Smith's Food & Drug FAQ's

[TheWoman]

I am going to be in an area with a Smiths at the beginning of August and will need to purchase food for about 15 people for 2 days. I get to plan the menus, so I can plan around the sales. I would like to do it for as little $$ as possible, of course, and I won't have a lot of time to go from store to store to store to get deals. I plan to check the ads online before I leave and bring any necessary coupons with me.

I have read the FAQs, but I don't understand the coupons you can load onto a card.
1. Can I get a card before hand? Or can I load coupons onto it in store? I don't want to have to go to the store and get a card, go somewhere with internet access to load coupons, and then go back to the store.

2. Are these coupons 1 time use? For example, if there is a $1/1 coupon and I buy 2 will it take off $2 or just $1?

3. Can they be combined with manufacturers coupons?

4. Is the coupon card the same card as the fresh values card? Looking at the website it seems like you might need 2 cards?

5. Do the ads run Wed to Tues or is there a different schedule?

Also, is there anything else a newbie to Smiths should know that isn't covered in the FAQ?

[greenfrog57]

I have read the FAQs, but I don't understand the coupons you can load onto a card.
1. Can I get a card before hand? Or can I load coupons onto it in store? I don't want to have to go to the store and get a card, go somewhere with internet access to load coupons, and then go back to the store.

You have to load the coupons onto the Fresh Values card before you go into the store. If you have a Kroger affiliate near you, try to load the e-coupons onto your Kroger card to use the Kroger card at Smith's. I haven't personally tried this, but the cards are supposed to be able to be used chain-wide.

2. Are these coupons 1 time use? For example, if there is a $1/1 coupon and I buy 2 will it take off $2 or just $1?

Yes, one time use only. It will only take off $1 regardless of how many of the same products you buy.

3. Can they be combined with manufacturers coupons?

Yes - acoording to Smith's customer service, you can "double dip" by using a paper coupon along with an e-coupon.

4. Is the coupon card the same card as the fresh values card? Looking at the website it seems like you might need 2 cards?

It is the same card. There are two different designs: Fresh Values and Fresh Values Rewards (The Fresh Values Rewards is a new program that has not been unveiled in all Smith's markets.)

5. Do the ads run Wed to Tues or is there a different schedule?

Wed to Tues

Also, is there anything else a newbie to Smiths should know that isn't covered in the FAQ?

I don't think so, but I will definitely be updating the FAQ soon. If you have any other questions, reply here or pm me directly....

I hope I helped ya'!

[TheWoman]

I don't have any kind of Kroger card. Hmmm....maybe my mom does. I shall have to ask her.

[greenfrog57]

What are the details about coupons I can load onto my Smith's card?


You can load coupons directly onto your Smith's card here at Smiths website or these 2 websites:

Link to load shortcuts e-coupons onto your Smith's card

Link to load Cellfire - Mobile coupons for your cell phone onto your Smith's card

You can only use each e-coupon one time (as specified). If you use an e-coupon, you cannot reload it to your shopper's card (but the coupon may become reloadable on cellfire).

According to Smith's customer service, you can only use an e-coupon or a paper manufacturer's coupon on the same item.

[Lisdol]

Does anyone know if the schedule for doing this varies by store or by region?

I have found at my Smiths the new produce comes in on Monday (if not other days as well, but I happened on it on Mon) and I can often find the packaged produce (like the veggie dip trays and bagged greens) at 50% off but not expiring for 4-5 days.

I have heard something about Kroger stores requiring all meat about to expire to get marked down in the morning. Anyone know if that is true? I am going to go to my Smiths tomorrow morning right after the kids get on the bus to see if I can find anything. Generally, all that is in the mgr markdown spot in meats is necks, tripe, and expensive steaks marked down by not much. I am also going to try again on Monday morning early.

I would think this varies by store, what they have left each day, and how on top of marking stuff down they are, but am curious if there is a method to it that applies across the region.

Thanks!

[upallnight2]

I think it pretty much varies by store and butcher. I am in North Las Vegas and have found the best meat markdowns on Mon & Tues evenings after the butcher has gone home for the day. (I like to go sometimes on Tues nite @ 10pm just before the sale prices change at midnight, as our store is open 24 hrs) I made a good haul this week and got about $80.00 worth of meat for about $27.00. Fortunately I have a foodsaver and freezer..

As for produce, my guy changes prices in the morning. He and I have a running joke....you have the mark down gun, I'm just gonna follow you.

Might not hurt just to ask the Butcher and Produce person when they do their markdowns. Like I tell em, everything but my paycheck is goin up - a gals gotta do what a gals gotta do to survive these days.

[Lisdol]

Thanks. So they are OK about you asking when they do it? They seem pretty friendly I just worry that I am bugging them. I always feel a little crazy doing stuff like that, I don't know why. Whenever I go through the milk gallons looking for the latest date so I can make a sale on milk work through the following week, I think of the part in the movie Clerks where the guy talks about the milk maids - the little old ladies that pull out all of the milk to find the latest date.

I have seen the butcher out loading up the cases in the mornings so when I go tomorrow I will ask him.

[greenfrog57]

I think it pretty much varies by store and butcher.

Definitely agree with this one -- mornings are usually when I go because of markdowns -- dairy markdowns are great for yogurt, too! Sometimes, I can get $1 multipacks and use a $1 coupon!!!!

Like I tell em, everything but my paycheck is goin up - a gals gotta do what a gals gotta do to survive these days.

Aint that the truth???

[mzbeers]

My Smith's does it in the mornings usually, I guess it just depends. I love buying the ground buffalo when they mark it down to $1.99 or $2.49! My freezer is full! We just love it!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I don't seem to find a lot of good meat mark downs at Smith's but definatly lots of good dairy and lunchmeat mark downs. Yogurt is a good one like greenfrog mentioned and milk (organic milk too sometimes) and then lunchmeat, hotdogs, cheese. Sometimes I can find bacon on mark down. Provided that we eat it pretty fast or freeze it it is all still good.