Albertson's FAQ (pacific nw)

[diva_dynamite]

Mod Edit: This FAQ thread is old and out dated. To see our new FAQ thread please visit the following link: http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/albertsons-northwest/411066-albertsons-northwest-frequently-asked-questions.html

Find your weekly ad (http://albertsons.shoplocal.com/albertsons/default.aspx?action=nuep&citystatezip=&adref=direct_zip_entry)

Store Locator (http://albertsons.shoplocal.com/albertsons/default.aspx?action=nuep&citystatezip=&adref=direct_zip_entry) Click on Store Locator tab - is a pop-up

Loyalty Card - Preferred Savings Card (https://www.albertsons.com/psc/default.asp?StoreNo=2010&OnlineShop=False&division=10&cp=False). Still required for sale prices here in MT, but in some areas of the Rockies, cards are being phased out. Please post the status in your state.

Albertson's features a link to SmartSource (http://www.albertsons.com/shared/save/default.asp) allowing you to print coupons. (Click on Print Coupons - is also a pop-up)

Sign up for their weekly email (http://www.albertsons.com/shared/landing.asp).
Albertson's participates in Upromise, so be sure to register your Preferred Card on Upromise (http://www.upromise.com/).
Your Preferred Card will also get you discounts at select hotels and Avis car rentals. Click on Hotel Discounts or Avis Car Rentals under More ways to save (http://www.albertsons.com/shared/save/default.asp#)
Online shopping (https://www.albertsons.com/delivery.asp) is available in select areas.

If you receive a $2 coupon/survey at the bottom of your receipt, you can either call the toll-free number on the coupon, or go here (http://www.albertsonslistens.com/Projects/ALB_CSI/Index.aspx) to do the survey online.


Albertson's was acquired by SuperValu (http://albertsons.shoplocal.com/albertsons/default.aspx?action=nuep&citystatezip=&adref=direct_zip_entry) in 2006. Osco pharmacies inside Albertson's are still Osco pharmacies, but stand-alone Osco pharmacies were purchased by CVS.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Loyalty Card - Preferred Savings Card (https://www.albertsons.com/psc/default.asp?StoreNo=2010&OnlineShop=False&division=10&cp=False). Still required for sale prices here in MT, but in some areas of the Rockies, cards are being phased out. Please post the status in your state.



Albertsons in my neck of the woods (Wyoming) have phased out the Loyalty Card.

[rumsum25]

Albertsons in my area (Utah) still use the loyalty card.

[candleangie]

Albies in Oregon still requires a preferred card.

Also, it should probably be posted for newbies...Albertsons will accept up to 10 competitor coupons per transaction. :RockOn:

[Berrykarrie]

Albies in Oregon still requires a preferred card.

Also, it should probably be posted for newbies...Albertsons will accept up to 10 competitor coupons per transaction. :RockOn:


wow - thanks for that info - I didnt know that.:smile:

[rumsum25]

Also, it should probably be posted for newbies...Albertsons will accept up to 10 competitor coupons per transaction. :RockOn:

YMMV on this one. My Albertsons will only take 1 competitor coupon per transaction. I am in Utah. :)

[diva_dynamite]

Mine has taken several at a time in the past (usually Target printables), but I try to fly under the radar and make multiple trips using a few at a time, rather than risk getting them upset. Only one Albies in my town will even take the Target printables.

[powerplay]

My Albies would not take a Target coupon today. It was the $2 off 2 bags of Hershey's candy.

[melodyjg]

It was explained to me when I did a Target coupon that they will only take coupons from their Competitors and they do not consider Target to be one of their competitors due to Target not really carrying food for the most part.

Melody

[twindisneygirls]

Wasn't sure where to post this, please let me know if this is the wrong spot.

I had a complaint about bad service I have received in my local stores. Suprising because I have never had a problem. 1 store won't accept RX coupons from competitors, the other wouldn't accept a return without a receipt of a Albies product. So I e-mailed them and this is what they sent me in regards to their coupon policy. It is confusing to me. :rolleyes24:

The Albertsons Corporate coupon policy states the following:

*Valid coupons are accepted if the customer has purchased the necessary merchandise.

*Coupons must be redeemed at the time of purchase of the specific product. Coupons may not be redeemed after the transaction has completed.

*Expired coupons are not accepted.

*Coupons cannot be converted to cash under any circumstances.

