Coupon Policies
Tue, 09/15/2009 - 21:39 — Coupon Maven
How do you know what coupons a particular store takes? The answer lies in the store's coupon policy. Coupon policies are great tools for shoppers to know exactly where stores stand on what kinds of coupons they will accept.
Here are links to the most current coupon policies available at the time of this writing.
I'll add more coupon policies as I receive them.
Comments
Meijer Coupon Policy?
Jill, do you have a coupon policy for Meijer? I had some major issues there today with trying to stack a Meijer coupon with a Manufacturer's coupon. I had to ask to speak to the next person higher up 4 times. Finally the store manager okayed it but with the stipulation that I cannot use two coupons per item every again. I kept trying to explain to the women at the customer service desk that the coupon that states "Meijer Discount Coupon" at the top is a Meijer "store" coupon. They kept telling me that it is a "vendor" coupon. I kept saying no it is a "store" coupon because it says "Meijer" which is the name of their store. It put me in a foul mood. I emailed their online customer service asking for their coupon policy but was curious if you had a copy of it. I have never had a problem stacking coupons there ever before. Any insight?
Here is Meijer's Policy
MEIJER COUPON POLICY
We accept manufacturer, Catalina manufacturer, Meijer, Catalina Meijer, and internet coupons within certain guidelines. For Meijer, with the Catalina Meijer coupons the customer will pay any applicable sales tax on the discounted price. When a manufacturer or Catalina vendor coupon is presented, the customer pays sales tax on the full retail amount; and we rebate only the value of the coupon. We do not issue rainchecks on out-of-stock vendor coupon items.
To be valid, coupons must be presented before or on the expiration date. The customer must meet with the terms or qualifications for redemption on the coupon.
We apologize for any recent confusion surrounding the MealBox coupons. To help clarify the redemption of the MealBox coupons please know the following:
1.) Mealbox coupons may be used in addition to Manufacturer coupons
2.) Mealbox coupons may be used each time a condition is met, which could be multiple times per transaction. (For example: a coupon for $1.00 off 2 Soups can be used multiple times if you have a coupon printed and the number of soups purchased matches, i.e. 2 coupons = 4 soups.)
3.) Mealbox coupons cannot be doubled or tripled at any time.
4.) Stores have the right to limit the quantity of items to normal retail purchases per transaction.
If you have additional questions please, please feel free to stop at the Customer Service desk of your local Meijer store, and ask to speak with the Service Manager.
Thank you.
Regards,
Carla
Shopformore@meijer.com
thanks...
thanks for posting this. I was just about to make my call to Meijer regarding my Mealbox problems from last night.
:)
This reminds me of the time someone (don't remember who) posted about having to argue with the CS person that there was a difference between a MEIJER coupon and an oscar MAYER coupon!
kmart
2 weeks ago i purchased 3 axe products at kmart. there was supposed to be a free movie ticket that would come out and it didnt. the manager said they will have to check with the coupon company and axe . they took my name and number and said they would call me when they get the ticket.
how long should i wait until i contact them to ask where it is? its been two weeks.
Call them
You likely won't receive a call back unless you keep following up...
Dominick's
Does Dominick's accept coupons from other stores? I have an internet coupon from Target.com that I would like to use during Dominick's Live Well deal. I also have a Nabisco coupon that came off of a box of Oreos that I bought at Jewel. At the top of the coupon it says Kraft in one corner and Jewel in the other. Does this mean it is a Jewel coupon? I would like to use that at Dominick's as well. Thanks!
No
Dominick's cannot accept store coupons from Target or Jewel. They will accept their own store coupons, plus expired manufacturer coupons.
What about expired CATs?
Does Dominick's accept expired CATs since they are really manufacturer coupons? I missed a date and I want to beat myself! I'm hoping you say YES!
Yes
I have used expired Manufacturer coupon catalinas there without a problem.
policies
What do you know about ToysRus no longer excepting internet coupons?
