Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3d of 5

May 9, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Really thought I would have made some progress on my coupon organization since last week, but no progress.

We have enjoyed the outdoors and kept the house clean, so progress is made – just not with the newspaper inserts and coupon filing. When I get to my coupons – hopefully early this week, I will file the coupons I have gathered, and there are a lot.

In our Coupon-ology series, we are compiling ways to gather our coupons in Part 3. Having looked at newspapers in part 3a, magazines in part 3b, and printable coupon databases in part 3c, I turn to manufacturers in part 3d.

Part 3d: Manufacturers

Marketing departments across the world are vying for your hard earned dollars. They spend hours developing advertisements and strategies to make their products seem necessary to your family’s existence. They want you to need their products, so they create promotions and coupons to make their products luring and easy for you to purchase.

If you use an abundance of product from a manufacturer, then you will want additional coupons from what you find in the newspaper inserts. For example, I have used Huggies diapers exclusively for more than 8 years with 2 children in diapers/pull-ups for multiple years. Exhausting the coupons received in the newspaper, I turn to these strategies for finding more manufacturer coupons:

1. Manufacturer Website

Visiting the manufacturer’s website and locating the coupon or promotional page provides information on where to find additional coupon savings.

2. Manufacturer Newsletters

In addition to informing e-mail subscribers to news and product information, manufacturers include coupons and additional promotions for their valued customers. Using my junk e-mail account provides room for lots of savings without cluttering my personal inbox with coupons, news, samples, and promotions.

3. Manufacturer Social Media Accounts

Keeping a junk Facebook and Twitter account, I can “like” and “follow” my favorite manufacturers and gain special discounts and coupons as a fan.

4. Contact Manufacturers

Sending an e-mail via their website’s contact page or placing a call to request coupons, thank them, or offer a suggestion for improvement usually nets you one or more high-value coupons. If you report a problem with a product, you will usually get those coupons as well.

5. Check Product Packaging

Some manufacturers (e.g., Dannon yogurt) add coupons inside their packaging. So, before you toss that cardboard covering, take a peek inside to check for coupons.

With manufacturers generously providing coupons and promotions to save you money, they desire to keep you as a paying customer. What they don’t know is how smart you are, and how you will combine their coupons with sales and promotions to get their products for more than 50% off. But we still want those coupons. 🙂

In gathering coupons, the manufacturer needs you to purchase their products, so take advantage of their generosity in providing coupons. Keep gathering and organizing to save your family’s resources while providing nourishment. Happy gathering!

Question: Where do you find additional manufacturer coupons?

Questioning Coupon Policies – Part 3 of 3

September 6, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Karen Lee)

Coupons are great tools for saving money. When I used coupons on regular-priced items, I saw a few dollars in savings. But when I matched coupons with buy one, get one free deals and sale prices, then I found the deep discounts and have not turned back.

Using coupons is not always easy. Sometimes the store employees do not understand the corporate coupon policy which keeps trips to the grocery store interesting.

During this summer, I broke out of our normal routine and checked out with unfamiliar cashiers and visited different locations.

Since I usually shop at the same locations around the same time frame, I have my favorite cashiers who have come to know me. When I question the coupon policies, they understand that I work within the rules and am not seeking to defraud the system. In returning to my favorite locations, I am enjoying the quick trips without discrepancies with their coupon policies.

Today is the last post in this three-part series – questioning coupon policies. I started this series with competitor stores in Part 1, addressed doubling coupons in Part 2, and will finish with competitor coupons.

Part 3 – Competitor Coupons

Defined

Competitor coupons are store coupons issued by one business and accepted at another chain. For example, Publix distributes store coupons in their weekly advertisements, advantage flyers, and mailings. In my area, Bi-Lo locations treat and accept Publix coupons like Bi-Lo store coupons.

The Coupon

One week in July, Publix released a $5 off any $30 purchase store coupon. With a huge Huggies deal at Bi-Lo that week, I choose to use my Publix coupon on diaper purchases.

Having collected 3 Publix coupons, I put together 3 identical transactions. I was stocking up on Huggies diapers with a sale ($8.99 per Jumbo pack), fuelperks! promotion (bonus $.10 per gallon with the purchase of any 3 participating products), 3 manufacturer coupons for $1.50 off, and the $5 off Publix coupon.

