I'll be surprised if I ever shop at Dominick's again...
When I teach coupon classes, one of the questions that invariably comes up is "what do you do when a cashier won't take your coupons?" The usual answer to that question is to familiarize yourself with the store's coupon policy, which will specify exactly what kind of coupons the store will accept and how they can be used.
Coupon policies are great tools for couponers to know exactly what kinds of coupons they can use at each store. (Want to see an example of one? Here's Wal-Mart's.) In preparation for today's Deals of the Week, I went shopping to verify that all the sales and deals were working as advertised.
This week, Dominick's is having a big "$5 off when you purchase 5" sale, which combined with coupons, can really work well in a bargain hunter's favor. I had a nice cartload of groceries loaded up ($94 worth, before coupons) when I headed to the checkout.
At the checkout lane, the cashier examined my coupons, then called an employee over from the service counter, who promptly announced "We don't take internet coupons."
What? I try to stay on top of the coupon policies of all of our local stores, and the only store in our area that I knew expressly doesn't accept internet coupons is Woodman's. But I honestly don't shop at Dominick's much, and I supposed their policy could have changed.
But then I thought -- this doesn't make sense. Dominicks.com has printable internet coupons right on their own website. Go to www.dominicks.com, click "Save," and "Print Coupons."
Why would they have printable coupons on their own website if they won't accept them?
Because I have another coupon class coming up in a few days, I wanted to get my facts straight. I asked to speak with a manager. The manager came over and said yes, Dominick's doesn't accept internet coupons.
I pointed out that there were internet coupons ON the store's site. He told me "I can't take those because the store doesn't get any money back for internet coupons." Now, as anyone who's ever read the fine print at the bottom of a coupon knows, not only does the store get all of the money for the coupon's face value back, they also get 8-12 cents over and above the value as well.
It amazed me that a store manager would not know this. I pointed out the fine print on the coupon to him, which details how the store will be reimbursed. The manager thought about it and said "Well, I can accept one internet coupon."
One? I had at least $70 worth of coupons to use in this trip, most of which were internet coupons. So, I left without buying anything. Which may seem extreme, but I think you know by now that I avoid paying full price as often as possible :)
I then called Dominick's corporate office, Safeway, to ask about the chain's coupon policy. I explained what had happened, and the representative told me "Oh, I don't think we take internet coupons." (???) Again, I pointed out that there are internet coupons on Dominick's own site. She talked to someone else and came back and said "Oh yeah... we just pulled the website up. I don't know then."
Very helpful. I asked if I could get a copy of Dominick's coupon policy, and after conferring again, the representative came back and said "We don't have one. It's up to each individual store, manager and cashier to decide how many and what kind of coupons they will take."
Wow.
Well, guess what, Dominick's. Without a standardized coupon policy, shoppers' experiences are going to be very hit-or-miss, especially when a cashier decides on a whim that perhaps you have too many coupons, or they don't like your printable coupons, or they just don't like to see you getting things for free or very cheap -- which I'm sure was the case today, as I would have cut my bill by 75% with the coupons I was holding.
As great as the Dominick's $5 off 5 sale is, it is nowhere near worth shopping if you can't use coupons with it. And after hearing from two other people today who were told they couldn't use internet coupons at two additional, different Dominick's locations than the one I visited -- and a third who was also turned down at the same Dominick's location I was at ... I find it hard to recommend couponers continue to shop at Dominick's, at least if they intend to use internet coupons. I wasted most of my afternoon planning my shopping trip, printing and cutting coupons, going to the store and shopping, and then being told the store essentially didn't want my money.
Dominick's big "draw" used to be that they accepted expired coupons, while most of their competitors have phased that out. But if it's completely up to the individual store and cashier, that unwritten "policy" may become very hit-or-miss as well.
Now, Jewel... you're still my favorite place to shop.
Comments
"I'll be surprised if I ever shop at Dominick's again"!!!
