How to Shop! How to deal with Cleared Shelves.

First and foremost, I always say you have to know your store. I have my local publix's phone number in my phone. I know the cashiers, managers, stock boys, baggers, bakery staff, and cooks. They know me they know my kids and I walk in the store and always say hi to everyone and am always myself super nice. I know the basic price of the items and I know what coupons they accept and what limits they have BUT most of all I know when their trucks come in. This is what makes you a couponer. It is not just about having coupons and knowing the sales. YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR STORE! This will make your life a lot easier!

Face it we have all been in that situation. You see a great sale and by the time you get to the store the shelf is empty. You get mad you blame it on the shelf clearers, the hoarders, and maybe even give dirty looks to the lady walking around the store with a cart of the items that you wanted! It can get annoying after about the third time.  But frown no more. I am about to help you get over this real fast. 

If you go to the store and the store is out of the item that you want there are several options all which are pretty simple and trust me after a while you will want to see a cleared shelf or people will wonder how you got your stuff.

As stated above it is important for you to know your store. Have a friendly relationship with the people who work there. Knowing when your stores restock their shelf will help you A LOT! For instance my store the sale starts Thursday and they do get a truck on Thursday but they also get a truck on Tuesday. So I shop Thursday and Tuesday or Wednesday. 

But if you go the the store and the shelf is empty here are a few steps to help you ease the pain.... LOL.

 
Step 1- Breathe and find a stock boy and ask them if they have anymore in the back. People get busy and they may not have the shelf room or maybe someone did not realize the stock was out.  If they are out please go to the next step.

Step 2-  When your done shopping go to customer service and you can either do one of two things. 

One would be to get a raincheck. That way next week or in two weeks when they do have stock again you can still get in on the deal. If you do have coupons for the items just tell them more times then most they may allow you to still use the coupon just have that noted on the rain check. If your going to be using a store and a manufactueres please have them note both coupons.  

Rain checks are GREAT! For instance I have a raincheck in my binder for Juicy Juice Boxes from the sale last week. They where out of stock (still are) and now when they do get stock I can get my juice boxes still get the bogo deal still use my coupons and maybe even put it together with a new sale maybe with some free items or money makers and get my juice for even cheaper. 

Two would be to place an order. All you would need to do is tell them the product, size, description, etc. and amount of what you need. Most times they will only place a special order for higher numbers like 10. If you need less than 10 I would just get a rain check. But if you do place an order make sure all is correct with what you need and make sure you pick it up!!! 

I have an order in place right now for 6 POISE. I have yet to hear anything back but know the warehouse is out of stock and when they do restock I will get my call. BUT when the time comes near for the coupon to expire I will get a raincheck for them to go with my order just to cover my butt. 

Step 3- Walk out the store without the frustration.

 

Trust me after you do this a few times you will see that complaining about not being able to get the deals will be a thing of the past. Yes I am not going to lie it is still going to be very annoying to see a cleared shelf but you will not be AS mad and you will not miss out on the deals. 

HAPPY COUPONING!