I flew solo tonight on my shop.
No interruptions.
No distractions.
No spouse.
No munchkins.
I was in a state of delight from about 3:05pm when I left the house until 5:30pm when I returned. I had a bonafide amazing experience at checkout tonight with my new favorite cashier. I'm thinking of putting her in my pocket and taking her home with me. Her name is Shermin and she works at Nipper's corner.
Now, I have to tell you up front that I almost shouted when I scanned my Bank of America card. Shouted with happiness that is. My entire balance was $1.23. How much did I save? Well, you'll have to read the post to see (no skipping to the end of the story without reading the very exciting details of the plot).
I'm lovin' the new threshold...
Ok, here's the deal:
Ok, here's the deal:
MONEYMAKERS
18 Sundown $2.60-$3.99 ea (found some on clearance kiosk)
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.51 - $2.90 overage ea.
6 Covergirl $2.49 ea (make-up sponge, powder puffs, pencil sharpener)
- $2/1 Publix Q from Green Advantage Flyer
- $2.50/1 Q PG 08/02/09
= FREE + $.76 overage ea.
4 Scotch Mailers 6" x 9" $.69 ea (near school supplies)
- $.50/1 Scotch RP 07/26/09
= FREE + $.31 overage ea.
5 Starbucks Ice Cream $1.90 ea (raincheck; last day for Kraft/Publix rebate)
- $2/1 Q SS 06/21/09
= FREE + $.10 overage ea.
1 Milk $2.00 ea
- $4/1 Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE + $2.00 overage ea.
1 Chocolate Milk $2.49 ea
- $3.75 Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE + $1.25 overage ea.
4 Muir Glen $.89 ea
- $.50/1 printable
= FREE + $.11 overage ea.
3 sugar (brown, dark brown, confectioner's) $.85 ea.
- $2 off sugar wyb 10 Kool Aid Q (expired)
- $1 off sugar wyb 5 Kool Aid Food Lion tearpad
= FREE + $1.15 overage ea.
4 pork items $1.57-2.05 ea
- $6 off pork wyb charcoal and qualifying product
= FREE + $3.95-$4.43 overage ea.
4 ground beef patties $2.39 ea
- $2/1 beef wyb charcoal Q tearpad (no longer available)
- $2/1 beef wyb charcoal Q tearpad (no longer available)
- $1/5 beef FLIP
= FREE + $.11 overage ea.
2 Kotex Maxi pads $2.77 ea
- $2 target Q SS 07/26/09 (regional Q - wasn't in Nashville paper)
- $1/1 Q SS 07/19/09
- Buy 1, Get 1 Publix Q
= FREE + $.61 overage ea.
2 BBQ sauce $1.57 ea (Nipper's price; higher at other stores)
- $2/1 Q RP 6/21/09
- $1/2 FLIP printable
- $1/2 FLIP printable
= FREE + $.93 overage ea.
1 bunch grapes $.69 cents
- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= FREE + $1.31 overage
1 peach $.32 cents
- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= FREE + $1.68 overage
= FREE + $1.68 overage
1 lime $.25 cents
- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= FREE + $1.75 overage
2 (1lb.) bags of apples $1.57 & $1.62 ea
- $1/1 Target Q printable
- $1/1 Target Q printable
- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= FREE + $.40 overage ea
= FREE + $.40 overage ea
2 Glad straws $.69 ea
- $.75/1 Q printable
= FREE + .06 overage ea
STOCKPILE ITEMS
1 Publix Egg's $1.39 ea
- FREE Q (HG Hill competitor Q)
= FREE
1 Publix Pizza (penny item)
= .01 ea.
8 Fiber One toaster pastries $1.15 ea (B1G1 price)
- .50/1 Q SS 08/02/09
= $.15 ea
- .50/1 Q SS 08/02/09
= $.15 ea
30 Kool Aid $.20 ea
no coupons
= $.20 ea
4 Scotch Mailers $1.29 ea (near school supplies)
- $.50/1 Scotch RP 07/26/09
= .29 ea
2 Fiber One Bars $2.50 ea (sale price)
2 Fiber One Bars $2.50 ea (sale price)
- FREE Q Kroger mailer
- .40/1 Q SS 07/19/09
= $.30 ea
= $.30 ea
Luigi's Real Italian Ice $1.50 (B1G1 price)
- .50/1 Q RP 07/26/09
= $.50 ea
8 Benefiber 8-count stick packs $2.50 (advantage buy)
- $.50/1 Q SS 5/10/09 and SS 07/12/09
- $.50/1 Q SS 5/10/09 and SS 07/12/09
= $.50 ea
2 Sharpie Highlighters $1.50 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable
= $.50 ea.
