Harris Teeter ~ Question: Haris Teeter: Super Doubles - what's your stragety?

[YogaRunner]

This is my second super doubles since I started couponing at HT. Last time I kind of winged it and this time I want to be more organized.

I live in the city and I do not have a car, so I can only take home what I can carry in two of those big canvas bags. I have to take the train two stops so I can't be too loaded down. I really have to plan to space out the purchases of heavy stuff. My SO has a pickup truck and he is always willing to drive me back and forth so that is a great thing, but I wouldn't want to drag him on multiple trips in a week in order to take full advantage of SD!

So I think this time I am going to go by category. One grocery trip. Then one health/beauty/medicine trip. Then another grocery trip.

The problem is that I always want to get everything grocery-related on one trip! I forget that SD lasts a whole week and I can go back for the things I can't carry in the current trip.

I need to learn patience, lol, the deal will still be there tomorrow!

Do you guys have a strategy? Or do you just do one huge haul?

[beanie23]

For your first trip, plan on getting the items which will be free, since those are most likely to sell out. I usually make 3 lists for myself, A,B,C which prioritize the best deals. On the first day, I shop from my A list, the second day the B, etc. I have all three lists with me on my first trip, as well as my whole coupon binder, because I will inevitably decide to make a change - like if I spot something in the store which I had not known would be free or a great deal, I can move something else down one list. (Last SD, I found bags of Starbucks coffee on clearance for $5, which were only $2 after using $1.50 qs!)

The lists also allow me to make sure that I have only 20 coupons planned per day. As a bonus, going in having a good idea of what your total should be for your order makes it easier to tell if a mistake is made during checkout (I once had a cashier not scan a couple of my coupons during triples, and I realized it because my total was too high). Since you have to be careful about how heavy your bags are, you could use your lists to plan a combination of little things and big things for each day, or based on when you can get a ride. I am impressed with your effort to get to the market for SD - hope you have a great event!

[anaj06]

I do almost the same thing as beanie23 except that I use envelopes.

I date the envelopes 2/17, 2/18, 2/19, etc. I don't usually make a list b/c the coupons in the envie are the list-if I have a note to myself though I write it on the outside of that day's envie. Usually the 1st 3 envies have all 20 coupons in them and the last 4 are just partially full because I make changes ect. So, each night I make sure the next 2 days of envies are ready to go (so I have an envie to pull from if something from that days envie is out of stock.

As far as strategy for what to put in each days envie.

1. For coupons that I have more than 21 of and definitely want to use them all; I put 3 in each envie. (Last SD it was the $1/1 cream cheese coupons I did this with).

2. Free items that my area had the coupon in their insert & free items in the sales ad. Basically just the things I think will be out of stock more quickly go in the earlier envies. Homemailer coupons or other coupons that people are less likely to have and less likely to have quantity of, I save for later envies. I usually save anything HBA related till the end too because these don't seem to sell out at my store.

3. I have 4 computers so I divide my IP coupons into 4 different envies ( you can only use 2 per day of each).

4. As I am shopping, I write items I want to get a RC for on the back side of the envie so I don't forget on my way out. SD can be some great opportunities for RCs.

5. If I have rebates to satisfy, I plan those items on different days. I hate doing multiple transactions and my HT is really funny about it esp during SD events, so I avoid doing it if at all possible.

6. Shop before 9am on the first day of the event. (or earlier if you can). I drop the kids off at daycare at 7:30 and head over so I am done by 8:15 or so.

[YogaRunner]

Good thoughts guys. I like the idea of getting the free stuff in the first trip. I get off work at 2pm so I usually get to HT at 2:30 and it's never crowded at that time, which is nice.

I use the Couponizer so I set aside the coupons I intend to use on that trip but I do have all of them with me just in case.

I do need to do a better-than-usual job in estimating my totals for SD than I do on a normal trip.

I honestly don't worry too much about stuff selling out. For some reason I don't see very many people using coupons or even looking at the circulars at my store. I live in a high-cost of living area and people tend to be well off... which apparently means that they don't want to save money :shrug7:

But that's good for me... I have never had to have a raincheck, ever.

[thompson589741]

have you thought about a back pack to add to the bags you can carry?? you could load that down with the heavier stuff that would be easier to carry on your back instead of in a tote.

i too try to go for the frees on the first day I get to shop, but I also try to keep in mind the things that I use the most, that I want to make sure and get at a great price.

[uummm]

MY stragety is to beat thompson589741 to the store.

[KenyaMK]

I make sure I have about 25 or so coupons just in case some things are sold out.

I put my 25 (or more) coupons in a zip lock bag in order I will find them in the store.

I also take two other empty zip lock bags. One is for items I find and will use, the other is for items that are sold out and I will need to use them again next time (I find this easier than just putting them back in the bag as I get confused and re-look if I am not careful.)

I typically have 3 BOYS with me when I go, so I have to plan carefully because I can't THINK when I am in the store!

[everprincess]

Originally Posted by uummm MY stragety is to beat thompson589741 to the store.

I also try to get the free stuff first. My store gets wiped out the first day so I go early before work. I also try to get stuff I really need for my pantry. I regularly keep a list of stuff we need to stock up when there is a good sale so I'll be looking really hard for those items. Good luck everyone!

[dionada]

I thought the limit of 20 was per day, and they tracked it through your VIC card. So you couldn't give your DH or kids a list and some Qs and have them check out behind you using the same VIC.

[weschmom]

Originally Posted by cpnmaniac44 If my total coupons is 28, it's easier for everyone for me to use all 28 in one trip, 28 on one order and go back in the store for the other 8. It gets me done in one trip to save gas, and gets me OUT OF THE WAY of the rest of you. 28 coupons and I'm in and out and done for the week.

This is not allowed at HT. The limit is 20 coupons doubled per day, and it's tracked on your VIC card. You can use the coupons, but anything over 20 will not be doubled.