Prattville AL Publix Shoppers - re: recent policy changes

[jlanhlan]

I am trying to see if there are any publix coupon users from the Prattville, Alabama store out there - they recently had a big change with their competitor coupon policies (not taking competitor coupons other than Winn Dixie). I spoke with the manager today (who is just a really great person by the way) and I will meet with him this weekend. I wanted to get some feedback from other couponers (because there are more in this store than any Publix I've ever shopped in - seriously - at least 1 out of every 5 person in that store is shopping with coupons).

If you shop there, could you let me know? We might be able to have a a small group meeting at the store to help the store understand what we'd like to see as couponers. The store wants consistent, easy to undersatnd and fair policies that keep the store as a profitable business but also keeps their customers loyal and happy.

[phimadams]

I shop there as well. I had heard rumors of this so I asked about the new policy before I started shopping last week. The guy at customer service told me target coupons would be accepted as long as they didn't say "in store us only" which makes absolutely no sense and rules out all ips.

I'm seriously getting fed up. The rules keep getting stricter and stricter since they opened. I only go in there now to shop the bogos and the clearance rack. I can't afford to shop there otherwise.

Prime example: Nabisco 12 pks are $5.99 regular price...they are $3.50 at Walmart. Without competitor coupons making the deals better I simply won't pay more for regular price items. I love their customer service but I can't pay extra for it.

I probably wouldn't be able to make it to a meeting but please feel free to print and pass along my comments.

Thank you!

[jlanhlan]

Thank you!! That really does help! I am taking this with me tomorrow morning to meet with the general manager. Any other comments from any other Prattville shoppers would be extremely helpful!!

[qjunkie]

I think they should at least take the target coupons, because they do have a good bit of groceries even though its not a super target. Them and winn dixie is all we have, and winn dixie doesnt even have coupons out to use. So there is no competitor stores left. I would say they could do away with drugstores as competitors. I was glad they were letting us do that, but i dont think they are competitors. Thanks for doing this though, I wouldnt have the guts.

[tn_native]

The Huntsville area already made this change about 3 months ago. Competitors are ONLY places that sell fresh (ie, raw) meat. If it doesn't sell raw chicken, beef, or pork then it cannot be considered a competitor. This leaves only Star Market, Save-a-lot, Krogers, Earthfare and SuperTarget in the competition arena here, as I've never seen a Lucky's or Piggly Wiggly $X off $Y coupon.

Prime example: Nabisco 12 pks are $5.99 regular price...they are $3.50 at Walmart. Without competitor coupons making the deals better I simply won't pay more for regular price items. I love their customer service but I can't pay extra for it.

This is when/why you stock up when they are ON SALE (and usually BOGO) at Publix. I'm single, so I don't have a family to feed, but I'm mentoring 7 families right now, that all have at least 2 kids. I tell them to buy what they think they will need at Publix until it goes on sale again. Yes, it may be a pain to figure out where to put all the stuff once you buy it, but at least you won't be overpaying on a weekly basis (I went off to college before I realized that folks don't store extra toilet paper under a bed ). I've been helping them on their Qs. If they run out, they can always buy ONE at Walmart and see if they go on sale the next week at Publix.

[jlanhlan]

Meeting with Prattville's store manager Ron was awesome - love that guy! He looked at all the comments I brought with me from other blogs and the one posted here. We also talked about the problems with coupon fraud (which was the reason we lost a lot of those competitor coupons in the first place - people copying coupons that were not supposed to be copied). I also better understand what the store faces in terms of trying to still be profitable while making things work for their customers. Ron is thankful for his "coupon people" and is working to find a solution.

And yup, TN_Native, stockpiling is the way to go - I learned it from another site years ago and it completely changed my approach to shopping. So nice of you to help other families in your area too! It is much easier to do with Publix because they put out so many of their own great coupons to stack with manuf. coupons.

No matter what happens, I am grateful for what I can do in Publix and will make it work no matter what. I've done stockpiling with coupons for years and hands down, will always choose Publix over other stores because of what I am able to do there with coupons, their FAB produce, meat & deli departments AND super customer service. But since we just don't have ANY other competitors in Prattville that put out any coupons (other than WD $5/50 and you have to make a purchase in the store to get those), I do feel like Target IS a competitor. Yes no produce or meat department but they are expanding their grocery department all the time - and it is right across the street from Publix. Sooo - we'll see!

Thanks for the feedback though - it was great to have something to show Ron yesterday.

[Rosebud2002]

I have had absolutely nothing but horrible experiences at the Publix in Prattville. I live in Opelika and my Publix is amazing. The Advantage fliers are in the door on the round display and we NEVER have to ask for them, they offer to take my cart out to my car, they answer my questions, and they SMILE! I came to P'ville to visit family and took my mom to Publix. I was appalled. You have to ask for the fliers. Since my mom and I had a shopping spree to do, I asked her for 4 Y Advantage fliers. The woman behind the desk said, "I'll give you one...." I responded, "Really? Only 1?" My mom had to ask if she could get one. I wanted to leave right then and there. I was shocked. Period. As usual, we rarely found things that were in stock and upon checking out, the bagger was rude and looked miserable; as if she had to be there. I am glad that you others have had good experiences. I had to share mine. I've been 3 times and this last one was my last trip.

[thickbluebug]

I was in Prattville Saturday. We were shopping in the area too.
I had a feeling about that store. My sister asked if we needed to go in and check it out. I told her I didn't think so.



Might stop in on our next trip down there.