- $1/1 Q printable
= $.50 ea.
4 Kraft Cheese $1.66 ea
= $.66 ea
3 Crystal Light $1.99 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 printable (no longer available) thanks Brandy!
- $1/1 printable (no longer available) thanks Brandy!
- FREE Skin Essentials wyb Crystal Light printable (no longer available) thanks Brandy!
= $.66 ea
6 Kleenex Lotion $1.71 ea
- .50/2 Q SS 07/12/09
- .$1/3 Target Q (expired yesterday)
= $.87 ea
1 Back to Nature Cookies $2.87 ea
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupons link on right side)
- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet
= $.87 ea.
- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet
= $.87 ea.
2 Nabisco multi-packs $3.00 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable (no longer available)
- $2 off wyb any 1 Nabisco multi-pack and any 2 capri sun
= $1.00 ea
10 Keebler Crackers $2.00 ea (advantage buy - Back to School rebate items)
- $1/2 Keebler Cracker Q KB 08/02/09
= $1.50 ea
= $1.50 ea
2 Capri Sun 100% juice $2.50 (sale price)
- $1/1 FLIP printable
= $1.50 ea
5 MatchLight Charcoal $7.99 ea
- $3/1 Q Fire Up the Grill booklet (expires 9/30/09 - no longer available)
= $1.99 ea
THINGS I NEEDED
1 Half and Half $.99 ea
- .75 off milk product wyb Welch's grape jam
= .24 ea
1 Huggies $9.89
- $3/1 Q (home mailer)
- $1.50/1 FLIP
- $5/1 Publix Q
= $.39 ea
= $.39 ea
1 package of publix hard salami $1.40
- $1 publix deli coupon (baby mailer)
= $.40
1 King Honeydew $2.50 ea
- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= $.50 ea
1 Whipping Cream $1.69 ea
- .75 off milk product wyb Welch's grape jam
= $.94 ea
2 ACT Total Care 33.8 oz. $4.99 (advantage buy)
- $2/1 Q (expired a few days ago)
2 Back to Nature Nuts $4.00 ea (advantage buy - not in flyer)
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupon link on right side or page)
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupon link on right side or page)
- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet
= $2.00 ea.
2 Infusion leave-in conditioner $5.99 ea
- $2/1 Q SS 07/19/09
= $3.99 ea
1 Revitalift face towlettes $5.99 (advantage buy)
$2/1 Q from Kroger Mailer
= $3.99 ea
1 NatureMade Super B Complex $7.10 ea (advantage buy)
no coupons
= $7.10 ea
Two $5/50 competitor Q's
TOTAL: $458.99
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $1.23
SAVINGS: 99.7%
NOTE: I used a few coupons close to expiration. I also got permission from Customer Service to use two $5/50 coupons in the same transaction because I did not want to take the time to separate both my items and my coupons into two transactions. They know me at this Publix and they trust my ethics so they sometimes let me do special deals. It just depends on who is working. My main point here is that you should get to know your cashiers and managers; this will help you to build a relationship with them over time. Take the time to stop and say hello to both your cashiers and your managers and make sure you're known for doing solid deals.
NOTE: I purchased the last 5 bags of charcoal at Nipper's tonight. This would be a great store for a charcoal raincheck if you are planning on going shopping tomorrow.
NOTE: There are two rebates in this shop also. The Back to School Rebate and the Kraft Rebate. I will submit both and will receive back $20.00.
