I am so excited about the new feature and love that there was such a great response from you all!! Actually there was such a great response that I needed a little help!! My buddy Christy over at Haphazardly Hobbying was kind enough to give me some help to get ten of your questions answered. There was no way we could get to everyone –if we didn’t get to your question this week…don’t worry we will do our best to cover it another week!!
I am going to start a new tab at the top of the site where I will do my best to organize the information so that it can serve as a quick reference!
Here are this week’s questions:
- How do manufacturers determine how many of each coupon get distributed in a particular area? Is there such a thing as a rain check for blinkies or tearpad Qs?
- How does the Publix Penny Item work?
- Does my Publix get reimbursed the full face value of my coupon even when they adjust the amount down to avoid overage?
- How do you get multiple internet coupons?
- Why is it that coupons vary so much between different papers in the same area?
- If an item is BOGO, what’s the best way to pair it with a B2G1 coupon?
- Is there a way to get the Sunday inserts at a discount?
- Will the Publix pharmacy accept a CVS or Walgreens “get a free $XX gift card when you transfer a prescription” coupon?
- How many times a week do you shop, and on which days?
- On average, how long does your typical grocery shopping adventure take?
And here are the answers!
Susan wants to know: Why are the blinkies and tearpads always empty when I get to them?? How do manufacturers determine how many of each coupon get distributed in a particular area? Is there such a thing as a rain check for blinkies or tearpad Qs?
Christy: To my knowledge, there is definitely no such thing as a rain check for blinkie or tearpad coupons, and manufacturers determine which areas get coupons based on their sales in that area. After the blinkie or the tearpad gets placed in your store, though, you’re at the mercy of every other shopper and couponer out there – hopefully they will only take the number of coupons they need. As such, you can never count on a blinkie or a tearpad – it might be there, it might not, it might have coupons left, it might not. When I read about a possible blinkie or tearpad, I make a note of it on my shopping list so that I’ll be sure to look for it, but it’s always hit or miss and I never factor it into my shopping scenario until I’ve got the coupon in hand.
Niki wants to know: How does the Publix Penny Item work? Why isn’t it a penny in my store?
The Publix Penny Item is a customer incentive –basically a promotion to get you in the store. Each week there is a coupon in the newspaper that will allow you to purchase the designated item for just a penny with a $10 purchase. Florida does not participate in the promotion–my guess is that they don’t need to offer the incentive as they are top dog in Florida 🙂 The date of the penny is the same day that your ad begins. Here in Atlanta my ad begins on Thursday so that is the day that I can score an item for a penny.
Stephanie, Joelle, and Tammy want to know: Does my Publix get reimbursed the full face value of my coupon even when they adjust the amount down to avoid overage? Tammy writes that “Several weeks ago there was a manufacturers coupon where you bought trash bags and got $3 off Clorox wipes. At that time, the wipes were on sale for $1.99. The cashier outright accused me of coupon fraud andproceeded to throw the coupons in the trash can. I very politely told her that I was happy to accept $1.99 off the wipes if this particular store did not allow overage. She refused the coupons outright until I pressed her further regarding overage. She didn’t understand the term “overage.” In the end, she took $1.99 off my bill (very reluctantly) and when I asked her if Publix would be reimbursed the entire $3 plus 8 cents, she took a sharpie and marked through the $3 and wrote $1.99 on the coupon. So, will Publix get the face value of $3?”
Christy: Unfortunately, we’ve all been in that situation more than once. There are just too many cashiers out there that don’t understand the way coupons work and who have probably been given incorrect information by other workers. In my understanding, the store WILL get the face value of the coupon (plus 8 cents) for every coupon it sends in to the clearinghouse. However, it is still the store’s choice to allow overage or not. If they don’t, you just need to prepare for that. Think of it as a tradeoff for all the competitor coupons you’ve been able to use at Publix since you’ve been couponing – because Publix certainly doesn’t get reimbursed for those amounts. By the way, Tammy, I think you handled this situation perfectly!
Michelle: Each store can make their own rules regarding overage and what coupons they will allow to be used. Most stores welcome coupons as they are a form of payment that is treated like cash tender in the cashier’s drawer and in store procedures.
Coupon redemption is automated so the fact that that cashier wrote $1.99 means nothing to that scanner reading the bar code at the clearinghouse 🙂 The store will be reimbursed the face value plus a small handling fee. To learn more about the life of a coupon visit THIS site.
