Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!! As always a big thanks to my buddy Christy over at Haphazardly Hobbying who gives me so much help to get the questions answered.
Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site called “Q & A” where I organize the questions and answers from this feature so that it can serve as a quick reference!
Here are this week’s questions:
- Are you planning to launch a mobile version of your site at some point?
- Is it ok to use computers other than your own to print IPs?
- Do you have to print coupons in color?
- You always note “if your store allows” for deals that will result in overage. Are there really stores that are ok with overage?
- Is there any way to use electronic coupons like those from Cellfire at Publix as competitor coupons?
- What’s your take on for-profit couponing seminars?
- Is there a coupon database that would let me search for expired Publix coupons?
- Are there any items that really never go on sale?
- Can I use catalina coupons from stores like Kroger or Bi-Lo at Publix?
- My store won’t let me stack a manufacturer’s coupon with a Publix coupon and a blinkie/peelie/tearpad coupon that I found in the store on the date of purchase. Is this a new rule?
And here are the answers!
- Cathy wants to know: Are you planning to launch a mobile version of your site at some point? I often check from my phone and it takes awhile to load. Having a mobile version would be great!
- Ruth wants to know: Someone recently posted about going to their local library and jumping on six different computers to print the 2 coupon limit on each printer. What do you think of this practice – is it ok to use computers other than your own to print IPs?
- Christina wants to know: Do you have to print coupons in color? I have always heard that you don’t, but then occasionally I hear that people are given a hard time if their coupons are black and white. What is Publix’s policy?
- Danielle wants to know: You always note “if your store allows” for deals that will result in overage. In my experience, overage is ok at my store as long as the cashier doesn’t add up the coupons and realize there is overage. In the few experiences when a cashier has figured out that I have overage they try to tell me that I can’t use both coupons and sometimes have said I have to use the lesser amount coupon (which I know isn’t true) or they say I can only use the coupon on a larger size of the item even if it doesn’t say that anywhere. So, are there really stores that realize you have overage and are ok with it?
- Chase wants to know: My question is regarding all of the coupons that I am able to load onto my Kroger plus card (i.e. from Shortcuts.com and Cellfire). If I am not shopping at Kroger, how can I use those coupons and not let them go to waste? There are some good ones so I am wondering – is there any way to use those coupons at Publix as competitor’s coupons?
- Amy wants to know: I’m starting to see people in my area charge folks to attend a “workshop” they are putting on at a community center, church, etc. to teach people about couponing. These couponing “pros” are charging up to $25 per person, and I’m sure their entire grocery budget is paid ten times over monthly by charging for these workshops. What is your take on this?
- Heather wants to know: My Publix store accepts all expired Publix coupons! Is there a database where I can go to search for these coupons that would include green advantage flyers, yellow advantage flyers, and any other Publix coupons?
- Laura wants to know: Are there any items that really never go on sale? What do you do in that situation?
- Kristen wants to know: Have you ever tried to use a Catalina that printed at Kroger or Bilo at a store OTHER than the one that issued the catalina? I’ve been told that “If it scans it works!” as well as “That is a Walgreens coupon. We will not be reimbursed.” I know Publix will accept competitor coupons…but just for coupon etiquette I wanted to make sure I wasn’t breaking any coupon rules.
- Brittany wants to know: I went to Publix last week when the Lactaid milk was on sale, 2 for $6. I purchased 4, so that would be 4 for $12. Then I had 4 $1 off of 1 Lactaid milk manufacturer’s coupons, that would make it 4 for $8. I also had (2) $1 off 2 Lactaid milk coupons that I grabbed off the dispenser by the milk. So that would make it 4 milks for $6, or like getting 2 for free! They said, since they are both MF’s coupons, they could only use one or the other, and not stack them. They are 2 different coupons… one for $1/1 and the other is $1/2. Is this a new rule?
That is on my to-do list. I actually have a few things that I want to do but being less than tech savvy means that I will need some help!! Hopefully you will see new features in the near future!
