Newbie Questions for Publix Shoppers

[nrpeace17]

Please post your questions here.

[Lynettern]

Well, I'm new to all this so I was so proud of myself. I took advantage of all the BOGOs I could and matched coupons to almost all of them. Bought the Banquets TV dinners for 79 cents each used a blinkie I got in Albertsons for buy 10 get 2 pot pies free. Stocked up on tons of Rice a roni, Hungry Man dinners, ketchup, pickles, you name it. I had it all organized and it went great. I felt like I saved a ton and the kids were having a great time unloading all the groceries. This is the first time I have used so many coupons at one time. The cashier was getting upset and she had to hold up the line to get a manager to override the sale as "I was using too many coupons". I had a whole crowd of people behind me and I thought I was going to die so I had to keep telling myself not to feel bad about using all these coupons. Finally they got a manager and they worked it out. Is that normal to have to get an override? I was wondering if it was the store policy or just the cashier. She seemed very flustered with all the coupons and did'nt want to take the Target coupons etc. but I was persistant and she finally agreed. I tried my best to be polite but I was determined that I was not going to apologize for saving my family money. My teenage dd said, "Mom if your going to use all these coupons you better get used to this."

Lynette

[couponaddicted10]

Hi, sounds like you saved a lot. A tip that really helped me and the cashiers is to hand them the coupons as I put up the items.

If I am buying 5 Sodas, 5 Cakes, and 5 Cereals. I would put up the 5 Sodas, and have the cashier scan the 5 soda coupons, then I put up the 5 Cakes, and have the cashier scan the 5 cake coupons...and so on. It helps the cashier count the products as we were going, and I dont have to give them a huge stack of coupons to "figure" out at the end....just a tip

[Lynettern]

I'm still trying to get that all down to a science. I had a $5 off $50 coupon from the entertainment book and my total was really close to $50 so I wanted to make sure I got the total first then gave her that coupon and then the rest. I was glad I did because she kept trying to use the regular coupons first and when I asked her to scan the $5/$50 first she kept saying by the time I scan all these coupons you'll be under $50 and can't use this. I had to keep saying scan that one first while I'm still over $50. Anyway I have such a hard time when they are scanning the products and the coupons that I often get to the car and realize that something scanned wrong or whatever. I will try to come up with a better method. One that won't stress out the cashier and will still let me keep track of whats being rung up. Thanks for the tip.

[wallacla]

Sounds like you did really well!! Good job
Don't ever feel bad about using coupons. I usually tell the person behind me I have coupons to use. I don't apologize at all, I just say it matter of factly to give them the oppurtunity to get in another line. If they choose not to, they had the chance. The coupons are made for you to use and YOU are taking the time to be organized, make a list,, etc so that you can care for your family as best you can. Good Work!!!!

[nrpeace17]

Originally Posted by Lynettern Well, I'm new to all this so I was so proud of myself. I took advantage of all the BOGOs I could and matched coupons to almost all of them. Bought the Banquets TV dinners for 79 cents each used a blinkie I got in Albertsons for buy 10 get 2 pot pies free. Stocked up on tons of Rice a roni, Hungry Man dinners, ketchup, pickles, you name it. I had it all organized and it went great. I felt like I saved a ton and the kids were having a great time unloading all the groceries. This is the first time I have used so many coupons at one time. The cashier was getting upset and she had to hold up the line to get a manager to override the sale as "I was using too many coupons". I had a whole crowd of people behind me and I thought I was going to die so I had to keep telling myself not to feel bad about using all these coupons. Finally they got a manager and they worked it out. Is that normal to have to get an override? I was wondering if it was the store policy or just the cashier. She seemed very flustered with all the coupons and did'nt want to take the Target coupons etc. but I was persistant and she finally agreed. I tried my best to be polite but I was determined that I was not going to apologize for saving my family money. My teenage dd said, "Mom if your going to use all these coupons you better get used to this." Lynette

Lynette, it will get easier as time goes on. There are three reasons that I can think of that an override would be required:

1. Your total coupons used were $50 in value or higher. Once I hit $50 in coupons in my stores, an override is always required.

2. Your item to coupon ratio was more than 1:1

The cashier will also need an override if you have more coupons than items, which can happen if you are combining store coupons with manufacturer coupons. You can avoid this by either throwing in fillers, such as Ramen noodles, mini cereals, or other inexpensive items. Or just make sure the number of items and coupons is equal.

3. You have a high value coupon. When a coupon is for a large amount, it sometimes requires an override.

I would suggest getting a feel for which cashiers are good at handling Q's,
they don't get as flustered with multiple coupons. Keep standing up for yourself, you did great.
As far as the customers behind you, it's not your problem. You deserve the service you require while it's your turn at the register. I am always patient with the person in front of me, be it an elderly person, a check writer, a person paying in pennies. It's not my business, I respect that it is their turn. I expect the same respect in return. If they are ignorant, I ignore it. If they are in a hurry they can use the Express lane.

[6months]

It sounds like you had a great trip!
When I first got started, I noticed the cashiers would sometimes totally bungle my order when I handed them a big stack of coupons. I actually asked on here what people did in the register line. I don't like holding up the line, but, after a while, you get a thicker skin.

I hand my coupons to the cashier one at a time. I do this because I started noticing after I got home that a coupon or two would not have been rang up. I was handing over the stack, the cashier was making a big mess of it all, i.e. Coupons everywhere, falling off the counter, getting mixed in with the ones already scanned, the register would freeze because she was trying to scan the same one twice etc etc etc. So I started handing them over one at a time and every shopping trip goes without a hitch now and we move a lot faster with this method because we are doing a sort of production line coupon scanning. I don't want to be the person they dread to see coming.
I suggest that you find a cashier that you like and train her yourself in how to handle your order.

[nrpeace17]

I agree, I have a similar strategy. I hand over any $'s off the order Q first, $5/30, etc. Next I give the Winn-Dixie frees competitor Q's, these are also based on a $25 order or more. Next comes the Target printables, then the Publix Store Q's. Then I give them the Free product mfr Q's and after that, the regular mfr Q's in groups by product. This works for me, I can keep track of what is being deducted, and how many of each. It helps you catch the mistakes and they get less nervous that way.

[Lynettern]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I'm sure with time I will become adept at all this. This site has really been a wonderful resource and everyone is so supportive. I can't wait for the next Publix circular to come out! I'm psyched!

[nrpeace17]

Your questions are helping other people as well, thanks for being brave enough to post them :)