My $5 coupon code turned into a public spectacle at the grocery store

I was at the Safeway on Oak Street yesterday, trying to use a digital coupon for laundry detergent. The cashier scanned it, but the register made this LOUD error sound and a manager had to come over. He announced to the whole line, 'Sir, this coupon expired in 2020, we can't take it.' I was so embarrassed I just paid full price and left. Anyone else have a coupon fail that backfired in a major way?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice_hart1mo ago

God that sounds awful, I would have wanted the floor to swallow me whole. I had a similar thing happen with a buy-one-get-one coupon for paper towels, and the cashier had to call for a price check over the loudspeaker. The whole store heard "customer needs assistance with an expired promotion on aisle three" and I just stood there holding these giant packs. I mean, maybe it's just me but that register sound is designed to cause maximum shame.

riley_miller251mo ago

Oh man, that register sound is the worst. I once tried to use a paper coupon for cat food that had clearly been through the wash. The cashier held it up to the light like a detective, then slowly spelled out "void if altered" while the ink was literally running down her fingers. I just bought the fancy tuna I didn't need and called it a loss.

brooke7671mo ago

Keep the coupon digital next time, that way they can't blame you for the paper getting wrecked.