emlployees at Walgreens corporate headquarters. Their only job is to come up with new rules for store every single day! 🙂
Come to think of it, does anyone think that Walgreens corporate has peopel monitoring this website?(or any other that discuss deals as Walgreens?) 🙂
i hope Walgreens does monitor this site so they can see how many customers they are losing. I just switched all my prescriptions to Publix.
Start by going to their facebook page and posting complaints, or a link to this thread in this blog if it’s ok with the wild for wags people.
It’s about time! I have rainchecks that date back over a month and still can’t get some items at Walgreens! Coupons are expiring. Wasted gas to the stores on Sundays before noon only to find empty shelves… Greedy hoarders. BUT I also have to say that I am now blaming Walgreens and Rite Aid. They aren’t stocking up for these sales either! Grocery stores order a massive amount of product when they run a sale and the drug stores do not. I still think limiting the items (and putting a membership card into effect to track the purchases) is a good idea. It’s sick and sad that it’s come to this. Greed always ruins it for everybody.
I spoke to corporate and regional (NM) managers this week due to issues of Walgreens cashiers not accepting coupons for their own reasons.
I was told that they recently attended a seminar that included couponing topics. The use of coupons has risen by at least 70% in the last 6 months! Due to this, the cashiers and managers for that matter are still learning couponing themselves and are having to make adjustments to the items they stock regularly and the policies they have in place for coupons! It does explain alot!
I committed to being patient with them, if they commit to not “punish” me for carrying a notebook into their store and presenting coupons at the time of purchase!!
I am all for it! There was a lady in my area that went around to all 3 of our local stores and cleared the shelves of Clean and Clear at every store! One of my favorite cashiers told me all about it and how the stores had called each other saying she was coming. I wish the stores had told her she could only get a few or maybe hid some of the stock in the back :). I know a lot of veteran couponers in my area and loyal Walgreens customers are getting so fed up with driving there and not being able to find anything that they are just not shopping there any more!
that’s terrible 🙁 I’m the same way – been couponing and shopping sales for years and am just tired of “the game” at some of these stores and the lack of stock. I honestly thought this week that I might not shop at a couple of them anymore. Too bad for me, but I’m not able to buy what I’m looking for anyway (and I’m not talking about only free items, just sale items in general).
I am all for this limiting. I have always been careful not to clear shelves. But there are a lot of people in the area I live in who are aslo reselling at flea markets and wiping out stock. (I blame extreme couponing). I actually watched a man and his wife do this in Walgreens in the Palm Harbor, FL area on Sunday at 9am. They were actually running thru the stores to get all the deals. Needless to say there was ONE Clean and Clear body wash left on the shelf ( keep in mind the store just opened). I am giving my stores the chance to implement this policy and then I am hanging up WAGS for good. I do not mind going to 3 different stores to do my deals but when they are out as soon as the store opens it is no longer worth the gas.
Ugh that’s disgusting. I contacted our state dept of revenue and what those people are doing is illegal (probably). They have to have a resell business license and pay taxes on those sales but SO many aren’t! I’m about to hang it up at those stores too unless they start restricting this stuff or stocking up. It’s a total greedfest. I blame Extreme Couponing too (and some of the bloggers and people teaching classes to be perfectly honest about it). BUT! Greedy people are out there anyway, and if they can find a way to be greedy they’ll do it. The knowledge is already out there, so even if they cancel that show the damage is DONE.
I live in Florida too and I find most of the employees at Wags unfriendly and borderline rude if you use coupons. I pretty much stopped shopping there because it just isn’t worth the hassle. I find that CVS is much friendlier and, in most instances, there is a CVS right across the street from Wags. I’m telling you, there are two to three of each store within two miles of each other! I don’t get the reasoning behind Wags’ “philosophy”. You would think that since the competition is right across the street, they would do everything in their power to be accommodating and courteous! I mean, do they want the business or what?
I was lucky enough to give Wags another try recently and found one that appears to be coupon friendly. As a matter of fact, everyone I saw in the store seemed to be using coupons.
I do feel that imposing limits will benefit everyone (except the resellers). I find that there is not enough stock when they are sold out by Monday and don’t get anymore in stock for a week or two after the sale. Both CVS and Wags are guilty of this in my area. If they are going to advertise a sale, I think they should be better stocked.
I like limits. I went to Wags yesterday and there were NO Reach toothbrushes and NO Tylenol Precise – not patches or cream. My only concern is when the RR or deal requires you to buy more than 2 items – like the $3 RR on $10 worth of P&G items last week. How would that work with the limits?
Get rainchecks and work out a deal for them to honor the coupons on the discounted price too.