WoW!!! You are my kind of girl!!!! I am always fightin' with cashirs and store managers----and it is interesting that you mention Walmart---one day they will take internet coupons and one day they won't----but HEY! This is Alabama!!!! I often leave my full grocery
buggy at the store if they won't accept my coupons. My children have
stopped going to the store with me because they get so embarrassed
but they for get that it all adds up to the food on the table and the makeup on their face and the videos we buy, etc., etc. I like you go to the store manager , to the regional manager, to the CEO until I get an answer. If they print out coupons for us, I guess they want us to use them. If they don't, start lowering food prices!!!! Thanks for what you are doing. Sincerely, Miriam Armbrester
Wal-Mart
Miriam, with regard to Walmart, their corporate policy states they DO accept ALL internet printable coupons :) I would suggest printing and carrying it with you the next time you go. If your store is denying you, they're doing so in violation of their own corporate policy -- something the higher-ups likely may be interested in.
http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx
And thanks for dropping in from Alabama! I was just there over the weekend, actually :)
Buy 2 Get 1 Free Printable Coupons Denied at Jewel
I went to Jewel ready to buy Clorox wipes today before the sale ended. They are buy 4 and get the $3 automatic savings at Jewel until 10/14. I rang them up and got my discount, and proceeded to apply my printable coupons for Buy 2 get 1 Free. In the self checkout lanes Jewel requires a clerk to put them through. She was about to scan them and then told me that any printable coupon with the word Free on them or anything over $4 will not be accepted. Why were they no longer accepted? She stated it was store policy and that it has been this way. I asked her when this went in to affect because I saw someone using the exact coupons the night before. She told me the clerk must not have know what to do. She asked if I wanted to talk to the manager, but I figured it was useless since she asked me and must have known the policy. I left the items there. Then when I got home, I was so irked, I emailed the company. I'm waiting for a response...of which I won't get until the sale is over. I did some searching on the web and found some blogs about how stores are being scammed with copied coupons and dummied coupons and that they won't accept those types of coupons any longer and that they might not take printables overall. Who's ruining it for the rest of us? In any case, if this is their policy, they should be posting it so the public can read it!
Wrong
Printable B1G1F coupons are not "FREE" coupons (for "one free item) and have always been accepted at Jewel. I used the B1G1F Clorox there today too -- it requires a purchase, so it's fine. Corporate will confirm if you call as well.
wrong
You were given incorrect information at the store. Jewel's official policy has this to say about internet coupons:
------------------------------
Jewel-Osco DOES NOT accept internet coupons containing the following conditions:
a. Free product offers that do not require a purchase
b. Redemption value exceeding $5.00
c. Absence of UPC bar code
d. Photocopied internet coupons. Most internet sites will print a time and date stamp on the coupons, and limit each ISP address to two coupons total. If multiple coupons have the same time and date stamp this could be an indicator the coupon was photocopied, and should not be accepted.
------------------------------
Obviously a Buy 2, get 1 coupon does 'require a purchase' - it requires TWO purchases! I'd go back with the coupons (even if the sale is over. They should absolutely have accepted that coupon. (I used 2 of them.)
Went Back...
I did go back...armed with the policy sheet from corporate...but got a nice cashier who had no problem taking my printables! But there were less items there than I was originally going to purchase and I didn't bring my other coupons with me. So I filled it with the birds eye vegetables that had a coupon on the freezer for each and still got my $3.00 auto savings.
They continually take the $6 off pork . . .
The Gather 'Round the Grill q I am addicted to is for $6 (not $5) and an IP, but Jewel has been taking it.
Logo
I believe they do because Gather 'Round the Grill was sponsored by Supervalu-owned stores, and that coupon has a Jewel logo on it.
confused
if you have a buy 2 save $1, how many do you buy and how may coupons can you use? also I shop at jewel.
2
You buy 2 and save $1.
Those coupons function as TWO coupons - the register sees it as two .50 coupons. Don't try to "cheat the system" and only buy 1, or use 2 of those coupons on two items -- you would need four items to use two coupons like this.
