This is definitely useful information to be aware of. If you’d like to print it off so you can carry it with you (as I always do!), here’s a direct link to the Walmart corporate coupon policy.
Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):
- Manufacturer coupons (Cents Off)
- Free merchandise (or Buy-One-Get-One-Free) coupons
- Store coupons
- Pharmacy (Advertising and Promotional) coupons
- Internet coupons
- Soft drink container caps
The following are guidelines and limits:
- Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise we sell and only when presented at the time of purchase.
- Coupons should have an expiration date and be presented within the valid dates. Walmart will not accept expired coupons.
- Internet coupons should be legible and say “Manufacturer Coupon.” There should be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and a scannable bar code.
- Only one coupon per item is permitted.
- Use of 40 or more coupons per transaction will require approval by Customer Service Manager.
Although it’s not explicitly stated here, in my experience, if your total savings are more than 50% off your total purchase price, your transaction will require approval by a Customer Service manager as well.
Shelley L
In south Louisiana I was told for the first time EVER that my Walmart does not take printed coupons of any type any longer due to the fact that people were photocopying them and the store was not getting reimbursed for them. Ugh!!! I’m calling corporate office tomorrow to get the facts!
Susan
I went to the wal mart in Chalmette and was told they will not take internet coupons. So guess what………I don’t shop at wal mart anymore! I have only been one time since they reopened and I will NEVER shop another wal mart again!
Traci
We have a lot of trouble with our local Wal-Mart in Alaska too. So much, in fact, that I don’t shop there anymore unless I absolutely have to. Yet, 25 miles away that Wal-Mart is much better about taking coupons and much more friendly. I pretty much just decided to stick to the stores where I have the best experiences and leave the ones I don’t care for to the people who do.
Traci
We have a lot of trouble with our local Wal-Mart in Alaska too. So much, in fact, that I don’t shop there anymore unless I absolutely have to. Yet, 25 miles away that Wal-Mart is much better about taking coupons and much more friendly. I pretty much just decided to stick to the stores where I have the best experiences and leave the ones I don’t care for to the people who do.
wilson
anyone know if walmart take no store coupons?
Holly
UGH I had another one of “those” Walmart visits and I have decided to swear them off again. I sent an email to corporate but quite honestly I don’t care what they say, I am not coming back. Let me say that again I AM NOT GOING BACK. I did a little search online just to see what others were saying and every blog sounds just like this one. If we all banned together and made more noise I really think something might happen.
tina
I absolutely agree! They don’t want to lose all of their couponing costomers. We probobly shop a lot more than than the avereage person so they would lose a lot of money!
Lydia
I rarely shop at Wal-Mart but I go in for the things that come up for free with coupons from The Coupon Mom website. Recently, I used 10 coupons for 10 packages of Pampers wipes in the same transaction. The coupons were for $2 off but the wipes only cost $1.97. The store still took off $20. I did this with $1 off CareFree pads that only cost 96 cents too. They also took off $1.
Ambrosia
Tonight I tried to do something similar (which is how I found this blog, while looking up their policy). I was going to get 5 packages of wipes with 5 coupons and they would only let me get one, and in only one transaction. =(
Jellybean
i went to a wal-mart today. i never shopped there before because they dont treat their employees that great. I had coupons for beechnut baby food and decided it would be cheaper to go there since i need to save every cent i can. with my husband fighting in afghanistan, times are hard. I checked the policy before i went and when i got to the checkout, the cashier said they do not accept printed coupons. I explained to her that i had checked the corporate website prior to leaving my house. She checked with a manager who refused to honor my coupons. I was pretty annoyed but didnt take it out on the cashier. When i left, i called the corporate customer assistance line and spoke with a very kind lady. I explained that i had drove almost 20 minutes to shop at the wal-mart when i could have gone to shoprite 2 min away. I told her i checked the policy but the store would not honor my coupons. The lady took my info and said there is no reason why the store would refuse my coupons, she made a report and said she would have the store manager contact me to resolve the issue.