*The Northwest Division stores competitor coupon acceptance policy varies by area, district, and store. Individual Store Directors have the discretion to accept or decline these coupons on a competitive basis.

In the event you are not satisfied within thirty days of purchase, feel free to return the product for a full refund. A receipt will be required for all refunds. All refunds will be issued by gift card or credit only.

The default form of payment for all refunds is gift card. For all refunds under $5, cash will be given. For refunds over $5, Store Director will use their best judgment regarding refunds. If you have a receipt, we can authorize the original form of payment for a refund. Gift card is the only form of payment without a receipt.

Again, thank you for contacting Albertsons Customer Care. If we can provide any information or be of service to you in the future, please feel free to contact us by email or by calling 1-877-932-7948.

Sincerely,

Marife S.
Albertsons Customer Care Representative

[diva_dynamite]

That is very confusing - esp when you are trying to return an Albertson's brand product. Where else would you have purchased it? But I have had problems before, too. Once, I purchase some Albertson's brand cheese, and found mold on it when I got home. I took it to the store closest to where I live (which wasn't the one I purchased it from), and even though I had a receipt, and it was Albertson's brand, they wouldn't do the return - or even an exchange. They made me take it back to where I bought it. I'm not sure why.
You do have that printed reply, though. Maybe you can take that with you, and see if you can bargain with them to give you an Albie's GC for a no-receipt return. It's worth a shot, at least. Good luck, and sorry you're having problems with them. :wavehi:

[jerzeygirl]

Why doesn't the PNW double coupons? I've lived in AZ, CA, and CT, and they ALL doubled coupons. What's the deal? Is it because we don't have sales tax??

[Scrapping Mommy]

Why doesn't the PNW double coupons? I've lived in AZ, CA, and CT, and they ALL doubled coupons. What's the deal? Is it because we don't have sales tax??

The only way they will double is if you have the Safeway or Thriftway doubler coupon from their weekly ads. I didn't know that Albertsons in other states doubled until I found this site, and it is frustrating sometimes. For some reason, Oregon seems to have strict doubling policies (only 4 doubles at Safeway and Thriftway). I never thought about it before, but it could be because of the no sales tax. I have no idea why. :shrug7:

[Piper]

New to Albertson's
I noticed that Albertsons have their own coupons in the paper. Can you use an Abertson coupon with a manufactures coupon?
Thank in advance,

Kitsap County

[equesnel]

Yes, you can!


New to Albertson's
I noticed that Albertsons have their own coupons in the paper. Can you use an Abertson coupon with a manufactures coupon?
Thank in advance,

Kitsap County

[newbride]

Do Albertson's take IP coupons?

[fonzysmom]

Mine does ..

[AGanders]

The Albertson's by me takes coupons from other grocery stores that are within a certain distance only. I think its about 10 competitor coupons per transaction. It doesn't normally affect me, I usually only have a few and I stack orders to use doublers. I only have another few weeks of Albertson shopping though, I have heard they are closing at the beginning of Sept.

[anamancol]

I am a huge coupon shopper and an albies employee, please be aware that the definition for a competing store is a store that has a bakery, meat department, and or a deli, which means that alot of the time a store will not take Target, Walgreens, Bi-mart, or Rite Aid coupons, oftentimes customers get downright ugly and mean when told these policies, that's not saying that there aren't some stores that do accept them which of course just makes our job harder, but I think that if there were more people aware that this is a possibility when they visit their local albies maybe some of us that are on the front lines won't have such a hard time when explaining these policies. Also be aware that the Safeway doublers that are in the ad are counted as 4 separate competitor coupons if you use all four even though it is printed on one piece of paper.

[TJ665]

I am a huge coupon shopper and an albies employee, please be aware that the definition for a competing store is a store that has a bakery, meat department, and or a deli, which means that alot of the time a store will not take Target, Walgreens, Bi-mart, or Rite Aid coupons, oftentimes customers get downright ugly and mean when told these policies, that's not saying that there aren't some stores that do accept them which of course just makes our job harder, but I think that if there were more people aware that this is a possibility when they visit their local albies maybe some of us that are on the front lines won't have such a hard time when explaining these policies. Also be aware that the Safeway doublers that are in the ad are counted as 4 separate competitor coupons if you use all four even though it is printed on one piece of paper.

It's the inconsistency that bothers me. One of the stores have posted a short approved list of which stores they will accept coupons from. It's only five stores: Safeway, Fred Meyer, Winco, Food 4 Less, and Wal-Mart(?). More like four since I've never seen a Wal-Mart coupon ever. Then another store about 3-4 miles down, accepts coupons from more competitors.