POSTNOTE: I just scanned my receipt again and noticed that the cashier didn't charge me for a few items. I am going back today to do another charcoal deal and I'll pay for those items when I go back. There were 5 items that she didn't scan (Keebler cracker $2, Vitamin $3.89, Kleenex $1.71, Starbucks Ice Cream $1.90, and Glad Straw $.69). These items total $10.19 (I didn't use one of my coupons yesterday because my balance was already $1.23; I left out the $5/1 Publix Q for the Huggies. I won't hand them this coupon even though I can because I think it will give the wrong impression).
50 comments:
Awesome!!! :)
Wow, that is awesome. How long did it take to check out? And do you usually go alone, or do you shop with a friend?
I have found I enjoy shopping with my girlfriend and we run interception at check out, so we don't feel rushed by the person behind us in line ;)
Plus it is fun to get out of the house and socialize while grocery shopping...
Wow! Your shops are amazing!!! I saved 60% at Publix on Saturday so I still have a ways to go to reach your level of expertise.
Seeing how you do things is so helpful. Something I have used for overage is a $4.00 Pace salsa coupon at http://www.pacefoods.com/hand-pick-win.aspx . You may already be aware of this deal. You register and once a day you can play for a 1 in 20 chance of winning a coupon.
Thanks again for sharing!
That is amazing!! Great shopping trip!
Wow! Your shops are amazing! I saved 60% at Publix on Saturday so I still have a way to go to reach your level of expertise!
Reading how you do it is really helpful. One item I have used for overage is the $4.00 Pace coupon. You may already be aware of this deal. You register and play for a chance of winning the coupon at http://www.pacefoods.com/hand-pick-win.aspx . You can try once a day. It takes less than a minute and I have been able to get some coupons and overage this way.
Thanks for sharing!
Karla
Leisa, it took me about 20 minutes to check out. I had to tell 7 people not to get in line behind me because of all of my coupons. I asked the girl to turn off the light at her register and she did. Then the manager came over and asked if she was going on break and she said not and then he asked her to turn her light back on. LOL.
I really prefer to shop alone so that I can focus on the deal. I go back and forth all over the store instead of shopping in an orderly manner and I don't think anyone would want to hang out with me while I'm being a crazy person.
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Karla, thanks for the tip on the Pace. I was not aware of the game.
WOW!! Thanks for sharing!!
Oh, I forgot--I was in the Publix off Almaville Rd. in Smyrna and they still have the "Fire Up the Grill" flyers. They are in the carousel with the sales flyers and brochures at the front of the store. HTH!
That is truly amazing!
I tried the Vitamin and Knox deals, but they wouldn't let me get an overage again. I could have saved another $18.
But on a positive note, I was waiting in line and a really nice lady came up to me and said "I see you're a fellow couponer. Here is a coupon I couldn't use today." It was a Kroger $12 off $100 purchase!! I guess she could tell by the 9 boxes of Fiber One pastries and the 6 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats with Pecans!
But without overages, I can't hope to replicate your savings.
B
FYI 2 publix stores the gallatin and hendersonville stores both told me that they are not accepting the $6 pork coupon. They say it is not a real coupon and they don't get reimbursed for it, bummer! Have you had any problems?
It really messed me up at checkout time....
Wow!! That is impressive! I will have to look at my coupon stash to see how much of this I could try to replicate on my own.
Thanks again for breaking everything out for us - it REALLY helps me to learn.
Bec - when you encounter this kind of non-sense here's what you do:
1) Go to customer service and return the items before you leave the store. You didn't plan to spend that much on them, so don't.
2) Go home and call publix corporate and complain. Give them names, date, time ... the details.
Kelly's calls to corporate allowed her to build rapport with the Publix district manager. That relationship has borne a ton of fruit.
-Jason
Bryan, I just don't understand why they are not allowing overages. They should NOT be adjusting your manufacturer Q's. They will get reimbursed for the full value of that coupon.
You could argue that they can adjust their store Q (as it states that the coupon cannot exceed the value of the item). So, for example if I bought two Sundown vitamin D's for $2.99 and then handed them the $6/2 Publix Q they could adjust it to $5.98, however, they would then have to scan your manufacturer Q at full price (as they get reimbursed for the Q at full price). I would talk to the manager of the store and explain to him that you want that overage (as opposed to giving it to Publix).
