Shopping Path -- Store Strategy

[JillthePill]

Does anybody else get all panicky feeling on their way to the store?? I get all pumped up . . . it's kinda silly, but I do.

Anyway, will anyone share their strategy as far as what they head for first, second, third, etc? This is my first triples since I've been couponing more seriously. I keep reading about how "nuts" and "crazy" it is in the early mornings of triples. I'm planning on getting there at open -- because if I don't, I won't make it back home to kiss my son before he leaves for school.

Btw, I go to a Maryland store, so I don't think I'll be "competing" with most of you.

Thanks for any help.

[ryansmommie]

I tend to plan my first day with rainchecks, home mailer coupons, etc where I know stock won't be a problem. Then, I plan the other trips that week when they are stocking my store (late at night) so I've got the best chance of finding stock. Then, I get rainchecks on all of the out of stock items.

If I try and get all the hot items day one, I just get frustrated. I work FT so it's lunch time until I make it to the store.

Michelle

[thompson589741]

You are not alone! I get pumped and excited to get in and get great deals...it truely is like a high (when the deals are killer).

But it really depends on what time of day you will be able to make it to your store. is your store heavily couponed?

what I normally do is go to what I plan on getting that is free or nearly free, that I know I may not have a chance to get the rest of the week, because my stores have heavy coupon traffic. then I go to the other items that I plan to get. but I will have a reserve of rainchecks that I will use if items are already out of stock, so I can make sure to use up my 20 coupons per day. also you can ask when your store gets their trucks in, that way you will know when they will replenish their stock.

if something is out of stock, GET THE RAINCHECK!!

sometimes it seems like all I get to stock up on is rainchecks :( and that isn't as fun

[JillthePill]

if something is out of stock, GET THE RAINCHECK!!

sometimes it seems like all I get to stock up on is rainchecks :( and that isn't as fun

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets all nuts on the way into the store. As soon as I've grabbed the first few items, I seem to settle down better.

Now, everyone says to get the rainchecks -- and I do -- but they won't raincheck the triple-coupon deal, so I don't completely get this. Do you just hold onto them until the next doubles or triples then? If so, why do you need the raincheck?

That said, I did get the raincheck for the Yoplait Greek Yogurts for 77c each, limit 10. Now I just need to get them to take 5 of my .50/2 coupons so that I can get the full value of my raincheck. Anyone ever had a problem with this?

I must say, my store is so accommodating, I feel guilty sometimes. Do you know that if they are out of something (even during Sdoubles), they will allow a substitution AND still force the coupon through, complete with the doubling??? I think that is extraordinarily good service, and that is why I take the trouble to shop at HT. WalMart is probably cheaper on the hole (before sales, coups, eVic, etc.), but WalMart would look at me like I had two heads if I asked for a raincheck on something.

I got my own thread off track now.

[thompson589741]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets all nuts on the way into the store. As soon as I've grabbed the first few items, I seem to settle down better.

Now, everyone says to get the rainchecks -- and I do -- but they won't raincheck the triple-coupon deal, so I don't completely get this. Do you just hold onto them until the next doubles or triples then? If so, why do you need the raincheck?
Hold onto the raincheck. you never know when that item will go on sale again, and you never know when a coupon will come out for it again. if another event comes around and you have a great coupon for that item, then you can cash in the raincheck and get that sale price.

That said, I did get the raincheck for the Yoplait Greek Yogurts for 77c each, limit 10. Now I just need to get them to take 5 of my .50/2 coupons so that I can get the full value of my raincheck. Anyone ever had a problem with this?

You can use all 5 of the coupons, but they will only double or triple 3 of them. so if you got 10 cups for 7.70-(3).50/2x3-(2).50/2=2.20 for 10 cups. I would say that is still a win. the thing is, you should get a raincheck for the item, each time you go into the store and it is out of stock. that way you can get more at that price. either way 22c each isn't terrible by no means.

I must say, my store is so accommodating, I feel guilty sometimes. Do you know that if they are out of something (even during Sdoubles), they will allow a substitution AND still force the coupon through, complete with the doubling??? I think that is extraordinarily good service, and that is why I take the trouble to shop at HT. WalMart is probably cheaper on the hole (before sales, coups, eVic, etc.), but WalMart would look at me like I had two heads if I asked for a raincheck on something.

this is definitely not something that happens at every store. my stores would never sub something and take the coupon for the other item. I really don't see the logic in that, other than just to make the customer happy. but either way, that is great!
I got my own thread off track now.

3

[clippyclippy]

Now, everyone says to get the rainchecks -- and I do -- but they won't raincheck the triple-coupon deal, so I don't completely get this. Do you just hold onto them until the next doubles or triples then? If so, why do you need the raincheck?

Yes. The item might not be on sale the next event. That's why you get the raincheck.

That said, I did get the raincheck for the Yoplait Greek Yogurts for 77c each, limit 10. Now I just need to get them to take 5 of my .50/2 coupons so that I can get the full value of my raincheck. Anyone ever had a problem with this?

You may need to be happy with 6 of them, since they won't take more than 3 coupons per policy. If you happen to have a very nice manager they might split the rc 6/4 to let you get the rest on a different trip. But I am doubtful about that since even during the sale you wouldn't have been able to use all 5 coupons - didn't the sale require them to be purchased in the same transaction?

I must say, my store is so accommodating, I feel guilty sometimes. Do you know that if they are out of something (even during Sdoubles), they will allow a substitution AND still force the coupon through, complete with the doubling???
I got my own thread off track now.

They have done this for me. Yes, they are awesome!

And my strategy is to go for the things I'd be most upset about if I wasn't able to get them the rest of the week. I don't usually have too much competition Wed. morning but by Thursday morning it's a different story.

[LadySiren]

I'm definitely hyped up when I first hit the store, although with all the newbies crowding my home store (and trying to run me down with their carts), I'm a bit less excited these days.

That being said, I usually separate my SD and triple coupons into a couple of stacks - free items we really need, items we really need, frees that would be nice to get, then everything else. My kids go through a ton of peanut butter and jelly, so I'm definitely hauling my butt over to the bread section first - I need me some grape jelly and Planters peanut butter, especially as I have RCs for both.

I'll probably try to grab Spaghetti-O's tomorrow, as well as the LoL cinnamon butter stuff (gotta wean my kids off that bad Nutella habit of theirs). The rest I'll figure out later today when I've had a chance to look through my q stash and EL.

[JillthePill]

Nutella is much much more expensive habit than cinn. butter! LOL

Strangely, my HT does not have the cinn. butter. :(

Thanks for sharing your approach -- I am getting a little overwhelmed this time.

[JillthePill]

Well, not that I can totally complain in light of how cooperative my store usually is, but that sorta stinks if I have to settle for only 6 at my super-duper price of .02/ea, because this special ran long before this new 3 like-coupons limit.

However, as I said, my store has given me a break on so many things, I will not make any noise about this.

[jennbragg]

The 3 like coupon limit rule has been in place for quite awhile.