As for the Safeway doubler coupon counting as four, that's a new one to me. I've regarded the competitor coupon limit as a physical count where a coupon counts as one, regardless of the offer. When Safeway and Thriftway had the doublers as four separate pieces of paper, yes. But when they moved to a single doublers, good for up to four, I still counted that as just one but able to double four coupons.

[anamancol]

On the check writing platforms at each checkstand you'll find a brief explanation of the corporate coupon policy under the plexiglass, it's on this that you'll find the explanation of the doublers, it's because it doubles up to 4 different physical coupons, as for Wal-Mart, event though you've never seen a coupon from them (and I haven't either) because they do have super walmarts, depending on your area of course, those would be considered "grocery" stores. I agree that the inconsistency is horrible, but the corporate entity does leave some of it up to the individual store directors discretion and some are more "by the book" than others.

[TJ665]

I was in yesterday at my local store and saw the "1 doubler counts as four if used" verbiage. To be honest, I haven't had it brought to me yet, but I'll keep that in mind for the future if it does.

[weaverxylina]

In WA they still use the loyalty card, but they're just about the onlystore that will take competitors coupons.

[cuckoobird]

Hello everyone! Newbie to the NW here! We are a coast guard family moving back to the Vancouver/Portland area from Staten Island, NY. I have been spoiled by Doubles and Triples....we will live in Vancouver and my husband will work in Portland. I hear that Safeway and sometimes Albertson's will double a few q's but not consistently, so was wondering if those living in Vancouver/Portland could give me a brief word of encouragement that I can still make couponing worthwhile:) Are there certain stores that are better priced than others?

I see no mention of Fred Meyer's in the forum and was wondering if anyone has any experience shopping with them and their couponing policy. I went on the website for Food4Less and was given Fred Meyer's instead since the parent company is Krogers...not sure if this thread is the appropriate place to ask about these other stores so please redirect me if I need to be on a different thread! Thanks!!

[diva_dynamite]

Hi and welcome! I live in MT (the Land of No Doubles, except for two weeks ago at Albertsons), so I can't personally answer your questions about the Portland/Vancouver area. However, if you check on the weekly ad threads, there are a lot of posts from people in your area who take Safeway and Fred Meyer coupons to Albertsons. There is a little uncertainty right now about Albertson's policy. They have taken competitor coupons in the past, but when everyone had double coupons a couple of weeks ago, some stores posted signs that they would no longer take competitor coupons. The best advice I can give is to just ask for the specific policy at your favorite store. It is definitely worth is to keep couponing! Even for those if us without doubles, we can save a lot. Personally, I find that Albertson's comes out a lot cheaper than Safeway (we don't have a Fred Meyer here), especially when they have their instant savings or Catalina deals. HTH. Feel free to post questions in the threads! :welcome40:

[cuckoobird]

Hi and welcome! I live in MT (the Land of No Doubles, except for two weeks ago at Albertsons), so I can't personally answer your questions about the Portland/Vancouver area. However, if you check on the weekly ad threads, there are a lot of posts from people in your area who take Safeway and Fred Meyer coupons to Albertsons. There is a little uncertainty right now about Albertson's policy. They have taken competitor coupons in the past, but when everyone had double coupons a couple of weeks ago, some stores posted signs that they would no longer take competitor coupons. The best advice I can give is to just ask for the specific policy at your favorite store. It is definitely worth is to keep couponing! Even for those if us without doubles, we can save a lot. Personally, I find that Albertson's comes out a lot cheaper than Safeway (we don't have a Fred Meyer here), especially when they have their instant savings or Catalina deals. HTH. Feel free to post questions in the threads! :welcome40:

Thanks! And that is a cute group of smilies!!

[Scrapping Mommy]

Hello everyone! Newbie to the NW here! We are a coast guard family moving back to the Vancouver/Portland area from Staten Island, NY. I have been spoiled by Doubles and Triples....we will live in Vancouver and my husband will work in Portland. I hear that Safeway and sometimes Albertson's will double a few q's but not consistently, so was wondering if those living in Vancouver/Portland could give me a brief word of encouragement that I can still make couponing worthwhile:) Are there certain stores that are better priced than others?