Get back to me after you talk to someone. You should be allowed to get overage. The rest of us are allowed overage every time we shop. If you don't get anywhere (and I would be persistent if I were you) then you might have to find another store to shop at. You'll be in competition with several other couponers at the stores @ Nipper's and Maryland Farms but both of those stores are really nice to couponers (especially after they get to know you).
Hope it works out.
Bryan, are you throwing in the vitamins and the knox on a big order or were you doing a relatively small order. New cashiers sometimes spot the price of an item and get nervous and then want to adjust the coupons down (especially female cashiers over 50). If you have a large order then they are less likely to react impulsively and adjust your coupons down.
Bec, as my husband stated in his response to you..."that's nonsense."
The people that are telling you this are just throwing around incorrect information. The coupon is valid until it shows up as a non-valid coupon on the "Coupon Information Corporations" website (then we can all throw our hands up in the air and scream INVALID)! Here is the website with the list of fraudulent coupons:
http://www.cents-off.com/body_coupon_counterfeiters.cfm
We did hear this same rhetoric from the Concord store. A customer service person named Casi told Jason that they were probably going to stop taking the coupon because they thought it was fraudulent. She was just espousing hearsay. She said a few other things about the coupon that were inaccurate and he knew that she wasn't speaking from knowledge. She said that it could be used on "chicken" for example and he informed her that it couldn't be used on chicken because it was a pork coupon. Anyway, it seems that some of the managers have not done their homework and they are just repeating something that isn't true.
Email Publix. Tell them about the Coupon Information Corporation. Tell them the coupon is valid and that you are having problems with some of your stores.
The end.
Wow ...you are amazing!!
Super, super shop! I was going to let you know I used about $100 of coupons last night at Publix without management intervention, but you are so past that.
I just received my Rite Aid Sun Down coupons in the mail today, so I can't wait to see how that will work out for overage.
Rai
I too have major issues with overage at most stores. I just have to try to hide stuff in with my big order. It doesn't seem to make much of a difference when I try to explain why not to mark the coupons down, as they still do. However I did write to corporate about how great a store they are (not mentioning this factor) and they just called me back today. I missed the call and will be returning it tomorrow with this subject in mind. :O)
Great job!! I thought I was doing good with my 85 - 87% savings :) I live in Charleston, SC and for some reason our prices always seem to be higher around here. The store I shop at has also started holding the advantage buy flyers at the customer service desk and will only give you one per visit so that makes it harder to stock up. Hopefully I will achieve a shop like this one day!!
You are awesome!!! Thank you for sharing your technique with us.
I tried to do two of the charcoal deals yesterday. The cashier called the manager over regarding the pork coupon. He told me that it should only be one per transaction but that he would let me use it this time. He even took the coupon from the cashier so that he could copy it and make the other cashiers aware so they wouldn't take more than one. This is the first time I've ever had anything like this happen at this Publix. We enjoyed our chops for dinner tonight!!!
Thanks kelly and jason, I will see what I can do tomorrow. I will go back and return some stuff that I used just for the pork deal. I'll let you know how it turns out. You guys are great "go to" people. Thanks!!!
That's awesome. I could really use more of your knowledge!!!! The best I've done so far is around 60% savings. Hopefully my savings will grow with more experience. I've only been working at it for 2 months. Thanks for sharing your expertise with the rest of us.
Wow, you are amazing. My local Publix that I like to go to is really starting to hassle me with my coupons. It took me more than a half hour to check out a few weeks ago. I had 8 IP from Smart Source for the Chef Boyardee and they tried to say they were fraudulent because I was only allowed 2 per computer. I said you don't know how many computers I have! Look at the pin numbers, they are ALL different. They did ADJUST the manufacturer coupons so that I wouldn't get overage from $1.00 to $.85. The customer service lady came over and scrutinized every single coupon I had. I complained to corporate and that was 2 weeks ago. I just got a message today from the district manager but he didn't leave a number to call him back. He said he would call me back. Any good advice I should tell him? I would love to have a good relationship with him and all the managers.
I'll leave responses tomorrow to some of these remarks. I'm beat. Off to bed. Night, night everyone. Don't stay up too late working those coupon deals.
