Florida publix shoppers

[homescrapper]

First, I want to say that I absolutely LOVE shopping at Publix. I love the store, the people etc. But I am really frustrated.

IS there anyone else in Florida that is frustrated by being treated like the red-headed (no slur intended if you have red hair) step child by Publix?
I just don't get why they don't have Penny items and doubling of coupons $0.50.

I mean it's like really?

Isn't there anything we can do? I guess it's just frustrating every time I hear "OH! sorry, Florida, not for you!"

I don't want to be negative because like I said I love Publix and the store and their customer service, But isn't there anyway, to appeal to the store to change some of this? Like in a mass, appeal?

Well, Just wondered if it was just me or if anyone else feels this way.

[jarana81]

I feel the same way. Yes I get good deals but think it would be better if they doubled coupons!!!

[Love10011]

We get some other random coupons that don't seem to be in other states - recently the $10 gift card off every $50 (We got 6 of them!) that lasted a month. It's unfortunate but nothing can be done - just have to work with what you have :)

[homescrapper]

I agree that we have to work with what we have... I know it probably won't help but I did write to them and ask them to explain to me in a nice way why they don't double and why we don't get penny items? (at least not where I live in Fla.)

Don't know if they will reply or not. Although, I'm hopeful because they usually do reply when written to.

I stated one thing that maybe they haven't thought about ... and that is that their store personnel have to deal with grumpy customers on this matter. And thanks to EXTREME couponing that changed the way STORES do things, It also affected the way that shoppers now shop. Gotta go where the deals are. It guess it was just the inconsistency that Publix is not known for that makes me frustrated as well.

[tinkrbel]

I honestly don't even think about it. Nowhere doubles here except for the once every few months KMart and their prices aren't worth it.

[homescrapper]

This sounds like a little bit of gobbledy goop. Not really an answer accept to say we don't have to in your area because there is no competition doing it!

From Publix!

Thank you for taking the time to contact our corporate office with your questions about double coupons and penny item. We apologize for the disappointment and inconveniences we may have caused you.

As a competitive response to other supermarkets, we do have a double coupon program in our Atlanta Division stores, which includes northern portions of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and the state of Tennessee. However, at the present time we do not have any plans to expand double coupons beyond that market.

Double couponing is expensive to support but doesn't touch the majority of our customers. In our other divisions, we use promotional methods such as Buy-One-Get-One-Free, hotly priced sale items, etc. We feel that our strategy of offering fair prices on all items and having good sale ads offers our customers a better overall value.

Thanks for your email on "penny item" offered in our Atlanta division area stores, which encompasses Tennessee and the northern portions of Alabama, South Carolina, and most of Georgia. In addition to maintaining competitive everyday prices, at Publix we work hard to provide the kinds of promotional offers and incentives that most interest our customers. So, generally, we rely heavily on weekly specials (mostly price discounts and BOGOs); Publix Advantage Buys (discounted prices which usually are effective over multiple weeks) and some degree of couponing.

But we also face different competition (and competitive activity) in different markets. As a result we sometimes create different store specific and/or market specific offers. For a few years now we've offered penny item in Atlanta division area stores mostly because this has been a pervasive kind of promotional offer.

While it may be unique to Publix in that area, we feel that our customers across all other markets enjoy a very similar (if not identical) overall value through our other forms of offers and incentives. So, in short, though our promotional mix may differ somewhat in different areas - we believe that overall, we are delivering a "fair" and consistent value to our customers everywhere.

Thanks again for sharing your concerns with us. It is our goal to always deserve your business. If we can be of any further assistance regarding this matter, please either call our Consumer Relations toll-free number at 1-800-242-1227, write us at the Publix Super Markets Corporate Office, PO Box 407, Lakeland, FL 33802, ATTN: Consumer Relations, or contact us at our website, publix.com and mention your reference number, # 893839.

Sincerely,

CONSUMER RELATIONS


Ok Whatever !!!

[AshleyDillo]

Publix has a big competitive advantage in Florida. Here in north Florida, I can't think of any other grocery stores that even come close to it. I know there is more competition in South Florida, but I see Publix's reasoning for not needing the double couponing or penny item promotions in Florida to gain business. They've really eliminated most of the need for you to shop elsewhere in Florida--no other stores double and they also accept competing grocery store coupons.

[MzKoni71]

I agree with you...FL shoppers get the short end of the straw...not only no doubles, no penny item sale but our prices are higher (speaking from fact; I lived in Greenville, SC for 3 months and just moved from Atlanta) from what I see other states enjoy the same sales and promotions...I've only seen one FL only promo and that was this years calendar which had a shortened expire date...I emailed corporate this same question 3 years ago when I first started couponing...nice to see their response has not changed..How's that for giving FL shoppers better deals.

[Pinksink]

Well at least they were consistent in their answers from 3 years ago.
I am not thrilled with our prices in FL being higher. Even the inconsistency of prices throughout Fl with some counties being higher. That said, I understand where they are coming from just looking in my own town. I have a very hard time shopping in WD. When you walk in it just doesn't feel sanitary. And their prices are similar to Publix, sometimes even higher. I won't even go through the list for our food lion as I feel like I should shower with bleach anytime I have so much as walked in there, so would never shop there. I do occasionally need to go to Walmart, but it definitely is not a pleasure. The SuperTarget is their only true competitor in prices and cleanliness. I love my Publix and enjoy the service and cleanliness. Although with all the increases in Publix pricing, I will need to monitor both, and keep an eye out for price match opportunities with WD & FL at Target.
Getting back on topic...I understand your frustration and I think we all had our moments were we get so frustrated that we need to blow off steam. I am glad that you took the time to voice them here and to write to Publix. They actually gave you more of an answer than I thought they would. Bottom line is that they do what they do because they can and will not change anything unless they see a change in their sales & bottom line (such as they must have in my county when they stopped taking Target coupons as competitors,because they now take them again. And with the FL market as it is, they do not need to change their doubling policies or give us a penny item etc.

[dimwitt]

I'm sorry but I do not agree that we don't have a good thing in Florida Publix. Having lived in a state where tax on food was over 9%, I am thrilled to live in a state with no tax on food. As to the no doubling, it would be nice, but Publix has the most generous coupon policy of any store to which I go. Another plus is my Publix's customer service leaves Walmart's in the dirt. Just my humble opinion.