Daddieo
I tried to go in last night after checking the coupon policy as well. I had a Target coupon (which is a store coupon) and wanted to stack it with a manufacturer’s coupon. Every other store in my area will allow this, but they were the only store open at that hour. The cashier stated that her manager told her that they are not to take another store’s coupons because they don’t get reimbursed for it. Of course, they didn’t have any problem when I had a coupon for an oil change with a competitor coupon which they took.
Starla
Unfortunately Walmart did not do a very good job of explaining what they mean by “store coupons.” They will only accept the type that list the price of the item on there, such as Walgreens in-ad coupons. I emailed corporate and asked specifically what they meant.
Here’s the part of the email that I received that pertains to store coupons:
“Store Coupons must reflect a specific sale price or original price and must be available to all customers.”
niki
I was at Wal-mart yesterday and had a bogof coupon, and a $1.00 off coupon the the same item, which I tried to use like I do at any other store in town except the cashier told me because I was getting a free item I could not use the $1.00 off coupon. I was not happy, the cashier said she’d call the manager, and I asked if that would make any difference and except my coupon and she said no. What was the point?
Kelly
Well, I don’t understand this one. I purchase several items – over $20 worth. I also purchased two pkgs of razors (Schick) for $1.97 ea. Then, I gave the cashier two coupons for $2 each. They were manufacturers coupon from SmartSource inserts. The coupons were CORRECT. The items were CORRECT. However, the manager told me that since the razors were 3 cents less than the $2 coupon, I could not use the coupons????
stacey
I went to walmart last night here in AZ i have been doing this coupon thing for a while and i had bought about 20 items all all had the overage. 3 cents, $1. the cashier i had first off want all my bags of item i bought left on the spinner and than read every coupon in detail and tried the u can only use one coupon per transaction. after clearing up that i could use all 20 coupons she than told me since the item was only 97 cents my $1 off coupon was only worth 97 cents. so she manually punched them all in. If its walmarts policy to only take off what you pay for the item why isnt the registar set up that way. I ended up leaving and not buying any thing as i was so upset. Has anyone else had this happen to them?
theresa
i have rarely had a problem with coupons in minnesota they must get it
Steven
Does anyone know if i could use a target coupon for a kodak camera at walmart?
sheila
i had some of the same experiences yall are having i told the cashier i only print from reliable internet sources she said no so i made her put all of my stuff back on the shelf i will not shop there anymore ill go too target they will lose about 4oo.00 a month from myself the only thing ill buy there is my medicine
Michelle
I had a similar issue today at Walmart as many of those above. Although I have used internet printed coupons before, today they did not accept them. The cashier’s manager confirmed this. When I got home I checked to see if the policy had changed since last I’d been. It clearly stated that Walmart should accept internet coupons. I probably won’t be shopping at my there anymore.
Cindy
As a current CSM I apologize for any confusion you might have regarding the coupon policy. These computer coupons clearly state “one per customer” period. 2 coffees, 2 coupons? No, not on the same order. 2 seperate orders? Sure, why not? By the way, former walmart associates – there are no CBLs on accepting coupons! If your cashier is having an issue with coupons ask him/her to get their CSM. I’m always glad to help. Some coupons won’t scan even if you have actually purchased the described item. That can be fixed, but we do have to ascertain that the item was actually purchased. And no, we do not take ALL coupons. We don’t take Walgreen’s, CVS, or any other store’s coupons; only manufacturer’s coupons.
Tara Kuczykowski
I’m not sure which coupon you’re referring to, Cindy, but most coupons do not state “one per customer” on them. If it does state this, then you’re correct, you can only use one, period. I wouldn’t expect a store to accept more than one even in separate transactions.
But I think the thing that many cashiers get stuck on is one per purchase and one per transaction, because they do not mean the same thing. One per purchase is meant to indicate one coupon may be used per item purchased in a transaction, and one per transaction is one per transaction no matter how many of a given item are purchased.
Cindy
In some cases you’re right. These particular coupons (Folger’s, Pepsi, Duracell) do say “one per customer”. Those are the ones we are seeing the most of and having the most trouble with. You’re right – one per purchase means we can’t stack coupons; one per transaction is the same as one per customer. These are mostly internet coupons and we have one customer who makes copies of the coupons (illegal) and brings multiple coupons to the register. I tell her EVERY TIME she does this that we can’t do that.