Ok let’s all say it together now in Unison…
” Thanks alot TLC Extreme Couponing Show”
I in the past several months am new to couponing I will admit. I was one that thought a $.50 coupon wasn’t going to save much of anything! I recently started going to Walgreens and the Noxema razors were all gone and so were the Reach toothbrushes. Every time I go back the shelves are still empty. I don’t have the gas to run 20min to WG all the time so I am bummed. I grabbed 2 cottonelle last week and overheard a lady say she needed cottonelle so I left the other 2 for her instead of grabbing 4pcks. I think it is wrong to clear the shelves and pretty selfish.
I’m in NV and live near 3 different Wags but haven’t seen these notes… FYI my last trips were yesterday. There are no “shelves clearing” here since everything is ALWAYS well stocked, literally ! When the Cottonelle toilet rolls went on offer, it was still well stocked as though no one here buys it, except me, or use coupons !! Which is probably the reason why the grumpy old lady always hates dealing with my coupons and gets moody. The manager is nice though. Oh and the Almay booklets, there was like 20 left in store just sitting there !!! Just wish those trial sized Wisk 12 loads were there… I tried looking…
I totally agree with you. I dont see or even hear about many of the incidents/stories I’ve read about online lately. My store takes the term “coupon friendly” to a whole ‘nother level kwim. Always well stocked, courteous employees and that makes me a VERY happy and loyal wags customer 🙂
Since coupons are evidently a huge success for Wags, you would think they would stock more product! I am a little uneasy about the shelf clearer talk. When I go to Wags and there are only a couple if items left, I guess that makes me a shelf clearer. But if they only have 4-6 to start with and those are gone on Sunday morning everyone shrieks there’s been a shelf clearer there. Wags needs to fix their inventory issues. My wonderful manager will scan the shelf and tells me their inventory reads 20 items in stock when there are really none. Nso the automated order system is skewed.
I so agree with you, Carmen. People are so quick so blame “shelf clearers,” when the shelves are empty, when the truth is that Wags has very little stock of most sale items. Of course the Clean and Clear body wash was gone by Sunday afternoon. The store probably only had 6 or 8 on the shelf to begin with. I have 5 coupons and have been to 4 different stores and all the shelves were empty. I just thought to myself, “Good for the people who got them!” I gave my coupons to the BA and she was thrilled because she was going to use them when the shipment came in. I didn’t want to fool with this deal any longer. I accepted the fact that I missed this deal. There will be others.
So why don’t people stop watching this show? If no one watched it,then it would be off the air. I have been couponing for a few years and Walgreens never has enough sale merchandise in stock, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. There have been times I’ve gotten to the store to find it all gone, it’s a game isn’t it? I wish everyone would stop complaining, if you don’t want to play the game, quit couponing.
So true!!!!
SO my visit to a certain walgreens today was quiet unpleasant…i was told by the Supposed to be store manager that I cannot use a BOGO MQ with a Wags BOGO sale…how ridic
had the same thing happen to me. made me mad!
My Walgreens NEVER has enough of their big sale items. I get there on Sunday and shelves are already cleared. The workers say they never had much to start with. It’s a shame that they can’t simply prepare ahead and have a proper amount of what they advertise for.
I do agree to impose limits but 2 per day is extreme, maybe up it to 4. But if they are out i will get a raincheck and get them when back in stock. HOWEVER…it is illegal to resell the products and some HBA items at my local FL stores have a sticker on them..stating if you see this outside of walgreens for sell to report it to this phone number. They should offer a reward and we all would come out better than the shelf clearer.
I’m excited about the limits!! I have about given up on Walgreen’s because I can almost never find any good sale items in stock. I’ve been getting great deals at CVS because they have limits on items!
I hope my store starts doing this!!
I agree with the limits! I’ve always couponed (never very successfully) and I have to say, “Extreme Couponing” turned me on to working harder at it and looking online for sales. I live in a city where no one is very coupon friendly (stores don’t double or allow stacking) so coming across your Walgreens blog has been the light at the end of my savings tunnel… I’ve been trying to get these deals here (San Antonio, TX), I have gone to at least 6 Walgreens- and still, I find cleared shelves! It’s very discouraging since this is the first time I’ve found deals like these and I don’t get to take advantage of them. I planned ahead this past week- had my coupons ready and got up at 7 am to get 2 Sunday papers to get the remaining coupons I needed and headed out to Walgreens determined to get ANY of the deals… and still nothing. The craziest thing to me was the Cottonelle, which wasn’t a free deal- one Walgreens was completely cleaned out and a few days before I remembered them stacking them in huge piles near the register… that led me to believe people are getting a bit insane with all of this. Here I am, taking one of the few positives from that RIDICULOUS show, looking for deals on stuff I will ACTUALLY USE and my family will ACTUALLY USE and then there’s people out there going nuts and clearing shelves, just because they can. Sad. Needless to say, I’ve gotten very few deals. I have found 2 Tylenol Precise creams in the past week– which is perfect because with my new workout routine and constantly picking up and putting down my 2 year old, I’ve really needed it! It works pretty well too! Glad I could have at least got those for free. Would love to see limits so we can share the deals. It hasn’t hit my area yet, my fingers are crossed for next week!