I thought I would pass along a $5/25 Rite Aid coupon I stumbled across. I go to the Publix on Concord and they have taken this as competitor.
http://content.riteaid.com/rabrand/email_coupon_4G.pdf
Also, can you tell us how you organize your coupons to take to the store? I have a binder but I just take in a zipped pencil case and I always forget or don't have coupons.
Cheapster, I’m not sure but I think the new threshold might be $200. We’ll have to keep testing it. Have fun spending those Sundown coupons. I just ordered 40 more because I am flying through mine.
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Carrie, I have shopped at some of the Publix stores in FL and they are not as coupon friendly as our region is. Publix is working hard to break into our market and they want to do everything possible to be successful here. They are the standard grocery store in FL but they are not the standard store here in Nashville.
When you talk to Publix on the phone I would give them a scenario to explain the concept of overage (For example I would say, “If an item costs .75 cents and I have a $1 coupon then I would like to receive that .25 cents to apply towards other groceries in my cart; either Publix gets this money or I get it because Publix is reimbursed the full value of that manufacturer Q. I’ve taken the time to plan a shopping trip and I come to Publix because they have a good coupon policy, however, I will go somewhere else that provides overage if Publix is going to pocket this money for themselves. I don't think Publix should be adjusting my manufacturer Q's."
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Amy, I would email Publix and tell them that you are unable to plan your shops accordingly and save the amount of money that you want because they are holding the flyers at Customer Service and only giving you one per trip. Tell them that you want to be able to use more than one of the coupons in the flyer and it is frustrating to have to keep asking them for their flyers everytime you go in. I would imagine they will change this policy if you call and tell them that it is affecting your ability to shop at Publix. Just be smart about the way that you phrase your dissatisfaction. Remember, Publix is in the market to make money and if they think that you won't spend as much money because one of their employees has made a decision to keep coupons from their customers then they will take action. If you don't get a good response then you may need to buy your moneymaker Publix Q's on ebay. There are several sellers that clip the coupons from the Advantage Flyer and then sell them on EBAY. If they provide the necessary overage that you need for a shop then it is worth it.
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Tshanina, they should not have told you that you could only use one of those coupons. The wording on the coupon indicates that you can use “one per purchase.” This means that you need one coupon per purchase (not transaction). If the coupon said, “one per transaction” then you could only use one coupon. Make sense? You need to go back to this store and talk to the manager and explain this to him. Tell him that the wording on the coupon is what you go by and all of the coupons say “one per purchase” on them. The manufacturer just wants to make sure that you understand that you can’t use two manufacturer Q’s per item. That’s why the wording is there.
Michelle, 60% is nothing to wink at. You're doing great. Stick with us and you'll get even better. It's great to have you on the blog.
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Kimberly, I'm sorry that you are having problems. It takes time to train your Publix staff so that they are familiar with coupons. LOL. I remember talking to our district manager and explaining that each of the IP printable coupons has a specific identifier. He did not even know how coupons worked. It's a learning process for them too.
If I were you I would definitely tell the district manager how embarrassed you were that they accused you of committing fraud. Tell him that your store seems ignorant re: the use of coupons and how to spot a fraudulent one. So instead of exercising judgement when they review coupons they exercise hostility towards their customers. You should also tell him that they were adjusting your manufacturer coupons and they shouldn't do that because Publix is reimbursed for the full value of that coupon plus 8 cents (minus a 3-4 cent processing fee from their clearinghouse).
I would stress to your district manager that you want to continue to shop at Publix but that you don't want to be treated as a criminal (especially because you are an ethical couponer). I would tell him that ethics in couponing is essential and that they shouldn't treat their customers with disdain.
How's that for advice? LOL.
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Jennifer, I wasn't aware that Concord took Rite Aid. I'll have to check with the customer service gals there and verify that; it may be that the cashier was new and didn't know what it was.
There is one store that I know of that takes drugstore Q's for $/$$ and that is the Fieldstone Farms store in Franklin.
Thanks for sharing and please report back if you verify with customer service that they take them at Concord.
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Kimberly, I keep my inserts whole at home and then I clip as necessary. I put them in a velcro enclosed wallet with sections when I go to the store. I keep extra coupons in each section for the items that I need at home that way I can throw them in when I have moneymakers that provide overage.
