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? 

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?