Beware… going to Toys R Us this close to Christmas can be hazardous to your health! That place was a mad house!
I ran in to see the deals and grab a few things. I am done shopping this year for presents and really just am looking for stocking stuffers. I had the $20 Groupons I needed to use and my $10 gift cards from the Lalaloopsy deal a few weeks ago.
Transaction #1
Buy LeapFRog Phone $17.99
Buy Pez Toy Story $2.25
Used $20 off Groupon
Total: $.30 cents
Transaction #2
Buy 2 Lalaloopsy Mini Sets B1G1 50% off $12.99
Buy 2 Lalaloopsy Mini’s B1G1 50% off $6.99
Use $20 off Groupon
Use $10 Gift Card
Total: $.78
I spent $1.08 out of pocket!
* Just an observation I saw while I was there. A lady was checking out and asked if they gave a discount for military. The cashier said she wasn’t sure and grabbed a “manager” ( I think he wasn’t normally, but they needed him for the holiday’s) they asked him if they did. He apologized and said that they don’t right now. The lady pointed out that Home Depot, Lowes, and some other places give at least 10% off. He said that he knows, but that currently they don’t. She then said, “Will YOU give me a discount for military?” He again told her that they don’t and that he can’t. She then said, “So you don’t support the military?”
First, I think they should have a card or something for military that gets you an automatic discount everywhere, but they don’t. Which is really the right thing to do because you should not have to force a business to give a discount if they don’t want to. You can just choose to not shop there. Second, in the frugal/discount/looking for a good deal world, the last thing you want to do is challenge someone, like this lady did. Accusing him of not supporting the troops personally, seemed to just make him mad. She might have actually gotten a discount had she not 1. Asked in front of all the other customers and 2. Not accused, bullied, or challenged him personally. The best thing you can do when looking for some kind of extra discount is ask quietly, they are more likely to do it, when they don’t have to do it for everyone in line. Be as kind as possible even if you don’t agree with them or the stores policy. Attacking a cashier/manager will never get you anywhere, they are the ones who can be your best friend or worst enemy!
Ashley, Raleigh NC says
how much did you have to pay for your Groupon?
Tiffany says
Ashley, they were $10.
Tiff Taff says
WOW! We are an active duty Military family, and have been for 13 years. My husband has missed 3 of our 4 births due to Deployments, and is constantly away TDY… I always ask for a Military Discount when I am out shopping. Everywhere. Even if I have asked in the past and been turned down, I still ask. There have been times when I was purchasing a BIG TICKET item, and asked and was told no. In this case I have said POLITELY “Well, I am spending XX amount, don’t you think you can possibly do something?” Of about 4 times I have done this, I have never been turned down. But, I have never been rude, never would, and not pushed it at Toys R Us. Only when I was buying something like a gun safe that was $1200 bucks!
Tiffany says
Tiffany, I agree with you, ALWAYS ask! So many places will do something and I love that. Toys R Us is really weird about stuff, I am not surprised that they don’t 🙁
Katie says
We definitely appreciate stores that offer military discounts (and it may influence some of our purchasing decisions) but we view it as a nice extra/courtesy. I cannot imagine demanding anything like that customer! But I do always POLITELY ask, because you never know. I was shocked and excited when I found out that Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma offer 10% off for military.
Tiffany says
Good for them! I think we need a running list of stores that do , I think that would be helpful.
Jeri says
Having been married to someone that was in the military for 14yrs and is now retired. Unfortunately from experience, the military spouses are always looking for a handout. I’m sorry, but I agree, a company or person should not be treated the way that woman treated them. They have a right!