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Pulling products for a possible recall only when item is free with coupon?

Posted Fri April 13, 2012 11:19 am, by michael f. written to Walmart

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Went to a local Walmart on Sunday 4/1 to get some Allegra. I had planed on Price Matching and getting them for free. When I got there the WalMart workers were boxing up all the Allegra that would have been free and I asked them what was going on and was informed that they were notified of a possible recall and to "protect" their customers they would not be selling any. The day after the coupons expired the product was put back on the shelf.
4/4 at two different Walmart locations I had planed on Price Matching Farmer John Hotdogs to Food4Less @$0.78 each and use my $1 coupon that expires 4/4. I went over to the refrigerator section and there were 3 employees boxing up all the Farmer John Hotdogs at one location and when I asked why the product was being pulled I was given the "we were informed of a possible recall..." Another store said the same thing. The third store I went to had a full display and I was able to purchase what I needed. I called the 800-Walmart number and was assured that I would receive a call back in two to three days. Here it is now 4/13 and still nothing. Almost every time I go into these two stores if there is any coupons that would make the item trigger overage the product gets pulled. Ever since the employee related coupon theft in Hanford,CA it seems to be more than a problem. By the way. The day after the coupon expired 4/5 the Farmer John Hotdogs were back out. No product recalls on either product. I understand that every company has the right to limit quantities available for purchase. Citing a possible recall that does not really exist in order to limit that quality is a bad idea. At both of the above mentioned stores I have had nothing but problems with coupons every time I go into the store. Price Matching they require the ad which is not per Walmart's policy, they argue that a coupon can not exceed the purchase price and will have to be adjusted down. Also against policy.

*Stores are located in Southern California. Store #2028 and #1912

A few things.

A. Do not fake a recall. This is bad for the company and the maker of the product in which you sell

B. Either train your associates in the coupon policy regarding price matching and overage or do away with them. I am sick of being made to feel like a criminal when I get something for free using coupons.

C. When you say you are going to have someone call. Make sure that they do. I was only trying to bring this to the attention of the company as when consumers hear the word "recall" it will affect business for you and your supplier.

I have shopped at Walmart since 2002 and have previously worked for Walmart. If this is the approach to coupons and your customers I will go elsewhere.


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by Wendy C. Posted Wed April 25, 2012 @ 1:02 PM

I coupon and I've discovered that Wal-Mart will pull products when the
consumer will get them for free.

When I read the title I immediately figured it was Wal-Mart.

Reply

I am the firgure on the grassy knoll. by sarahsmile Fri April 27, 2012 @ 12:02 PM
by Arkaneinc Posted Thu April 19, 2012 @ 6:11 PM

**Update**

Thank you PlanetFeedback. I got a call today and spoke with the
Assistant Manager Kevin at one of the stores. He investigated the
problem and found that there was no recall or possible recall issued
(Allegra or Farmer John Hot dogs) and apologized profusely. We talked
for awhile and he has promised to address the issue with the
department as well as make mention of it to the associates. He seemed
very genuine and concerned about his store.

It took 15 days but I am satisfied with the results. I did my part
which was to get a hold of a Manager and make them aware of the
situation to prevent something like this happening in the future.

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but... any proof that it was pulled *because* of the coupon? n/t by PepperElf Fri April 20, 2012 @ 7:45 PM

so far. by Arkaneinc Sat April 21, 2012 @ 1:30 AM


but you're forgetting - the manufacturers reimburse them for the coupon usage - so they don't lose money over the sale. therefore no reason to pull product just because it's on sale by PepperElf Mon April 23, 2012 @ 7:19 AM

response by Arkaneinc Wed April 25, 2012 @ 3:46 AM
by Batman Posted Tue April 17, 2012 @ 1:32 AM

Coincidence.
Im not a conspiracy theorist; therefore I do believe this is more
coincidental than anything.
For every couponer, there are many more who pay full retail price. For
a retailer to pull items, just so they dont lose the pennies on
coupons/ad matches, etc. just would not pay. Consider even at minimum
wage how much they are paying to have one or more employee pull stock,
just to not allow some customers to use a coupon and price match
items.
If they did, their stores would be empty on many items, and they would
not sell a whole lot.