I stopped by my Bi-Lo and found their Huggies stock low, so I made one transaction without incident.

Tracy’s Note: I did not request a rain check since the Publix coupon was only valid during that week. To get the deep discount, I needed to complete the transactions during that sale week.

Still needing two more transactions, I chose another location with larger stock. At checkout, I met conflict.

The Coupon Policies

At Bi-Lo, a manager or bookkeeper must manually deduct the competitor coupon amount from the transaction. When I presented my coupon, the cashier called the bookkeeper. She came and inspected the coupon and then refused to take off the $5 stating that the total was under $30.

Upon explaining that the subtotal was over $30 and only dropped after using the manufacturer coupons, she still refused the Publix store coupon and handed it back to me. When I asked to speak to the manager, she acted irritated, but complied.

When the manager arrived, the bookkeeper gave her explanation which the manager upheld. After listening to them, I asked the manager to read the coupon. He did so and stood by his former decision.

I then made my case stating that they were choosing to change the wording of the coupon. The coupon stated “$5 off a purchase of $30 or more.” In the fine print, there was no wording that the $30 total was after discounts.

Realizing that my purchase was $30 prior to using manufacturer coupons (a form of payment), that Publix coupons do not state “after coupons” like the Bi-Lo store coupons, and that my transaction fit the requirements for the coupon, the manager changed his mind and accepted the coupon for both transactions.

By knowing the store’s coupon policies and having read and understood the competitor’s coupon, I pressed on to save my family $10. When you know that the store is misinterpreting the coupon or changing the rules from their coupon policy, you have choices.

In sharing these experiences, I hope to empower you with information to use coupons, know your store’s policies, and question coupon policies when a discrepancy arises. Don’t get discouraged. You can continue saving money while feeding your family and using time wisely. Happy couponing!

Question: How often do you use coupons when grocery shopping?

Questioning Coupon Policies – Part 2 of 3

August 30, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Bi-Lo

In this economy and with the rising cost of doing business, I understand why stores create strict coupon policies and inspect the fine print on the coupons. Stores need to protect their investment because there are those that create and distribute fraudulent coupons.

Just this year in Arizona, a counterfeit coupon bust landed 3 women in jail. They printed high priced coupons overseas and shipped them to their headquarters in Arizona. For distribution, they sold these coupons for pennies on the dollar through their private website available by invitation-only.

Though most consumers use coupons correctly, I understand why stores impose limits, regulations, and policies for coupon use. When the store policy is written, available, and consistent, consumers can use coupons with confidence. Then when a cashier fails to accept a coupon, the coupon policy should become the deciding factor.

Last week in part 1, I explained the process taken to rectify the change in competitor’s coupons at my Publix. Continuing this series identifying three coupon issues I faced this summer, I present the failure to initially double coupons at my Bi-Lo.

Part 2 – Doubling Coupons

Though no store will calculate every transaction perfectly, I choose to carefully review my receipts after each purchase. With sales changing weekly and system upgrades, the store registers will not catch every detail. In taking an active role in saving our family money, I plan our shopping trips, estimate our out-of-pocket pay, and review the receipt for accuracy.

The Items

On our last shopping trip before heading down to Florida for our family vacation, I stopped by Bi-Lo for these sales:

2 packages of cookies
6 packages of frozen corn
Ice cream
2 packages of split chicken breasts
7 packages of roped smoked sausage

The Coupons

The subtotal came to $77.17, and then I used the following: my loyalty card to get the sale prices, 3 bag credits, Bi-Lo e-coupon, and manufacturer coupons. For the Eckrich roped sausage, I used seven $.55 off coupons.

Since I had so many coupons, the bookkeeper needed to approve the coupons. She keyed in the coupons, and I was given the total. Realizing that the total was higher than expected, I asked if the $.55 coupons had doubled. The bookkeeper indicated that when the coupons are keyed into the system, the coupons do not double.

The Coupon Policy

Now according to Bi-Lo’s coupon policy, they double manufacturer’s coupons. My store doubles up to $.60 every day. With this information, I asked to speak with the manager.

When the manager arrived, he looked at the coupons and approved the doubling. When asked why manager approval was needed, he stated that their system limits the amount of discounts the cashiers can deduct. When the coupons reach that limit, then a manager needs to override the transaction.

