Kroger TX/LA Coupon Policy and FAQ thread

[zoeys_mom]

FAQS start on post #4

Not sure if this is really gonna be helpful but I emailed Kroger corporate concerning their coupon policy. I detailed several examples I wanted answers to, some of which did not get answered. I am going to send a followup letter to get clarification on the missed answers.

I am disappointed in the response I was given, but here is a copy of my letter and a copy of their response.
************************************************
I would like to get some clarification on the coupon policy for Kroger stores located in the Southwest region. I would like to know if there is a set corporate policy or whether each store manager makes their own policy on the use of manufacturer coupons as well as store coupons.

If you could please provide answers to the following situations and provide me with a copy of the coupon policy (if one exists) I would greatly appreciate it. I travel throughout the Houston area and shop at several different Krogers and am told different rules so I would just like clarification so I can avoid hassle.


1. How many “like” coupons are accepted in your stores? Ex: I want to buy 5 Pantene shampoos and have 5 Pantene $1 coupons. Can I use all 5 coupons in one transaction?

2. In the event of a manufacturer coupon being more than the cost of the item, is it common practice to accept the coupon and just adjust down for the cost of the item. Ex: I want to buy Robitussin cough drops on sale for $0.99. I have a coupon for $1 off any Robitussin product. Can the cashier adjust the coupon to .99 thus allowing me to use this coupon when the item is on sale?

3. How many “like” coupons double/triple per transaction? Ex: If I have 4 .35/1 Softsoap coupons will all 4 double/triple or just 1 per transaction?

4. How many coupons are allowed to be used on a b1g1 free sale? Ex: I am getting 2 Loreal Vive shampoos but only paying for one after store sale. Am I still allowed to use 2 coupons, or is just one coupon allowed?

5. Does Kroger accept buy 1get 1 free coupons on a buy 1get 1 free sale, and if so, how is this handled? Ex: Pantene is on sale for buy 1 get 1 free and I have a coupon that says buy 1 get 1 free. Can I use this coupon on 2 bottles, or do I need 3 bottles?

6.Does Kroger accept internet printable coupons. I know there are several websites that now offer coupons you print at home and bring into the store. Ex: smartsource.com. Does Kroger accept these coupons?

7. Does Kroger accept store coupons and manufacturer coupons on the same item? Ex: I want to buy Daisy sour cream and have a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon. Can I use both on one tub of sour cream?

8. Does Kroger accept coupons with other stores logos imprinted on them? Ex: I have a coupon for $1 off 3 Peppridge Farm Goldfish. It is a manufacturer coupon but has HEB’s logo on it. Can I use this coupon?

9. Is there a limit on the number of “free” item coupons I can use? Ex: I have 4 coupons for Free Carver dog treats. Can I use all these coupons in one transaction to get 4 Carver treats?

Thank you for your attention to my inquiry.
************************************************** *********
Here is the actual copy of the email response I got.


Dear Ms. XXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting The Kroger Co. regarding our coupon policy.
The policy is as follows:

? We reserve the right to limit quantities so that all shoppers may be
able to purchase all of their needs.
? We will double coupons up to $0.50 and triple up to $0.39 everyday.
? Coupons over $0.50 will be redeemed for face value.
? We will redeem only one double or triple coupon per like item.
? We do not typically accept printed coupons due to the high number of
fraudulent coupons that have been
passed around the Internet. However, if the Internet-printed coupon has
a scannable bar code printed on it,
then our stores should accept them.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have additional questions
regarding our coupon policy, please feel free to
speak to store management. They will be glad to assist you.

Thanks again for writing.




Sincerely,



Amy Galloway
Consumer Affairs

Reference: 4676504

[zoeys_mom]

Ok guys, Looks like another canned response from Kroger,
Here is a copy of the email I got today:

Dear Ms. XXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting Kroger concerning our coupon policy. Our
policy
states:

We will Tripe one coupon up to .39 per like item and Double one coupon
.40
to .50 per like item (like UPCs). Three coupons for like items will be
redeemed at face value. Coupons with a value of .51 or greater will be
redeemed at face value. Offer does not apply to manufacturer's "cents
off"
coupons issued in store. Offer applies only to manufacturer's "cent
off"
coupons for items we carry. Does not apply to "FREE" coupons. Coupon
value
cannot exceed the retail value of the item. Offer does not include
cigarettes, beer, wine and items prohibited by law. So that all of our
shoppers may be able to purchase all of their needs, we reserve the
right
to limit quantities. You can use only one coupon per item.

