Do you use filler items to even out your coupons?

[Lori-in-Lakeland]

Do you use filler items to even out your coupon ratio? If so, what is a CHEAP item?

I have been doing alot of coupon shopping (only buying items I have coupons for) and alot of them I have a manu. coupon and a Publix coupon, which throws off the ratio and I end up needed a manager override..most stores have no problem doing it, but if I could find a CHEAP filler, it would be easier.

What do most of you do? Just let a manager override or get filler items?

[Drew's Mommy]

I actually even out my ratio so I don't have to worry about getting a manager. Some of the cheap filler items that I usually get are: Ramen soup, a bulb of garlic, single onion, a banana, or sometimes an apple. :-)

[kandpsmom]

I use fillers too. Lately I've been getting season packets/ gravy mixes.

[johnfdeluca]

I personally don’t usually use fillers when I have more coupons than items….I just let the supervisor over-ride (they all know me and don’t seem to mind). But when I plan my list at home I count the item/coupon ratio and if it’s off, I have $x/2 coupons that result in free item that I can use to balance the ratio. This week, it’s carnation evaporated milk $.50/2 (which doubles for me) making it free…so that can be a filler. Another good one is the $1/4 cans of Campbells Soup. Other weeks, its the J&J $3/2 blinkie that I get travel sized band aids with. It’s a money maker and balances my coupon/item ratio. But most times, I don’t knock myself out trying to avoid the supervisor over-ride.

[tn_native]

I always use fillers when I know I have more Qs than items, as in the past, Publix moved me to customer service (only one person working there) and re-rang me (took everything out of the bags and scrutinized everything I bought)...I loved it when they found nothing as improper! It took over 30 minutes to do this, as the CS rep had to answer the phone, deal with the intercom etc, and I had ice cream and something else frozen that day (well, it HAD been frozen).

I'd rather throw in 3 tiny bags of cheetos for a buck than go thru that CRAP again. Girl as CS was very rude and treated me like I was guilty of something. Being in with the old manager had its perks, as I pulled him aside the next time I shopped and he was working. She no longer works customer service, she's been banished to grocery stocking!

[Clipper]

I don't shop at Publix but I have coupon ratio issues here too. Yup, I've done the single pieces of fruit thing. If anybody asks...you're painting a still life.

[Niddi]

Depends on how crowded the store is. My Publix knows me pretty well and they don't mind turning the key. When it's busy I hate to bother them with that and also hate to make the people in line behind me wait. Usually pick up a single jalapeno pepper, a bananna, anything from produce that can be purchased one item and is cheap.

[Mom2Natalya]

Originally Posted by johnfdeluca I personally don’t usually use fillers when I have more coupons than items….I just let the supervisor over-ride (they all know me and don’t seem to mind). ...I don’t knock myself out trying to avoid the supervisor over-ride.

Same here. Not worth it. They don't care and it's a waste of time and money for me to buy a bunch of stuff I don't need.

[Hotmama111]

Nope they just see me coming and know an override is necessary . Plus why would I want to get 10 to 20 fillers each trip?!

[johnfdeluca]

I really hate when cashiers just try to hand you back the remaining coupons and say "that's all the system will take". I'm not sure if they are just not trained or think I am dumb. I try not to sound snide when I reply "The system cannot accept more coupons than items without a supervisor over-ride. Would you like me to go ask at customer service for a supervisor to help you?" If the line is long though and there are no visibly available supervisors, I offer to redeem the remaining coupons at customer service after the close of the transaction .