Coupon Question and Answer: Best of Ask I Heart Publix 10/7
November 7, 2012
We’ve been answering questions for Ask I Heart Publix for over two years now, and we’ve definitely found that some questions keep popping up as new couponers write in. So every month we’re going to feature a “Best Of” Ask I Heart Publix, where we post some of our favorite questions and answers from past weeks, months, and years.
Don’t worry….we’ll still be answering the new questions you guys send in, too, so keep sending in those questions! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!
Don’t forget to look under the “About” tab where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!
Here are this week’s “Best of” questions:
- When a coupon is a PDF or pops up your printer window and you can select how many you want to print, are those coupons meant to have no print limit? Is it ethical to print them as many times as you want?
- Is there any kind of rhyme or reason to what item goes on sale as the Publix Penny Item?
- Is it okay to stack a manufacturer’s free item coupon with a store coupon?
- Does Publix accept a competitor’s rain check?
- What’s the deal with unadvertised BOGOs?
And here are the answers!
1. Stacie wants to know: When a coupon is a PDF or pops up your printer window and you can select how many you want to print, are those coupons meant to have no print limit? Is it ethical to print them as many times as you want?
Christy: Like all ethical calls, this one is ultimately going to be up to you. My feeling is that if the company releases said coupon as a .pdf, then they are not concerned about print limits and I am free to use the coupon as many times as I want – within reason, of course. Personally, I won’t use a .pdf coupon to score 20 of an item – I’ll usually limit it to 4 or 6. As I said, though, you have to make this decision for yourself! Commenters, what do you think?
Michelle: Unless otherwise stated, then technically you can print and redeem as many coupons as you would like. Most companies are smart and use technology to limit prints. Those who don’t limit prints take the risk that they may have a ton redeemed!
2. Dana wants to know: My Publix always seems to run out of the penny item by the time I get there (after work, so usually around 6). The exceptions are if it’s not in the regular penny item location (like if it’s refrigerated) or something that no one wants (like Frosted Flakes). If it’s something good (like toilet paper), it’s always all gone. They replace it with something else, but it’s hit or miss whether I’ll want it or not.
I’m not sure if they simply don’t realize how popular the penny item is or if they’re trying to get rid of extra inventory by making it the “new” penny item. All I know is that we had Frosted Flakes three times in one month, and those Lipton noodle bags are always showing up. Our old Publix never had this issue. Is there anything I can do about this?
Christy: Sadly, I have no experience with the Penny Item because we don’t get it in Florida. I feel a little like a broken record today, but I’d ask your store management about this and see what they have to say. It certainly doesn’t seem fair that you’re always stuck with the ‘leftover’ penny items because you have to shop after work!
Michelle: I have mixed feelings on this one. While I understand your frustration, I see it as a freebie and better than nothing. The average shopper probably does not even realize that when they get the replacement penny item that there was any change at all. Consider having a conversation with the grocery manager to see if there is any way he can try to order more to ensure that there is enough to go around! Most stores know what the item will be 2+ weeks ahead of time which should be plenty of time to get the stock they need. You might also give them a heads up on what the most popular items are…maybe they aren’t paying attention to the fact that they are running out.
3. Missy wants to know: Is it okay to stack a manufacturer’s free item coupon with a store coupon? I have a manufacturer coupon for free Cottonelle wipes and a Target store coupon for $1.00 off the same item. Can I stack them together since my Publix acc
Christy: There are two ways of looking at this. On one hand, the store could (very reasonably) say that since I’m already getting the item for free they don’t need to accept a competitor (or, for that matter, their own) coupon because there is nothing left to discount. On the other hand, Publix will be reimbursed for the full value of the item and honoring a competitor (or their own) coupon is actually only going to put them out $1 in the long run. Either way of looking at this is valid; what really matters is what your store says about this!
Michelle: I think Christy has this one covered. Be sure and ask your store.
4. Lisa wants to know: Does Publix accept a competitor’s rain check? I received rain checks at SuperTarget today for sale items that were out of stock and I’d love to use it at Publix.
Michelle: Lisa, as far as I know–No. A rain check is given when a store is out of a product. Since Publix was not the store who was out of stock then they would not be the ones to honor the rain check.
Christy: To ask Publix to accept a competitor’s rain check is essentially to ask them to price match other store’s sales, which of course they don’t do. I’d be VERY surprised if your store would accept it!
5. Aidenandcollinsmom wants to know: Can you explain unadvertised BOGO deals? What is the benefit to Publix of not advertising the deal? How do they get discovered? How do they get chosen? Is there always one to be found?
Michelle: Boy, I wish I knew the answer to that one! If I had to guess I would think that it would be based on the advertising budgets. Maybe the companies do not want to spend money on advertising the deal and just hope that shoppers will see their products on sale? If anyone knows the answer, please let us know!
Christy: I don’t have a definitive answer for this one either. I always assumed that unadvertised BOGOs had more to do with store overstock than anything else, but that may not be it at all. Commenters, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!
I hope our answers to these questions were helpful! Make sure you ‘tune in’ next week for even more Q&A with I Heart Publix. If you have a question you’d like to see answered, email me at contactiheartpublix@gmail.com.
I will use a PDF coupon for as many as I can use in 1 month. If it is for something we use a lot of – I will print 10 if I can use it. Just my personal guide line. Honestly I have found if I buy a ton – we get sick of the item and it will expire before I use it – not something I want to do.
As for the penny item – I usually shop early – my best friend shops late. Sometimes she will tell me got a different item. Sometimes I am soooo jealous of what they have substituted. Once I got bran flakes – she got a huge bag of granola. I just think it is suppose to be a mystery item and you take what they offer without complaining. Once they were out of coffee and I was disappointed – but I don’t think you can really complain – yes we have a heads up on this site – but Publix does not print the mystery item anywhere – so this is just a courtesy heads up.
it is a combination of things. 1. advertising space has alot to do with it. they might not have enough room on the layout, and trying to squeeze as much in as possible does not come out looking very appealing/ professional look and can leave an overall negative impression about the store. 2. Depending on the item if it is something that people usually purchase in conjunction with another item, and the manufacturer has issued a good redemption coupon (e.g pancakes and syrup)3. Overstock of an item. 4. to compete with a competitors advertised price for an item that publix historical model has shown brings people in or just sells really well at this time of year.
On the PDF coupon I will usually print 6, I have 3 computers I am able to print from. So if I was printing from a coupon that had a limit on how many I could print I could still print 6.
1. For .pdf coupons I go by the companies intent, not by what I can get away with. If they don’t specify limits then have at it.
2. No penny items in Florida, but how about shopping before work.
3. I think they should take both. If the competitor coupon was for the free item and the manufacturer coupons was for $1.00 off I’d bet they’d want it.
4. And they don’t match competitor sale prices either.
5. They get discovered by Happy!
My comment is about stacking a store coupon with a free MQ. My 2 cents is that you shouldn’t stack a competitors store coupon with a a free MQ…. however, with that said, I do think it would be ok to stack a Publix store coupon with a free MQ. Or if in doubt… ask the store manager or customer service.
I think with the PDF’s it will print each time with the same numbers on each print. Some of your cashiers will look to see if there is a difference in the numbers on each coupon. If they all have the same numbers you are not allowed to use but one.
Commenting on the stacking of coupons – this week, my Publix cashier tried to tell me I could not use a Publix coupon when I had a manufacturer’s coupon to get the item free. She called over the manager when I stated that Publix allowed for one manufacturer’s coupon and one Publix coupon per item, so this should be no different. The manager agreed and I was allowed to use both coupons.