Internet Coupons
I live in Florida and generally shop at Publix, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. I am new to the "super-coupon" experience, although I have used coupons for years. Before I took internet coupons to my favorite stores, I went to the stores' websites to look for coupon policies which were not always readily available. If I could not find the policy, I sent an email to customer service, and I have to say that Publix was the only company where my local store's manager called me personally to explain their policy. I took a couple of internet coupons with me on my first trip to Publix after the phone call, and had no problems with using them.
Sorry to hear that happened - but my experience has been fine!
I go to Safeway all the time - in Hawaii we don't have Jewel or any of the other nat'l chain stores, and I've never had a problem getting them to take my printed coupons. And the cashiers usually laugh and chat with me when they see my coupons - last time the cashier pointed me out to another customer and said, "You should watch her - she knows how to get the best deal." I guess folks are just nicer in HI. And when you live somewhere so expensive everyone appreciates good deals.
Anyway, sounds like the local stores are rotten there, but not all Safeway stores reject printed coupons.
I wont' ever go back
I totally agree with you. Last night I went to the Crystal Lake Dominick's. The staff was friendly enough and the store was clean, but they didn't even stock the items they put out coupons for! I specifically went there for the 25.5 oz box of Kellogg's Raisin Bran for .99 and I had a .70 coupon making it .29 I was sooooo excited. I got to the shelf and there was not even a space for that size box, just their store brand in that size. I also loaded a $2 coupon onto my FV card for Gillette Shampoo and again had a manf coupon for $2 off - THEY DON'T EVEN CARRY THAT SHAMPOO AT THIS STORE. I left so disappointed, I felt scammed that they put a coupon in their ad flyer and on the FV card for products that weren't even in the store. I'll never waste my time there again, don't care how good a deal might be. The Jewel is closer to my house anyway and I've always liked them better. Now I can afford to shop there instead of only at Aldi and Walmart thanks to Jill's amazing lessons. Too bad for Dominick's they are missing out on a whole new customer base. After people take this class I'm sure the local Jewel's see a bunch of new business coming in. Thanks again Jill you are amazing!
Internet coupons at Dominick's
I called Dominick's (Wolf Rd. & 31st.) on Saturday night to find out if they accepted internet coupons. The lady on the phone hemmed and hawed before finally saying that they would have to see the coupons before they could answer my question because a lot of internet coupons are fraudulent. Great answer. So, I went to this Dominick's on Sunday to pick up a few things and I had 2 internet coupons. I was completely prepared for a fight! Went to the cashier, gave her my coupons (they were the only coupons I was using), and she scanned both of them. I honestly don't think that she even looked at them! But she didn't question me about it or give me a hard time so MAYBE you can use internet coupons here!
Dominicks -- Ugh!
I was at Dominick's last night for the 5 for $5. I was going to buy the cereal and the Manager was bagging for the two girls at the registers. He told me he would only take one coupon per transaction. I not only had an internet coupon but two regular coupons and he was only going to allow the cashier to take one regular coupon per transaction. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I told him I didn't want the items and would not be back. When I returned home, I called Safeway Customer Service. I spoke with Judy and she was very nice and as confused as I. She called the manager at Dominick's and spoke with him. She called me back to tell me that the Manager states that since Safeway has a flexible coupon policy that the district manager and his managers decided they would only take one coupon per transaction not per purchase. Judy was confused and aksed if I was trying to double and I told her we don't have doubling in these stores. I guess their other chains do double and some triple. If they double or triple the store eats that cost. She said she was going to write a complaint to the district manager because she had no idea why they had institued this policy since they would be reimbursed by the manufacturer. I personally will not go back to Dominick's since there are so many other stores out there that will take my money and coupons.
Unbelievable
It is absolutely UNBELIEVABLE how Dominick's treats their customers. It was during a 5-for-$5 sale in which I had that same issue too.
One coupon per TRANSACTION is ridiculous. They're getting all the money reimbursed to them, so why not take more? You got the same response from corporate that I did -- basically, that the store can decide on the spot how many coupons they will or won't take. And in this economy, why on earth would they want to drive business AWAY from their store, especially when there are so many other options and places to shop?