An anonymous commenter wants to know: How do you get multiple internet coupons? Is there any way to get more than two if I only have one computer
Unfortunately, you do need to have another computer if you want to be able to print more than one set of internet printables at home. However, there are plenty of other ways to get legitimate printables- have a friend who won’t use them print for you, or use the trade section here on the site to find a few reliable people that you can trade printables & other coupons with regularly.
Theresa and Jennifer want to know: Why is it that coupons vary so much between different papers in the same area? Last week I even got different coupons in two copies of the same paper!
Christy: From what I’ve read, advertising (and therefore the coupons you find) varies by zip code and by the marketing area of each particular paper – so if you get one copy of the paper delivered to your home in one zip code, and then buy another copy of the same paper 15 or 20 miles away, it’s very possible that you’ll get different coupons. My advice is always to CHECK the papers before you purchase them – a quick scan through will tell you if you’re getting the coupons that you want. I always do this with my papers, since the Walgreens and CVS papers are occasionally missing inserts altogether!
Natasha wants to know: If an item is BOGO, what’s the best way to pair it with a B2G1 coupon? For example, if Coke 2 liters are BOGO for $2 and you have B2G1 coupons, would you A) Grab 3 and get all 3 for the price of 1, or B) Grab 4 and get all 4 for the price of 1?
Christy: While scenario (B) gets you the best price, your store may give you a hard time about using that coupon – mine requires that I actually PAY for two if I’m getting one free, so I generally plan on scenario (A). YMMV, of course!
Michelle: In my area BOGO rings half price…so for us we would buy three items and pay the equivalent of one full priced item (1st item is half price with BOGO, 2nd item is half price with BOGO, 3rd item is free with coupon)
In areas of true BOGO you should be able to get four items for the price of one as the coupon covers the price of one item and BOGO covers the cost of the other two!
Kim wants to know: Is there a way to get the Sunday inserts at a discount? I know you can use a clipping service but I was wondering if people pay full price for each paper they get at home or if there are any tips on places that sell them for a discount? I heard someone once post about a “double insert” paper at CVS – do you know anything about that?
Christy: As I think I’ve written before, I almost always get my Sunday papers (I usually buy four a week) at Walgreens or CVS. I use my Register Rewards or ECBs to pay for my papers in order to reduce the amount I pay for the inserts. I’ve read that a lot of couponers get their papers at the dollar stores every week because that’s the cheapest price they can find. Also, if there’s a double insert paper anywhere, I’d love to know about it!
Michelle: Here in Atlanta we have what is called a Sunday Double…it is the Sunday Early Edition (comes out on Saturday) and the regular Sunday paper bundled and sold for $3. If you purchase each paper separately you pay more–crazy huh?!!
You can buy full inserts from clipping sites like Coupons & Things By Dede and I have heard you can even buy inserts by the pound. I have not purchased by the pound so maybe those who have could give us a review?
Shirae wants to know: Will the Publix pharmacy accept a CVS or Walgreens coupons for a “get a free $XX gift card when you transfer a prescription” coupon?
This is yet another question that depends on your particular store – ask at your customer service desk before taking the coupon to the Pharmacy.
Malinda wants to know: How many times a week do you shop, and on which days?
Christy: I generally shop at Publix twice a week – once over the weekend to grab any really hot items I think might sell out early in the sale (and also because I’ve noticed that I find the most blinkie/tearpad coupons, MIRs, and booklets during the day on Saturday or Sunday), and (if I have time) again during the week towards the end of the sale. I also shop every Sunday morning at CVS and Walgreens to get their cheap/free items and my Sunday papers.
Michelle: I usually shop on Monday morning as that is generally when I need to replace the basics like milk & bread. Monday is also the only day that I don’t have to take the boys to an activity so I can go at my convenience. I try to only shop once per week but if there is a hot deal I might make a second trip 😉
Rika wants to know: On average, how long does your typical grocery shopping adventure take? Do you usually shop with your kids, or go solo
Christy: We don’t have kids yet, but I always try to go solo – my husband used to be a professional chef, and when he’s in the store with me he always ends up wrecking my total by adding 10 non-sale things to the cart because he has decided to make a particular dish for dinner that night (I know, I know, I shouldn’t complain!!! :o). That said, though, I find that I can concentrate much better when I’m alone in the store. The actual amount of time it takes me to get in and out of the store depends on the length of my shopping list – if there are only a few sale items I need to pick up, I can get in and out within 10 minutes. If I have a much longer list, though, I’ll allot at least an hour for my shopping trip – that way I have the time to look for new blinkies and tearpads, unadvertised sales, etc. I know how lucky I am to be able to spare this much time, and I’m taking advantage of it while I can!