Though I do not agree with having to ask for the doubling when their coupon policy provides for doubling, I will not hesitate to seek that override from a manager. I will also watch carefully to see that the coupons are taken since the cashier did not indicate that the limit had been reached.

Not to leave you hanging, my transaction reached my goal – paying 50% or less. With the doubled coupons, I paid $26.89 which is a 65.1% savings.

In using time wisely to question the store’s coupon policy when the stated refusal conflicts with the written policy, I continue saving my family money. As you use your coupons, know your store’s policy, watch your total, and question discrepancies. The consumer is not always right, but usually she is. 😉 Happy savings!

Question: Like me, are you seeing more coupon issues at the register?

Questioning Coupon Policies – Part 1 of 3

August 23, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Victor Martinez)

When shopping this summer with coupons, I hit three situations where the stores did not want to fully accept valid coupons that aligned with their stated coupon policies.

Now, I am a seasoned coupon-user and not intimidated by store management. But, if I was unsure, new to using coupons, or a shy person, then these situations may not have ended with a positive result.

In an effort to empower you with information to make your case clear, unemotional, and accurate, I will share my three experiences in this three-part series on questioning coupon policies.

Questioning Coupon Polices

Part 1 – Competitor stores

Part 2 – Doubling coupons

Part 3 – Competitor coupons

Part 1 – Competitor Stores

As you know, each grocery store operates differently. Knowing what your store’s policies are for coupons and competitor’s coupons assists in creating grocery lists and maximizing your savings.

Though each grocery store chain has its own coupon policy, each location may interpret the policy differently. In addition to the coupon policy, each location has different competitors. Most stores determine their competitors based on a 1 or 2 mile distance from that location.

Finding your Store’s Competitors

Some stores are kind and post their competitor’s names. My Publix issued a printable notice that indicated that their competitors were Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Earth Fair, and Food Lion. I picked up a notice and kept it for reference within my Publix coupon envelope.

When Food Lion released a printable coupon for $5 off any $25 purchase, I referred back to the competitor notice. Confirming that Food Lion was a competitor, I put together my Publix deals based on this coupon.

On shopping day, I gathered my savings and went to checkout. Before beginning, I informed the cashier that I had the Food Lion coupon. She creased her face and let me know that they were not accepting these coupons. When I inquired further, she said that Food Lion was no longer a competitor.

Addressing Discrepancies

Since I did not want to hold up the line, I thanked her and asked for a manager. I moved up to customer service and waited.

When the manger came, I explained that I wanted to use the Food Lion coupon. He confirmed that Food Lion was no longer a competitor because they moved their location. Then I pulled out the competitor coupon notice from my envelope. Seeing my notice, the manager indicated that was an old one.

After looking about and not finding a new one, I asked where the new one was located. Well, the manger searched high and low and finally went back to an office to get me a new one. I expressed by disappointment in their change of policy without notifying customers.

The manager brushed off my comments and refused to take my coupon. Since I planned two transactions for a savings of $10 ($5 for each), I rearranged my purchases and made one purchase.

Contacting the Corporate Office

When I got home and gathered my thoughts, I e-mailed Publix’s corporate office and expressed my disappointment with the change of policy without notifying customers.

I explained what I planned to do and how I ended up not saving $10 because the store failed to update their information. The corporate office apologized and sent me a $10 gift card for the trouble.

The results ended up favorable with some work. This first example of questioning coupon polices was the most work I did of the three scenarios I will share. This situation took me a little time, but in using time wisely I received a $10 gift card.

I addressed the issue at the store. When I did not receive a satisfactory response, I left and contacted the corporate office. Within 2 weeks, my Publix had a new notice displayed with their current competitors. Seeing the issue corrected not only helps me, but also other customers to save money, energy, and time.

In shopping at your grocery store and getting a coupon denied that you know is valid, take courage and address it. Even if the cashier says no, you can ask for a manager. Stay calm, and if the manager will not take your coupon and you know that you can use that coupon, then leave the store and contact the corporate office.

Your time is valuable. In using time wisely, know your store. When there is a discrepancy, stay calm while questioning coupon policies. Happy savings!

Question: Do you question store employees when they deny a coupon?