Starla
Cindy I think you should review the corporate coupon policy because it clearly states “store coupons”. Of course each store seems to be translating that differently.
Cindy
I’ll try that and when my supervisor questions it I’ll direct her to the online policy versus the actual store policy. I’ll also check the front-end guide on the wire (Walmart’s intranet) and see what it says. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Cindy
Hey, I’m back! Go to the link shown above. It does say store coupons (new to me). It also says one coupon per item, which means no stacking coupons which also means you either get the item free or you get cents off the item, but not both.
Just remember: policies are subject to change at any time and without notice. The only real authority on any subject, at any company, is the company itself. I don’t know where this online policy came from, but I will still always rely on Walmart’s Frontend Guide for direction. That’s what keeps me out of trouble and is the document most often referred to me by my superiors when I questions or suggest anything.
sandra
a bogo and cents off coupon is not stacking- bogo is for the FREE item; cents off is for the one you paid for. 2 coupons, 2 items.
One coupon per item means (1) I can only use one coupon on an item- I can’t buy 2 boxes of cereal and use both a $1/2 and a $1/1 coupon (this would require 3 boxes of cereal). (2) I cannot use both a store and MF coupon on the same item.
Cindy
Well, I read the policy regarding store coupons on the Fronte -end Guide. It’s confusing so I will have to get clarification from management. It says store coupons are those printed in the newspaper or other publication and seems to imply that they are WALMART store coupons, not Walgreens, CVS, etc. I will check this though and let ya’ll know what I find out. I want everyone to be clear on the policy no matter what store you shop in. If you have issues take them up with the CSM, ZMS, Operations Manager, Co-Manager, and finally the store manager. Go through all the channels until you get the correct answer, not just the answer you’re looking for. I make the attempt everyday to make my customers happy, but you can’t make everyone happy and still follow procedure and/or policy.
Tracy
Did you find out what “store coupons” imply? I have used the internet target coupons from their site at one walmart and then tried today to use a mailer coupon (not one I printed) at another walmart and they said they cannot take target coupons. I will call the other store to see how they read the policy and therefore can accept target coupons when the other location (about 20 miles away) cannot.
Tracy
Nevermind, I found out from a very informed Walmart Customer Service Associate at the one that did take the internet target coupon that if they scan, they can take them but some of the target mailer coupons only have the one barcode that is good for their store and it not the manufacturer’s barcode. Otherwise, some of them have two barcodes and therefore they can use them.
Brandi
Just sharing – shopped at Target yesterday. Cashier took ALL my coupons, with a smile. After she completed my transaction, I asked if all the coupons went through to which she replied, “The first two didn’t, but I got ’em.” Ahhh, what a nice checkout. Nothing like Walmart~
Connie
I went to my local Walmart in Rockport, TX and they refused my internet coupons also. I told her she had to put everything back cause I could not afford it then. My husband just got laid off so I need the most at the least paid, period. I haven’t couponed in at least 11 years since my kids grew up and things have sure changed. One thing I have learned about Internet Coupons in the past week since I was denied them at Walmart, is, that if you print them in Black and White they are just that, Black and White(stay with me here). If you print them in Color there is not only the Color Picture of the item(s) on it, but there is also a color coding behind the $ amount printing. My understanding is that this coding changes within the same coupon put out at different release times to help fight the Internet Coupon Fraud that is out there. I will be printing all my coupons in color from now on and in Normal or Best printing. It may cost more to do so but I think I will have better luck with my coupons and less ?’s asked by cashiers.
The manager of my local store told me the Internet Coupon Fraud is so widespread at the Walmarts that they are just not accepting anymore. Interesting enough I showed her my coupons and told her I get them from reputable places and she refused and told me that my one in color was real but the one that was black and white(printed off the internet, not copied) was a copy, and I emphatically told her no that was not true. So, the black and white one did not have that color coding on it I noted above.
Good luck to you all with Internet Coupons but I see this as something going away in the not so far future. Sorry, JMHO.
Connie
Hi Tara, would you please remove my post or at least my last name on post #28?? Thanks
Connie
One more thing I learned the other day is, there is a website for Retailers as well as Consumers that will help you to understand coupons and the widespread fraud out there. The website is https://www.cents-off.com I learned quite a bit of information regarding Internet coupons and other types of Fraud out there. So if you are interested in learning and spending some time on that site I think the response would be “Eyes, Wide Open” like it was for me.