"Abbreviated" Jewel coupon policy
I wanted to get the coupon policy direct from Jewel (in case anyone questioned the policy printed out from this site). Here's what I got:
Thank you for contacting us regarding our coupon policy. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
The Albertsons Corporate policy states the following:
- Valid coupons are accepted if the customer has purchased the necessary merchandise.
- Coupons must be redeemed at the time of purchase of the specific product. Coupons may not be redeemed after the transaction has completed.
- Expired coupons are not accepted.
- Coupons cannot be converted to cash under any circumstances.
If you have any questions or need any assistance please feel free to contact us by phone at 1-877-932-7948 or via email.
Sincerely,
Antonio C.
Jewel Customer Care
I'm going to write back and request the full policy, but I was so amused by this reply I had to share it.
Abbreviated
Yep, that's the "short" version. I do have the long one posted here too.
Coupon Policies
Effective May 1, 2009 Jewel will no longer accept expired coupons. No Leaway either..
Coupon Policies
Effective May 1, 2009 Jewel will no longer accept expired coupons. No Leaway either..
Expired Catalina
One of the Catalina's that I have expired yesterday. Doh! Will Jewel still accept it if I use it at the register today, since they do take expired man. coupons? I would hate to waste it!
Thanks
Meijer
Just a quick note to say that the Meijer on Gary in Bloomingdale would not accept a General Mills Catalina printed from Jewel. Their explanation was that they did not take manufacturers coupons with another store name on them. And then they told me that they wouldn't be reimbursed for the manufacturer coupon with a Jewel logo: Jewel would. I told them that didn't make any sense, but they would not budge.
And the worst part, they seemed really happy to tell me that they did not care if they lost my business.
I will not shop there again.
The same thing happened to me
The same thing happened to me yesterday at the same Meijer...
K-Mart won't take internet coupons
I was at the CL K-Mart today trying to get the free Buddies soap (price of $0.99 with $2 off 2 coupon from the internet) and was told they do not accept internet coupons. I phones the corporate office (1-866-KMART-4U (1-866-562-7848)), and they confirmed that.
they will now
Was just at Kmart today and there are signs posted (dated 2/22/09) that say, "we now accept internet coupons. Excludes coupons for razors, batteries, alcohol, tobacco, and 'free' coupons. ... Limit 1 coupons for each item purchasd. Additional exclusions may apply. ..." I asked about the "free" coupons and was told they accept buy one get one free, but not try me free coupons.
CVS policy?
I was just wondering if you knew about the CVS coupon policy. Do they take competitors coupons? For example, could I go use the $2 Garnier Fructis coupon in the January Easy saver to make this deal a money maker at CVS this week?
My Ultra takes internet coupons
The Ultra at 75th and Lemont in Downers Grove takes internet coupons!
Web Coupons
Can you tell me the stores that do not take online coupons? I thought I saw it on your site but can't find it now ~ Thanks
Most do
There aren't too many that expressly don't. Woodmans does not. Aldi and Sams Club don't take coupons of any kind, internet or otherwise.
Some Walgreens locations don't accept internet (look for a sign by the register notifying you of this.) But most grocery and general merchandise stores in our area do (Jewel, Dominicks, Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)
No coupons at Farm & Fleet either
Planning tomorrows shopping trip in Woodstock, I'm reminded that Farm & Fleet doesn't take any coupons either. I even bought items there with the "instant coupons" attached, which they wouldn't take.
Their prices are usually pretty good on stuff like our brand of dog food, but with the no coupon deal, we just bought a bag from Petco with their $8 discount plus the $8 internet coupon.
But there's stuff that you can find at Farm & fleet that you just won't find any where else. It's probably not stuff on your normal dinner menu. Again, the really interesting stories can only be shared in person, not over the internet.
Farm & Fleet now DOES take pre-printed coupons!
I was at the Woodstock Farm & Fleet today, and while checking out saw a notice on the register that they now DO take pre-printed coupons. Still no internet coupons, but it's a step forward.
Thank you for your quick
Thank you for your quick reply. I have so enjoyed your site. Do you happen to know if Ultra Foods accepts internet coupons?
I don't know!
