Newbie Questions for Publix Shoppers

[concettaz]

Great thread - thanks! I "only" read 5 of the 13 pages, so I "may" have missed pertinent comments ...
My experience:
- Make friends with a couple of cashiers who know how to handle coupons, and always choose one of them when checking out.
- Be sweet, helpful, knowledgeable and cooperative - and have a teachable spirit. Really, you don't know everything (well, at least I don't).
- Start arranging items on the counter while people in front of you make their purchases. Most people will move the dividers up to give you more room when they can (or if you ask nicely).
- Place your coupons just behind the divider, not as a crumpled mess, but as a well-organized set.
- When placing items on counter, put couponed ones up front, grouped by product. Follow with sale items, again grouped by product. Then put other stuff at the end (what??? you're buying products that are not on sale and/or you don't have a coupon for??? ).
- I bag items myself, using cloth bags (they make everything so much easier/faster). I live in Florida, and there are a lot of elderly retired folks bagging (maybe me some day!). They're as sweet as can be, and I admire them for their hard work after retirement, but I'm just faster. Cashiers appreciate that (as opposed to having groceries stack up waiting to be bagged, having to help bag groceries themselves, and holding up the line further). I know, that means I can't be a watchdog, making sure every coupon is rung up correctly. That's when choosing the right cashier makes a difference.
- With my coupons/sales/Advantage Buys, I usually cut a $150 bill to about $100 or less. I know that's nowhere near as good as many of you pros, but it's not chump change either!
- It actually takes LESS time for me to go through than most coupon-less buyers.
- I have one cashier that LOVES to see me coming - tells me I can come through her line ANY time, it's such a pleasure. She even makes sure I have the current flyers (and if I don't, she goes and GETS them for me!).
She gives me tips (like being able to use a mfr q and a store q on the same item, which I hadn't known earlier).
- She KNOWS I am honest, and that I wouldn't knowingly take advantage of the system. We trust each other.
- I have a couple of backup cashiers in case she's not there, but the procedure is the same. It sounds like I'm doing a lot, but I really am not. It comes easier with a little time - and then it's second-nature.
- There are hardly any hassles, and the frowns on the people in back of me turn into smiles!

I guess I can sum this up with
a) Be friendly & positive
b) Know the rules and regulations, and follow them. Be honest.
c) Be ORGANIZED - make it as easy as possible for the cashier.

Works for me, anyways!

[shopping addict]

Definitely not a newbie as I've been shopping Publix and using coupons for over 30 years, but now I need to contact corporate and would like to know the best way to do so.

I went to a different Publix yesterday as I happened to be passing it on the way to Kmart doubles. I wanted to buy 8 Shout and use 4 of the BOGO coupons. That is all I was buying (big mistake at this store obviously) so it sent up a red flag to the cashier, but only after I gave her the coupons of course. She left the register saying she needed her "reading glasses" to see the coupon better. Well, her "reading glasses" turned out to be about 5'4", blonde and in the form of the STORE MANAGER. Would you believe this STORE MANAGER thinks "one coupon per purchase" means I can only use one coupon total? Obviously not the first time I've heard that, but from a PUBLIX store manager??? Plus, she said I cannot buy 8 Shout bc it will wipe her shelves clean and she has the right to limit quantities. Well, I do understand that they have the right to do that(even though there was an entire endcap in the back with at least 80 bottles). However, the cashier had no problem ringing up the 8 bottles, and only had the problem AFTER she saw I wanted to use 4 coupons. Now, there is no reason I need to go back to this store, BUT I think the store manager needs to be informed what "One coupon per puchase" means. I just cannot believe we are still having to deal with this age-old question. Besides that, I have never been limited in a BOGO situation. I rarely ever go over 4 deals though as I have many Publixes in my area if I want more. I find it outrageous to be limited to 2 bottles!

Thanks so much for telling me the best way to contact corporate on this particular matter.

[johnfdeluca]

I'd start with the contact us link on their website. Or if you want to be more formal.....send a letter via snail mail to the address on their contact us link.

I still get told this (though rarely at Publix and never by a Publix store manager)....just last week at Kroger I was told this by the store manager...he said he'd "let me slide" which was a big mistake. I told him he doesn't need to let me slide as I am doing nothing wrong. And if I were doing something wrong and he knowingly let me slide, he'd be guilty of coupon fraud. I grabbed my coupons back, left my cart of groceries and shopped elsewhere. Normally, I'd contact the store manager when faced with such a situation but he was the store manager so I sent an email to Kroger and they have yet to respond.

I really wish they would change the wording to "limit one per item purchased" on Qs. It would reduce the number of customer complaints and issues.

Originally Posted by shopping addict Definitely not a newbie as I've been shopping Publix and using coupons for over 30 years, but now I need to contact corporate and would like to know the best way to do so. I went to a different Publix yesterday as I happened to be passing it on the way to Kmart doubles. I wanted to buy 8 Shout and use 4 of the BOGO coupons. That is all I was buying (big mistake at this store obviously) so it sent up a red flag to the cashier, but only after I gave her the coupons of course. She left the register saying she needed her "reading glasses" to see the coupon better. Well, her "reading glasses" turned out to be about 5'4", blonde and in the form of the STORE MANAGER. Would you believe this STORE MANAGER thinks "one coupon per purchase" means I can only use one coupon total? Obviously not the first time I've heard that, but from a PUBLIX store manager??? Plus, she said I cannot buy 8 Shout bc it will wipe her shelves clean and she has the right to limit quantities. Well, I do understand that they have the right to do that(even though there was an entire endcap in the back with at least 80 bottles). However, the cashier had no problem ringing up the 8 bottles, and only had the problem AFTER she saw I wanted to use 4 coupons. Now, there is no reason I need to go back to this store, BUT I think the store manager needs to be informed what "One coupon per puchase" means. I just cannot believe we are still having to deal with this age-old question. Besides that, I have never been limited in a BOGO situation. I rarely ever go over 4 deals though as I have many Publixes in my area if I want more. I find it outrageous to be limited to 2 bottles! Thanks so much for telling me the best way to contact corporate on this particular matter.

