Publix: New Coupon Policy!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!

[Nancy Reece]

Yesterday at the Carrollton, GA ,Publix, my dh was told by our favorite cashier that he could only get "3 b1g1 deal", she showed him a sheet posted on the wall below the Credit Card machine where you check out. Nothing was mentioned about the coupon limit. Guess it is time to stand -up and be noticed----or not be noticed at this store! We will be going else where, I do know that. The last month or so, this store has had all of the booklets that came in, behind the CS desk, and only give one to a customer. Will have to check out other stores on Monday. This might mean shopping 2 or 3 times a week!!!!!!!So be it.....we LOVE to shop! Will get more exercise,

[nrpeace17]

I have seen some negative changes, although I have heard about the directive for the stores to be more coupon friendly. My local stores have stopped accepting the FLIP's and are extremely particular about the Albertsons coupons. I had to get the Holiday book from behind the CS desk yesterday, which I find very annoying. I haven't seen any evidence of a more coupon friendly policy on the store level in my area.

[mcatwood]

Nanna
I got a couple of panic emails with misinformation. I just called the store to see the what the deal was and this is what they told me:

They are limiting the number of competitor Q's to 12 per day.
You can still use a manufacturer coupon per item purchased.
They ARE accepting printable coupons.
BOGO limits are 3 deals per customer or 6 items.
BOGO Rainchecks will also be written for a max of 3 deals
Rainchecks for 10/$10 items will be a limit of 20.
They are only accepting traditional grocery store coupons as competitors --Kroger, Ingles, Food Lion, etc..

[smokeydiamond]

Yes, it's probably going to vary by store. Our memo was from our store manager.

[nannabownanna]

I shot off an email to corporate about this and am waiting to see what they have to say.
I will post their response.

[TJ1234]

Originally Posted by smokeydiamond I'm a Publix cashier in the Tampa area and we received a memo yesterday that basically tells TO BE more coupon friendly. It went over the coupon policies...combine mfc with store q, okay to use on trial size if coupon doesnt restrict it, one coupon per item even on BOGO, etc. Our store WANTS you to use your coupons

Yay for Tampa Publix stores...LOL!

Originally Posted by mcatwood Nanna I got a couple of panic emails with misinformation. I just called the store to see the what the deal was and this is what they told me: They are limiting the number of competitor Q's to 12 per day. You can still use a manufacturer coupon per item purchased. They ARE accepting printable coupons. BOGO limits are 3 deals per customer or 6 items. BOGO Rainchecks will also be written for a max of 3 deals Rainchecks for 10/$10 items will be a limit of 20. They are only accepting traditional grocery store coupons as competitors --Kroger, Ingles, Food Lion, etc..

Awesome. I think that sounds pretty reasonable (except I think Super Target should be added to that list...LOL!) I do wonder, though....Does the above apply to all Publix stores or just the store in GA?

[amys]

I have spent quite a bit of time on the phone with the DM where I shop. He stated that the corporation was going to be making changes to the policies, but as of last week nothing had been set in stone. He also stated that no store was allowed to make changes different from the corporate policy except in regards to limiting quantities and rainchecks. That the company wants all their stores to have the same policy so that no matter which store you go into you will still be following the same rules.

I know that my store has megacouponers, and most of them clear the shelves every visit causing the store to limit quantities now and causing them to issue a lot of rainchecks to regular shoppers. The attitude at the store has changed quite a bit in the last MONTH!!! and they have stated changes are coming because they are losing money, even though their sales are up.

All that said. . . YES, the policy is going to change; YES, they will be limiting the number of coupons somehow; but NO, the stores can not have their own individual policy on how many they can accept.

If your store is one that has made changes recently, call or email corporate and verify the information. Then proceed to abide by it.


Some Advice and Information about Publix to help you understand: Using competitor, store, or the doubled coupons causes the store to lose money. Yes, this is a huge part of their publicity campaign, generates sale, and is a big bonus for couponers. But think about it - If the item is priced at $2.25 and you use a store/competitor's coupon for $1/1, and a mfg for $.50/1 and you pay $.25 - the store is only reimbursed for $.50 + $.08 for the item. That is a store loss of $1.50 per item.

I'm all over getting stuff for free, but I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me (a little nibble here and there, though ...) So I rarely use store or competitor's coupons when I shop at Publix and I still come out ahead. I'm not telling anyone to use or not to use those coupons, just explaining it to some who may not be aware of how it works and also pointing out that -personally - I want to keep a good thing going, so I am willing to treat them good so they will treat me good.

Kroger quit accepting competitor's coupons altogether - how long before Publix decides to do the same? And Kroger is a bigger company than Publix.

Waiting with bated breath to see what happens with the policy.

[johnfdeluca]

I can understand 12 competitor coupons per day as I know they don't get reimbursed for those....I've also heard some stores place a dollar limit on competitor coupons. But I know competitor coupons (when combined with mqs) make the real good deals (free or overage). I shop often so I could live with that but I feel bad for those with kids in tow who can't get out often.

I try to put myself in the store manager's shoes when I think about new policies. 12 coupons a day in total (not just competitors) makes absolutely no sense....and would if anything hurt store's bottom line. 12 competitor coupons per day makes a bit more sense...as a store manager, I'd want to keep close eye on how much I lose to competitor coupons but not restrict them so much as to drive customers away. My store eliminated Target and Food Lion from their competitor list. Food Lion makes sense as there is no FL nearby. But there is a SuperTarget < 1 mile away. I discussed this with the store manager....told him both Target and Kroger each within 1 mile accepts the target coupons so he's just pushing me to the competition and he agreed to accept Targets again.

I hate restrictions personally but I more hate inconsistent restrictions or those that change daily. I try to learn all the rules and work within them to maximize my savings. But silly restrictions will result in me taking my business elsewhere and informing corporate of my decision and why.

[philekallista]

A restriction on competitor coupons is totally understandable. I don't buy huge quantities of what's on sale anyway so I shouldn't have to worry about the 12-coupon limit. Publix is still so far from being unfriendly toward couponers, I'm not going to blink at a couple of reasonable new restrictions. Thanks Michelle for posting what you heard from the store.

[Mom2Natalya]

We all need to keep in mind that Publix is not losing money over us. Yes, technically, double coupons and competitor coupons are a loss to them in the short run, but how many people do you brag on and on about Publix to that end up shopping there that DON'T extreme coupon like we do?? I know I have brought in quite a few shoppers to Publix that were previously shopping at Kroger and Food Lion. And that is the point.

Also, don't forget about things like SLOTTING FEES. (If you don't know what this is- go hit google). Stores make more money in other ways than just selling products.

Trust me, Publix is doing just fine and can afford to take our coupons.