Legitimate Couponing
November 10, 2009
I see that there has been quite a bit of discussion on the Trades page regarding the use of coupons. So I thought I would take a moment to give my opinion and make a request.
I love a good discussion but let’s move it here to this post. The trades page is for trading…I don’t want to clutter it up (I really need to do a clean up there –so let me know if you have any trade request that need to be deleted) Feel free to leave you comment or opinion HERE in the comments section.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a person using coupons! As long as the person is using them correctly it doesn’t matter if they use one coupon or two hundred coupons. Publix does not limit the number of coupons that you can use during a transaction. The register will beep if your coupon to item ratio is not equal and it will also beep once you have hit a savings threshold. At one point the threshold was $50–I have heard that it has increased to $100 but I am not positive. So once you have used $50 (or $100) worth of coupons you will need a manager to override the system.
Just because the register beeps and requires an override does not necessarily mean that the customer has done something wrong! Since Publix allows the use of a competitor coupon with a manufacturer coupon it is possible for you to have more coupons than items. If I am doing a big shopping trip I could easily use $100 worth of coupons–that is not at all difficult to achieve. So–a beeping register is not indicative of improper coupon usage! A beeping register is more likely the sign of a very smart shopper who has put much time and effort into clipping coupons and matching them to the weekly sale!
There was a comment about doubling coupons…Publix doubles coupons as an incentive to shoppers. There are lots of grocery store choices here in metro Atlanta. Most all of the competitor stores double coupons and some even offer eCoupons and Catalina promotions in addition to double coupons. Doubling coupons is in no way an abuse of the system! It is a courtesy given to encourage shoppers to walk in the door.
I think the bottom line is that there is a difference in coupon usage and coupon abuse! There will be honest people and there will be people who choose to cheat. It is unfair to assume EVERYONE who uses coupons is a cheater. Here on my site I highlight deals using coupons while abiding by the rules. I always tell people that there is no need to cheat when you can get a great deal honestly!
Feel free to leave your comments. I love a good discussion and would love to hear some opinions. I do ask that you keep it clean–I don’t have time to moderate foul mouthed comments 
I just came back from the publix on Baker Rd ( the one with the blockbuster closing, and was told that they will no longer double 50 cents and under if the coupon “STATES” do not double. I think I am going to another store. Everytime I turn around it is something. I was trying to give them chances to work all this out and they are still changing every time I go in to the store. (It was sooo much closer then the other stores). I will be happy to drive now.
I get the peelie stealing but if I see a tearpad and I take 2 (one for each item) is that considered tp stealing or is it stealing when you take a bunch or the whole pad? And ok, people seriously sell coupons they got from the grocery store???
Manda – yep – check ebay. There are tons of tearpad coupons on there.
I’m in Central Florida and no doubles. I called one day to ask why and our district manager stated that our stores choose to spend their promotional/advertising dollars on other things. I def aggree that it doesn’t matter how many coupons you use it is the way you use them! If a few people start to abuse the system (like those that pushed the doubles coupons that stated do not double but started with a 5) they are the reason it was brought to the attention of the stores and the stores in turn put an end to it… If you’re going to take extra peelies or TP it’s not that big a deal, it becomes a big deal when people think they can make money by stealing them ALL and selling them (I think all the publicity on the couponing has people trying to make money off it, and it brought their attention to taking all those “great” coupons and selling them so they can make money… I’ld rather shop smart with coupons and get the free stuff I dont need and sell the STUFF!!!)
Marie, I did not know I was doing something wrong because the store was telling me it was ok untill last night. I even made it a point to ask EVERY TIME I was using coupons if they all went through and if it was all ok. They told me yes I was doing everything right. I have called an aunt of mine that works at Publix and I am going to try to get a written policy to take with me. I feel like they are targeting me when I talked to them and asked to tell me if I am doing it wrong. They did not have to cut me off completly.
If they keep it up it is going to be cheaper for EVERYONE to go to another named store and they will lose even more business. This store even just had a makeover last week so they must still be making money to be able to do all that.
Marie, This rant was not againt you by any means. I just dont want people thinking I am intentionally doing something wrong. I WANT TO DO THIS RIGHT.
I thought that Publix doubled the coupons for customer service.
I’m near Pensacola and our Publix does not double coupons at all. I had a major question awhile back so I contacted home office which in turn had the assistant store manager call me. She informed there is NO SUCH THING as a written coupon policy because there would be no way they could keep it up-to-date. I explained to them that if they change policy that they need to post it in writing at every store. I felt like she was brushing me off. So, everytime I go in the store I immediately go to the service desk and ask if there is any change in their policy.
Michelle, you are awesome and so is this blog!
Until recently, I never had issue with shopping at my local Publix (Lake City, FL). It’s a total different shopping experience these days. The friendly customer service is no more. Even if I am stopping at the customer service desk for a rain check, the staff is RUDE. Yesterday, my mother stopped at the cs counter to ask for a rain check. The girl sighed, and stated her hand is so tired of writing rain checks. My mom and I where shocked. She proceded to change hands to write with her “non tired hand” when she stated “I can’t even read this, they probably won’t accept it.” Are you kidding me? This is one of many poor cs stories experienced or witnessed lately.
I have been using coupons for one year this month. I have saved so much money this year. I am an organized couponer. Like most of you, I never take more than two of any flier, booklet, or tearpad. I am friendly to the cashiers even when they are nasty to me. When I put my items up on the counter I lay the matching cp with the item.
I hate it that some ruin a good thing for everyone. It is a shame that Publix has come to dislike couponers. Our local store now keeps all coupons or advantage flyers behind the customer service desk (and I told you what a nightmare that is). You are allowed ONE period. If you come back the next day and ask for another one (if its the same person, forget it). They currently have so many expired booklets back there because they wouldn’t give them out. A few months back, I asked about one of the summer booklets. A nice staff person went to the office and came out with a stack of expired booklets still wrapped in the shipping plastic. They do not want us having those coupons, for whatever reason. Those folks that take the entire stack of something are ruining it for themselves and the rest of us.
Sorry to take up so much space. I think my store is one of the first to go on coupon lock down. Sorry ladies (and gent.) lock down coming to a Publix near you.
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