Competitor's coupons....

runfast · 11-13-2007, 06:34:24 PM

Why oh why am I too chicken to try using a competitor coupon.

I have been doing pretty well on my grocery bill, however it could definetly be lower using the competitor coupons. This is coming from a girl just 4 months wouldn't dare think of using a 'gasp' coupon. Now I hate having a grocery bill of 30 dollars a week (excluding meat).

Help me wrap my mind around using other store coupons at Publix!

For what it is worth we have Winn Dixie, Target, Walgreens, and CVS... can I even use those??

Katie

SCWahine · 11-13-2007, 06:39:55 PM

You could use the WD.. I know some Publix's accept Target even though mine does not. I don't think you could use WG or CVS.

It's worth a try!

nrpeace17 · 11-13-2007, 06:47:53 PM

The stores in FL take Winn-Dixie, Target, Food Lion, mainly grocery store competitor coupons. Check at your Customer Service Desk in regard to the Pharmacy store Q's, mine don't take them.

hak2052 · 11-13-2007, 06:55:53 PM

Don't be afraid to use competitor's coupons at Publix. I frequently use the $10 off an order of $50 or more catalina from Winn Dixie at Publix or when there is a coupon in the paper for $5 off of $30 which is easy to do since Publix has a button on the cash register or a certain code they use for competitor's coupons!

runfast · 11-13-2007, 08:33:55 PM

So, I don't have to worry about it beeping or some big ordeal about having a competitor.

I think that is what I am afraid of....I'm not sure how they work. You know they scan in mfr and key in theirs .... I'm worried about them making a big fuss about them..

So it is just as easy to use as a mfr?? I could have really used the broccoli and banana from target today...but not sure how competitors work (as far as Publix registers.

Thanks for all replies... reps to all.

Katie

suzzj · 11-13-2007, 09:28:45 PM

I have used the bananas, Toaster Strudel (got those super cheap when they were BOGO and Target Q, and MQ!) and I know others that I can't seem to think of right now. I had no probelem with those.
The only problem I had was from a Publix I do not usually go to and had TQ and MQ (for Tide) and the cashier said I ws doubling the coupons (I wanted to say no, I am stacking Q's, but some people are not worth the aggravation!
Sue

pennywatcher · 11-13-2007, 09:47:47 PM

I had mixed luck with competitor's coupons when I first started using them. I had a lot of cashiers try to hand back the coupons and say, "These are for Kroger." I would say, "Yes, and Publix accepts competitor's coupons." The cashier would then need the manager or another cashier to show her how to ring it. There's a specific key or sequence, but I don't know what it is. I don't think it ever had to go farther up the chain than that.

I find I have the best luck if I hand them all the competitor's coupons at once and announce, "And these are competitor's coupons". If I'm giving them Target coupons, I also add, "So they won't scan." Otherwise the cashier tries to scan the Target barcode which the Publix register does not understand.

I would suggest you start small if you are nervous about it. Start with just one of something like the banana coupon. That one is pretty clear cut. The coupon is clear on the size and item that needs to be purchased. You won't have a manufacturer's coupon on the same item (probably) so you won't get grief on that count. The amount that the coupon is taking off isn't more than the value of the product, so you won't have any issues there.

Another option if you are nervous is to go talk to the manager to make sure you know all the rules your specific store may have around competitor's coupons. Then if the cashier has any issues with your coupons, you can say, "So-and-so said..."

Competitor's coupons may be no big deal at your store so don't psych yourself out of a great money saver.

nrpeace17 · 11-13-2007, 11:10:03 PM

Competitor coupons are keyed in manually through the competitor coupon key. The process is very much like the majority of the Publix Store coupons that have to be manually entered. Just pick a friendly looking cashier, the FL stores are very good about competitor coupons, in my experience. My strategy is like pennywatcher's. I hand them over and state that they are my competitor coupons. If they don't know how to process them, I tell them that there is a competitor coupon key. Don't be shy, it is a substantial savings tool. These competitor coupons are are valuable as Wintags to me.

runfast · 11-14-2007, 12:09:26 AM

Thanks for giving me the courage to try... I am going to...soon.

snooks · 11-14-2007, 04:47:54 PM

Originally Posted by runfast

Thanks for giving me the courage to try... I am going to...soon.

When I first started giving competitors coupons, I went to the CS desk, spoke w/asst. manager. Showed him the coupons and asked do you accept these. With a huge smile he replied yes mam we do. That really took the edge off. Occassionally a cashier tells me we don't accept that, normally from Walgreen. I take the coupon back and tell her to remove that item from my bill. Chances are another publix will accept it.