Target Corp. Says It Fixed Coupon Problems

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- WCCO-TV was the first to tell consumers that some coupons weren't working at Target. On Tuesday, Target says the problem is fixed.

The issue stems from when WCCO-TV went on undercover shopping trips with some loyal Target customers. They were using a coupon for frozen meals, but weren't getting the entire amount of the coupon off their bill at checkout.

So, now the problem has been apparently fixed at all Target stores across the country.

"In order to address the manufacturer coupon issue, we have a system fix in place in all Target stores nationwide," Target spokesperson, Erica Svingen, told WCCO Tuesday afternoon. "Coupons are complex, and so we worked as quickly as we possibly could to address this manufacturer coupon issue. I can tell you we have that system fix in place nationwide."

Even so, WCCO-TV was curious to find out if that's really the case, so we went shopping with a serious Target shopper, Jessica Lindgren. She believes Target has the best prices on groceries, but she's not so big on the problem customers were having at stores.

Let's say a customer uses a coupon for 10 Smart Ones frozen meals from Weight Watchers and is supposed to get $3 off the purchase. They might only get $2 dollars and change off the price, instead of the full $3.

Jessica was interested in knowing if Target was still having issues Tuesday after that supposed fix, so she took that coupon, and she went, first, to the Target store off Interstate 35W and Stinson Boulevard in Northeast Minneapolis. When she went to check-out, she saw the clerk was having some issues with that coupon.

"She was a bit nervous. She kind of covered up part of it, made sure she got the one barcode and was very pleased," Jessica recalled.

She also shopped SuperTarget in Roseville and made it to the Midway SuperTarget. Once again, Target did hit the mark, so to speak. Jessica had no problem redeeming that coupon each time and getting $3 back each time. None of the coupons needed to be adjusted at any store she visited.

Jessica only had one gripe while shopping and it has to do with policies put in place just a few days ago at every Target store. Clerks are supposed to ask each customer, "Do you have any coupons today?" Jessica said this never happened.

"I think they need to work on the training a little bit, but otherwise the politeness, everybody was great," she said. "And it seems like they fixed the discount issue."