The Brief
Have you ever looked at a coupon, and seen that there’s a “cash value” on there? Normally it’s for a lot less than the coupon’s actually worth. But surely, there must be some reason why they print it on there, right?
The Loony Letter
Dear Sirs,
I recently received a coupon with my shopping for 50p off my next purchase of Sainsbury‘s Thin Crust pizzas.
On the reverse of the coupon in question, it states “Cash value 0.001p”.
With this in mind, if I take 1000 of these coupons to the checkout, can I redeem them for one penny in cash, without having to buy the pizza?
Alternatively, would someone from your head office be available to meet in order to exchange the vouchers for the cash value indicated? Please let me know a convenient date and time, and I will do my best to be there.
Bill Bennett
The Reply
Dear Mr Bennett
Thank you for your recent letter. We are always happy to answer our customers’ queries.
I would like to thank you for your interest in the 50p off a Sainsbury’s thin crust pizza voucher that you received. All vouchers and coupons have various terms and conditions that are usually printed either on the reverse or in smaller print. The terms and conditions are set in place to stop any confusion for both customers and retailers.
The section that states ‘cash value 0.001p’ is to highlight to our customers that the voucher has no ‘real’ cash value. This is to stop any embarrassment should a customer try to redeem the voucher against anything other than the intended item. Also within the terms and conditions of most vouchers would be the terms ‘can only be used once’ and ‘no photocopies’. In view of these conditions, I can confirm that you would not be able to redeem 1000 vouchers for 1p.
I am sorry if the wording has caused you any confusion and I have logged your comments onto our systems. This will allow our marketing team to take them into consideration when arranging any future promotions. I have also enclosed a voucher, which I hope you will accept with my apologies for any disappointment.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact us. I do hope that you will continue to enjoy shopping with us.
Yours sincerely
Angela Ellis
Customer Manager
Enclosed: £2 voucher
The Review
So, unfortunately our plan for world domination through extreme couponing has fallen at the first hurdle. But it’s OK, because we now have a £2.00 Sainsbury’s gift voucher, which would be the equivalent of 200,000 of those coupons’ cash values – so that’s most definately a win.
*definitely