Couponing For Newbies: Shopping Discount Stores

Couponing For Newbies: Day 6

Shopping Discount Stores

I don't shop a lot at big chain discount stores. They don't have the same customer service and I feel that I can spend a few pennies more on certain items in return for not having a huge headache. I will however shop at them for certain things like kids clothes at Target and Walmart for some things that I can't afford to buy other places (like the bike I got for Mother's Day). I definitely don't go there every week.

Target

Coupon Policy
The coupon policy at Target is pretty decent as far as written policies go. The only problem that you will run into is that cashiers are not trained well enough and managers often think that they can make up their own policy. A copy of their store policy can be printed here or you can talk to Guest Relations to get a hard copy sent to you. I would recommend getting a copy of the policy and carrying it with you. All Target employees should be following this policy. If you have a problem at the store then you can whip out the coupon policy and show the employees. This should take care of most issues that you have.

The policy states:

Target Stores Coupon Policy

Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping with us, and it's easy to use them at our stores.

• Target accepts one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item (unless prohibited)
• Super Target coupons can be used in any Target store if the store carries the item
• We gladly accept valid internet coupons

Because of the variety of coupons available to our guests, we do have some guidelines for how coupons can be redeemed at Target.

When accepting coupons, we use the following guidelines:

• We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued.
• We'll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
• Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied.
• We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item.
• We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.
• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier while you're checking out.



Target Store Coupons

Target has both printable and regular style coupons. All Target Store coupons can be combined with manufacture coupons for more savings.
Printable store coupons at Target can be accessed here. You can normally only print two coupons per computer.
The regular style coupons can either come in the coupon inserts in the Sunday paper or on products in the form of peelies (coupons that are stuck on products).

Coupon Price Adjusting
A coupon can be adjusted down if it is over the amount of the product.

For example:
You buy an item that is $1.00.
You have a $1.50 coupon for it.
They should adjust the coupon down to $1.00 so that you don't get overage.

This is clearly stated in the coupon policy. When doing this it is a good idea to have the policy on hand because employees may not have been trained about this.




Price Matching
Target will price match competetors print ads (you can't use ones printed from the Internet). They will not match an item that require you to use a saving card to get a discount (like at Albertson's or Fred Meyer). Also they will only price match what is exactly in the ad the same size, kind, model ect. I have found that mine won't let me price match anything that is not pictured in the ad (I am not sure if this is a local thing or not).

There have been issues lately with price matching and using a Target coupon. The stores in my area will not do this. I am confused on what the official policy is so your millage may vary on doing it.


Problems At Target
If you run into problems at Target and it can't be worked out with the manager then I like to call their customer service while in the store. Often things can be worked out this way. If you can't call customer service right then I would call them as soon as you can.
I have had so many problems with Target that I used to have their customer service number on speed dial on my phone.
The customer service number for Target is 1-800-440-0680.

Walmart

Coupon Policy
Go here to view the offical coupon policy on their website.

The policy states:

Walmart Coupon Policy

Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):

• Manufacturer coupons (Cents Off)
• Free merchandise (or manufacturer's Buy-One-Get-One-Free) coupons
• Store coupons
• Pharmacy (Advertising and Promotional) coupons
• Internet coupons
• Soft drink container caps

The following are guidelines and limits:

• Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise we sell and only when presented at the time of purchase.
• Coupons should have an expiration date and be presented within the valid dates. Walmart will not accept expired coupons.
• Internet coupons should be legible and say "Manufacturer Coupon." There should be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and a scannable bar code.
• Only one coupon per item is permitted.
• Use of 40 or more coupons per transaction will require approval by Customer Service Man

Price Matching

Go here to get the official price matching policy.

There price matching policy states:

Price matching

Our goal is always to be the low price leader in every community where we operate. Our customers trust us to have every day low prices ... there's no need for "special sales."

Our unbeatable promise:

Store managers make the final decision in always taking care of our customers, but we do have guidelines for matching our competition.