Michelle: Oh I am so jealous of Christy’s stress free trips…I always have my 2 year old and 4 year old in tow!! I try to go as early as possible on Monday to avoid the crowds. My 2 year old is a bit of a booger and he can make my shopping trips VERY difficult! I always bring a snacks and drinks for the boys and even toys to keep them entertained!! I have a very exact spreadsheet prepared and all of my coupons are bagged and ready for checkout!! Most weeks I can be in and out in an hour. If the boys are being cooperative I will take a few minutes to price check items and chat with all the great people who work at “my” store. Checkout can be stressful but the great gals at the bank (who are now all couponers) will come to my rescue with a sucker if they see the boys are getting antsy and I often stroll by the bakery right before I finish to snag a free sanity saver cookie! It can be a rough adventure but seeing my receipt once I am done is kinda like my little reward!!
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.
Michelle,
Our kids are the same ages, ‘cept mine are a 4 y-o girl and a 2 y-o boy. Don’t you love the big green car carts? NOT!?
I live in a neighborhood fashioned after Celebration (neo traditional) with a Publix right in the middle of our town center…I could walk. I have to admit that when I see a deal, I just drop in! I go right before or after hitting the neighborhood Y, so they must think I only own a couple of outfits!
Help My Publix said they do not except overages. I have a rain check for Olay when it was on sale Reg $6.99 Sale $3.00 off making it $3.99 I have a Publix coupon $2.00 off and Manufacture coupon $2.00 off the head cashier said they can only except 1 of the coupons rather then both since the coupons exceeded the price of the item by a penny what should I do. HELP
I have found that when using rain checks I always get issues with two coupons on BOGO items and overage. A while back Michelle had a guest writer here, who suggested that you split your coupons up in Publix coupons and in MF coupons, as this would make it easier for the cashier and avoid some issues with overage…this seems to be working for me.
For Birmingham area readers: one way to get Sunday insert at a discount is to buy your Sunday paper at Walgreens. They sell them for $1.50 (instead of $2). I know various Dollar stores sell them for $1 but they’re not convienient for me so I hit Walgreens instead.
3. Stephanie — Although it is true that each store has the liberty to govern certain rules, I don’t believe the overage issue is one of them (corporately speaking). Now, many stores might be refusing overage, but that doesn’t make it right that they do so. Let me explain. I and many others have spoken with Publix Corporate Office, and the word from corporate, is that overage IS appropriate and acceptable (on manufacturer coupons AND Publix coupons alike). Corporate has stated that there should NEVER be an occasion to adjust down a coupon. (Excluding the “free” item coupons where you write the price on the coupon). While Publix does not have “published” rules, they do have some corporate rules that fly corporate-wide. And I know Publix corporately understands the proper ethics involved. They know they will get reimbursed the full face-value of the coupon (plus $0.08) for manufacturer’s coupons. But they also get reimbursed at least 70% from their OWN Publix coupons too. It is not that Publix is giving us a break and putting out coupons. They strike a deal with the manufacturers that they will get reimbursed $X.xx per Publix Coupon redeemed. And so, I would try to speak to your district manager, or call corporate directly.
Well put, Carissa! Thank you!
Thank you for some great answers Christy and Michelle!
Michelle, your shopping trips sound so much like mine. I have three boys, but I always shop early mornings (favorably Monday) before the crowds hit. I have my 10 month old and my four-year-old with me and my four-year old is quite a chatter box. They are both well behaved, but like you I am well-prepared ahead of time to get a smooth shopping trip. I always save the cookie for last, and it only took a few times where the cookie privilege was revoked before my four-year old got the idea of good behavior at the grocery store.
This morning I pulled the baby in the stroller as we had been at the playground, and my toddler was in the cart that I was pushing. What a sight!