Christy: I know many couponers who use printers at work or trade IPs with friends in order to get more of a coupon for a particular item, and I don’t know that I see a difference between those practices and that of utilizing printers in the local library. As long as you’re not photocopying or digitally altering coupons – both of which are against the law – you just need to do what feels right for you.
Michelle: I get a lot of emails wanting me to pronounce judgement on the actions of others in the world of couponing. I will be honest guys….it is just not my thing! There are definite grey areas in the world of couponing and for me to announce my opinion would be of no consequence as it would just be one person’s opinion!! I think that each person should go with what makes them comfortable.
There are issues of legality and those of morality or ethics. I feel comfortable telling a person that it is not right to use two manufacturer’s coupon on one product or that using a coupon on an incorrect item is misuse. In either case I am restating the rules of coupon redemption. There is definitive right and wrong. BUT–I refuse to criticize someone because they took 6 bookets or because they purchased 10 items or because they peeled a coupon off a package!! While I have opinions regarding what I feel is appropriate –those opinions and beliefs apply to me and the choices I make.
So–as long as that person was not breaking a library rule and paid any printing fees incurred then they can use those coupons at their local store without issue. As fas as I know there are no rules requiring you only use coupons printed from your own computer.
Christy: I have never had a problem using b&w IPs – and since toner is much cheaper than the inks for my color printer, I’m glad that’s the case! If a cashier gives you a hard time about b&w coupons, I’d have them call a manager over to verify that such coupons are perfectly legitimate!
Michelle: You can use coupons that are printed in black and white. SmartSource coupons actually state “This coupon may appear in color or black and white.” I am pretty confident that color is not a requirement for a coupon to be valid 😀 Of course you will get the occasional person who will say that black and white coupons are copies. If that ever happens you might want to remind them that it is just as easy to make a color copy now days 🙂 As far as I know Publix does not have an official policy on color vs black & white. I will tell you that I have used both without issue.
Christy: This really depends on the staff at your store and how they’ve been trained on coupon policy. There are a number of stores in my area and I find that those with newer management are much more coupon (and therefore overage) friendly while some of the older, established stores are the ones who give me a harder time.
Michelle: Yes there are stores that are OK giving overage as long as the wording on the coupon does not prohibit it! As always…you should know and follow your store’s policy.
Christy: I *wish* we could use electronic coupons at Publix! I see the deals for Kroger, etc all the time and I’m jealous of all those extra coupons Kroger shoppers have to work with. However, it’s always a tradeoff, since Publix offers us much more in terms of stacking MQs and competitor Qs.
Michelle: Publix has not yet entered the world of eCoupons. I hope that one day they will jump on board. For now you will only be able to use eCoupons at participating stores.
Michelle: I guess if people are willing to pay then those folks holding the classes will happily keep taking the money 😀 Like anything else–they are being paid for a service.
I am picky about what I spend my money on. Often I look at the time/money relationship. There is a wealth of FREE information on the web so I have to decided if is worth my time to search for what I need or if it is a better use of my time to pay someone else to find and give me that info. Couponing info I can easily find on my own…tax laws and regulations– no way 🙂 I guess my point is you need to decide what is the best use of your time and money!!
Christy: Like Michelle says, couponers who hold workshops are providing a service – sharing their hard-earned knowledge and strategies with those who don’t have the time or inclination to try to figure it all out on their own. I say more power to the couponers who can turn this time-consuming hobby of ours into something that can make some money for them and their families. When you think about all the organization and planning time that would go into a comprehensive coupon class, those attendance fees don’t really seem exorbitant anymore.
The database here on the site will show you expired coupons…just change the dropdown box to include expired coupons. Most databases have the option for you to check for expired coupons. There is not a database that is Publix specific so you will may have a hard time filtering through a lot of info unless you know what you are looking for.