• We do honor "Preferred Shopping Card" advertised prices. Must be like items, be advertised and require a competitor's shopping card, for the discount to apply.
• We do not honor advertisements that require a purchase in order to receive the advertised price or free product.
• We do not honor "Buy One / Get One Free" advertisements.
• We do not honor double or triple coupons or percent off advertisements.
• We do not honor other retailers' "Misprinted" advertised prices.
• We do not honor Internet Pricing.
• We do not honor competitor advertisements from outside of the store's or Club's local trade territory.

My local Walmart will take Albertson's double coupons. I have a very strong opinion on that. Go here to see my post on why not to use them there.


Problems with Walmart:
First I must say that there was a period of time that I boycotted Walmart (about 1 1/2 years). It happened after a bad experience involving some orange soda (it still makes me mad to think about). I shop there now on occasion but it is probably once a month and hardly ever unless it is the only place to get something.

I will say that the Walmart cashiers are often very poorly trained on their coupon policy. Managers are also left to interpret the coupon policy as they see fit. So if you go in the morning and get a deal there is no guarantee that the evening manager is going to give you that deal.
It is really inconsistent.

If you have a bad experience then you can contact customer service here at 1-800-Walmart (1-800-925-6278), but I have never had any luck with calling them (they tend to side with their employees and never apologize).

Also the customer service is really bad normally. I just go there with the expectation that I will have a bad experience and then I am pleasantly surprised when I don't. (I'm not sure that's the best approach for everyone but it works for me.)


For most things I just steer clear of Walmart. I feel that it is too much of a hassle and takes too much time to make it worth it to me.




Epilogue:

I don't mean to sound discouraging about shopping at discount stores. You can get good deals there. I have just couponed enough to know that most places that I go I can get a good deal if I do a little bit of work. I have also learned that if something or someplace makes me feel bad when I shop there then it is not worth that to me. I honestly feel that any business should treat it's customers well and that I am not willing to compromise how I want to be treated in order to save a few dollars.
I also know that there are people that really like to shop at those stores. And if they have a good experience shopping there then I am so happy for them. My opinions are only based on my experiences at my local stores.

Couponing For Newbies: Shopping Grocery Stores

Couponing For Newbies: Day 5

Shopping Grocery Stores

Albertson's and Winco

Although there are many different grocery stores I decided to pick the places where I get the best deals.


Albertson's

Coupon Policy:
Albertson's in my opinion is generally the most coupon friendly store that I have ever been to.
They have a very fair coupon policy in my opinion.

Albertson's coupon policy:

Albertsons accepts manufacturer coupons and you can stack it with an Albertsons in-store coupon.

accepts take printed coupons(see guidelines below)

no longer matches competitors ads or prices

no longer accept competitors coupons or Walgreens Register Rewards

Coupons must be redeemed at the time of purchase of the specific product. Coupons may not be redeemed after the transaction has completed.

Albertsons Coupon Policy & Guidelines:

Coupons — Definition
Coupons are a form of tender presented by the customer to reduce their order total based on merchandise purchased in stores where the retailer has agreed to accept manufacturer coupons. Retailers are not required by law to accept manufacturers’ coupon. Coupons can be printed and/or in electronic form, and maybe integrated into the register systems where they are deducted automatically when all purchase requirements are met.

The following coupon types are accepted by Albertsons:

1. Manufacturer Coupons are coupons issued by the manufacturer containing: “terms of agreement”, face value, expiration date, and verbiage “manufacturer coupon.” Albertsons may issue coupons such as printed ad media coupons, Avenu, or Shop n’ Scan coupons that are manufacturer coupons that contain the words “redeemable only at Albertsons.” Most manufacturer coupons have bar-codes on them and can be scanned. Any coupons that do not scan or have bar-codes should be checked for validity of expiration date and purchase requirements.