You know, a couple weeks ago I had someone in my class that asked so many questions about why people don't show at Dominicks -- I believe she may have worked for the company. Well, it's situations like this (that have happened to SO many people - my mom's had the same thing happen where they've told her they'll take ONE coupon for the entire transaction) that it's no wonder those stores are dead. I drove by our Dominick's the other day and there were only like 4 cars in the parking lot.
i used to work at dominicks
And we were always busy (before safeway took over). i don't think i have been in a dominicks since. but last night i went to 2 different ones and they were both DEAD!! i was shocked! is $1.99 for a ten pack of capri sun a good deal? that's one of the few things i would go there for.
Yes
That's a pretty good price. Watch Meijer too, because they often have promotions on CapriSun - buy 2 get the 3rd free, or buy 3, get a Catalina for 1 free box at checkout. I don't think these are running right now, but when it's under $2 a box and one of those promos are going, they make the deal even better (obviously! :)
Dominick's is a ghost town
I went to Dom's the day before thanksgiving to pick up some ground beef on sale. It was completely dead. They only had one check out line open & I got in and out in less than five minutes.
catalinas
Does Dominicks have catalinas?
Yes
Yes, they definitely do.
(But what happens if they decide at checkout that you can't redeem them?)
Before Dominick's started playing these games, they used to be a good place to coupon shop because they took expired coupons too. But now..? I am still seething from the time I spent planning my last shopping trip there, only to be told they'd take one coupon at checkout.
Target wont take internet coupons also
Target has put up signs at each register and pictures of internet coupons like the pop tarts a couple of weeks ago saying they no longer can take them.
No
Target takes internet coupons just fine (email them and ask for a copy of their coupon policy if you'd like to read it for yourself -- it specifies this precisely in the policy.)
The signs at the register refer to two FAKE Target "$5 off $25" coupons circulating on the net (here is the PR on Target's website about these particular coupons.) They won't take those two, but all others are fine. They have internet coupons right on Target.com every day and they will take them. I was just at Target yesterday and did the Iams dog food and Tyson chicken Target internet coupons without a problem.
If the cashier told you that you couldn't use internet coupons at Target, they are incorrect (this, again, is something we cover in our "Confused Cashiers" portion of our class) and they likely mixed up the store's rule not to take those fake Target internet coupons with not taking ALL Target internet coupons.
Here's a post about confused Target cashiers on another blog too where the cashier mixed up not taking the fraudulent coupon with legitimate ones. Remember, you can also always print Target.com coupons right from the gift registry kiosk in the front of the store too, so if you have any issue with ones you printed from home, ask the cashier if they'd like you to go print them right in the store.
Contradictions
This Dominick's discussion has been fascinating. After I emailed the store about my experience there, this is what I received:
_____
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:59:06
From: "web.comments"
Dear Ms. Cataldo:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding your local Dominick's store.
You expressed your concern regarding the acceptance of Internet coupons at the store. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you may have experienced. At Dominick's, we strive for excellence. Communication with our customers like you enables our continued improvement. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we can better serve you.
Upon receiving your email, we contacted the store and spoke with our Manager, John. He advised that they accept only one Internet coupon per order.
Your comments are important to us and have been forwarded to the Store Manager, Marketing Department as well as the other appropriate parties for further review. We appreciate your patience in this matter.
If you would like to discuss this further please reply to this email or call our toll free number at 1-877-723-3929 and reference contact I.D. XXXXXXXX. One of our associates will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for shopping at Dominick's.
Sincerely,
Michelle Babel
Customer Service Center
_____
Okay, so this location (which is on the corner of Randall and Huntley Roads in Carpentersville) evidently takes one internet coupon per transaction. Or so they say. The same day, I also got this:
_____
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:53 -0500
From: "web.comments"
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding your local Dominick's store.
You expressed your concern regarding the acceptance of Internet coupons at the store. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you may have experienced. We continually strive for the highest quality customer service and weigh options to provide the best shopping experience for our customers. Further, we request that you respond with the exact location of the store that you are referring to, so that we can research and assist you in the best possible way.
Additionally, in order to insure that we accept only legitimate printable Internet coupons, Dominick's has adopted the following store policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines are company wide.
1. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons that do not have a manufacturer's bar code or manufacturer's redemption instructions.
2. We will accept any printable Internet coupons only if they scan properly at checkout.
3. We will not accept more than one "copy" of the same printable Internet coupon per customer.
4. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons for a Free Product (other than a "Buy One Get One Free Offer" that requires a purchase of the like item)
5. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons for more than a $5.00 value or for more than 50% of a product's retail price, whichever of the two is lower.
6. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons that do not have an easy to read expiration date or that extend more than 12 weeks. (Most printable Internet coupons may expire 30-45 days after you print them)
7. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons that appear out of proportion, appear blurry, or are obvious duplicates.
8. Any printable Internet coupons that appear to have been altered in any way may be rejected. (Printable Internet coupons are nearly always printed using the same technology and therefore have a standard format, with very specific security features, including a unique serial code.
If you would like to discuss this further, please reply to this email or call our toll free number at 1-877-723-3929 and reference contact I.D. XXXXXXXX. One of our associates will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for shopping at Dominick's.
Sincerely,
Michelle Babel
Customer Service Center
_____________________
So, in the same day, the same person sent out two different responses. One, that this store will ONLY accept one internet coupon per transaction, and two, that the store will take one of "the same" internet coupon per item per transaction, provided the other characteristics are followed as well. But when you print two copies of most coupons online, while they are technically "the same" in that they both might be 50 cents off Cheerios, they do have unique bar code identifiers in the upper right corner, technically making them "different." So can I use two of those? One?
Dominick's, honestly... does this make ANY sense?
I totally agree
I hear you. I ave been shopping for years 10 to be exact at the schaumburg Dominick's on higgins. I am friend (or at least on first name basis with most :) because it is right by my house. ...however about three months no I started coupons. Thanks so much to Jill :) at her site. I have been able to save great. Well anyway. The first day I used the coupons at Dominick's ( and I did not even have that many about 8 or nine and spent over a 100 dollars. I know not big savings but it was my first time) well the cashiers face instantly changed when I handed over the coupons and I got a sigh...... I went back about 5 or so times at different times because this was my store. I have shopped at least a Dominick's all my life....well now when I go to the store no one talks to me like they did and I got the eye rolls and such when I went to use the coupons still. I also have a friend that the same thing happened to and guess what ...Now because of there actions on coupons. They just lost long time shoppers. Neither one of us go there any more. And I will not go back. Pretty sad that something so simple on their part, makes them loose long time customers.....Its like someone else said here. their attitude is clearly like they are mad that you are using coupons and they do nothing to hide it. .....Very sad on their part. Maybe Dominick's will read these and finally get a clue. I doubt it however :)
There ARE some good Dominicks!
I'll start by saying I do NOT work for Dominick's ... I still shop there - the Palatine Dundee Rd being my "home" grocery store and the Northfield (FANTASTICALLY REMODELED with self-checkout now too!!!!!) Dominick's near my office for quick errands - neither have EVER denied a coupon. I used Internet coupons AND expired coupons at both just this week. No problem. Both are also clean & the staff is friendly and quite helpful when I've had questions. I shop periodically at the Arlington Heights Dominick's on Palatine Rd (while the Northfield one was closed from the ceiling cave-in), and they were also very liberal with the expired coupons and the internet coupons. I'm still a Dominick's shopper as I've never run into ANY problems at the Dominick's I shop at. These Dominick's are also the only stores around me that still use their child car-carts and with a 21-month old, they are a lifesaver.
Dirty Dominicks
I agree with Dirk. While shopping at the Dominicks at Randall Rd. & Huntley Blacktop in Carpentersville, we commented on how dirty that store is. You could write your name in the dust on the top of the canned goods. The only reason we TRIED to shop there was for the deals. I said TRIED because we got to the register and mean old Fran said no internet coupons. Then changed her story that they would accept ONE for the whole order, which was a full shopping cart.
Left that fully loaded cart in the shopping lane and walked out of that store forever. Dominicks has lost my business. Jewel , I am back.