Honestly, I don't know, because where I live, we don't have Ultra Foods. But I've heard nothing but good things about them. I would email them and ask for their coupon policy, and then you'd know. I do know Ultra doesn't allow coupon overage, but I have heard it's a great place to shop :)
WALGREENS
Jill love your work!!! Still would love to see a updated coupon policy for them. I'm sure everyother walgreens is different. Mine will not let you stack coupons from ES and the promo coupons from Pharmacy. It says on the promos not valied with anyother offer. Which means you can use a Manf plus one or the other ES or Promo coupons. I'm sure you can still get the confused cashier or I like to refer to the NEWBES which means they don't know the Managers wishes and If the register will take it.....they will do it. On any giving day, a cashier will tell you store managers policy they won't. Just depends on the knowledge of the cashier. My opinion.
B5G1 Question
I have 2 B5G1 coupons For Healthy Choice Frozen Meals. Would I be able to use both coupons on a purchase of 5 or would I need to buy 10 to get 2 free? Not sure if I could basically turn this into a B5G2 using the 2 with the same purchase?
No
You will need to buy 5 to get 1 free for EACH coupon. Otherwise, it's considered coupon fraud - you would be attempting to use 2 coupons on the same group of purchases. Each coupon requires you to buy 5 items to get one free.
However, your free item counts as a purchase. Here's where it will start to get confusing..!
Meals 1-5 qualify for meal #6 to be FREE.
But Meal #6, while free, is still a purchase (you will pay tax on it) and that #6 qualifies as one of your next 5 for the second coupon. Still following?
Meal #6 was free, but counts as your first meal for the 2nd coupon.
Meals 7, 8, 9 and 10 give you enough to use your 2nd coupon and get Meal #11 free.
So you will pay for 9 of them and get 2 free.
If this is way too confusing, just buy 12. But it will work with 11.
Coupon policiy
Woodmans on Randall has now posted on their doors "We do not accept internet coupons".
Nothing new
In their entire history, Woodman's NEVER has taken internet coupons, and likely never will. It is their corporate policy in place in every one of their stores, both in WI and IL.
Woodmans and internet coupons
We still find Woodmans prices to be so good (see the link in the Ch 2 story from Monday showing them to be the best in the area, even lower than WalMart) that we do most of our grocery shopping there. Woodmans regular prices beat Jewel sale prices, and even beat most of Jewels B1G1F pricing. It doesn't hurt that they are less than 2 miles from home.
But in addition to not accepting internet coupons, I've had them refuse to accept the "shelf" coupons from the dispensers that I've picked up at other stores. I've never seen this policy in writing anywhere. What is the difference between a coupon from the paper, and a coupon from one of those store boxes?
Dominicks lost our business long ago, with all the issues from Safeway. When Woodmans parking lot is packed, the Dominick's across the road is deserted.
Before Woodmans, Jewel got 90% of our grocery money, with the rest spread around various other stores. Now Woodmans in CV probably gets 60%, Joe Caputos in Algonquin gets 30% (mostly deli, meat, and specialty items not available elsewhere, plus occasional bargains - they also have a senior citizen discount on Tuesday), Jewel is down to 5%, and other places from Target, Meijer and TJ to small specialty stores get the remaining 5%.
Walgreens coupon
If I have a manufacturer coupon for and item and they also have one in the Walgreens ES can I use both for one item?I was not sure if the ES coupon was considered a manufacturer one.
Yes!
You sure can. The EasySaver coupons are STORE coupons, not manufacturer's.
Come on over to the Wonderful World of Walgreens discussion and learn even more... there are often several Walgreens store coupons in play for the same item, and you can combine them ALL together, plus a manufacturer's coupon too.
Wonderful World of Walgreens
Hi Jill, first let me say that I'm loving your site! A friend introduced me to your ideas and web site and I've been hooked ever since, even though it's only been 3 weeks! My concern is that I'm not able to follow a link you posted in the above response, the "wonderful world of walgreens," it tells me "access denied." Do I need some other special priveliges to access these things? I've registered an account, do I need to do anything else?