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Not to mention doesnt Walmart get reimbursed for coupons? by McJohn Tue April 17, 2012 @ 8:50 AM


which is why this conspiracy theory makes no sense n/t by PepperElf Wed April 18, 2012 @ 12:11 PM


Actually, it makes perfect sense to me, a couponer by Casmly Mon April 23, 2012 @ 7:25 AM


that's because in your story you were trying to combine a manuf coupon with another deal by PepperElf Mon April 23, 2012 @ 2:52 PM


You are correct that by Casmly Tue April 24, 2012 @ 11:44 PM

by tali Posted Sun April 15, 2012 @ 9:49 PM

I think appearances speak a lot here. I googled recalls for Allegra
and Farmer John Hot Dogs. Neither showed a recall or the possibility
of one. I work for a grocery store and while we sell Allegra, but not
the hot dogs, there was no indication of a recall on the Allegra. And
since that is my department, I would have been aware of it. Whether or
not WalMart is pulling product with the purpose of with holding sales
due to price matching/coupons, it does look fishy.

Reply

by PepperElf Posted Sat April 14, 2012 @ 12:58 PM

Your entire premise is that walmart went out of the way to fake a
recall just to deny customers the chance to use a coupon or to price
match.



Believe me I'm sure the stores would have preferred selling you the
product.

The problem is, if there IS a recall in the air, they have to cover
their assets. Which means pulling a product if there's a potential
health risk.

And simply because it's cheaper to piss off one or two customers when
they say "no we can't sell it" ... vs paying out big bucks on lawsuits
if the recall proves to be true.



Besides... if something is possibly being recalled, why would you want
to put it in your body anyway? Sure it might be on sale but if it
turns out to be harmful or deadly... just how much do you really save
if you end up sick or dead from using it?




Reply

recall by Arkaneinc Sat April 14, 2012 @ 2:02 PM


you still didn't answer my question - where is your proof that they fake recalls just to screw your coupons over? by PepperElf Sat April 14, 2012 @ 6:33 PM
by Michelle O. Posted Sat April 14, 2012 @ 1:35 AM

why would you go to 3 different WalMarts, looking or one that woould
match the Food4Less price? Why not just go to Food4Less? Wouldn't you
spend more in time and gas?

Please don't misunderstand, I don't think your complaint is invalid.
If they are doing what you think, I agree that it could back fire and
create question about the quality of a product when one doesn't really
exist. I'm sure the manufactures would not be happy. Plus, it's
pretty tricky.

Reply

gas by Arkaneinc Sat April 14, 2012 @ 9:23 AM

by Retail Veteran Posted Sat April 14, 2012 @ 12:39 AM

Walmart's price match policy does state that an ad from their
competitor is required and that some restrictions apply. It also says
some restrictions apply fro coupons as well. I take that to mean that
a coupon cannot be redeem for more than the value of the item. The
policy states to see stores for details. I don't think it is right for
anyone to receive money back from a coupon which, if you wish to
redeem the full value of a $1 coupon for an item that is $.79, that is
what you are attempting to do.

Reply

walmart coupon policy by Arkaneinc Sat April 14, 2012 @ 9:20 AM

by RedheadwGlasses Posted Fri April 13, 2012 @ 4:25 PM

One more thing:

"if there is any coupons that would make the item trigger overage the
product gets pulled"

If their computer/tracking system is this good, then Walmart has no
excuse for not having prices ring up correctly!

Reply

by PepperElf Posted Sat April 14, 2012 @ 1:01 PM


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by RedheadwGlasses Posted Fri April 13, 2012 @ 1:00 PM

I think you should take this complaint to the appropriate agency in
your state that deals with this. A call to the consumer affairs
division of your state's attorney general's office should be a good
place to start.

Reply


by MA Bellamy Posted Fri April 13, 2012 @ 12:19 PM

when people beat them at their game.

Reply




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