Consumers have a new coupon restriction to watch for, and this one’s buried in the fine print.
Many printable manufacturer coupons feature a store’s logo with wording like “Available at Walmart.” In the past, these have not been store-specific coupons — “Available At” is not the same as “Redeemable Only At” a specific retailer.
This new printable coupon for .75 off one Reach toothbrush features a Walmart logo and states “Available at Walmart.” However, buried in the fine print is this disturbing message: Redeeming this coupon anywhere other than Walmart constitutes coupon fraud:
“Good for any Reach Toothbrush sold at Walmart. Any other use constitutes fraud. CONSUMER: Redeem at Walmart stores.”
If Reach wishes to restrict this coupon to Walmart stores only, why not simply state “Redeemable Only at Walmart?” Many stores accept manufacturer coupons with another store’s logo on them. How many shoppers are going to scrutinize the fine print to learn they’re committing coupon fraud if they redeem this coupon at, say, Meijer?
Not only that, is Reach honestly expecting cashiers to read this tiny print and disallow the coupon as they’re rapidly scanning a stack of coupons? I’m also concerned about other stores who accept these (under coupon policies that allow their use) then find that they won’t be reimbursed for these coupons.
If Reach wants to restrict a coupon to Walmart only, simply say “Redeemable Only at Walmart.” Consumers and retailers alike know exactly what that means. Putting everything in the fine print seems like a shady move that puts far too much responsibility on retailers and consumers.
Thanks to Jessie at MoolaSavingMom.com for spotting & sharing this coupon’s restrictions.
theresa1740 says
Yet the Quilted Northern coupon that says Available at Walmart that I just printed does NOT have that in the fine print. This is going to be interesting to see what the stores do with these now. Had to point out Manufactures coupon to Target on the ones from April I used last week but now–who knows.
Coupon Maven says
I know — I think it’s really unfortunate for consumers, because there’s nothing in the coupon’s preview when you look at it online to indicate that the Reach coupon is ONLY for use at Walmart. I too printed a coupon with a Walmart logo on it today (the Airheads candy one) and it too does NOT have the restriction that this Reach coupon does.
jswan says
Great site!
I am confused by this article, there doesn’t seem to be anything really new or wrong about the approach of this Reach coupon. It seems to be a typical retailer-sponsored coupon that wants us to use the manufacturer’s coupon at that particular chain of stores. I have definitely seen coupons from other stores and brands state “Redeemable Only At” before. Also the way this coupon reads, it still may be possible for a different store to redeem this coupon based on that store manager’s discretion since the fraud is really from trying to redeem the coupon for a non-Reach toothbrush (“Good for any Reach toothbrush sold at Wal-Mart. Any other use constitutes fraud.)