You can also use the archive feature here on the site to do a quick scan. At the bottom of the site is a CATEGORIES box. Click on Advantage Buy Flyer and you will be able to see any Advantage Buy flyer that I have ever posted. You will of course have to click to view all the pages since I have posted quite a few. I often scan the archives by pulling up a search box (control + F) to search specific items in specific categories here on the site. You can also use the search feature but you might have to filter through a bunch of info.
Michelle: I am sure there are– but honestly not too many thing come to mind!! You can usually find some brand of just about every item on sale at some point. Sometimes I have to suck it up and pay full price for things but not that often. Typically the only time that happens is if I am feeling the urge to splurge!! There are just not that many things that we HAVE to have at my house. I have the luxury of being flexible. For those who have to work around allergies and health issues it can be a bit more difficult–but I really think you can still save while getting what you need.
I think you have to learn to be creative, know where to get the items you need at the best price and also… give yourself a break!! If you are in a situation where you have to purchase a specific item (or items) each week then you do what you have to do but still pat yourself on the back for saving on everything else you buy!! If my child required a $10 carrot each week I would happily buy that carrot and still consider myself a super shopper since I know I could still save massive amounts on everything else!!
Christy: I can only really think of one example for this question. I have a serious love for the Publix brand version of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios (they make the best dry snack EVER, in my opinion) and really don’t like the name-brand version. All this to say, Publix brand products don’t seem to go on sale all that frequently, and there are obviously not as many coupons to be had for a store brand item. In such cases, like Michelle says, you just have to decide if that item is worth it to you (and oh, those fake cheerios are SO worth it to me 🙂 ).
Michelle: That will definitely vary by store. Some stores consider these coupons competitor coupons even though the majority of Catalinas are manufacturer’s coupons. It is best to speak with your store and know how they choose to view the coupon.
Christy: My stores always take such coupons, but like Michelle says, how they take it varies by store – one considers them to be competitor’s coupons while another just scans it as a MQ. As we always say: when in doubt, talk to your customer service desk first!
The store is 100% correct. Many people do not realize that those coupons found in the dispenser (blinkies) are also manufacturer’s coupons!! Since you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item you will want to choose one and save the others for another day!! The majority of coupons out there are manufacturer’s coupons. It is easy to spot these coupons as they will begin with the number 5 or the number 9! Even though you can get them in a variety of ways and in various shapes and amount… they are still manufacturer’s coupons and are subject to one per item.
If you find any of the following coupons and they begin with a 5 or 9 then they are manufacturer’s coupons and you can only use one per item (or items depending on the wording on the coupon)
Blinkies –Coupon that you find in a dispenseron shelves in the machine-usually has a blinking light)
Peelies –Coupon found on the package of a product that can be peeled.
Tearpads –Coupons that are on a tearpad usually located on a display or shelf near the item
Inserts –Coupons found in the Sunday Paper
Hangtags–Coupon that is hanging from a tag around a bottle or jar
Wine Tag –Coupon found around the neck of a wine bottle
Internet Printable Coupon (IP) –Coupon you print from your computer
You will find the following wording (or something similar) on all manufacturer’s coupons: “Limit one coupon per item”. This wording prevents people from stacking multiple coupons to get the item for free. While it would be nice to be able to use three $1/1 coupon on a $3 item to get it free…that is improper usage! I know it can be confusing since the coupons look different but you would never try to use two coupons from the Sunday paper on one item–using a blinkie with an insert coupon is no different. Even though the coupons look different and are for a different amount they can’t be used at the same time on just one item!
You can tell the difference between store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons as store coupons can begin with any other number besides a 5 or a 9. Often you will find Publix store coupons have a LU# (look up number). Since Publix allows you to combine a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon–you just need to make sure you are checking the coupons to ensure you are using them correctly.
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.
#2- I don’t have a problem with printing from other computers if those people aren’t going to use them. I sometimes have my SIL print something for me or go to my parents’ house to print some there as I only have one computer at home. In this particular situation, though, if they are using that many computers, then nobody else can get those coupons from those computers. It seems like a greedy and excessive amout to “take” from a public place.
