Publix: Mystery Coupon... going away (rumor)

[savinggrace]

I was chatting with my Publix store gen. mgr and he told me that the Mystery Coupon was going away. He said too many people take more than one item and abuse the program. He said it is the discretion on each store mgr to keep the program or not. Many stores will be changing to a Buy "this item" and get "that item" for $.01.
I was friendly but, frank with him about not liking this change. Stating that if I don't want or like the "buy item"- I would not be able to benefit from the program. He went on to say that it is just a huge loss financially for the company and store and would probably be gone by as early as April '09. :sad:
-in Marietta, GA

[sweety1786]

I am confused- how do people "take more than one item"? It isn't like you can use more than one penny item coupon per purchase. This doesn't make sense to me at all.

[cooktre]

I think he means that people split up their transactions into several $10 transactions and get several of the penny item each week. I've done that before to get two penny items. I always have a bunch of papers so I have a bunch of penny item coupons. People could easily get a bunch of them. After all, there is nothing right now that says that is wrong; it just says buy at least $10 of stuff, get a penny item with mystery coupon.

[bethanyrose]

I would rather see them change the fine print to one coupon per transaction per day (similar to Michael's Craft Stores) then to just do away with it. If they change the policy to "buy that item" and get this "for a penny", I probably won't be buying the item. I don't usually seek out the items that are a penny. But, crossing my fingers they won't change it!!!

[robyn812]

Yeah, I would rather up the limit, say buy $25 or $50 and get the item, than do away with the program. I see people all the time that could but do not get the penny item, even when it is right in front of them. At my store they used to have some of the penny items at the registers for those that forgot and asked for it. No coupon required.

I can see how some people take advantage of the promotion. I have done a transaction on Sunday and then on Monday go to a different store to find some things my store was out of and get the item again. I do not think that is abuse of the system. Two stores, two different days.

[Mwilliams32931]

I've never seen the mystery coupon anywhere. Someone said that there was a sign in the store somewhere but I have never seen it in my store.

[savinggrace]

The mystery Q is found in the Sunday paper. But, as the store mgr told me- they don't require the cashiers to have a Q to honor the promotion (every store is different). His nose was out of joint about people coming in several times a day for the item and for people saying, "one is for my mother" or "I shop for my neighbor", etc... I totally agree with the others that said they would not be as likely to use the Q if there were "buy this" conditions on it. However, I will suggest to him about what the fine print on the Q reads and the buy limit amount being raised a bit to $20, 30... or perhaps only giving the deal if you have a physical Q. I think those are great ideas. Anyway, I certainly hope it doesn't go away but, thought I would let you all know what one store gen. mgr is saying.

Also, he says this same store is going to have HUGE clearance and discounted items very soon. Mid-April they are switching to the new store layout and will be moving everything in the entire store except Pharmacy. Many things will be on sale. (location: Marietta, GA- Woodlawn store)

[pennywatcher]

I've never seen the mystery coupon anywhere. Someone said that there was a sign in the store somewhere but I have never seen it in my store.

You're in Florida, right? Publix doesn't do the mystery/penny item in Florida.

[lookin4savins]

I have to admit Im one of those people that load up if its good we have 3 stores and I hit all three both days I accually ended up with 10 packs of toilet paper becouse of no school on Monday and my youngest shopped with me, Id be sad to see this program go

[Mwilliams32931]

You're in Florida, right? Publix doesn't do the mystery/penny item in Florida.

Well that explains it then. Lol.