Staples has Bic Mark It permanent markers on sale for $1.00 starting Sunday 1/8/11.
They will be FREE with the $1.00 q from SS 1/8
But here is the problem.
The Bic coupon has the new barcodes on it and does not scan at Staples. The barcode number is not on the coupon so they can’t punch it in.
I went yesterday to get 20 packages of the $0.50 Bic pens they have on clearance and the coupon did not go thru.
Luckily my favorite cashier and “employee of the month” (Joey M ) was there. He tried his hardest but could not get the register to take the coupon. The general manager was there so he asked him to help. The GM didn’t seem to be a fan of coupons so it ended up in a long friendly back and fourth. He first stated I couldn’t get 20 because it is one coupon per purchase. I explained I was purchasing 20. He then said the coupon states “do not double” . To him a .50 item and a 1.00 coupon constituted doubling. I kindly explained that was not the case. Then he said well we can’t take them because it says “not to be combined with any other offers”. Doh!..do you feel my pain yet? I explained that I was not combining anything and a clearance sale is not what they mean. He decided to call corporate to ask them. I could tell by what I heard they were telling him I was right. I even heard him state “ No no , I don’t have a problem taking them” . In the end he could not figure out how to get the coupon to go in so he decided to override the item and charge me 1 penny for each pack. Wrong on his part but after 30 minutes of dealing with him I felt a penny each was god enough to put us both out of our misery.
So feel free to try and get the pens for free but be warned it may take a long long time and if you don’t really need them it may not be worth your time. On the other hand you may get lucky and find a Staples with great management that actually knows what they are doing. I personally will avoid this specific location. Although the part time employees are the best I just can’ t accept the fact that a General Manager doesn’t get it.
P.S. Mr GM if you are reading this the store gets reimbursed for the face value of the coupon plus a handling fee. It is cash in your register. I should of hit the Easy Button!
This week I will be taking my coupons to Office Max, Target and Walmart along with the Staples ad for a price match.
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