A&P ~ Dear A&P

[needmoredeals]

Dear A&P, I would like you to know that I was really excited when you decided to accept IP and competitor q's. I was able to gets lots of deals at your store this way and found myself spending my hard earned money and time consuming qs there on a pretty regular basis.

Now that you no longer accept these coupons, I am hard pressed to find anything worth my time to stop by. I am a very busy person with a full time job and three little kids. I can't just show up to buy one of two items, so I believe that the majority of my money will be going to Shoprite, since I get more coupons from their catalina machines and I am able to redeem them there. Oh yeah, and they take my IPs.

I suppose that I will now be seeing you twice a year when you decide to triple my qs, since I don't live in CT and can't get the first 3 tripled every day.

[mnopqr]

Dear A&P - I really like your store and you have some great deals. However, most of my coupons are Internet Printables. If you no longer accept those, I will be forced to shop almost exclusively at ShopRite, where Internet Printables are accepted without question and doubled. Please reconsider. Signed, A Disappointed Customer in New Jersey

[simplysanam]

I had a horrible experience at your Manville, NJ store yesterday. Went there with my Internet coupons and found out you no longer take them nor any competitors. Had to void so many things from my transaction. It was a pain to deal with the nasty manager especially when I have my 3 year old with me. I'm taking my business elsewhere....The internet coupons was what made me come to you....

[jimboli]

It does no good to post your complaints here - link for CS is on their website. I got a response back in about 24-48 hours.

BTW, I know that Waldbaums still takes them as I got a confirmation from Montvale that they were still taking them. If Walbaums does, I would be surprised if A&P did not (since they are related). I know that competitor coupons was discontinued- but it was rare that I used them there anyway.

Also, if you go to page 11 of the current good deals book, it says right at the bottom "We Take Internet Coupons." I think it was a mis-informed cashier. (I had the same problem a week ago - but right behind the person was a sign that said "Internet Coupon Policy" and taped to the receipt priter was the same policy - I asked them why they had a policy if they did not take them. No answer - just put them through)

My guess is that there was some level of activity that they did not expect. They were expecting (a) catalinas, (b) $xx off $xxx order, or (c) use this coupon to get triple coupons. Instead, the got:

http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums...only-99-a.html

I think the normal price of a 6 pack is $2.99. So A&P offers it for 99 cents each while Acme offered it for full price but get 2 free - which means it comes out to the same price as if you bought 3 at A&P. That is why it was discontinued - they are not in business to loose money (which they clearly did on this). Catalina - they would get reimbursed, (b) and (c) puts them on a level playing field with competitors. By using the Acme coupon (which was well within their policy), they were put at a disadvantage vis-a-vis competitors since they lost $1.98 on every transaction. With grocery margins around 1-2 cents, that alot of product they had to sell in order to make up that loss.

[jende921]

I agree with all the above comments, including the argument against taking competitior's q's. I am back to not even opening the A&P ad. It's OK, I found their instore & email customer service lacking re: expired foods in the store & IP policy; mine JUST changed to accepting, and now they are doing a 180?
We are all "voting with our feet" and competitiors will reap the benefit.

[jimboli]

I respect you opinion - I just hope the grass is greener on the other side.

Although my experience has been different (prompt email response from CS, no issues with IPs, little issue with fresh food), I respect your decision - I just hope it works for you.

[savinmaven]

I have no issues with A&P as they treat me well. Produce,meat, and fish are always fresh and they are very liberal with coupons. A&P and any other store would rather not have your business if all you do is buy their loss leaders. Shop Rite is a major PITA with coupon use around here and the parking is ridiculous.

[needmoredeals]

savinmavin, I know what Shoprite you are talking about and that is the most ridiculous parking lot. That's why I go to a different one in a different town. No coupon hassles there.
Also, I did write AP's customer service and I can see that I was hasty on the internet coupon thing. But I am still irritated about the competitors qs. I didn't really do anything to abuse it. I was using the cats from other placed to get all my baby food in one store. I can't really go all over the place all the time. I only go to a different shoprite because it's on my way home from work.
And, I would like to add, the AP near me hasn't had any expired meats and other that I have noticed. So, I definitely don't want to talk against that.