DanielleR
I went to my local Walmart last night (Maine) and I had a few coupons with me, 4 were sent to me in the mail and one I had printed off the internet for $1 off any greenworks product …. they accepted all the other coupons but refused my printed coupon. I was kind of annoyed. For $1 I didnt bother holding up the line, but I was irked since I have always used them there and now all of the sudden its an issue. Ugh!
Cindy
If we took all of the bogus/scam/fraudulent coupons we were presented with, and if we didn’t question the validity of each coupon we could run into some very serious money here. If we take the bogus free Folgers coffee ($6.98+/-), the free Doritos ($2.98+/-) and the free Pepsi or Coke ($3.98+/-) and we do that 100 times a day you’re looking at $1,400 a day in free merchandise that we might or might not get reimbursed for. That doesn’t seem like a whole lot of money in the whole scheme of things, and some will argue that a company as large as ours can afford it. That’s not the point.
I have to add a disclaimer here to keep myself out of trouble: the opinions expressed by me on this site are mine and mine alone. Any reference to the company’s corporate policy is a paraphrase of certain portions of that policy and is not to be construed as the gospel. I call’em as I see’em.
Mila
Well, this is depressing. I have been printing and clipping coupons for a few days in order to get ready for my first big coupon trip. Yes, I’m new to all this. Albertsons is having a double triple day next week, so I went by there today to get a rough idea on their prices. Good grief are they expensive! A box of Kashi bars is $5 while at Walmart they are under $3. With my coupons I would still pay more at Albertsons than without them.
This caused me to decide to try Walmart out. We do shop there a lot, but we need to start using coupons now due to our income decreasing next month.
Now I’m scared. I have just about drained the ink in my printer and Walmart probably won’t take them. This is really frustrating. I understand the worry and I’m upset that people are copying coupons and abusing the system, but they need to figure something out. It’s not fair for those of us that print and cut all day because we need to only to be refused. 95% of my coupons are printed online :-(
Tara Kuczykowski
You should be fine, Mila. Just print the policy and carry it with you. If they give you any trouble, customer service should be able to clear it up for you, so keep the 800 number handy. All stores are required to accept Internet printables, so if they’re refused, they’re going against corporate policy.
Cindy
We all (my fellow CSMs) went onto the Wire and were directed to the CIC site. We found the coupons that are fraudulent. If everyone will do that then there will be no question about which coupons are real and which ones are not. We have STOPPED taking the Pepsi, Duracell, Folger’s, and Dorito’s FREE coupons. There’s an entire list of fraudulent coupons on the site. Now that we are informed we are on the lookout.
Same disclaimer as last time: these are my opinions only.
Chris
I just visited y local Walmart here in Richmond, VA and was turned down using two different coupons for an item. Example: Both coupons were buy 2 pop tarts get 2.00 off. The cashier said sorry can’t use two coupons for the same item. So I said ok, so the very next item he took .25 off my charmin then 1.00 off charmin. I only bought one charmin product. So after I argued your just took 2 different coupons for the same item. He took off the .25 cents. What is the correct thing on this situation?
Thanks
Chris
Lemarta
I went to the Walmart in Scottsboro AL. today . Had a very terrible experience. The cashier was very nice and respectful, and one of the CSM was. But!!!! when my coupons hit the total for which they had to override they called another CSM and she said she didnot know how to do that. They need to give better training to the CSM. Anyway I had done this before at the same store and the CSM overrode and everything was fine. Not today I had purchased 4 razors and had 3 coupons and they began scruintizing every coupon I had. I pulled out the razors and showed them and I had another different brand of razor and they said look here is another one and I pulled that razor out of the bag, then she said look here is razor cartridges and I pulled them out of the bag. Finally they said well we can cancel everything and go to customer service and check you out. And then this asst. manager comes over and looks at my coupons and says this says one per purchase and I said that is right and I purchased 4 and he says no you did this at one time ( transaction) you have to make different purchases. That is one of the most foolish things I ever heard. So I had them give me all my coupons back and I left my buggy sitting there and I left the store. Then I called the manager and told him what happened and he agreed with them . I told him so If I buy 4 packs of hot dogs and have 4 coupons I have to check out 4 times and he said yes. Needless to say I am trying to get all my couponing friends to stop shopping at this Walmart and I am going to start a petition to stop shopping there. We have other Walmarts about 40 miles away and they are great to work with you . I also am going to print off the Walmart coupon policy and carry it with me in my coupon book. Thanks for this site it is a great place to vent.
