what is the answer to this small issue that can only get worse?

[cpnmaniac44]

I went to HT for 4 items. They were out of one item, and apparantly, per the dairy man, do not carry the StonyField Organic milk.

I arrived at 10:30am and the sale started at 7am.
If I had not accidentally saw one of my items on an end cap, that was totally out on the shelf, I'd have driven across town for 1 item.

So, as the number of coupon users increases here are some interesting questions worth discussing:
1. When the shelves are cleared do the stores always, or sometimes, or never, restock the shelves before SD's ends?
2. Do some HT's carry some brands and other HT's do not? (ex: the Stonyfield Organic Milk)
3. If I had shown up at 7am, maybe all my items would have been there. But, if everyone had shown up at 7am, then it would have been a free for all, with everyone hurrying to get to the shelves.

#3 is the developing issue. If there are limited items for an unlimited number of shoppers, then some people will be able to use their coupons for SD's and some shoppers will have to forget it.

Suppose I had been there at 7am and so were 20 other shoppers. I've got to beat them to my desired items, or be too late, even though I went at 7am, and have to drive back the next day and HOPE they restocked the shelf, and hope it is not emtpty again, or just forget it.

Any one got opinions or ideas on the solution?

Is it just first come first serve?
And stores won't restock the shelves until the SD's is over?

If I only got 2 of my 4 items because I did not arrive at 7am, that is my problem, I guess.
But, should we all have to be there at 7am, and have to run around the store to get the items we want before someone else does?

The type items I usually buy do not match what I see on the "show your deals" threads, so the problem has to be worse than I experience, because the type items I buy, most of you do not.

Anyone else finding empty shelves, 3 hours after sale started, etc?

[cheapdate29]

Any one got opinions or ideas on the solution?

And stores won't restock the shelves until the SD's is over?

Anyone else finding empty shelves, 3 hours after sale started, etc?

I'm a fan of getting rainchecks. It takes more time but after the sale is over you can pick up the items at your leisure providing your coupon hasn't expired!

I don't have HT but I've found that Kroger does not restock unadvertised specials until the sale is over. I went 3 days out of 7 for Ivory Body wash (not in the ad) and on the last day was told they only raincheck ad items.

I've been to Wags at midnight only to find the shelves empty so I'm guessing management put them back in the storeroom.

The solution for me is to chase fewer deals and be happy with what I do get and sometimes I have to pay a little more for it and that's OK. My time has value and I don't want to get caught up in the feeding frenzy.

[cgrace]

My HT is pretty good about restocking if they get the items in during SD, but they don't always get them. I think for stores that don't restock (or to address the issue of them not getting the product), a change will only come if enough people complain to corporate about the lack of stock. The point of these promos is to get shoppers in the doors - if people start complaining that they can't buy anything once they get there and will just stop shopping there at all, that may get some attention. I know when I do the on-line surveys it often asks if sale and non-sale items were in stock or not. I think it's a fine line for them to balance not wanting tons of "free" stuff going out the door vs having enough to make people happy. You are totally right that increased couponing is killing us - way more competition at all my stores right now.

[ryansmommie]

I agree with cheapdate29. It just takes a different strategy. And, it's not just the Extreme Couponing show. I remember the days before the economy tanked when a .70 overage item would stay in stock the entire triples event. Oh, those were the days.

My store was out of 6-8 freebies at 9 AM. So, I used rainchecks and had no trouble getting those items. And, I got rainchecks for the out of stock items that were on sale, and I'll pick those up at the next Super DOubles.

It just takes getting creative. I guess I would also say, please be patient with the store staff. They are not intentionally not putting out stock. They are completely stressed with Super Doubles and all the new couponers that don't know the rules or think every store should pay them $20 to take their groceries. To quote a sweet BiLo manager, "If I ever get my hands on the man who produces "Extreme Couponing" . . . "

Michelle

Michelle

[loves21]

I saw more people out at 730 this morning at my HT then I have ever seen before. I am not sure if this is because school is out or just the poor stock levels. I have noticed that somethings never get restocked after the first day they are wiped out. As of this morning at 730 some things were already gone. This is the first time I have seen this happen so early. This ad in my opinion isn't even that great and things were gone I can only imagine if the next one is a good ad how bad it will be. My only hope is that all those who jumped on the wagon because of extreme couponing getting bored or give up!! In the meantime I guess I have to get up early to hit my HT.

[ryansmommie]

In the meantime I guess I have to get up early to hit my HT.

Or hit it late. Ask when the truck comes in, and then go shopping around 9:00 - 10:00 PM when the stockers are working.

Michelle

[lonniesweetie]

I live near Boone, NC and our little store has never had a problem with OOS or lots of Couponers.......until today. I was there at 7:30 am and when I walked in there were eight people gathered at the cracker section clearing the shelves and it was the same throught the rest of the store. I felt so sorry for the staff there. They were running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

[uummm]

I notice during the summer it is busier earlier during the couponing events. During school it isn't nearly as bad so early. I didn't go yet -I plan on only getting a few things (I am so not into couponing for a while now) so I don't know how bad it is at my store, but last summer it was busy EARLY. I know I got there at 8am last summer during SD and I could 't believe all the stuff they were out of.

[cpnmaniac44]

I can start going at 7am on Wenesday. That gets me tied for first place in line. If I want to go another day, then I just take my chances.

If I was selling food, I would want to sell all I could sell. So, I'd stock the shelves as fast as they got empty. Since the discount for the double of a $1.00 is the same, regardless of the price of the item (free or not free), HT should not care if the coupon gives $2 off ($1/1 doubled) on a $4.00 item or a $2.00 item. It should be the same to them, the manufacturer reimburses them for $1.00 and they absorb the other dollar.

[sunjen]

One problem is that the people who work there don't know what will fly off the shelves. As I was checking out this morning the managers were calling my coupons to each other so they could put in special extra orders. Perhaps if we take the initiative to warn them 'stock more Hungry Jack' then they will be prepared. I asked them if they checked any websites to see deals and they did not.

I must admit, my HT has the friendliest staff and they love couponers, so I don't know if all HT's are going to be willing to put in special orders