I have found that the cashiers at REI A) do not read the fine print on their coupons and B) do not actually scan the coupons instead opting to type in the discount directly.
Cashier: “Are you a member?”
Me: “yup” as I hand her my well abused member card
Cashier: “Would you like to use your 20% coupon?”
Me: “sure”
Cashier: types in -20%, “and your dividend”
Register Reads: “-$39.99″
Me: “yup”
Register Reads: “-$23.00″
…
The result is I was able to pick up a GPS unit using both my 20% coupon and dividend. I knew that it should not work but I was not about to volunteer that information.
My accountant wife informed me that the technical term for this is “poor internal controls”. However, I would say these little quirks, along with the great service, good sale prices and generally fun stores are the reasons why I remain a die hard REI shopper.