2. Store Coupons are your Company’s discount offers in various forms of media including, but not limited to, print, electronic, newspaper, direct mailers, kiosks and Company websites. Store coupons may also contain the words “redeemable only at Albertsons” (or a banner of Albertsons). Store coupons may state that the discount applies only with Preferred Card/Super Card/Loyalty Card.

3. Catalina Checkout Coupons/Rebates are triggered by individual items purchased at checkout which print on the Catalina printer. It is Albertsons’ policy to allow these coupons to be used only for next purchase. Catalina coupons can only be given to the customer for whom they were intended (not to any other customer or associate). If a customer does not want their Catalina coupons, it is Albertsons’ policy that the cashier destroy them immediately. Catalina checkout coupons printed at other retailers may or may not be accepted for redemption following the manufacturer/competitor store coupon guidelines.

4. Internet Coupons printed from a website are redeemable with a qualifying purchase. Albertsons DOES NOT accept Internet coupons containing the following conditions:
a. ‘Free’ product offers that do not require a purchase
b. Redemption value exceeds $5.00
c. Absence of UPC bar code

5. All coupons tendered must have a corresponding sale for the product listed and amount specified, and only at the time of purchase.



Preferred Card
Albertson's has a store store card that is required to get their sales and to use their coupons. The card is free and can be gotten at the store.

When you buy stuff using the card then the amount you spend adds up to disounts on gas at thier filling stations. For every $50.00 you spend you get $.05 off gas up to $1.50 off. For me this total is always done before coupons so I have been able to acquire discounts quickly.
The discount does expire 30 days after you get it. To redeem just use your preferred card at the pump.


Twice the Value Coupons:
Every few weeks Albertson's puts out Twice the Value coupons or doublers as many couponers refer to them.
These coupons let you double the price of your coupon up to $1.00.
For example if you have a $.75 coupon and you use a doubler with it then the value of your coupon is then $1.50.

Normally if the amount of the coupon after being doubled is over the amount of the item being purchased then the double coupon price will be adjusted down.
For example:
You buy an item that is $.75 and use a coupon that is $.50 and one doubler.
They will give you the $.50 for your coupon but the doubler will only be worth $.25.
Essentially they wont let you have any overage.

(note that this is not always the case. The store that I shop at will give me overage so I have to plan on other items that I will put into my transactions to cover this. Fresh fruit is always a good way to absorb overage.)

Doublers also state that only 1 set of 3 doubers per day per family. Most Albertson's will let you do more in a day but will not let you do them all at once. You have to separate them into different transactions.

Some stores will let you do up to three transactions in a row and other will only let you do one and then you have to get back in line. If you have not shopped at an Albertson's before and do not know their policy I would talk to someone at the customer service desk to see what that stores policy is.

Recently they changed their policy and will allow you to use Twice the Value Coupon with manufacture coupons that say "Do Not Double".
Catalina Coupons
Albertson's has Catalina machines at thier registers that produce coupons. These coupons are called Catalina coupons and are often produced when you buy certain products. They often run sales that are associated with getting a catalina coupon.
For example:
Their sale may state spend $20.00 on certain items and get $5.00 off your next order.
The $5.00 will be in the form of a catalina coupon that is produced after you pay for your transaction.
Sometimes a catalina will not print right away. I normally wait for a minute just to see.
If the catalina does not print then the store will check to see if you have purchased all the items required. If you have then they will either force the catalina to print or have you call the catalina company and they will send you your catalina.

The catalinas roll from one transaction to another.
For example:
You spend $20.00 and get a $5.00 catalina.
Then you do another of the same type of transaction and use the catalina that you previously got to pay for it. This new transaction produces another $5.00 catalina.



Special Ordering
Albertson's is a great place to stock up. However they are not normally prepared for a single person to buy large quantities of one product. If you know that you want to buy more than a few of an item then I would suggest calling the store and placing a special order for it.
This way the store does not run out of the product and has plenty to accommodate you and all the other customers. Plus it guarantees that you will have the amount that you want.
I have had great success doing this. I place an order with my manager probably 2 times a month and they have always had it waiting for me when I go to the store.