Sorry correction * 2 Tylenol Precise creams in the past 2 weeks— 1 a week is hardly stocked shelves… I just can’t believe that people are buying up THAT many THAT often… it’s gotta be an inventory issue for some things. I did get lucky last week- the shelves were cleared of the GUM Flossers, but I found a package on the candy aisle as I was walking through… odd placement, but at least I got to take part in that deal too!
I don’t see this being very effective. They can say there’s a limit, but it’s barely enforceable. If people are “shelf clearing” register rewards items now, it means they’re already doing multiple transactions, either going to different cash registers, using family/friends, going multiple times per day/week, and/or going to multiple stores. It might slow the shelf clearing for items that are free with only coupons, but again, it’s not going to really stop anyone who wants a certain quantity of items. Maybe people are desparate in this economy or are looking to make some easy money buy reselling these products. As far as I know, there is nothing illegal about selling something you own. Or maybe people are just stocking up on really good deals; if it’s cheap or free, why not. Generally I don’t get more than 2-3 of a particular deal, but I can imagine how much a family of four could go through. Luckily, the Wags stores in my area usually have some product on the shelves, even as late as today (a thursday). But eventually you would think that Wags would give up on these free items; almost all the office supply stores (OfficeMax, CompUSA, etc.) gave up on their free-after-rebate bonanzas years ago.
I’m glad. I hope they limit us in TN.
We have no limits in Phoenix. I went to the stores Saturday night and found the the Clean and Clear was stocked with 2 of each variety (if even that many), with the back of it stocked with random products. Such as Dial, Softsoap, etc. Several of the stores have since gotten restocked and no Clean and Clear comes in.
The problem is not the customers. The problem is that Wags doesn’t order for a sale properly. Apparently they know there are coupons out there (they advertise when its in the same paper), you would think they would order more. Its not rocket science.
This is what’s bothering me, too. It’s not even extreme couponers that’s causing the empty shelves but the LACK of inventory stock that’s causing the empty shelves. It’s not always “extreme couponers” that’s ruining it for everyone, but the lack of attention to details from Walgreen’s end also. They advertise the B1G1 Clean & Clear body wash on their ads yet, only have 10 body washes out on a single day that’s supposed to last several days at their store. If 10 customers want to grab the deal just once, that’s a shortage of 10 body washes since everyone is going to want the free bottle in the B1G1. So, really, whoever orders inventory for their Walgreens store should order more for items that they KNOW will be hot for that week to lessen the frustration when customers ask them if they have any more in stock. I don’t mind the limits, but I do mind the fact that there’s hardly any inventory to make the limits worthwhile for most customers.
I went to Walgreens last night and got one of the razors RR deals and got the 4 Right Guard bodywashes from last week I had a raincheck for. The guy in line in front of me did the RR deal with the razor 4 times- at least thats all I saw him do it. But why are they allowing him to just keep getting back in line to buy the same item?
i work at WAGS and am a couponer. i also blame the TV show. things were managable before it aired. now we never have a sale in stock. we don’t limit yet, but i forsee it.
I dont know about anyone else but when i started this i was told about coupon etiquite. and that simply put is to be fair and reasonable about couponing. Just yesterday i was at walgreens and i bought 3 of the wisk 12 load bottles i could have taken all of the twenty or so bottles there but i didnt because walgreens did not put them there for just me they put them there for eveyone. I understand that everyone needs a good deal but then there is greed. I watched a woman at my local grocery store clear 2 shelves of colgate toothpaste and 1 shelf tampax tampons. Unless she was donating them there was no reason to have that many exspecialy since they are going to be on sale again in a couple of weeks or so. We are all couponing to save money but some of also dont have a choice we have to because we cant afford to buy the items at full price. There is no room for greed in the couponing world.
Thanx Steph
I agree with MOST of the comments here, but I really wish people would stop using the term “shelf-clearer” as it pertains to a person… We have already discussed that it is Walgreen’s low stock that is creating “cleared shelves” and not a whole bunch of “new people” i.e., “new couponers” that are being rude and clearing shelves.
With that being said, I am a newbie and am very careful to have proper etiquitte when couponing. Also, you all HATE that show, however, that show saved my family (of 5) I lost my job and have been struggling ever since to feed my family. I am so grateful that I watched this show, it opened my eyes to learning how to live on a budget, and that doesn’t mean that I have to have less. Now I have an abundance of food, health & beauty items, etc., to provide for my family. Yes, the show is EXTREME, hence the name, however it is not all bad people that are seeing it, trying it, reselling, etc.
I feel guilty now when I shop for products that are on sale for BOGO or 2 for 1, etc. There will be only two items left and when I take them I feel like I am that dreaded “shelf clearer.”
