I met with the store manager of our local Publix this morning, Tracie Reaves.
There are a few things that I want to say that was discussed and I am hoping that each one of us that are a part of Savvy Coupon Clippers will take what I say with value and integrity.
Our local Publix has an AWESOME coupon policy. They are providing us with a service that allows us to save TONS of dollars each time we visit. For those of you who have came to our workshops, you know first hand how much of an emphasis we put on honesty, integrity, and the greater good. With that being said..
Publix considers the following as competitor's:
Winn Dixie
Save-A-lot
Harris Teeter
Target
WalMart
Harvey's
CVS,Rite-Aid, Walgreen's, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Home Depot, Lowe's, Petsmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe's,Office Depot, Staples and any other NON GROCERY store is NOT a competitor.
Tracie is well aware that there have been instances where the above coupons have been used, and is trying to enforce the coupon policy that is in place for us to follow. It clearly states that none of the above are listed as competitor's.
I know that some of you have been able to use these coupons, however, please let me say that we do not want our " friendly " cashiers to become " un - friendly " because of the way we are using coupons. Those same cashiers that are taking these coupons, are being reprimanded at the end of their shift for taking such coupons. I know that the cashiers should know what coupons to take, BUT, we at Savvy Coupon Clippers KNOW what coupons to use and which ones not to use.
Holly and I will NOT advertise the use of coupons from other stores that are NOT listed on the coupon policy.
I know that there are some who will continue to use these coupons, but they are going to be the cause of our Publix changing their store policies. Please, Please ONLY use competitor coupons that are listed on the coupon policy for our store.
Another thing that we talked about:
The use of $ off purchase amount.
The coupon policy clearly states that you can use ONE store coupon for $ off purchase, with ONE competitor $ off purchase.
ex: You can use one $5 off $25 Publix store coupon with ONE $5 off $25 Save-A-lot coupon, as long as your total order is at least $50.00 before coupons.
Savvy Coupon Clippers does not use FOUR $5 off $25 COUPONS to get $20.00 off our total order. This is a case of what is considered " abusing " the coupon policy. Our store does not want to stop taking competitor's $$ off total purchase coupons, but they will have no choice if people continue using them to that disadvantage. And, making multiple transactions to use the FOUR coupons is not any better. Please do not get greedy with the competitors coupons.
Again, Publix is OFFERING us a GREAT service by allowing us to stack coupons, and taking competitor coupons. They do NOT get reimbursed for competitor's coupons. I am also aware that there are cashiers that will even suggest that you do multiple transactions, or that you can use all four coupons, and that you can use the competitor coupons that are from stores not listed on the policy.It is a case of to each his own, but I don't want others that are not wanting to follow the guidelines, ruin for those who are trying to save money the honest way.
If you have any questions, please contact Holly or I and we will help clarify anything that you are not understanding. We want each of you to be able to save money, and contribute to your family, church, and the community. But, we want to go about it the right way :)
"Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it." Proverbs 13:11
RLJ
6 comments:
Thanks Savvy Coupon Clippers for clarifying that one for us. I want to save money and I don't want us to loose our privilege of using our coupons b/c we can't follow the rules. Sometimes it can get a little confusing and its good to know you are out there helping us to learn the right way of doing this. I had no idea the cashier was getting in trouble because of what we are doing...thanks again!
Do they consider the Walgreens RR and other similar Catalina Manufacturer's coupons to be Manufacturer coupons as opposed to competitor? These are ones that are mfr coupons to save $x on your next purchase with no spending limit (i.e. Kraft Catalina, Walgreen's RR).
When you check on it, be sure to mention that the RR are not like UPs or ECB since they say "Manufacturers Coupon" and start with a 5. I'm comparing a $5 Dial Catalina from Winn Dixie and a $2 RR coupon from Kellogs and they look identical with mfr addresses for the retailers to submit to for value + $0.08. UPs and ECB are solely retailer coupons. I had no idea coupons could be so confusing - I hate to let any expire when everything looks just like other Qs - but also want to be sure they will get the $$ back.
Yes, they can be confusing !! I have tried using a RR there back when I first started couponing, and they would not let me. The only reason that I got was that I didn't " spend " the money at Publix to get the catalina..But, when I use the Winn Dixie catalina, it is okay even though I did not " spend " that money at Publix either..
As for the brand products, $1.00 off Purina Cat Food ( using as example )..Those are considered catalina's, and hopefully they will be good to use since they do in fact read manufacture and they are not $ off total purchase coupons. That is the biggest issue with Publix right now, they are tired of people taking advantage on the $ of total purchase coupons. That is what's setting this whole " cracking "down on coupon policies in motion.
I am making a copy of all comments and questions, and hopefully will have CLEAR answers regarding the RR's and catalina coupons. I completely understand about not wanting to " waste " valuable coupons. The sole purpose of couponing is to spend as little out of pocket as possible :)
I am going to say no on the RR's, because I asked the store manager, and she said they are not supposed to take them, same with UP'S rewards and ECB'S. ( I mentioned these bc someone else askd about them on another post ). If the catalina's are for a specific brand ( kraft ),and read manufacture, but have thier logo on it, it may work. But, let me check on this in the next few days and I will post something in regards to this. As long as it is from the the list of who they consider to be competitors, it should not be a problem with using them. Any coupon that is from a store not listed on thier policy, I would not use. You will get some shift managers, and cashiers that give the o.k., but according to the store manager, we are not to use any coupons from stores that are not listed.
I had someone point out a mistake that I had made when referring to Tracie Reaves at Publix. For some reason or another, my brain was not with me when I was writing this post or commenting. But, to be clear, Tracie is a store managaer, NOT a district manager. Sorry for any confusion that I may have caused. With that being said, the coupon policy is still in effect with the way that it is worded on thier policy, and I don't think the district manager will have a differnt point of view when his/her store is losing money due to the misuse of coupons. Just wanted to clear that up before anyone else was misguided by my choice of words or lack of.
Post a Comment