#3- The one “problem” manager at my store has hassled me about black and white.
#4- I’ve had several friends here in Central Florida who have BEEN PAID to walk out the door. They post pics of their receipts on FB with negative totals. 🙂
#7- Thanks for the tip on finding expired q’s in the database! I just found out my store takes expired store AND competitor coupons!
#3 I have never used an internet printable in color, always b&w and never had a problem at either of the two stores where I shop.
I am going to put my two cents in. I do charge for a class. Here is why, I have spent months gathering the info, tweaking it. Making it easy to understand for newbies. I did not pay for anything I learned. But I had a basic concept and Michelle at I heart Publix helped me figure out the rest. I put together a nice folder as well as 6 pages of info. They all get at least $20 Dollars worth of coupons. I pay for the Paper, ink and copying, time to put it together. I do freebies sometimes, but this is my job. I am not making tons of money, but enough to feed my family. I can do my taxes for free, but I am going to pay a Professional to do it. TO make sure it’s right.
I had Publix Mgr tell me this woman in my area was having classes and telling them wrong information.
It’s my job to give the right info.
My store knowingly allows overage. I bought about $100 worth of stuff and I knew which products would give me overage so that everything would pretty much balance out to me paying close to $0. Well, the total kept getting lower in the negatives and I pointed out that I didn’t think it was right, but the cashier flipped through the coupons quickly and said she only scanned each coupon once. The manager had to be called over to put in an extra code because I had so much in coupons, but the total came out to -14.97 and with him standing there, she handed me the money. I LOVE my store!
I never go into a store expecting an overage – if I get it great, if not ok. I was upset a couple of times when a cashier wouldn’t use a coupon that was more than the price of the product. I told her I didn’t care if I got the overage (I just wanted the product for free). She told me it was illegal to change the price of a coupon (even to lower it). So I didn’t get the product.
I see no problem charging for a class. I have taught a few for free and spent hours preparing, gathering things, etc. The next class I teach I will charge $10 because I do value my time. Some instructors also have to rent the facility, adding to cost, but I do mine in my home.
Love your judgement free attitude, Michelle!
I laughed about the Publix cereal. I am the same way with Publix Premium thin sliced wheat bread. It’s never on sale or has a coupon but it’s my absolute favorite. Not Sarah Lee, not Nature’s own, and not any other Publix Premium wheat style (whole wheat or blend) bread. And guess what? My store has been out for weeks now and it has been awful. The store doesn’t know if it’s not being made anymore or just out of stock. The bread also is a favorite for my kids because it makes the best uncrustable sandwiches.
Christy, i so apprecitate your answer to question 6. I teach coupon classes as well. I charge a flat rate of $10 per person. There is so much work that goes into a coupon class. Not to mention, I pass out handbooks and give door prizes (My publix donates gift cards sometimes) I figure if someone thinks that it is wrong for me to charge for my time & knowledge-they won’t come to my class. I have had classes with 23 people in them and I have had classes with 122 people in them. Sometimes after my expenses I have money to put in my pocket, sometimes I don’t. It all works out, but I am by no means going to get rich doing it!
Regarding question #3: Apparently the BOGO Sobe Life Water coupons we won on the Heads/Tales game have to be in color. My friend got barked at (no other way to describe it) by a Target employee because her coupon was not in color.
A question for Ask I Heart Publix (not sure if this is the right place to ask): I was under the impression that rain checks did not expire (I read this on several “sister” sites). Never bothered to read the fine print, until recently, when a manager handed me the RC and emphasized that it is only good for 30 days. Lo and behold, according to what’s printed on the RC, she was right. Is that a new policy? Or are they just enforcing the previous one? I have a cache of RCs I’ve been holding on to for random BOGO items. I’ll change my approach if this policy is being enforced. Thx. And I really do LOVE iheartpublix!