Problems with Publix

[sel999]

On Monday, I went to my local Publix to take advantage of the Betty Crocker and Nestle deals.

I printed coupons from online sites and was denied double coupons.

The reason?

On the coupon it states "Do not double."

Now I had just used these coupons last week with no problem. In fact, I have used other coupons that say "Do not double" at Publix and they were still doubled for me.

I was also denied the penny item because I did not have the coupon. I have been getting the penny item for months without the coupon.

Is my store just changing coupon policies? I sent them an email, but have not heard back from them.

I'm really upset because I've always enjoyed shopping there over the past eight years. This is the first time I've had coupon problems.

Anyone have advice on how to deal with this situation?

[vannfamily5]

If the coupon states "Do Not Double" and it was doubling, it means the cashier wasn't checking the coupons and you have no leg to stand on there. Sometimes you get a cashier who just pushes it through, but the "legal" standpoint is - the coupon states DND, so therefore they cannot be doubled.

As for the penny item, I've found that varies depending on the cashier, but most just give it to you. I mean, they put the stuff in a special display at the front of the store, but doesn't show on a sign "must have coupon" to get this for a penny.

hope that helps some!

[bananafishfever]

Agree with above poster as far as the doubling. If the coupon states 'do not double', the cashier is just doing their job and enforcing the coupon correctly if they don't allow it. Publix has great customer service and a pretty generous coupon policy. It stinks when things change on us, but it sounds like they just weren't following correct policy before. We don't have the penny item in my state, so I don't know how that usually works.

[sel999]

Wow. Ok, so I wonder how people got free Betty Crocker potatoes with just the coupon...

They were BOGO ($1.59) and if you use a 40 cent coupon on each, you end up getting them both for 80 cents (roughly) which is not free.

Maybe other Publix stores are doubling the "do not double" coupons even though they are not supposed to double them.

:shrug7:

[tanandae]

Wow. Ok, so I wonder how people got free Betty Crocker potatoes with just the coupon...

They may have been using the insert coupons before they expired. Those did not have the DND note on them.

[sel999]

They may have been using the insert coupons before they expired. Those did not have the DND note on them.

I see. Thanks for the info.

[johnfdeluca]

Once in a blue moon, the cashier will suppress doubling on a coupon that says DND but that is very rare in my experience. Since the "double" is really a Publix incentive (not paid by the mfgr but paid by Publix), I think it's fair to expect it to be doubled but then I am unsure why the mfgr would ever state DND. Anyway.....I expect my Publix to double and they usually do...but I never complain when they don't double a coupon that says DND.

Also, most stores I shop require the coupon for the penny item....and their display states it. One store absolutely requires it but the other will let me slide if I forget it. Same thing...I can't blame them for requiring the coupon as their display is clear about requiring the coupon.

[sel999]

Wow. I guess I got lucky all these years. Maybe they're cracking down on coupons more. I wonder if the store is hurting for profits...

I did check the official policy and you're right- they don't double dnd coupons.

Stinks.

My store has been pretty laid back about the coupon. Maybe they're tightening up on that too.

[thickbluebug]

They all change. Then they change back.

I am in Alabama and the stores I shop at don't require a coupon for the penny item. They don't heavily advertise the penny item anyone either. A year ago these store had the penny item at the front door in a rolling bin - plus a supply on every register.
Now I have to hunt the penny item.
Sometimes it is in produce and sometimes it is on a rolling shelf cart in front of the meat section. Peanut butter - week b4 last, it was in front of the meat dept on a rolling 4 shelf cart.

Doubling dnd - I have had them all suppress the double and then flip back to giving you the double on a dnd.
Really depends on the flack the customers cause complaining and the competition in the area.

OP, just hang in there - they will change back.
They always do. If that store doesn't you can bet another one will. They compete for the business in their areas and they will have a store somewhere that plays by the old rules.

[nanpete]

like I said in another post, if the manu doesn't want the q to dbl, don't design the bar code to begin with 5! I've only had a cashier deny me once on one dbl, if it happens again every item will have to come off my order and I'll go to another publix or try another day.