Dominick's Store Closings
Is it any wonder that so many Dominick's stores have closed? I live out by Midway airport and a lot of our Dominick's stores have shut their doors. The one store on Archer and Central used to do a lot of business but near the end you could hear a pin drop in that place. Gee, wonder why that could be?
Just wanted to say thanks for the comments guys and gals. I was actually going to make a special trip because of this week's sales. Glad I didn't do that.
Lastly, I worked for Dominick's in the 80's. I never met a group of people who despised their jobs as much as the employees of Dominick's. There used to be a joke about what they printed on the paychecks - Dominick's: A great place to work. A lot of the employees were even mean to each other!!!!
Ugh! Dominicks
They're awful. I have heard the we-don't-take-internet-coupon enough times that I quit going too. How funny is it that they have them on their own website, I never knew that. It just makes them seem stupider when they say that. How are you supposed to use those coupons then.
That store is dead too. There are hardly any cars in the parking lot at our Dominicks ever. And this is so not the time to turn coupon shoppers away, there are plenty of other places to go.
Dominicks is a nightmare
This store is horrible. I went to Domincks last week because I thought I saw a deal on apple juice. It said buy 5, $1.49 each and I had some 50 cent off so I thought, $1 is cheap for that. But when it rang up it came up $2.49 even though the ad said $1.49. They said the ad shows the price "after" buying 5 and not regular price. The cashier was confused, I was mad and they would not fix it to match the ad, so I left.
wanna know what else? the store was really dirty. All the juice bottles had dust on the top like they had been there for years.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
We've got your back on this one Jill. With so many of us checking your website throughout the day, the word is sure to get out. I experienced the same issues in the past and gave up shopping there long ago. Jewel and Meijer are my favs. I'm sure the local Dominicks will feel the impact your site has on many shoppers and regret their wishy washy ways.
Mrs. Art says......
Schaumburg Dominicks is awful. The prices are higher then Jewel, staff is rude and I used to buy food and get it home and then see it was outdated......Then the store refused to take it back too. It used to be nicer before Safe Way bought it, and now it's a dump. I used to only go when I was going by and really needed sometihng. Now I don't go at all.
By the way, my husband loves your site, Jill. He has never been so interested in grocery shopping and saving money!
Mrs. Art
dominiks
i ALSO will hardly EVER shop at Dominiks. The check out women are very, very rude. I work hard at clipping coupons and combining them with in-store sales. It does not matter what time of day or the day of the week, when i hand over my coupons to the "ladies" at check-out, there is ALWAYS problems. Either the "ladies" at check-out, question me on EVERY single coupon or they call a Manager, give me dirty looks and one time they even over looked my coupon and told me that it EXPIRES today, as so i cannot use it TODAY!..The check out "ladies" are rude and the store itself does NOT care if i shop there or not. The ONLY time i ever go to Dom iniks is if i truly need something right at the moment...Dominiks stores really need to learn "customer service" skills and also show shoppers that the "Customer is always Right". it is like they are jealous that there are coupon "moms" out there that know how to be smart shoppers.
Remember there ARE other grocery stores...Dominiks need atitude adjustments!!!!
Dominick's ...I'm with you on that one.
I refuse to shop at Dominicks myself. After the way they advertised two weeks ago about Quaker Oats granola bars being $1.49 (along with other items) I had internet and mfg coupons along with their instant $5 back thought I would be paying about $.25 a box if that....the price of the bars were actually $2.49 (1.49 after taking rebate into account). But that wasn't what the ad said. After the desk clerk called two others stores, it became apparent all three managers were confused and didn't know their own store policies and it was really frustrating. Wasted an hour of my time and late for another appointment. It won't happen again. Dawn
....Happened to me at Jewel
A few months back, a Jewel cashier refused my internet coupon. Since it was for a low amount, I paid and left.
I went home to verify what I thought I knew, that Jewel itself had internet coupons on their site. I called the store manager, who was very apologetic and said they do accept them. She offered me a gift card to make amends, and asked that if it ever happens again to ask for the store manager.