I found an IP for the Sundown vitamins. It's $3/2 (not as good as the RP ones, but still pretty good!)
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qg3gbol9505800&bt=vi&o=53721&c=NB&p=FRuftacM
Hi, me again.
Thanks for your comment. This particular store (Murfreesboro - Rutherford Blvd.) must have trained the cashiers specifically to do that because three of them have done the same thing.
For instance, I had the $2 IP Honey Bunches of Oats with Pecans. She looked back through my checkout and adjusted it down to $1.98 and wrote $1.98 down on the coupon. She took the Green advantage buy flyer coupon for the Vitamins, but wouldn't accept the Manufacturer's Q's because she said I was already getting them for free. She also marked down the Knox from $4 to $1.39.
The cashier was super nice and was commenting on the good deals I was getting.
I spent $70 and saved $170 so it was a pretty large order, including 10 Bertolli meals at a price of $37.50 after coupons.
I'll go to customer service and talk to them before my shopping trip next time. I would hate to drive to Nashville, but I could have saved an additional $25 so it would be worth it.
I'll let you all know how it turns out.
Thanks!
B
Thanks for the all the advise. I know its time consuming. Please know how much its appreciated!
Hey everyone -- for those of us in Middle TN, the Murfreesboro stores are pretty friendly regarding the charcoal and pork deal. I went to 2 separate stores last night, both on Memorial Blvd, and had no trouble at either of them. They blinked at my beef coupon ($2 off beef when you buy charcoal), but after explaining it, there was no trouble. PLUS, they had tons of charcoal at the new Publix further down Memorial Blvd. The stock boys were super helpful in loading my cart full of the bags. A manager checked me out there (I'm always cautious about that) but he loved how much I was saving. And he seemed to understand how and what I was doing. A great experience. Might be worth a bit of a drive for some of you.
Hi Bryan,
I shop at the Publix on Hwy 96/Franklin Road (near Blackman HS) and they have accepted my competitor coupons(Target and Food Lion are the ones I've used so far). I specifically asked if they accepted these before my cashier started taking off my coupons and I was told yes. They also gave me the overage on the HBO coupon. So you may try that store before you drive to Nashville. HTH! Tricia
Bryan,
A manager at the new Publix on Memorial Blvd and I chatted about overage while I was checking out. He said if the manufacturer coupon allows overage, then that's how it should be. He won't allow overage with competitor coupons, but will with manufacturer. That's correct. Maybe you should try that store.
I can speak very highly of the Publix in Murfreesboro at the corner of Memorial and Thompson Lane (across from the VA hospital). The staff there has always been nice and appear to be coupon friendly, for the most part. My husband and I went in there one evening last week to do a charcoal deal, and the cashier did not want to give the full $6 credit for the pork item. The customer service team leader stepped in and told the cashier that "it was only fair" for them to give me the full amount listed on the coupon. Other than that, I have never had any coupons questioned. They also have given me the full coupon amounts for overage on the vitamins.
Great shop as always! :)
Bryan- I drive at least once a week from Clarksville to Nashville specifically to shop at Publix, so I know all about that. :) It's totally worth it for me though. Especially now that all the employees from the cashiers and managers to baggers and butchers know me by site (and most of them by name). LOL!!
Just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine and fellow couponer took a late night trip to our Publix at Concord to do the charcoal deal together after the kiddos were in bed. We walked in minutes to closing and they said to shop to our hearts content, even though they close at 10. We were like to kids in a candy shop!
Anyways, the customer service manager on duty asked if we knew you (young girl, brown hair)!! Funny. I said we knew of you and learned about the deal from your site. They said the nicest things about you. Just an FYI :)
Oh, and Jennifer, Concord no longer accepts pharmacy coupons. I have asked several times. They will honor them at the pharmacy for prescriptions though. Good while it lasted!
unxgdzer, thanks for confirming that the Concord store does not accept pharmacy Q's. I appreciate it. I'm sure the cashier took the Q; she probably didn't know or she was just a new cashier.