[coupondiva25]

I am sure this question has been asked a million times however I am a newbie & this is answered in FAQ but I still had an issue @ my Publix. My Publix refused to take two coupons for a BOGO deal. I bought 4 different BOGO items for a total of 8 items. I had one coupon for each item. Each coupons was for 1 product (ie. 50 cents off one, $1 off 1). The cashier refused to take the coupon stating that she cannot take anything off an item that is "free". I tried to insist claiming I am purchasing the item even though it is free. What should I do in this instance? If anyone can give me some advice i would appreciate it.

[johnfdeluca]

I don't live in a true BOGO state...rather Publix just marks the price at half price so I am unsure what their policy is for true BOGO states like FL (I assume that is where you are). But my understanding from this forum is that you can use two coupons on a BOGO purchase (assuming you are buying one and getting one free). Someone from FL will be able to confirm this tho.

I would have asked to speak to the supervisor. If that didn't do any good, I've leave and later, I would call and speak with the store manager. Assuming the store manager didn't resolve the situation to your satisfaction, I'd contact Publix Corporate Offices either via telephone or the web form on their "contact us" link. IMO, Publix is usually very good about satisfying/resolving customer issues.

[DTSGal27]

I wanted to make sure about the Shout BOGO policy since there were two coupons out there (the BOGO and I had the .55 cent one). The manager at the Spring Hill, TN store referred to a coupon policy email while on the phone with me and stated "as he was reading it" it was okay to use both coupons with the purchase. Many many know that, but wanted to mention this because there is a corporate policy they can refer to. I might also check with other local store managers and ask them to confer as they likely all have the same regional manager.

[Mom23Lads]

I have noticed few things while looking at the Publix Ad match-ups which I cannot find the answers:

1. Peelie's: Are these actually removed from a product not being purchased that day?

2. All You: Is this a booklet? Where is it acquired?

It looks like I am in a different geographical area (FL) than the Forum posts, so I realized there will be some discrepancies . . .

Thanks.

[johnfdeluca]

Originally Posted by Mom23Lads I have noticed few things while looking at the Publix Ad match-ups which I cannot find the answers: 1. Peelie's: Are these actually removed from a product not being purchased that day? 2. All You: Is this a booklet? Where is it acquired? It looks like I am in a different geographical area (FL) than the Forum posts, so I realized there will be some discrepancies . . . Thanks.

1. Some people remove them only when buying....others remove them for future purchase of the item. People have argued the morals...do whatever you think is fair.

2. A magazine available only at Wal-mart. There is a subscription service but the one that gets mailed to subscribers has fewer coupons in it than the "newstand" version at Wal-mart.

3. Yes, FL has different policies (no doubles, no mystery penny item, true BOGO sale so you must buy two to get sale price, etc.) and of course, prices will vary by location too.

Welcome to the forum....it's a great place to collaborate and learn about the best deals.

[concettaz]

:hi2:

1. I don't remove a peelie off a product unless I'm purchasing it.
What about the other people buying the product. I try to go by "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". That's ME.
Plus, some of them state that they are not valid unless removed by the cashier.

2. I didn't realize that the WalMart version of All You had more coupons. Looking at the coupon database, I hadn't noticed coupons that I "missed" by having the subscription service, but I take your word for it. Also, issues of All You often (always?) have coupons for purchasing issues of All You in the store. For example, I have a coupon for $1.00 off the October issue in my Have List.
If you go to AllYou.com, you can sign up for 2 free issues (be sure to cancel after you get them, or you'll be charged for a full year.
A year's subscription is about $20, but I got mine from Amazon for $10.00 (they run regular specials on their magazines.)

3. Yeah, living in Florida is not the best place for using coupons (mainly no doubling), but there certainly are still deals to be had!!! I usually save about 1/3 of our bill every week we shop (coupons, sales, and Advantage Buys). And I know that's not very much compared to the coupon queens here, but I've only just recently started to take this seriously.

4) trading in the Trading Forum can get you a wealth of wanted coupons (once you build up your Have List).
There are some GREAT sweet patient kind helpful trainers in there who can guide you at the beginning, and give you guidance along the way.

There are all kinds of sources for coupons besides Sunday inserts - booklets you order by mail, coupons that come with free samples, blinkies and peelies, store-supplied booklets and flyers, magazines, inside/on packages, tearpads, internet printables ....

Hope I've helped in some little way ...

Originally Posted by johnfdeluca 1. Some people remove them only when buying....others remove them for future purchase of the item. People have argued the morals...do whatever you think is fair. 2. A magazine available only at Wal-mart. There is a subscription service but the one that gets mailed to subscribers has fewer coupons in it than the "newstand" version at Wal-mart. 3. Yes, FL has different policies (no doubles, no mystery penny item, true BOGO sale so you must buy two to get sale price, etc.) and of course, prices will vary by location too. Welcome to the forum....it's a great place to collaborate and learn about the best deals.

[Mom23Lads]

Thanks SO much for the hints and information!