From Bridget, August 2009:

So our store has coupons every weekish that come out in the paper. They used to give them away at customer service and we usually had a few to spare at the registers. When they stop for some random reason, we have to explain that we don't have coupons to give away. I cannot re-scan coupons-I will lose my job (I'd rather quit than be fired, which I did!) 

An associate was buying some things and had forgotten her
coupons.  A nearby manager said she had extra coupons she would tear up and I should re-scan the coupon. 

Unfortunately for me, a customer behind her viewed this exchange.

Customer:  Do you have any extra coupons?

Me: No, I don't.  They don't give them to use anymore.

Customer:  Yes you do.

Me:  What?

Customer:  You gave some to the girl before me.

Me:  She's an associate and is using a manager's coupons, it's a little different.

Customer:  She told me in the dressing room that you had a bunch of coupons I could use at your register.  This isn't fair!

(That's right, the associate flat out lied to the customer.  Bitch.)

Me:  Well she wasn't telling the truth.  Like I said-they don't give them to us anymore, if we want coupons for ourselves we have to get them out of the paper like everyone else.

Customer:  But you have a whole bag of them right there!

Me:  Those are used coupons, I can't re-scan them.

Customer:  Yes you can!

Me: No, I can't.  I will lose my job.

Customer:  But you just did it for her!

(this exchange goes on for a few minutes)

Me:  Like I said, they don't give them to use anymore.

(At this point she looks like she's going to cry)

Customer:  It's not fair!  You come in early and take all the coupons for yourselves so the customers can't have any!

Me:  We don't have coupons at the store at all.  I don't have this stash of coupons that I hide for the hell of it.

Customer:  Well, I thought [dept. store] needed my money.  I was probably going to spend over $300 today and you just lost my business. I'm very disappointed.

Me: And I'm disappointed basic education failed you so horribly-so I
guess we're even.

There was no fucking way she was going to be spending $300.  Maybe she was so used to leeching off of the government for welfare she expects handouts.  Not from this girl.  I partially blame this on magazines with shopping "tips" that say if you annoy the clerk enough you'll
get your way. 

Screw that noise.

--Bridget