Coupon Policies (general store compulation)

[creature1001]

I am a checker at Safeway and this is our policy on internet coupons:

Printable internet coupons are defined as on-line print at home coupons that consumers receive via retailer, manufacturer and legitimate coupon websites. They typically require shoppers to register on-line to use the coupon, and shoppers are limited to 1 (sometimes 2) print from their printer.

In order to insure that we accept only legitimate printable internet coupons, Safeway has adopted the following store policies and guidelines:

*Do not accept coupons that do not have a manufacturer's bar code or manufacturer's redemption instruction.

*Accept printable coupons only if they scan properly at checkout.

*Do not accept more than one copy of the same coupon per customer.

*Do not accept coupons for free product (other than buy one get one that requires a purchase of the like item)

*Do not accept coupons for more than a $5 value or for more than 50% of a products retail price, whichever is lower.

*Do not accept printable internet coupons that do not have an easy to read expiration date or that extend more than twelve weeks. Most internet coupons may expire 30-45 days after you print them.

*Do not accept coupons that appear out of proportion or blurry, or are obvious duplicates.

Coupons may be rejected if they appear to have been altered in any way. Printable internet coupons are nearly always printed using the same technology and therefore have a standard format, with very specific security features, including a unique serial code.

To verify if an internet coupon is valid, see your Front End Manager. Printable internet coupons can be checked for validity at Coupon Resource Center

[Kimi in MD]

Waldorf, MD

Both Safeways take printables & doubles coupons up to 50 cents.

[SchwoomsMom]

Western Washington:
No problems with IP's, multiple coupons etc.

ONE store will not take coupons on clearanced merchandise (the items with the barcode covered and a price tag on them)

No doubles ANYWHERE in this area...

The stores that will allow coupons on clearance, I usually have them ring up the price of the item to match the price of the coupon, so I don't have to argue with them. Example, the Blistex Lip Infusion I bought tonight, was clearanced at .50 each. I had some .75/1 coupons for them, so I had him ring them at .75 each, because I knew he wouldn't take a .75/1 for a .50 item... YMMV!!!

[creature1001]

Originally Posted by SchwoomsMom Western Washington: ONE store will not take coupons on clearanced merchandise (the items with the barcode covered and a price tag on them)

Well in my opinion they should. By buying those product you are reducing space that can otherwise be used for more items.

You are still purchasing the merchandise which they can't sell but for some reason they can not return to manufacturer. Can you be at fault for them investing in a product that doesn't sell? NO!

From my understanding, a store does not get products on loan but instead buys the product to turn around and sell. So they have bought the product and are in turn selling it to you. You are buying the product, which has already been paid for...you have every right to use the coupon on a bought product, and the manufacturer will rebate the store for accepting the coupon.

Now I can see why maybe they would not double the coupon on the clearance product. A store doubles coupons at their own expense and are not reimbursed for doubling, but as for the acceptance of the coupon the store gets reimbursed face value and should accept all coupons for product bought by the store.

I am not 100% sure that this is how stores conduct business with manufacturers, but I am pretty sure.

The Safeway help line is 877 Safeway. Maybe they could further assist if the store continues to refuse legitimate manufacturer coupons.

[elhaugen]

Southern California.
I have 3 Von's locally (within 10 miles) and they all do it differently. And sometimes an individual store will do it different from cashier to cashier. It would be wonderful if Safeway Corporate would have the same rules for every store, but obviously doesn't.

I did find the info on the Internet Coupons interesting.

[angelaira]

In Fresno, CA:

No doubles (they had them six years ago or so, but stopped them after a store or two went under)

some cashiers try to say there are only three "like coupons" allowed per transaction, but that was apparently a rule leftover from when they used to double, and I have challenged this and asked store supervisors to look up the official rule, and after searching everywhere for an official version, none has been found, they usually mention it but have never enforced it. (I am trying to get all of the stores I use on a regular basis on the same page, so I often ask about the rules, let them know I understand much about what is going on, and do my best to get them to educate cashiers and employees about rules so I don't get hassled by cashiers who don't know the rules, and I have made a few friends this way, lol!)

there are strict rules about internet printables in their books, but most cashiers do not know the rules, and I have never had them enforce those rules, but I have seen them, only one internet printable per transaction, and none that look like copies

and today I was told cannot use catalina on gift card... nothing stated on the ctalina coupon though, so they took it, anyone know official rule?

[creature1001]

I am assuming you are talking about the catalina's that represent dollars off any product of your choosing. Those catalina's can be used on most products, exception being those prohibited by law. Unfortunately it does not tell you which ones are prohibited by law, making it sort of a guessing game.

I know the use of those catalina "dollars" are not allowed on alcohol, tobacco and lottery purchases. As for gift cards I do not see a problem.

[shaslove]

I had good luck at the safeway I went to last week (beaverton, OR) taking the interent coupons, if anyone wants to know.

[bw52]

Tucson (Marana), AZ

I called and they couldn't even give me a straight answer! The girl said sometimes they double the coupon and sometimes they don't. She said they do double coupons every day, but they have to SEE the coupon before they decide. She said it just depends. I couldn't get her to tell me what it depends on. I have yet to take my coupons there and let them SEE them and wait to say what they say. In the meantime, I just go to Fry's (which I never used to shop at). I wish they had a straightforward policy, Safeway is only a block from my house!

[jderr]

Originally Posted by Couponqueen22 Northern Calif - no double anywhere :( I still save tons though - just have to play it

Question: I live in San Jose and I can not find any Double Coupon grocery stores anywhere? Any suggestions?