That's so fun that someone associated you with me. I love it when that happens. Jason and I both love to shop at Concord (Jason actually goes there more than I do since he LOVES to do the charcoal deal). We sometimes take our children with us when we shop together (we have two adopted children....our oldest daughter is hispanic and our youngest is caucasian). Most people know us because we coupon and our children are adopted. That makes it nice because we are recognized when we walk in the store.
I'm so glad you were able to shop the store by yourselves. That is a bit of nirvana.
So glad to have you in our community!
Thanks for the tips and comments everyone!
I'll give my closest Publix the opportunity to respond to questions about overages. It's nice to know that I can tell them that the other Publix stores in Murfreesboro will allow overages on MQs.
I used to feel so secretive and guilty about using coupons, but this blog has really helped me "get over it" and realize that it is GOOD for Publix if we use our coupons there. They get all of the money back, and I'm not doing anything wrong or dishonest!
Thanks!
B
So, apparently I spoke a bit too soon.... went to the Publix that I normally shop at in Murfreesboro (corner of Thompson Lane and Memorial) this morning to pick up the items I wanted from this week's sales. Got everything on my list and, while walking past the vitamins, noticed that they had restocked the $2.99 Sundown vitamin D. I had my coupons with me (a manufacturer $3 off 2, and the Publix $6 off) so I grabbed a couple of bottles. So far so good...
I hand the cashier my coupons after he gives me my total. He starts to scan them, no problem, until he comes to my Sundown coupon. He stops, flips through the rest of my coupons and finds the Publix vitamin coupon. Then, after double checking how much the vitamins were priced, he tells me that he can't accept both the Publix coupon and the Sundown coupon. And, before I can say anything, he adds "if they hadn't been marked down, I could have taken both". I responded that I wasn't aware of their being "marked down", as there was nothing on the shelf stating that. He says, "well, they were".
In the end, since I was already running late and didn't have the time to discuss the matter any further, I took back my Sundown coupon and used the Publix $6 off.
But, he did give me the .02 cents overage on the Publix vitamin coupon as well as the overage for several other items that I purchased.
Michelle, first of all the Vitamin D's were not marked down; $2.99 is the regular price for the Vitamin D. Second of all, you should have called a manager over to tell them that your cashier is not allowing you to use BOTH a Publix coupon and a manufacturer coupon for your items. If the item is FREE with the Publix coupon then you should still be able to use the manufacturer coupon for the item too as this is their policy (and they will get reimbursed for the full value of the manufacturer coupon plus a handling fee). Keep in mind that the store coupons are usually put out by the manufacturer too in conjunction with Publix so they are not "losing" money on that coupon either. The only coupons that they routinely lose money on are the competitor coupons that you use.
I'm troubled by all of the posts lately about not receiving overage for your items. Some of you need to learn to stand up and verbally counter the arguments that you are receiving (in a kind, gentle and polite manner). I have to do this often as I always seem to encounter the new cashiers. Cashiers say many things (most of which are wrong). A cashier will tell you that you can't do something and then when a manager is called over they overide what the cashier is saying. This happens often....very often.
Remember, Publix has a coupon guideline and if you counter their arguments logically then they will allow your coupons. They allow a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon for the same item. That's their guideline.
I think Jason and I are going to do a post on approaching the register to help train some of you re: how to hand over your coupons and how to communicate with your cashiers. This is crucial to having your deal go through.
Please remember that you are not doing anything unethical or illegal by couponing in the manner that Publix has set forth.
Kelly,
In regards to your last post, do you know if there is a "Publix Coupon Policy" available anywhere (online, in the store, etc.)? I can relate with Michelle's dilema. It is hard to argue with a cashier when you don't know your "facts" (i.e. the coupon policy).
I would be very interested in becoming more knowledgeable in what their actual policy is. Not only to be able to have a knowledgeable disagreement with the cashier, but also to not unintentionally abuse or misuse the policy.
Thanks!