I generally hate the fact that a lot of ~veteran~ couponers blame Extreme Couponing for all of their woes whenever they can’t score a deal or two at their Walgreens when Extreme Couponing has helped so MANY families save money to help their lives a little. I got into couponing after seeing 1 episode and I haven’t gone crazy and “clear shelves” like so many people exaggerate. It’s probably less than 10% of couponers that actually go to that EXTREME when they coupon so it irks me when the show, Extreme Couponing, is being toss around like it’s a horrible thing. They have to remember that some people take advantage of coupons regardless of TLC’s show and websites like these help those extreme couponers plan their deals at stores also. Does that mean that websites like these should be close down also to prevent extreme couponers from “ruining it for everyone”? No, of course not! And the fact that TLC helped opened the eyes of so many families into saving money = more people shopping with coupons = less items at stores = more competition for items. It’s a chain of event that’s a part of all markets. Just because you can’t score a deal or two at a store does not equal an extreme couponer is “ruining” it for you unless you specifically saw that person jamming all of the items off the shelve and into her/his cart with coupons in their hands. In most cases, it’s multiple customers grabbing several items on a low inventory stock at Walgreens which means less items to go around.
Well said, Helena.
That is what I was trying to communicate… I also want to add that while all the Veteran couponers are quick to cast stones about “new” greedy couponers.. Who are the real greedy ones here, seeing that you want to keep couponing under the radar and all to yourself???
Remember that the statistics are that only 3% or 7% (can’t remember) of coupons available are being used here. Hopefully if we all stay positive, we will see an increase of supply, as the demand has risen for these products, and then there will be enough to go around. In the meantime, couponers may even be helping the economy! We buy stuff at low or no cost, WAGS employees have jobs, Distributors are more in demand, The Manufacturers are selling more products, and the Stores are getting reimbursed for the products (+$0.08). Let’s all just be civil to eachother, not judge and roll with the punches!
I’m totally agreed about the show, the sad thing is that I’ve heard a couple of lady saying hey let’s see who is smarted the lady on the show or us let’s get as much free items as we can and one of their kids said but mom we don’t even like that and she said I know but I’ll buy anyway. SO that show was they biggest mistake ever unfortunately they are not going to end it just because people keep watching it… So if we get together as a community and just don’t watch it the show will stop airing because their is not audience watching, but many people watch it over curiosity again and again and again.
Since moving to Olathe, KS and forced to be a part of the rewards card program, the shelves are cleared by Sunday evening. I have driven around to different stores and have been unsuccessful finding what I need( not buying items because it is free). Now, I just price match @ WalMart.
I’ve been in retail for 12 yrs. now and I’m new to using coupons because of the show and also because my husband lost his job. But even I know that dumping cases of items into your basket is considered to be a personal problem, even if the item is for free. Who needs 100+ of one item?! unless they’re donating.
I know some things don’t expire for years but I think that shopping in extremely large quantities is called hoarding! I’ve seen some people fill baskets just because they can and don’t care to think of other people in this world that really need to provide for a family of 4+. The show should be called “Coupon Hoarders!” I agree with the limitations at any store. We have limitations where I work and with that, we get to provide for large quantities of customers between shipments.
I’ve asked customers if they’ve ordered in advance for something they need more of and most of them say no. So, we watch the quantities of product being stocked and how much we should save for the next day so that everyone can have a little of something good!
So, I can’t stop people from making multiple purchases with friends and family but I can sneek in a dirty look or two! LOL! Thanks for letting me vent!
You know — the American Consumer/Couponer has the power to make or break how we are treated.
Good service or bad needs to be reported to Corporate. Email them folks. Call them. Grab a Manager for a face-to-face.
Unhappy with policy? Complain and/or take your business elsewhere. Nothing speaks louder than profits lost — just ask Walmart.
I believe what we are seeing is “reactive consumerism.” WAGS increased their ads when sales were down to drive sales and profits. They couldn’t anticipate the length of the Recession any more than the results of people watching Extreme TLC Programing. We see a good sale and rush to buy it. WAGS responds to complaints by imposing limits. WAGS misses the opportunity to increase sales/profits and Customer Service by increasing product distribution and satisfying their Customers.
It’s not a perfect theory. But we hold the power and should flex it. The makers of the things we rush to buy are laughing themselves all the way to the Bank. The Advertizers, Graphic Artists and Coupon Companies who produce the ads we watch/read and all the newspapers we buy extras of are all making profits from our actions. Just think about it is all I’m saying……
AMEN you said it all…..reactive consumerism…NOW LETS TRY REACTIVE DISTRIBUTION. Billions of coupons r issued every year and only 3% redeemed….WHY? We have all hit hard times!
