Help with florida shopping!!

[shannoninkc]

Hey,
we just moved to the tampa area (tarpon springs) from Kansas City, MO a month ago, and i'm really trying to figure out the stores down here.

i didn't think they had albertsons...then i drove past one in clearwater. all i ever see is publix on every stinking corner.

i don't get the paper yet, do the ads come in the wed paper...which paper is better, the tampa or st pete paper? any early editions to get coupons early with any paper in town?

i couldn't find any rules about this special llc albertsons..do they double, is their bogo really bogo, or half price, that sorta thing?

or am i not looking in the right place for this info. i feel like a fish outta water trying to get acclimated to a whole new city, and i've been paying full price for all my groceries! ack!

thanks for any assistance!

[teston]

There are no doubles anywhere in Florida. I visit Albertsons only for the sale items. Their customer service is nothing compared to Publix. That's why you see a Publix on every stinkin corner ! They beat everyone by a mile on sales, store presentation, and customer service. No one can compete with them. Read around on the Publix forum. You will be lovin them soon.

As far as Albies, they ring up as a true BOGO as far as I can remember. If anyone else knows of any deviation from that, they can let you know.

You're in Pinellas county, I'm in Hillsborough. The Publix ad is in the Wednesday Tampa Tribune, but my other ads, Albies, Sweetbay and Winn Dixie come in the mail. Not sure if it is the same for the St Pete Times. No there is not an early edition paper. The St Pete Times is cheaper on Sunday if you are buying just for coupons.

HTH

[LovesDivine]

Teston pretty much covered it all!! Let us know if you have any other questions! And welcome to Florida!!!

[earattic]

Welcome to Florida! The only reason I go to Albertson's (unless they have something free) is to pick up an ad. Publix honors competitor's coupons and Albertsons puts out some killer meat coupons every week. Always B1G2 free. Use them at Publix. Better quality meat and cheper prices. Albertson's also does a 10 for $10 sale. This week they had Scott TP and there was a $1 coupon so free TP if you had the coupon. Fruit2O was another free item recently. But we really love Publix!

And I always buy St Pete paper. They offer them here for $.50 compared to $1 for Tampa Trib.

[karkli]

My Albertson's BOGOs are actual BOGOs...One rings up at full price, the other rings up at $0.00.

Albertsons is great for meat, produce, and deli sales. Pretty much everything else - Publix blows Albertsons out of the water.

I'll go ahead and echo everyone else: Learn how to "do" Publix and you'll find yourself a regular there in no time. Before I started couponing, I couldn't get out of there for under $50. Now, I can't tell you the last time I hit $50. I rarely even spend enough there to use a $/30 coupon! Meat and produce at Albertsons...Everything else at Publix. That's pretty much how I operate these days.

Good luck. Welcome to Florida.

[lenusya1964]

Welcome to Florida!! There are 2 Albs in Pinellas County- one is Gulf-to-Bay Blvd and Belcher Rd, Clearwater and the second one - on Ulmerton Rd and Seminole Blvd, Largo. They are both not customer friendly- they don`t accept Internet nor competitors coupons. You are not going to receive Albs ADs as you are too far away from the closest store. Unfortunately, the ADs in the mail has $5 from $50 coupon that you cannot find on ADs in store. I used to shop in Albertsons`s, but not anymore- Publix is the best - they accept a manufacture, competitors( Super Target, Albs, etc) and Publix coupons. I always use Albertson`s meat coupons at Publix. Also check Super Targer stores- they often have a free or cheap stuff. I buy St.Pete Times at Albertsons` as you can buy 2 Sunday newspapers for $1.25