Publix - Don't be surprised....

[nrpeace17]

If your store starts limiting the number of Advantage Buy Flyer coupons you are allowed to use per order/day.
As always, everything is YMMV on the store level, but I have heard that the stores have been told to start enforcing limits.
The verbiage on many of the Advantage Buy flyers has been "limit one deal per coupon per customer."

I always wondered why my favorite store was out of all the advantage coupon deals. I'd been following the "one per coupon per customer" line and only using one at a time. I then find out they don't even care! I knew it didn't make sense that someone would go through that many times, or that so many suddenly started using those coupons. I hope they keep this policy for just a little while longer..Shopping trips now feel like a battle to beat who the cashiers call the "lady with the giant coupon box who takes everything off the shelf!" each time. I've been kinda enjoyin it! Sometimes I win. Sometimes I have to find another store. Couponing is awesome.

Thanks for the info!

[mommas2moody]

Oh mine has always stuck to the rules! I attempted to use multiples and was stopped really fast.

[cbms]

I only get one deal per coupon...And I get two deals with two coupons. They don't (yet) say one coupon per customer...


*the manager at my favorite store said that simply means you can't use the same coupon and have it rung in twice-you have to HAVE two to get the discount twice.*

[Perrin]

My store has always taken multiples with no problem although I doubt I ever use more than 2 in one trip. I noticed on the Rotel last week that they 'missed' one of the adv flyer coupons but this may explain why. The cashier never said you can't use this, it just didn't ring up so I assume she missed it. This is in NW metro Atl.

[johnfdeluca]

I am also in North Metro Atlanta (Johns Creek) and I typically just use one of each Publix coupon per trip but when the Gatorade was BOGO a few weeks ago, I asked at Customer Service if I could use multiples and they said it would be fine. Last week I did the same thing with the Rotel. Since I asked CS first and they said no problem, I figured it was fine. No matter what "policy" they set, it rarely gets adhered to consistently at the store level so I would be surprised if all stores followed a new policy. That said, my Publix is quite coupon friendly but should they adopt this policy, I'll honor it and work within it.

I think they put things like "one deal per customer per visit" and things like that because some stores get cleared out. This gives the store the opportunity to say "no" and have something in writing on the coupon to indicate the reason. But it still gives the store the opportunity to allow it if it's not being abused. While the inconsistency is frustrating, I can see the value in allowing it when it's not abusive (subjective) and disallow it when it's perceived as abusive or has negative impact on the shelf supply.

[Mom2Natalya]

I will confirm that ALL Stores in the Nashville region have "new guidelines" (The District Manager insists they are NOT policies, but guidelines...I have my doubts about that, but I digress) stating limits of ALL "deals", this means all bogo deals and anything involving a Publix store coupon.
Today, the Grocery manager tried to tell me I could not buy 8 Yakisoba, because, his reasoning, I was using coupons, which made it a deal, so I could only get 6 (which is their new guideline). WTH? If I was paying cash, he would let me get as many as I wanted. I have a real problem with that.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by Mom2Natalya Today, the Grocery manager tried to tell me I could not buy 8 Yakisoba, because, his reasoning, I was using coupons, which made it a deal, so I could only get 6 (which is their new guideline). WTH? If I was paying cash, he would let me get as many as I wanted. I have a real problem with that.

The manufacturer's coupon is like cash to the Publix, but the double is not. He would probably let you get 6 with Publix matching the $.50 coupon and then the other 2 with just the manufacturer's coupon.

[nrpeace17]

This will probably shock many of you, but I honestly have an easier time using coupons at Walmart lately with all of the ever changing Publix policies at the store level. I know it isn't going to happen, but Publix really needs a written corporate policy that can be consistently followed from store to store.
The store managers always have the prerogative to make exceptions, or changes, even with a written corporate policy in place. It would just be so much less frustrating.

[johnfdeluca]

Originally Posted by nrpeace17 This will probably shock many of you, but I honestly have an easier time using coupons at Walmart lately with all of the ever changing Publix policies at the store level. I know it isn't going to happen, but Publix really needs a written corporate policy that can be consistently followed from store to store. The store managers always have the prerogative to make exceptions, or changes, even with a written corporate policy in place. It would just be so much less frustrating.

Amen to that. RiteAid came out with a written coupon policy and while it didn't cover every question that arises with coupon use it is pretty comprehensive like clarifying that he $x off $y coupons should be tendered first before others (hence $y total is before all other coupons) and use of a BOGO Q on a BOGO sale means free product, etc. I printed the policy and carry it with me and it came in handy when one RA manager said I couldn't get something free with a store BOGO sale and a Mfg BOGO coupon. He changed his tune when he realized I knew their policy better than he did. With this written and public policy, there are a lot fewer YMMV situations in the RA forum lately.

Personally, I think all businesses should have a documented and public coupon policy. I'm not sure if Publix Corporate realizes how frustrating it can be to be told one thing one day and another thing another day. Even if they document the policy, they can, as nrpeace says, give the right to the store manager to amend where warranted. At Publix, the only real customer sat issues I ever have is with coupon policy....otherwise, I find all Publix experiences pleasant and professional.