Walgreens simply needs to implement a better system of stocking their inventory. The problem is not clearing shelves, it’s the fact that stores rarely have more than 30 of one item that’s free after RR. You figured if they sell 10 out of the hundreds of customers they get in a day, you only have those items for 2 more days. It seems to me that ordering more is not an option for the huge risk of overstock. I know that at my store we sometimes (but rarely) receive so much of an RR item we don’t ever have room for it once the sale is over. It’s usually on new items nobody has ever heard of that wont sell unless there is a sale running.
Clean and Clear body wash was gone at 10:00 Sunday morning at my store. They open at 9:00. I never saw another bottle. Neither did I see any at seven other stores I checked during the course of the week. That is ridiculous. It’s a stocking problem as far as I’m concerned. It should be expected that people are going to clear the shelves.
1st… I do believe it is illegal to resell products you buy with the coupons (the coupon itself will say).
2nd.. I am THRILLED with the new rule, and just hope all the cashiers will stick to it. With my hubby, we get 4 sets a day… works great for me, and those hoarders now HAVE to leave some for me 🙂
Um, I just read 10 different coupons (printed, inserts, peelies, and stores) and none of them stated that it was illegal to sell items purchased with them. That would be impossible.
If you are buying 4 SETS between you and hubby perhaps that is the reason they are out of stock. There goes 8 bottles of clean n clear just for you and hubby. Where does that leave the next person who would have liked just the two?
And as for the resale of products purchased with coupons, I have never seen any coupon that prohibited this. Even if it did they would be waisting ink as they would never be able to enforce it.
I’m with you Debra, and do you know how long 8 bottles of body wash will last?
I tried to get some for my husband this week because he has psoriasis and this and Biore are the only ones that work. I’m still trying to get two bottles – JUST TWO.
I price matched mine at Wal-Mart. Fully stocked.
Reselling falls under fraudulent and non-personal use of coupons. Many coupons have language prohibiting use of coupons for fraudulent or money-making purposes. I believe it’s a civil offense, not a criminal one – which means no one would arrest you, but the company could sue you if you ran a booming business and they caught wind of it.
Reselling requires a resale license and the seller has to pay taxes on those items (paying taxes to buy them doesn’t count). Each state may be different so check with your department of revenue. I know if I see anyone selling mass amounts of sale/couponed items at garage sales I go to I’m turning them in.
I have seen a few stocking problems on sale items but am lucky to live in an area where it seems like few coupon. The Walgreens by me just about always has product–they can’t even get rid of the free stuff (leave it on a small table right when you walk in the door with signs about it being free after RR and it’s still usually there at the end of the sale).
Now, that said, the prices are very high at this store which is located right next to a gourmet grocery store. Luckily I walk there so am not paying for gas but even sale stuff after coupons is not always as low priced as some are getting. Tylenol precise was $9 something so after the $8 in stacked coupons it was not free–still a good price so I bought it but not as low as other areas based on comments here.
I think it’s a good thing too, it’s hard for me to get to walgreens sunday first thing and even if I get there at 11am all the ad stuff is gone.
I don’t understand the folks that say that this is a good policy. If walgreens simply stocked better then there would be little issue with getting what we are looking for. The store does not lose any money on us and we actually bring more business to them. If my stores impose this, then I guess I will be forced to switch to CVS and Target! The manufacturers would not print the coupons and walgreens would not have worked a deal with the companies for RR if it was such a bad gig.
I totally agree that most Walgreens need to have more stock on hand when they advertise great deals. However, I’m afraid that if they had 100 of an item, instead of 30, for example, the clear-the-shelves folks would still wipe them out almost as soon as the stores open. I wish it weren’t this way, but I truly believe that without a limit, people who are reasonable couponers don’t stand a chance. Last Saturday night I checked on the Clean and Clear Body Wash. The nearby Walgreens had plenty. The shelves were full. I got there on Sunday morning less than an hour after the store opened. The shelves had been picked clean. This store has very little traffic, so I can’t help but believe that one or two very aggressive couponers bought it all. These people are imposing a limit of zero on rest of us. I’d rather have the opportunity to buy 2 a day, or even 2 a week, rather than zero, a limit imposed by greedy customers.
I think you nailed it perfectly…it has nothing to do with the way they stock shelves, or the quantities they carry. The hoarders (extremists) are like a virus, they come in, most likely with illegal copies of coupons and then wipe out the shelves. I’ve walked into Walgreens stores an hour after their open only to find that entire shelves are emptied.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the standard couponer that is trying to add to a reasonable stockpile, but when you’re getting shampoo and see that someone has pulled 50 from the shelves…come on now. Let other people get their lone BOGO so we can all reap the benefits.
For those that are disgusted by the fact that the stores are doing this…face it – it’s because of you! You brought this on yourselves because the stores are watching customer leave because there’s nothing for them to take advantage of. Again, like a virus…bleed it dry until the host has nothing left to offer, and then move on to another host.