I hope this help with your shopping experience.

Thank you for shopping Kroger.

Ruth Taylor
Kroger Consumer Affairs
713-507-4806


*********************************************
This is a copy of my followup email I had sent, so it looks as if there is NOTHING clear in writing addressing my other questions

Thank you for getting back with me but I feel my questions were not really answered. I hesitate asking management as answers seem to vary depending on who you talk to. Does Kroger NOT have a written coupon policy in place that all stores follow and train from?

If there is a policy in place, I would like the following questions answered please.

1. How many “like” coupons are accepted in your stores? Ex: I want to buy 5 Pantene shampoos and have 5 Pantene $1 coupons. Can I use all 5 coupons in one transaction?

2. In the event of a manufacturer coupon being more than the cost of the item, is it common practice to accept the coupon and just adjust down for the cost of the item. Ex: I want to buy Robitussin cough drops on sale for $0.99. I have a coupon for $1 off any Robitussin product. Can the cashier adjust the coupon to .99 thus allowing me to use this coupon when the item is on sale?

3. How many “like” coupons double/triple per transaction? Ex: If I have 4 .35/1 Softsoap coupons will all 4 double/triple or just 1 per transaction?

4. How many coupons are allowed to be used on a b1g1 free sale? Ex: I am getting 2 Loreal Vive shampoos but only paying for one after store sale. Am I still allowed to use 2 coupons, or is just one coupon allowed?

5. Does Kroger accept buy 1get 1 free coupons on a buy 1get 1 free sale, and if so, how is this handled? Ex: Pantene is on sale for buy 1 get 1 free and I have a coupon that says buy 1 get 1 free. Can I use this coupon on 2 bottles, or do I need 3 bottles?

6.Does Kroger accept internet printable coupons. I know there are several websites that now offer coupons you print at home and bring into the store. Ex: smartsource.com. Does Kroger accept these coupons?

7. Does Kroger accept store coupons and manufacturer coupons on the same item? Ex: I want to buy Daisy sour cream and have a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon. Can I use both on one tub of sour cream?

8. Does Kroger accept coupons with other stores logos imprinted on them? Ex: I have a coupon for $1 off 3 Peppridge Farm Goldfish. It is a manufacturer coupon but has HEB’s logo on it. Can I use this coupon?

9. Is there a limit on the number of “free” item coupons I can use? Ex: I have 4 coupons for Free Carver dog treats. Can I use all these coupons in one transaction to get 4 Carver treats?

Thank you.
xxxxxxxxx

[zoeys_mom]

Since we have so many newbies joining the boards, I want to add some helpful info that some of you might not be aware of.

In order to get the sale price at Kroger, you need to get the Kroger plus loyalty card. These are FREE and can be obtained at the service desk. If you include your phone number on the form when you sign up, you can give your phone number to the cashier or punch it into the credit card machine while your purchase is being processed.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure they have scanned your Kroger card BEFORE you hand over ANY coupons!!!!!!!
Coupons DO NOT double/triple without your card being scanned. If they scan the coupons and then your card, it is too late and you won't have any coupons double/triple!

[zoeys_mom]

FAQ Questions for KROGER TX/LA

It seems we are getting an influx of newbies and the same questions are coming up on the board. To help have a simple place to get local answers I am creating this FAQ thread. I will leave this thread open so if other questions are asked IN THIS THREAD, I can add the question to the FAQ with the answer. Questions asked out side this thread will be moved into this thread in hopes of freeing up the board for deal discussions. I am hoping this will help with the clutter on this forum.
Keep in mind, these FAQ are strictly for Kroger in the TX/LA region and answers might vary for other Krogers in other regions.

Please feel free to ask questions you don't already see here.

Do I need a Kroger Plus card?
Yes! Sign up with your REAL address as Kroger sends coupons in the mail based on your shopping habits. You also will not get the discount/ad price without this card.

Is it important to scan Kroger card before coupons are tendered?
YES! Coupons WILL NOT double or triple if given before the Kroger card is applied.