Jennifer
So I just want to say that I LOVE the publix at Maryland Farms! They are always super nice, very helpful, and great with couponers. They have never made me feel like a thief at checkout when I am using valid coupons like I have encountered at one or two other Publix's. My FAVORITE cashier is Ben. He's kinda quiet but very nice and thorough. I went today and had 4 money maker deals, I used the Sundown vitamins, Knox<-- great coupon, gives $2.60 in overage for every box!, Charcoal deal, btw they did let me use my expired FLIP Q for it b/c I had the raincheck, just an FYI, and Pedigree dog food 3.15lb bag BOGO gives .75 overage per bag. My total before Q was, 139.79 and afterwards... drumroll 4.52+tax total OOP $12.75. This was my best one yet, and I just wanted to share it with people who appreciate a good deal!
Also the girl that helped me out to my car remembered you, she told me about your shop there that came out to around .50 or so. Just found it humorous that you made such a big impression! She thought you were really sweet I wish I could remember her name she was really nice as well!
Jennifer, I previously mentioned Kelly's relationship with the Publix district manager for our area. One of the fruitful things from that relationship was his commentary on the Publix "coupon policy".
He told us there is no coupon policy. The reason is that Publix wants their store managers to have the freedom to very liberally accept coupons. Get it? We might think that not having a policy would restrict coupon use, but their strategy is the opposite of that. A policy would draw stark lines that would forbid certain coupon practices. Publix corporate doesn't want that to happen.
All that said, Publix has generally accepted principles and they train their cashiers to avoid coupon fraud. The text below is from a Publix training document for their cashiers.
-Jason
"PUBLIX COUPON GUIDELINE
Coupon basics
These tips are some basic guidelines for handling coupons.
-Most of the rules around accepting coupons can be found right on the coupon.
-Be sure to check size and quantity requirements on all items.
-Check expiration dates on all coupons.
-Coupons can be used on clearance items.
-Publix coupons can be used with manufacturer coupons.
-Always limit use of manufacturer coupons to one per an item.
-Coupons that do not have size limits can be used on trial or travel sizes.
Internet Coupons
Customers might present coupons that they've printed from the Internet. Follow these rules when handling Internet coupons.
-Publix accepts Internet coupons for $5 or less without manager approval.
-Obtain manager or team leader approval before accepting Internet coupons valued over $5.
-Publix does not accept free product Internet coupons.
-Remember, we want to provide the customer with as much value as we can by allowing coupon to be accepted if possible.
Publix coupons
It's important to understand how Publix coupons are different from manufacturer coupons: they're actually price reductions. Publix receives credit for manufacturer coupons from vendors, while Publix coupons are actually a price reduction by Publix. That's why a Publix coupon and a manufacterer coupon can be used on the same item.
Double coupons
The following rules apply to the double coupon policy.
-Manufacturer coupons, up to 50 cents, will be doubled for a maximum savings of $1 per coupon.
-Double coupons are accepted every day of the week.
-Coupons for free items, Publix coupons, and coupons for alcohol and tobacco items are excluded from the double coupon policy.
-A customer can present a doubled manufacturer coupon along with a Publix coupon for the same item.
Coupons and Buy One, Get One free specials
Coupons can be used on both items purchased in a BOGO special."
- Jason again: As I understand it that last one is only valid outside of FL.
Kelly,
I second Jennifer's request! Is there a printed Publix corporate coupon policy that we can access, or is this something that we would need to e-mail corporate to ask for? I would appreciate having a copy of the "official" policy because, as Jennifer said, we want to be ethical, and I certainly don't want to spoil things for others.
Trust me, I was shocked that using the manufacturer and Publix coupon together for overage was even questioned because I have done the exact same deal there before. The cashier was by no means rude. I have spoken with him on several other occasions, and have had him as a cashier a time or two before as well. I am just curious now as to why the sudden "change" in policy.
Katie, what time were you at Maryland Farms today? I usually shop there on Wednesdays anytime between 11:00-1:00pm. I was there today and wondered if we ran into each other. I did spot a blonde gal in the Sundown section of the store. Was that you? LOL.
Jason,
Thank you for the thorough explanation & guidelines for Publix coupons. That is very helpful to know! I'm sure I speak for others on this blog when I say I really appreciate it!!
Jennifer
wow! every time I get excited about my savings, I read your blog and am put to shame. I'll have to tell Adam about this deal. Of course, then he won't think of me as quite so super a shopper.
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