“Extreme” couponer = virus.
You hit the nail on the head! I went to 3 Walgreens in 2 different states! The shelves were wiped out of B1G1 deal on toothpaste. I only wanted 2. Hoarding should be prohibited. We should all be able to take advantage of the sales. It makes me not want to shop at Walgreens at all!
I don’t think limits are unreasonable at all. Last week I was talking to the manager of my store, and she said that they order their stock 8 weeks in advance, so it’s really hard to anticipate what will be hot and what won’t be. They just don’t have room for a lot of extra stock which won’t sell, so they do the best they can. They are happy for the business, and would like to accommodate everyone, but it’s not always possible. That being said, I only live a few minutes from the store and although it’s slightly inconvenient, can stop back later in the week. It would be very disappointing to travel a ways, only to have nothing in stock! Perhaps imposing limits would help everyone.
In our area (near St Louis) all of this stuff is also ending up at the flea market. Booth after booth after booth of stuff that was free or cheap the week before. Baby formula, splenda, tylenol precise? You name it, it’s all ending up out there.
I don’t see a lot of folks buying it and much like the people on extreme couponing, one is left to wonder how much of it will end up in the garbage? Unused and expired and filling up the landfills.
Last week I missed the free Right Guard body wash so I got to the store before they opened this week. When they unlocked the doors they had 5 bottles of clean and clear on the shelf. I took 2 even though I was hoping for more and left 3 for someone else. I think they need to stock up more.
Walgreens seems to always have a hard time with keeping things in stock when they are on sale. I think it is more them than the hoarders. And then to top it off if you have to get a raincheck for a BOGO they don’t treat it the same way and give you 2 items for half price each so if you have a BOGO coupon you are not getting them free. I have lost faith in Walgreens and have been there 1 time too many and found empty shelves!!
Im glad they are imposing limits. There is a lady at my local walgreens who buys everything! I mean, do you really need 30 bottles of body wash! A lot of moms aren’t able to take a trip to the store. For all the hoarders out there, save some for people who need it!!!
I’ll admit that I resell alot of my freebies (I also donate). Walgreens is horrible about having stuff in stock even when you go early on Sunday mornings. I would never clear a shelf because I know that there are people that need the item that I’m getting for free to just resell or donate. All of my freebies can fit in a case of paper box. I have no problem with them setting a limit of how many items a person can buy. What I think is really happening is too many people are watching Coupon Extreme.
I was informed at our local Walgreens in St. Cloud, MN that only one RR deal per person per day. She said that they are tired of being “yelled at” by coustomers cuz they are out of items. I’m ok with them putting a limit on it but one? How bout two maybe? BUT I think the big problem is stocking there shelves… they dont get a big shippment in and well a few items go fast. When I was there I was looking for the razors and the shelf was empty (like all the time) and I seen they had 6 totes sitting there waiting to be unloaded so I ask the manager if possible there would be any razors in there…. yep there was… 3! 3…really?????? only 3 for stocking??? They need to maybe focus on upping there orders cuz really…not items…not sales?
In my experience with my local St. Louis Wags, they don’t do a great job of stocking up before a sale. It bums me out. I’ve been waiting ALL week for a Clean and Clear restock, it was cleared off the shelves (and there were about 10 of each 3 scents) by 10 am Sunday. I HATE shelf clearing and I hate hoarding. I have 12 coupons that probably won’t even be used. But I don’t hoard. 6 are going to my sister, 4 for me, and the rest I donate. I can’t give back when people clear shelves. The biggest problem is that Wags doesn’t seem to care enough to implement change in the way they order.
I noticed for awhile now that my Walgreens have been horrible! I live in Chicago and have two 24hour Walgreens by my house and will go there at midnight to try and pick up a few deals. I noticed on Sundays (mid day) the sale products were wiped out. So thats why I started going at midnight. I am humble and only buy one or two, but now even at midnight they are all gone! This is becoming a serious problem because I noticed they dont restock until AFTER the sale. And, I heard from a few people the employees get their hands on sale items first =(
I used to go to my local 24-hr store Saturday night too, this allowed me to shop without my 2 toddlers. I would get there about 11:30 to browse.
From the beginning, I noticed some sale items weren’t stocked Saturday night. I thought maybe it was something that was to be done by the night shift people and perhaps they just hadn’t gotten to stock some items. However, on several occasions, I went in early Sunday morning to see if the products were there… they weren’t.
Well, now I’m convinced my local walgreens will pull items that are free or MM off of the shelf. Sometimes, there is one of something that requires a purchase of 2 to get the RR. Typically, the shelves are restocked Sunday or Monday after the regular week sale and month long deals are stocked the first Sunday after the sale is over 🙁
I too believe the employees take first dibs. After all, they do get an extra 15% off their purchases. Free items are MM for them.