Do I need to actually carry around the Kroger card?
No, You can verbally give the cashier your phone number that you have assigned to your card or you can punch in your phone number at the credit card machine at the register.

Can I use IP (internet printed) coupons at Kroger?
This answer is supposed to be YES, but some store managers still do not realize corporate has changed this policy. All Kroger in this region are supposed to accept IP coupons if they have a barcode and scan at the register.

When does the ad start?
Each new ad week starts on Wednesdays and continues through the following Tuesday

Why is my ad not posted on Tuesday for me to start planning?
Your mod(zoeys_mom) no longer gets the ad early most weeks. I post the ad as soon as I can get a copy and I follow up with coupon matchups as soon as time allows.

Does Kroger double/triple coupons?
Yes, Kroger will double coupons up to .50 and triple coupons up to .39. They double and triple coupons EVERYDAY.

How many coupons will Kroger double/triple?
Most Kroger in our region will double/triple up to three identical coupons per transaction. Please ask at your store as some are reporting only getting 1 like coupon doubled/tripled per transaction.

How exactly is identical coupon defined?
By identical coupon I mean, it is for the same amount off Product X and has the same exact FIRST barcode on the coupon. The second barcode is irrelevant, but if all the numbers below the first barcode match, regardless of the picture on the coupon, the computer reads those as an identical coupon.

Will I get overage if the item is less than the double/triple value?
No, Kroger computers are programmed only to double/triple up to the price of the product.

Can I use more than one manufacturer’s coupon per item?
No, you are only allowed to use 1 manufacturers coupon per item. Manufacturer’s coupons include inserts, ips, blinkies, peelies, and Catalina coupons.

What is a Catalina?
Catalina is the name of the coupon machine at the register. These are coupons the cashier SHOULD hand you with your receipt. Catalinas are manufacturer coupons and thus cannot be used with other manufacturer coupons on the same item.

Is there any other way to combine coupons for added savings?
Yes, Kroger has four websites you can log into and load coupons directly onto your Kroger card P&G brand saver , Shortcuts, Cellfire, Upromise . These coupons need to be loaded at least an hour before you shop. There used to be a limit of 25 total coupons allowed to be loaded between the sites, but I am being told that is not the case anymore. I need to test this but have not yet. They do not fall off your card until you use them or they expire.

Do these loadable coupons double/triple?
No the loadable coupons do not double or triple and only will be redeemed at face value

Can I use a manufacturer coupon if I’m using a loadable coupon?
Yes, you can combine your loadable coupon savings with a paper manufacturer’s coupon for extra savings.

Will I get overage if the manuf + loadable coupon exceeds the purchase price?
Yes, you will receive overage in this case of coupon usage.

How many items will the loadable coupon work for?
Each loadable coupon will only take off for 1 item in your order. If you buy multiples of that item, you will not get multiple savings from the loadable coupons.

What do I do if a catalina I was expecting does not print?
You have several options here.
1. Go to service desk and ask them about the catalina. You can ask them to try reringing the item at another register to see if the first registers machine just does not work.
2. Go to service desk and ask for a refund, if they will not make it right.
3. Call catalina and inquire about the catalina (1-888-8coupon) 1-888-826-8766

Does Kroger take competitor coupons(ie Target, Walgreens)?
No, Kroger does not accept other store coupons. They accept Kroger store coupons and manufacturer coupons.

Does Kroger accept expired coupons?
No, Kroger in our district does not accept expired coupons.

Does Kroger price match other stores (ie Target, Walgreens)?
No, Kroger does not price match any other stores.

If something is advertised as 10 for $10, do I have to buy 10 of that item to get the $1 price?
No, you can buy 1 and get the sales price. The only exception to this is mega deals and events and the ad will clearly state you must buy x number of products to get that price.


What is the scan right guarantee?
Kroger has a corporate policy that if an item rings up the incorrect price at the register, you will get the first LIKE item for free and the rest at the adjusted price. ex: If the shelf tag says the item is $1 and it rings up $1.59, then you get that item free, and each subsuquent like item adjusted down to $1. You have to remind some of the employees of this policy.