Michelle, I often read your postings referencing the Publix coupon policy. I have not been able to find any written coupon policy on their website. I live in Hollywood, FL and have endure major attitudes from the cashiers at my local store when I try to use coupons. I have complaint to several managers and the only thing they say is “I am sorry; I’ll talk to her”. Well talking hasn’t done any good for me as they keep giving me a hard time. I got tired and called the corporate office and ask to speak to the District Manager when a cashier refused to take an additional coupon for a BOGO item. She told me she could not take a coupon on the free BOGO item because that’s against Publix Coupon policy. She was very angry and accused me of trying to get her fire for breaking the policy so i can save $1. I immediately went to speak to the manager. He apologized and told me “I’ll talk to her”. I heard that before. I never received a called from the District Manager. An assitant manager at my store called me instead and told me the usual, “I’ll talk to her”
As a former Publix full time employee of 14 years and one that was in the management training program. I can tell you that most of these cashiers know far less about coupons then most of us on this website. The cashier sees a coupon and they see a customer who is lowering their customer per hour ratio. The full time employees see there bonus checks being reduced. Most of them do not know how coupons are calculated and how it effects their company. Oh and one more thing they just want to scan and move on to the next customer the last thing they want to do is think and calculate how to do each coupon. So what I am trying to say is when you come to a problem publix cashier remember you are smarter then them 99% of the time. So don’t be afraid to take charge but be nice. Also take the other store coupon policy in by other stores like Wal-mart Target Winn-dixie and albertsons. Then show them a print out of Publix customer service contact web page and their telephone number. Let them know you are prepared and you know your stuff. But be nice. Don’t let them rush you, be confident and do not be afraid of the managers. These Managers are scared to death of customers who have there act together, know their facts and can call customer service in a nice cheerful intelligent manner not emotional. You all should see how these manager panic when the district managers show up. The managers of publix stores keep a network and let each other know when the district manager is in town and when they have left their store. It gets really bad when someone from regional is coming to town. It is high drama. So to some it up if their is a manager that you feel is abusing us couponers let Lakeland know tell your friends to let Lakland know and that manager will be shipped out eventualy
In yhe land of true bogo , I find with a b3g1 coupon find out your need for the product then find a # that divides by 3 and 2. buy 6 bogo gives you 3 coupon give you2 same as if you bought 3.Would comment more but never took typing.Love your site!!!
Yes with this scenerio when you buy 6 Bogo products when you have 2 B3g1 free target coupons and maybe 6 manufacture coupon for the same item in many case will be a money maker.
But what I think you are trying to say is that by buying 6 it gives you the opportunity to use 2 b3g1free and get 3 bogos which gives the buyer 1 extra free product for every 6 products he/she buys so in essence buy 1 get 5 free when you buy 6 rather then use 1 b3g1 coupon when buying 4 where you would pay for 1 and get 3 free.
Now the hard part is getting the cashier to understand it
Michelle, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to educate us and help us to manage our finances. This question and answer time is great! I just started couponing in February and I credit your site with my success. When I’m in the store I’m often asked “How do you do that?” by people behind me in line. I ALWAYS tell them to go home and log on to iheartpublix!
I am totally amazed that you can get in and out of the store in an hour with your children! My kids (who are much older than yours and somewhat helpful in the store)tease me because I seem to have a two hour minimum when I shop these days. However, it does give me hope that maybe it will get better the more experienced I get.
#1 – I shop always with my 2-yr old twins. I plan our trip at lunch or dinner, grab a lunchable (or 2) and feed them as I shop. We hit the bakery last for “dessert” and when I get home they can go down for naps or bed – and I can put groceries away in peace. 🙂
#2 – I have stopped to talk to the manager before I shop whenever I’ve had ?? about any Q. He is awesome. Often says if I don’t see the item to pick another by same manufacturer and use the Q. A few times he’s even told me to hold off a day or so as a certain item I had a Q for was going in sale. He’s always been very nice and helpful. (maybe he feels bad for me cuz I always have the twins in tow – and ones a hairpuller who likes to tease her sister causing all sorts of mayhem)
Bill, Thank you so much for your advice. I had called the corporate office looking for a written policy because i am tired of these cashiers citing “the publix policy” to deny a coupon and they don’t even know the policy. I am tired of the managers ignoring my complaints with the usually “I’ll talk to her” and I still have to endure attitude for using a coupon. I prefer something written to be able to better defend myself.
You say you shop on Mondays – are there any BOGO/sale items LEFT on Mondays? I usually go on Thursday or very early on Friday morning and often many of the good sale (especially BOGO) items are cleared out or there are only a few left. I just had a baby in March so I have had to push some of my shopping trips to Saturday and there was NOTHING left then. Do the stores restock these items by Monday?