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Like many coupon clippers, Wanda Thiel likes shopping at Target. The retailer has stepped up efforts over the past year to appeal to bargain hunters in an initiative that can translate into huge discounts and even free items.But on a recent trip to the Midvale Target, Thiel noticed her coupons were scanning at less than face value. A $2 off coupon, for example, rang up as only $1.24 off. After pointing out the problem and arguing with a store manager, she was asked to leave the store."It wasn't acceptable for me to be treated that way," she said.Thiel's experience isn't unique. She's among a number of shoppers nationwide — many of whom are taking their gripes to the Internet — who have had coupons ring up incorrectly at Target. About a week after Thiel contacted me, I went to Target and had the same thing happen, although in my case a manager quickly fixed the issue after I pointed it out.Target spokeswoman Jenna Reck said the retailer is aware of the problem and is working on a long-term fix of its computer system. "We apologize for any inconvenience our shoppers may have had," she said.Still, the issue is a bit of a setback for Target, which has been trying to appeal to the growing population of coupon clippers nationwide by offering printable coupons, mobile coupons and a bevy of other promotions.Target was one of the first retail chains to have a written coupon policy (http://www.tinyurl.com/296gfjv) and also has been among the few that allow for "stacking,"or using one store and one manufacturer's coupon on the same item. "Stacking" often results in deeply discounted or even free items.Target also has greatly expanded its selection of printable coupons, offering them in virtually every product category, including produce, bakery, deli, meat, dairy, dry goods and general merchandise. And it has expanded its mobile coupon program, which allows shoppers to use coupons that are delivered to their cell phones or other handheld devices.Some websites have sprung up, such as TotallyTarget.com, to list all the deals the retailer is offering on any given week.But much of what Target is doing right has been overshadowed in recent weeks by its coupon issues.Target won't say why its computers have been running amok. I think the problem most likely stems from efforts to prevent "overage," a situation in which a shopper's coupon or coupons exceed the cost of an item.I've noticed that in instances in which I have a coupon worth $1 for an item that costs only 75 cents, Target's computer system automatically "keys down" the coupon to 75 cents so the item is free and I'm not coming out 25 cents ahead. For her part, Thiel likes Target enough that she still shops there, even though her experience the night her coupons scanned incorrectly was one of her worst-ever shopping experiences."There is so much Target does right," she said. "I was willing to give them a second chance."Lesley Mitchell writes One Cheap Chick in daily blog form at blogs.sltrib.com/cheap —
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