I see no mention of Fred Meyer's in the forum and was wondering if anyone has any experience shopping with them and their couponing policy. I went on the website for Food4Less and was given Fred Meyer's instead since the parent company is Krogers...not sure if this thread is the appropriate place to ask about these other stores so please redirect me if I need to be on a different thread! Thanks!!

Hi! :wavehi: You can find the FM forum under the "National Chain Stores". You can find all the FAQ's there, or feel free to PM me with any questions you may have!

[cuckoobird]

Thanks!

[tmsmalley]

Here's what happens in the Portland area. Safeway puts out a coupon once a week in the mid-week paper (we get it in the "throw away" paper on Thursday) or you can pick it up in the store. That coupon is good for up to 4 doubles up to .50 each. Honestly, I just think of it as a $2 off coupon assuming I have at least 4 coupons of at least .50 to redeem (I do a big weekend shopping so I always have those). That's all Safeway offers.

Albertsons has been taking competitor's coupons and has been including the doubler (although they apparently count it as 4 coupons since it covers 4 "doubles"). I'm not a big Albertsons shopper myself but there were a number of people saying that particular Albertsons may not be taking competitor's coupons anymore. Albertsons also did their own "doubler" coupon similar to the Safeway one so no one knows if that's going to continue on or not.

So, it may take a few more weeks to sort out, but regardless, it is not going to be the doubling that you're used to. At most it will be a couple dollars max off your total bill. It could be worse! I lived my whole life in the Bay Area and we never even had this!

Tess

[hickchic]

I am trying to add my preferred card to my Upromise account, but am only seeing Safeway and NetGrocer as store options. Can anyone help...where can I add my Albies card and start earing college money for our daughter? Thank you!

[nateNnatsmommy]

From the Upromise home page top banner, follow these steps:

Earn Rewards
Grocery and Drug Stores
Right hand side, enter zip to find stores
Should bring up Albertsons as well as other stores, and show the option to register your card.

[mmp8508]

OK so I'm in the Seattle area and I'm not up to speed on this Safeway doubler everyone is talking about. Do we have this here? You're saying its separate from the standard weekly ad? What makes it a "doubler" - does it say double something on it?

Also - for Seattle area - so nowhere does any doubling of coupons whatsoever? I thought I had heard that Albertsons would double up to 4 coupons on Tuesdays or something weirdly specific. I just watched an episode of extreme couponing last night and both were in WA state - Seattle area lady went to albertsons and I swear she said she doubled. I just about fell off the couch. I'm so jealous of people getting free things on that show. I could get things free too if anyone doubled around here !!!

[melodyjg]

I am in Portland area and I believe that Seattle is the same as us as far as doublers..Safeway's weekly ad usually has a doubler in it each week that will double up to four coupons, doubled up to .50 cents.

Albertsons will usually run an ad in the Sunday paper a couple times a month and on that ad there will be 3 doubler coupons that can double 3 manufacturer coupons up to a dollar.

HTH :)

[JulieDB]

Hello everyone! Newbie to the NW here! We are a coast guard family moving back to the Vancouver/Portland area from Staten Island, NY. I have been spoiled by Doubles and Triples....we will live in Vancouver and my husband will work in Portland. I hear that Safeway and sometimes Albertson's will double a few q's but not consistently, so was wondering if those living in Vancouver/Portland could give me a brief word of encouragement that I can still make couponing worthwhile:) Are there certain stores that are better priced than others?

I see no mention of Fred Meyer's in the forum and was wondering if anyone has any experience shopping with them and their couponing policy. I went on the website for Food4Less and was given Fred Meyer's instead since the parent company is Krogers...not sure if this thread is the appropriate place to ask about these other stores so please redirect me if I need to be on a different thread! Thanks!!

Hey! Another Coastie currently in Bothell but we moved here from Staten Island.

Get the Fred Meyer card. I think it is called a Rewards card. If you shop there often enough with your card they will give you coupons back in the mail. Things like $2.00 off in the produce dept. And often just dollars off of your total order. I can't remember the specifics because I don't shop there very often and have only gotten those coupons a few times. However when I did get them I was able to use them for a bag or two of things and paid little to nothing for what I got. You do have to spend quite a bit there to get those coupons though. You can also use your card at their gas stations and certain other ones that take the Kroger cards. I think it is Shell? But I could be wrong. I try to always get my gas at Costco but once their pumps were down and I tried another station. They took the card. But my dad said something about that you had to spend enough money to accumulate the gas points, which I probably didn't have. And it was pouring down rain so all I wanted to do was get the gas and get out of there!