How can I contact Albertsons with a question, complaint, or compliment?
Phone Number: 877-932-7948
Email: albertsonscustomercare@albertsons.com



Playing Nice!
Albertson's is such a great store and I feel that they have really gone out of their way to make their stores very coupon friendly. I also feel that it is our responsibility to treat their kindness with respect. Treat the cashiers nicely, I have developed many great relationships with the Alberton's employees. I try to put myself in the employees place and treat them how I would want to be treated.
Also treat the other customers with respect. If you have a million transactions to do be courteous and polite. I would recommend not going through self check out. It was not set up for someone to do twenty transactions.
One more thought, I know I already said this but really if you want a large amount of a product then get a special order for it. It is frustrating as a couponer and as a consumer when you go to a store to get a couple of something only to find out that someone has bought the entire shelf of it. Yes I know it is a business and they want to have people buy as much of a product as they can but this leaves a lot of customers unhappy. And if people are coming in and clearing the shelves and they get a lot of complaints about this then they will start limiting how much we can buy or may start to not let us use coupons. This will make it harder to stockpile.
Overall if you follow the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) then shopping at Albertson's will be great for a long time.

Winco

About

Winco is a grocery store that is only operated in the western United States. There prices are very low and often times are lower than Walmart. They have a great bulk food section and pretty cheap produce. I shop here to get things that I can't get as cheap at Albertson's. Sales and Prices Sales at Winco are not advertised and change often. Also prices are not always consistent from one store to another.



Coupons
I have not yet been able to find an official coupon policy. I'm not sure there is one out there for consumers. They accept manufactures and most will accept internet coupons. The rule seems to be that if the coupon scans and look legitimate then they will accept it. They will not give overage if your coupon is for more than the cost of an item. Their computers are programmed to automatically adjust the coupon down to the price of the item.



Bulk Food
I love to buy from thier bulk food section. I can get staples like brown rice and beans and dried herbs much cheaper than most other places. Go here to get a list of bulk spice prices at Winco as compared to Walmart. (Please note that prices may be different at your local stores).



Dowsides
There are a few downsides to shopping at Winco. If your coupon does not scan then you can not use that coupon. I have personally had trouble with this and have put the item back because it wasn't a good deal without the coupon. Also you have to bag your own groceries. This is kind of hard to do if you have your kids with you. The only up side to this is that I can choose to bag my groceries in paper bags and then take the bags home to use in craft projects for the kids.

Couponing For Newbies: Printable Coupons

Couponing For Newbies: Day 4


Printable Coupons

Printable coupons are a quick and easy way to get coupons; especially if you don't have the Sunday paper delivered. They have become mainstream and most stores will take them now.

Main Coupon Printing Sites

There are three main coupon printing sites:

Coupons.com

Redplum.com

Smartsource.com

There sites require that you download thier specific coupon printing software in order to print from them. This software enables you to print the coupon only 2 times. (which is the limit for most internet coupons).


Bricks Coupons

Bricks coupons are coupons sponsored by coupons.com. They require the same coupon printing software.

Although I have never had any trouble printing them I have heard that they can be tricky.
Here is a link for troubleshooting for bricks coupons. I don't know how much help it will be but it might be worth looking at.

Bricks coupons also have different coupon links for use with Internet Explorer and with Firefox. So it you are using Internet Explorer and are trying to print a coupon that was made for Firefox then you will get a page that just says "PLEASE WAIT" or something along those lines.
There is a way to change a Internet Explorer coupon into a Firefox and visa versa.

How to Change a Bricks Coupon to work in the browser you have:
Below is a Firefox Link=

hxxp:/bricks.coupons.com/Strart.asp?tqmn=ri3p59687503&bt=wg&0=&ci=1&c

Note the wg in the url.

