Hillsboro Safeway has new IP Policy

[tmsmalley]

Danger Will Robinson!:hectic1:

So, I had 2 1/2 grocery carts full of stuff, 2 people bagging and they'd had to call another checker to check since I was in the 20 item or less lane (that was the only one open and no one was there when I started), when they mentioned that they now only take one IP per product. So, if you have 5 Ocean Spray and 2 Ocean Spray IP coupons, they only take one. Then one of your IP Cheerios, etc. They'll take as many other types of coupons as you have products for. And they will take IP's, but only one each.

Called the manager over who wouldn't budge, even though I pointed out that a) she took them last week, b) they all have individual code numbers on them. I told them that was fine, but they would need to find those items in my carts and pull them out, void them and re-ring so I could do another transaction. She then said that they wouldn't do separate transactions since I was there by myself, so I said I'd be happy to go out and come back as many times as needed, I have all day. We "agreed" that was going to be the process, the bagger (who was actually the produce manager called into service to help) started arguing with the manager about it, the checker is rolling her eyes and trying to figure out what to take out and finally says "this is going to be a nightmare" (no duh), since they have a bunch of things that are 5/$5 etc. Manager finally throws up her hands and agrees to go through with it - (this time) and instructs the checker to tape the copy on the front door so there's no more debate.

There are several other Safeways near me that I can go to. Anyone know if this is a regional issue or just a one store thing? I'll of course call around before I go in again to be sure. Worst comes to worst, I CAN go to Albertsons, I just don't like Albertsons.

Oh, and this was the Hillsboro Safeway at 2425 TV Highway.

Tess

[Merczilla]

I sure hope I don't start running into this. So far, I really don;t think there's that many couponers up here, so I've had no problems with IP's or limits on them. Mostly the things I run into are the purchase/transaction thing or it's for more than the item (i.e. item is .99, coupon is $1) thing.

Some stores seem to make up their own rules. Sorry yours is being a pita.

Edited to add: Some of the Ocean Spray ones DO say per transaction. I did find that last week. It was the ones for Light, Diet and Sugarfree ones. So you do have to watch those unfortunately.

[msmerbear]

the two stores i go to in Portland have been doing this for a long time.

[jeep.gal]

I sure hope I don't start running into this. So far, I really don;t think there's that many couponers up here, so I've had no problems with IP's or limits on them. Mostly the things I run into are the purchase/transaction thing or it's for more than the item (i.e. item is .99, coupon is $1) thing.

Some stores seem to make up their own rules. Sorry yours is being a pita.

Edited to add: Some of the Ocean Spray ones DO say per transaction. I did find that last week. It was the ones for Light, Diet and Sugarfree ones. So you do have to watch those unfortunately.

This has been a major complaint of mine for a while... not only does SW NOT have a set coupon policy-corporate wide, but if you call to complain to higher-ups, they will tell you, ultimately, it is up to each individual store to determine THEIR own coupon policy. This really makes no sense, as it is too difficult to "play by the rules" when the rules are always changing.

Some of the SW's will decline any IPs, when their own Corp. website, encourages you to print coupons from their website... why? To use somewhere else? And the media is really getting on the bandwagon too, with "use coupons for ultimate savings!" Maybe they should put in a disclaimer about the wacky couponing "rules" one might run into.

I try to just roll with it and not let it ruffle my feathers too much, when a deal is "shot down"; but it can sure be frustrating, when it worked smoothly the last time, so you invest time into doing it again, and then have it all fall apart.

[tmsmalley]

I actually understand not allowing any IP's better than I understand only allowing 1 which seems pretty arbitrary to me. In thinking about it, this is the same manager that wouldn't let me use 2 of my $3 off when you buy Coke and Nabisco coupons a few weeks ago (even though I had 2 coupons worth of purchases). These Coke/Nabisco coupons were not IPs but for some reason she had some issue with these in particular and I could only use 1 of them. It was just the one coupon so I just let it go. Obviously she's got some skewed ideas about coupons.

And yes, I do know that Safeway is probably the only big chain grocery store that really does not have any corporate-wide coupon policy. Most others seem to have one that managers have some ability to tweak. Safeway seems to be totally up for grabs.

So, I'll call around to our other Safeways next trip. I've got several that are nearby so it isn't going to kill me to take my purchasing power elsewhere.

Tess

[TJ665]

I've generally been able to use multiple like IPs in my stores here in East county in Portland but you're right it is a crapshoot between stores, especially cashiers. I only have a few cashiers who will accept the $10 off $50 before mfg coupons.

[Superbob0000]

that store is the only one in the hills-beav area that does it. the store on 185& cornell doesnt take them at all....the aloha store is just a crapppy store, i dont go in there, so i dont know....but all the store on murray take them nop issues, forest grove does, lake os does, most of the other do. regarding the tv store..call. call today, and call each time you go in...the ONLY way to fix this issue is for enuff complaints. i got 10% added the last time, i complained about this store. they actually have good clerks there, but this new policy needs to be changed.

[Superbob0000]

I've generally been able to use multiple like IPs in my stores here in East county in Portland but you're right it is a crapshoot between stores, especially cashiers. I only have a few cashiers who will accept the $10 off $50 before mfg coupons.

thats a District policy....im actually taking to DM trying to get that changed...if you have a clerk that does it, its only cuz they dont know/care.

[tmsmalley]

that store is the only one in the hills-beav area that does it. the store on 185& cornell doesnt take them at all....the aloha store is just a crapppy store, i dont go in there, so i dont know....but all the store on murray take them nop issues, forest grove does, lake os does, most of the other do. regarding the tv store..call. call today, and call each time you go in...the ONLY way to fix this issue is for enuff complaints. i got 10% added the last time, i complained about this store. they actually have good clerks there, but this new policy needs to be changed.

I'll definitely try the Murray store then. You're right about the Aloha store being a crappy little store. The people there however are generally quite friendly and helpful. Although I do have to say that I had the WORST deli sandwich of my life there last week. I was so wanting a good deli sandwich too! And I've had a ton of Safeway sandwiches from various stores over the years. This one was really badly put together (who'd have thunk you could screw up turkey and cheese on a french roll with just mayo?)

Tess

[miss]

I just want to say "Ya'll be careful when complaining!". I did that with an awful mgr a couple times and ended up getting a certified letter in the mail kicking me out for a whole year. The good thing is, Albertson's took me under their wing, made so much money with my Q's and my shelves are full with very, very little out of my pocket. My year is up but so far I don't see much reason to shop Safeway yet. I'm waiting for one of those smoking hot deals like last year when we got 25 cans of beans for $2!