I am on the verge of giving up on wags, it pains me they have such great advertised sales.
I figured that employees were probably doing this!
I have a large family, 7 people and when i go to a walgreens i dont feel that i should be limited on how many items i can buy. If i take the time to clip and the gas to drive there i would like to get however many i need for my family. I dont show up on sunday morning cause there is never anything there in stock. Our walgreens and i have driven to 7 of them in our area had a register reward sale and literally had 2 in stock on sunday morning which is just ridiculous. The problem isnt hoarders but the stores arent prepared for the sales. And i actually talked to a manager who said the store boss gets the ads a month in advance but chooses not to order what is needed. Gross neglect by a store professional in my opinion. They need to order more and have some stock in the back.
My stores up her in wisconsin have started to set limits of 1 per customer per day due insufficient supplies.
I do believe it is a little of everything that is causing the problems. Not only does Walgreens need to learn how to properly order their products but people need to stop being so greedy. Just because the product is on sale does not mean you have to get one for you and the whole neighborhood, and who really needs that many of the same product. There will be other sales. Atleast they give rainchecks.
I’m surprised so many people mention rain checks – all of my Wags claim that Walgreens doesn’t do rain checks.
This limit is company wide and it is for alot of reasons.Just because some think that they can order extra does not mean that they can get the product.The stores can not control what is sent to them even if they order extra.They don’t like the fact that customers complain that they are out of product because of shelf clearers.Also the companies are also limiting what Walgreens can sell because they are having to pay for these coupons which means less profit for them.They are aware that there products are going to flea market type places and they have to pay back those coupons.So these companies are wanting the limits.I myself think it is a good idea I’m tired of not finding the products I want week after week.I will NOT go to the flea market and buy from these people no matter what!
Can you please explain what you meant when you wrote the following:
Also the companies are also limiting what Walgreens can sell because they are having to pay for these coupons which means less profit for them.They are aware that there products are going to flea market type places and they have to pay back those coupons.
How is Walgreens having to pay for these coupons?
I think she meant that the companies have to pay for the coupons.
But how are the companies or Wags paying for the coupons? Do they get a bill? I’ve never heard of this, but am interested in finding the answers.
We know Wags’ management will sometimes say things to us just so they don’t have to give us the deal. ex. you can’t use a bogo coupon on a bogo sale, you can’t stack a Wags coupon with a manu coupon, you can’t adjust the price of the coupon down to the price of the item.
If someone is claiming that the store has to pay for coupons, then show it.
People will often say what they want to get their point across, not necessarily what is true.
As for reselling when using coupons, then Ebay and all garage sales should be illegal. They sell all manner of items, not just from drug stores. What about the lady who bought tons of clearance stuff at Children’s Place ans sold it at her garage sale. Is that wrong if she used a coupon, too?
WHERE ARE THE LINES DRAWN? WHO DRAWS THE LINE? There will always be someone who doesn’t agree with what you do. Let’s face it… EVERYBODY loves a deal and gets excited when we get it. But we also get just as frustrated when we don’t. That’s all part of life. No one gets everything.
Okay, I think I’d better stop now. I really wonder what Christie is thinking about all this. 🙂
Excellent post
> how are the companies or Wags paying for the coupons?
Of course the companies are paying for their manufacturer coupons; that’s what he remit address on every coupon is about. The store takes the coupon, submits it and gets the value plus 8 cents handling.
What I don’t know is what type of deal there is between Wags and the manufacturers in regards to generating RRs. Does Wags subsidize some/all so they can offer these sales to drive customers to the store? I have to believe RRs aren’t all being paid for by the mfrs. Remember that RRs came to us after Wags did away with their monthly rebate program.
my ad prints limits, excluding Idaho, because, I’ve read, its illegal to impose limits in this state. But, my local wags did put up the “limits” signs throughout the store. I just remind them of the law here, which i’m sure they’re hoping not too many know about it. even with limits, i wish WAGs would have enough stock cuz it is frustrating if your not there within about 2 hours of opening, you’re pretty much gonna see empty shelves.
BUT, i do fill out every survey, printed on the bottom of the receipts, and suggest to increase stock on sale and RR items–hopefully they do read those and consider it.
Lastly, i wish ‘clear-the-shelf-couponers’ would show some cpning etiquette. And realize that there will be another sale!
I would like to see them, somehow, sell online. Let you set up an account that would keep track of RRs, etc. I wouldn’t mind paying shipping, it would probably be cheaper that paying for my gas and time to go to WAGS a couple days a week. (first on Sundays, then Friday night, after they’ve restocked, most of the time still not having the items in stock & end up getting a raincheck, only to go back again)
anyway, just a thought…..