To make the link work in Internet Explorer change the wg to wi or vi (some coupons will work with either change and some require one or the other. It is really just trial and error.)
For example:
hxxp:/bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqmn=ri3p59687503&bt=wi&o=53740=&ci=1&c

To make a link work on a Mac with Safari change the wg , wi or vi to xs.
For example:
hxxp:bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqmn=ri3p59687503&bt=xs&o=53740=&ci=1&c


To make a link work on a Mac in Firefox change the wg, wi or vi to Xg.
For example:
hxxp:bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqmn=ri3p5903&bt=Xg&o=53740=&1&c

To make a link work in Firefox (if it is in Internet explorer or for a Mac) change the wi, vi , xs or Xg to wg.
For example:
hxxp:/bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqmn=ri59687503&bt=wg&o=53740=&ci&1&c
Once you replace the letter remember to hit the return key before hitting print.

It may seem complicated but once you do it a couple of times it is really not very hard.


Printing From Manufactures Websites

When you print from a manufactures website they often times the coupon will be sponsored by one of the three main coupon websites. Therefore you will need to have their coupon printer installed in order to print. (please be careful when downloading to your computer. only download from reputable sites)

Some manufactures put thier coupons in a PDF file format. These coupons can be printed as many times as you want. There use however depends on what the coupon says.
Often times it will state that you can only use one coupon per transaction or person.



Print Limits
Printable coupons (unless they are in PDF format) can usually only be printed 2 times per computer. You can print more depending on your access to other computers.

Most printable coupons also have a limit to how many can be printed on a national level. That means that if there is a hot coupon out there that a bunch of people want the print limit might be reached very quickly. If you have not printed a coupon and it says that you already have then the problem is most likely that the coupon has reached its national print limit and there are no more or that coupon available to print.



Printing in Black and White or Color?
Most coupons can be printed in black and white or in color. Almost all state that on them. I personally will not print in color because it is cheaper to print in black and white.
Because people have been copying coupons there has been more scruteny of black and white coupons. So don't be surprised if when using a legitimate black and white coupon you get questioned about it. The stores are just trying to be more cautious because of increased amounts of coupons fraud.


Copying Coupons
All printable coupons should not be copied. It is stated right on the coupon that it is void if copied and also constitutes as coupon fraud which is punishable by the law.

Each printable coupon comes with a few features so that a retailer can tell if it has been copied. These include water marks, small bar-codes on the top right and each coupon has its own distinct number to make sure that a coupon can not be redeemed twice.

When coupons are copied then the retailers will not get reinbursed for the value of the coupon. Therefore they lose money. If people repeatedly copy a coupon then the retailer may not allow that coupon to be taken at their store and may not allow printed coupons at all.

This has become a big problem lately. I have noticed that as more people have been copying coupons then more stores will not take them or give you a hard time using them.
This is one of the biggest mistakes that a new couponer may unkowingly do. But it is one of the worst because internet coupon have become an important part of couponing.
If the trend of copying coupons continues then we may lose the right to use printable coupons at all. It affects all of us and should be taken very seriously.



Fake Printable Coupons
As with all good things people try to take advantage of couponing by creating fake printable coupons and posting them on the internet. Since they are not real, retailers will not get reimbursed for the coupon and like copying coupon they may take away our privileged to use printable coupons. Also use of these coupons is considered coupon fraud!

How do you tell if the coupon is a fake?
I would say first if it is too good to be true then it probably is. For example a coupon for a free Wii is probably fake. (Yes this was really a fake coupon and yes people used it).
Second there are websites that will tell you what popular fake ones are out there.
If there is a coupon that I have a question about I try to look it up to see what others are saying about it.



Epilogue
I hope that I don't sound like a Debbie Downer but I believe that using coupons and especially internet printable ones to be a privilege. If we all follow the rules then we can continue to have that privilege and save our families money.

I think that if we all use our common sense and try to be as honest as possible then we will have printable coupons to use for a really long time.

Note: As with anything that you download onto your computer please be sure to that the website is reputable.