Fixed
I'm not sure why that article wasn't active, but it's been fixed. :)
WAGS ES COUPONS
Jill, I recently heard that Walgreens has changed their policy and will no longer stack an Easy Saver coupon with a manufacturer coupon, however, they will continue to stack the coupon's in their weekly flyer with a manufacturer coupon. I'm going to continue to stack ES with manufacturers until I'm told by Wags that I can't, but was curious if you've heard this rumor as well. They've stated the ES coupons are manufacturers coupons.....I've been unsuccessful in obtaining a copy of their coupon policy to confirm, maybe this is one of the changes coming out when the policy is finally released.
Not yet
I have not heard this rumor (until now) but I know it's definitely not in effect yet - I did the Pert deal yesterday, which is a ES/Manufacturer stack without a hitch.
Walgreens, for whatever reason, seems to have a LOT of rumors circulating at any given time -- probably because some of their stores are allowed to opt out of their corporate policy of accepting internet coupons. That seems to lead to confusion on other areas of how they accept coupons, but for now, this is how it works.
And let's hope it continues to. The stacking deals at Wags make it one of my favorite places to shop. :)
B1G1
Jill, I Have question on B1G1 and using coupons for the G1. My Walgreens says you cannot use a coupon on a free item. Didn't someone on here say you should beable to use it because your paying taxes on it? What is the policy? Also do you have a copy of Walgreens coupon policy? Thanks in advance for your help. LOVE your site!!
Signed confused at Walgreens
Yes
Yes, you are paying taxes on the free item, so you can use a coupon on it. I am also working on getting a current Walgreens policy, so if this has changed, I'll let you know. But an easy way to know too is to look at the ad. Most Walgreens items that are B1G1F say something like:
Buy one get one free
2/$6.00
If you're buying 2 for $6.00, the price of each item is $3.00 - even though it is a B1G1F sale. The clue is in the ad itself, where it states that you're getting 2 for the price of one -- therefore, each is half price.
And I'm glad you love the site! (I do too :)
Thanks
Thanks!
Walmart questioned me on my Kotex coupon. The cashier said "I don't think we can take this $1 off coupon 'cause the product is $1". She said, I know it will beep, 'cause it would be free then after this coupon". I told her it was from the ALL mag., that they sell, it wasn't an internet coupon [not that it should have mattered in this case], and told her it was for any Kotex item like I had. She said she can only try. It didn't beep, went thru like I thought it would, and she was a bit shocked. Funny thing was that I used an Airborne coupon for $2.oo off that trip too. I used it on a clearance Airborne priced @ $.50...and she didn't even question the $1.50 overage she gave me. [coupon didn't beep either. Too bad that was the last clearance one, or I would have used up the other coupons I had.]
this is great
I had someone at Target the other day tell me I couldn't use a $1 off on a 99 cent thing. It is good to see once again your right and they're wrong. I still can't tell you how great your class was last weekend.
Wal-mart & Internet Coupons
Well, I cant believe it, but it has finally happened. The Wal-Mart in my neighborhood is no longer accepting internet coupons. Now that they no longer accept these, they just don't feel as price competitive to me anymore. Guess I will be shopping at Target now.
Look at Wal-Mart's policy
Wal-Mart's policy linked above is probably the most current one I have, since they post it right on their own website -- and corporate's policy IS to take them. I am not aware of anything allowing stores to opt-out of the corporate policy. It might be worth a phonecall to corporate to explain what you were told and determine whether or not this is a "confused cashier" issue or a store-specific issue.
I learned this week that a Walgreens in our area has been allowed to opt-out of Walgreens' corporate policy to accept internet coupons, even though the other Walgreens in the area will take them. Guess which ones I'll be shopping at!
which local one
Which one in your area has be allowed to opt-out, and doesn't want the business? I, too, would go to the others instead.
THANKS for the links on coupon policies!
C'ville
Carpentersville, at Binnie Road and Randall Roads. I spoke with their manager last week and they said their store has been inundated with fake internet printables, so they will no longer take -any- printables.