Beebs
Walmart has NEVER…did I say, NEVER yet taken an internet coupon from me. I make sure all of mine are correct and accurate. The customer service manager’s are complet jerks. I have YET to meet a happy person at Wallyworld. I feel, Walmart treats the employess horrible, inturn this makes them angry and unhappy which is then trascended unto its customers making EVERYONE in Walmart a unhappy bunch of people. All the praying in the world couldnt help that place. *joking* Anyways, I’m anti Walmart and REFUSE to shop in a depressing enviroment…even IF i have to spend a few extra bucks at Target prices…at least I leave feeling happy. DONT SHOP WALLYWORLDS!
Sarah
Well it is sad to say that I am glad I am not the only one who hates walmart so much! I do have friends who work there so I am torn as I do want to suport my friends having jobs however I love Target and their prices are coming down & comparible to Walmart. Target si very coupon friendly as well as very friendly. People at work do laugh at me as I buy there as very last option and only if it is price matching another store with coupons. I have droped my spending there from over 400.00 a month to maybe 100.00 a month if th, at. I spend my money at target and have even done the runnign to different stores to shop their sales, I am lucky as all the stores are on one street so I start at the top of the street & just drive down stopping at the different stores. Like some one else wrote I am glad this site is here & maybe walmart corp office will find this & make some positive changes.
Tracy
I just was at walmart to try to get some “bargins” since I do most of my shopping at Target. I have used the internet target coupons at a Walmart in Cordova, TN and they took them no problem (were in color too). Then today, I went to another Walmart and they refused to take my store printed (ie mailer coupon I did not print) Target coupon. They said they do not accept Target coupons. I said I have used them before and the CSM came and said, no they do not use them. So needless to say, I will NOT be shopping at Walmart again and told the cashier that.
BY THE WAY, Target does price match with their competitors, just show them the ad. (NOTE: “Target does not ad match a competitors coupon-required offers. “) So I will be shopping at Target from now on.
Tracy
I found out from a very informed and quite nice Walmart Customer Service Associate (after calling 3 times and being hung up on once mind you) at the one that did take the internet target coupon that if they scan, they can take them but some of the target mailer coupons only have the one barcode that is good for their store and it not the manufacturer’s barcode. Otherwise, some of them have two barcodes and therefore they can use them.
Susan Hosinski
I’ve been reading some of the complaints about coupons. I think there is some confusion about the difference between a manufacturers coupon and a store coupon. A manufacturer’s coupon can be used at any store that carries the product specified. A store coupon is one that the store puts in their sales ads for use at that particular store and will have the store’s logo. Look at the small print on the coupon. All manufacturer’s coupons have a redemption policy in the fine print which gives an address for a clearing house for the retailer to send them to for reimbursement. Store coupons don’t have the address, because reimbursement of those coupons are done internally through the stores own accounting department through their home office. So a coupon from Target cannot be used at Walmart, because there is no way for Walmart to send that coupon in for reimbursement. Most, but not all, store coupons will have the words “redeem at” and the stores name.
Cindy
Praise God! Someone who finally understands! Walmart is not out to make anyone mad; we’re in business to make money, not lose it. We have to be sure that every coupon that is presented to our cashiers is legitimate and that we will be reimbursed for it. Manufacturer’s legitimate coupons are always welcome at our store. If there is any question about the legitimacy of a coupon it will be questioned. If I determine a coupon is not legitimate or if there is a chance that it is not I will err, most of the time, on the side of caution. I don’t want any of my cashiers getting in trouble for taking a coupon for which we are not going to receive compensation.
Again, disclaimer here: these are my opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of anyone at any Walmart or the corporate office.