Are there exclusions to the scan right guarantee?
Yes, the scan right guarantee does not apply to alcohol and tobacco products due to state laws. Meat also seems to be an exception.

How do I earn fuel discounts?
There are currently 3 ways to earn fuel discounts(sorry LA folks, these do not apply to you as it is against LA law to allow a fuel discount):
1. Fill 2 prescriptions or more at your local pharmacy and receive $.10 cents off your fuel purchase.
2. Spend $50 or more on gift cards and receive $.10 cents off your fuel purchase.(Excludes: • Kroger Banner Gift Cards
• The Wishes line Gift Cards
• Green Dot Prepaid Reloadable Products & MoneyPaks
• Western Union Prepaid Cards

3. Spend $100 or more on groceries and receive $.10 cents off your fuel purchase.

If I have more than 1 fuel discount, can I use them all on one fill up?
No, only 1 .10 discount will come off per fuel up.

When do my fuel discounts expire?
You have 1 month from the end of the month you earned fuel rewards to use them. Ex: if you earn 1 fuel discount in October, you have until the last day of November to use it. They come off in the order earned.

Is the $100 in groceries to earn the fuel discount before or after coupons?
Fuel discounts are earned on before manuf. savings but after Kroger coupons and discounts.

[Maverick Monk]

Thanks! I have another question though. Will I have problems if I use one of the self checkout stations and then scan my coupons afterwards? Second question... Kroger has a coupon on their website for a $1 off on a microwaveable meal and then a second coupon for bogo of the same meal. Can I get two and use both of these coupons in order to get a $1 off and a second one free?

[zoeys_mom]

I just got my response back from Kroger

My question to Kroger: I would like to know if your scan right guarantee is a company wide policy or if each manager has a choice to honor it at their discretion.

Their Answer: Thank you for contacting Kroger. Our scanrite policy is detailed below:

If any unmarked item scans differently than the shelf tag at time of purchase, you will receive one of that
item free, excluding beer, meat, wine & tobacco products.

Thanks again for your inquiry.

Sincerely,
Amy Rinner
Consumer Affairs
Reference: 5713315

[meliarobin]

Will Kroger issue a raincheck on an advertised sale for meat? Do they issue rainchecks at all?

[sclotdebro]

My husband was told tonight that Kroger no longer accepts Internet printable coupons. The Kroger employee told him this is a new thing for 2009. He did not check to see if this is only at our nearest store or all Krogers. Since I don't see any other posts about the topic, I'm thinking it's just our store. It's the Forest/Greenville store in North Dallas for reference. I will check when I go in next time. If anyone else has heard this, please let me know. Thanks!

[courtneyrtr]

Originally Posted by meliarobin Will Kroger issue a raincheck on an advertised sale for meat? Do they issue rainchecks at all?

Yes Kroger issues Rain Checks they are good for 30 days.

If the sale is advertised in the in store ad you should be able to get a rain check on the meat.

I've been lucky and had a rain check issued for a sale not advertised in the sale ad.

[jaws1]

ZM, I read through these (but still may have missed it) -- I'm getting told, now, at the Rosenberg store "only one Q dbl/trpl per day" (ex: only one $0.25 off palmolive dishsoap) and allegedly, it's corporate policy, not location policy and comes under the "may limit quantities" catch-all.

Can't do multiple transactions same day anymore to get the dbl/trpl on like Qs (at that location) because "people are cleaning off shelves of sale items, using Qs ... AND having overage and cashier is giving customer money for transaction." (Now, in order to make full use of my Qs, I've got to drive an additional 40 or so miles roundtrip once each week. Or, I can drive an additional 180 miles/wk roundtrip to shop at Rosenberg store 7 days a week, literally.)

Before saying the next statement, I'll preface it by saying I am very much aware that not all couponers come to this site (although they would learn a lot if they did!)
Is there a section where Q users can be cautioned against calling attention to themselves (and making it harder on the rest of us) by only purchasing items that give them an overage? maybe use that overage to buy a couple extra loaves of bread or something, so they give the cashier a few dollars for all those groceries! ... Or, if there's a Krogers (or other store) that likes to give the customer cash at the end of the transaction, maybe that can be included in the "Individual Q Policy thread"?! (since I'm having to drive extra miles now, I'd drive a few more to get groceries AND money!)