Does this mean that they will limit how many they will give a raincheck for too? Because if Walgreens runs out of what I want, by Sunday, I just ask for a raincheck on Saturday. The store I normally shop at has suddenly gone to this 2 limit as well. So, I found another store who LOVES their couponers. They told me that if they were out, we’d do the raincheck for whatever we needed. This store also has a little lady who comes in once a month, spends around $125 for $1200 worth of products too. So, she spends that much with them, they ARE gonna be coupon friendly.
Oh, and they need to hire a couponer so they know what items to seriously stock up on for big sales like the BOGO BOGO Clean & Clear Body Wash. It’s like they only send out the same amount every sale when they should know by now that more people are couponing because of the couponing shows and blogs. Just sayin.
i am glad they are imposing a limit, because in my area we have all flea market people and clean the shelf early Sunday morning to resale on their places.
It’s a stocking issue, plain and simple. Why wouldn’t a store want to make more money? I don’t think Wags realizes how much money they are losing by not having items in stock. How long has this been going on for and they still haven’t changed anything??? I just tired of calling corp. I have more things that I can do with my time. Hopefully one day they will get it together, until then I’m sure they are missing out on a lot of customers.
I get frustrated with the lack of sale items too. at my store the early bird catches the worm. if I am not there close to opening I probably won’t get everything or anything I am looking for. But I try to remember that it isn’t the end of the world if I don’t get a free bottle of body wash. there is always going to another deal.
Running out of “free” items has been a problem with Walgreens stores in my area for years…long before lots of people began seriously couponing. Stores in my area usually restock sale items on Saturdays when their truck comes in, but I check with the managers in case they have anything in the stock room (sometimes they do). For reasons unknown to to me, Walgreens does not adequately stock their shelves of RR items and so…I welcome the limits. Sometimes it would be nice to at least get one of something.
Amen to that!
I find that I have to call the stores ahead of time now-ever since that “Extreme Couponing” show came on TV it’s been a nightmare here in Florida. People who are new to couponing are buying up insane quantities. I was behind a lady who bought 30 packs of pantyliners and was going to another walgreens for 70 more. Seriously does she really need 1,000 pantyliners?!
I personally think it’s rude and stupid for someone to clear shelves and backrooms of product. We know in advance whether or not something is going to be a great deal and if it’s something I’m going to stock up on I call the store and let them know I’m going to buy a lot of it and they will order it in advance and set it aside. Plus most Walgreens sales aren’t once in a lifetime-they run on a schedule-yet every 2 weeks when those stupid mushrooms go on sale people buy them like they’ll never go on sale again.
Also people don’t realize it isn’t the stores fault if they don’t have it-for example the Tylenol Precise patches are now on backorder for Walgreens because so many people bought them. Is that their fault? No! It’s the crazy lady that went around town and bought 75 of them at each store to sell on Amazon.
CALL CORPORATE! I DID! They appologized for limited stock and say they are trying to meet SUPPLY VS the NEW DEMAND! (send an email and be HONEST). Transactions are not limited (but quantities might be). I even had a manager call me from our local store and APPOLOGIZE! We all want to find a GREAT deal and Walgreens has to step up the pace! I usually spend the time buy extra bargains without RR because Im in the store and very busy OR have plans the next weekend and cant use my RR before eperation date. The show is not to blame, but AWARENESS as how to save $ in this economy. How many forclosures r in your newspaper every week?
My Walgreens is doing the exact same thing! I missed out on the cottonelle deal and a few others. I feel that if you have a deal in your ad, realize that people will probably buy it and that there is a call for keeping things in stock. Walgreens has nothing but excuses that aren’t satisfying lately. I hope they get their act together because I would like to use their establishment more often.
Illegal acquisition of coupon inserts must be stopped. It’s the best way to stop the shelf clearing.
Please call and report these issues to :
News America Marketing (distributes Smart Source) 1-800-462-0852
Valassis (distributes Red Plum) 800.437.0479
CIC Coupon Information Corporation (703) 684-5307
Don’t forget to contact P&G , local newspaper offices, store managers and district managers.
Heck write the board of directors! The shelf clearers do!
By the way supposedly there has now been some arrest in stockpile sales where PG coupon merchandise was sold. Apparently coupons can’t legally be used to make profit.
Report, Report, Report!!!!!!!
I have since given up on walgreens. In Florida it’s a nightmare. If you do get a raincheck they will ring it up wrong and then they treat you like a jerk. The stores I knew everyone at ask me where I have been. I said “I don’t like how I’m treated her now.” You know people are insane. Not to pick on a few posts here but you calling the people that put out coupons is only going to cause them to stop it all together. Walgreen’s to me does have a stocking issue. 6 bottles of body wash for a week is insane to me. Then was told the sales actually run Saturday to Saturday. So I went this morning and the shelves were cleared again. So I believe the walgreens employees have to be taking the stock.
To the person that gets them price matched at Walmart. You must have the best Walmart because I find them to be another nightmare.