This week I am putting Ask I Heart Publix on hold to go over correct coupon usage. I have had a fair amount of questions lately and several folks emailing me deals using coupons inappropriately….so I thought today would be better to do a review of coupon basics.
Here on the site I reference all types of coupons. There are blinkies, tearpads, hangtags, insert coupons, booklet coupons, printables and more (Need a definition of each coupon?? Just click the basics tab at the top of the site) The majority of coupons you find are manufacturer’s coupons. It is very easy to identify a manufacturer’s coupon –when you look at the barcode these coupons will ALWAYS begin with the number “5” or the number “9”. Often the coupon will state “manufacturer’s coupon” on it…but not always. If you are in an area where Publix doubles coupons, coupon 50¢ and under that begin with the number “5” will automatically double at the register. Those that begin with the number “9” will not automatically double and will need to be manually doubled by the cashier.
Some manufacturer’s coupons may have a store name or logo printed on them. Unless the coupon specifies that the coupon MUST be used at a specific store, you should be able to use the manufacturer’s coupon at any store that accepts coupons. So, if you happen to print a coupon from the Target website where the barcode begins with the number “5” and has a Target logo–that is still a manufacturer’s coupon.
The biggest things to remember about manufacturer’s coupons is that you can only use one per item purchased AND to use it you must abide by the wording. So if you have a coupon that is for $1 off when you buy 2 boxes of crackers, in order to use that coupon you must have TWO boxes of the specified cracker. Since you have used a coupon to discount those two boxes, you will not be able to use another manufacturer’s coupon on either of those crackers. If you happen to pick up a box of crackers that has a peelie attached to the box, you must make a choice – use the peelie or use the coupon you had intended to use. I have had to stop many cashiers from pulling my peelie 🙂 I just explain that I have another coupon I plan to use to discount that item and that I will save that peelie to use another time!
The wording on coupons is very important. The wording can be tricky especially when you are using coupons that require another purchase or apply to multiple products. Your best bet is to look at what item is being “discounted” . Here are a couple of examples:
-$1 off when you buy Nabisco Cookies and Milk — In this case you must buy both cookies AND milk in order to get the $1 discount. No other coupons may be used on either the cookies or the milk!
-$1 off milk when you buy Nabisco Cookies –Here you are getting a $1 discount on milk when you buy a qualifying product. The coupon does not discount the cookies so you may use an addtional coupon to “discount” the cookies.
If you stick to the wording and make sure you are using the correct coupons on the correct items you will be good to go 🙂
One of the great things about Publix is that they allow you to use a Publix (or competitor) store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon!! Just like manufacturer’s coupons you must abide by the wording. Store coupons are pretty easy to spot. Most Publix coupons have a LU number. You might spot a few with a barcode…but remember the barcode will NEVER begin with a “5” or “9” and Publix coupons are usually identified as a store coupon.
Now let’s talk about printable coupons. Most internet printables have a limit of two prints per computer. They limit the prints for a reason. The company that issues the coupon only want to allow so many to be redeemed as they are the ones that will have to pay the store when it is time for the coupon to be reimbursed!
You never want to copy internet printable coupons!! By using copied coupons you are creating coupons that should not exist! Manufacturers are not obligated to reimburse these coupons as they are copies! I know many of you are asking how will anyone know it is a copy…well, each coupon has a unique code that appears on the coupon. I have circled the number in red to show you where you will find the number.
Would you make a copy of a coupon from the newspaper? Making a copy of a printable coupon is no different! Print limits exist for a reason. If you read the fine print on the coupon it says that the coupon is VOID IF COPIED! If we want stores to continue to accept printable coupons we have to make sure that we use them appropriately. Remember…a few can spoil it for many!
Here is an example of the location of the pin number on SmartSource coupons:
I hope this has helped. I know most of you are coupon pros…but we all had to learn the ropes at one point. If you have other questions–leave them in the comments. I will try to check the comments throughout the day and maybe some of you pros can also throw in any coupon advise you might have for new couponers out there!!
Thank you so much for going through the trouble of putting these “rules” of couponing on your page. As a loyal 11 year Publix employee, I enjoy seeing people save big money while enjoying our stores. It is also heart breaking to see people being dishonest and knowing it and trying to get all they can to save money. Shoppers should remember that we are a employee owned company. When you “get us” on your coupons, it’s not just stealing, it’s stealing from every single one of our employees pockets just so you can save a dime. As part of the pricing team, I can assure you that as a company we do many things to be competitive and to pass along savings to our loyal customers. In these hard times, I have seen many people sacrifice quality for quantity, and they shop “wherever the best deal is”. It is heart warming to see a site like this dedicated to my company! Please believe, Publix really does appreciate everyone!
Thank you! Great info to remind us all how to play by the rules!
When companies use a PDF format should you limit how many you print?
As I understand it, you are only supposed to print one. Even if you print 5 of the coupon, they will all have the same identifying numbers. This means that after you use one of these coupons the rest are considered copies and are fraudulent.
I thought the print limit was always 2?
Shannon – good question. I think if the terms and conditions (fine print) on the coupon says “Limit one per customer” or something like that then you should only print one. But if not, then I don’t know what the “rules” should be.
Tina – this is different from normal coupons. Shannon is asking about cases in which the manufacturer hosts their coupons on their site as PDFs. In this case there are no “identifying numbers” so every person who prints even one will still have a completely identical coupon. I don’t know what the etiquette for this situation is, and it is rare (the only big-ish company that I know of that does this is 3M), but I don’t think you can say that printing more than one is automatically fraud if the coupon doesn’t have language limiting usage per customer.
Xysea – that print limit is what is usually put on coupons printed using coupon.com, redplum, smartsource, bricks… the common coupon printing sites. It’s a limit of 2 per computer.
This is a tricky one…
If there is any verbiage such as limit one coupon per household or one print per person then you must abide by their request.
Very few companies do pdf coupons since their is great opportunity for abuse. I am really not sure why ANY company would do it –once a pdf hits the “blog circuit” it can explode and there can be thousands of prints in no time flat!! That is why companies have moved to technology that can limit the prints —to deter abuse.
If a company chooses to put out a pdf with no restrictions then the sky is the limit! You can technically print as many as you want. Like many things in the world of couponing you have to go with your gut…
Speaking of pdf coupons, I saw a piece on the local news about counterfeit coupons. The one they were talking about was a pdf of 6 Doritos coupons. They were each for a free bag of Doritos. I just recieved an email from my husband’s coworker with an attachment of that coupon page. The only way I know it is counterfeit is because I saw it on the news. These all have expiration dates, coupon policy leagal lingo, and an address and rules for redemption. How can you identify which are real and which are counterfeit?
I’ve heard of stores not accepting internet coupons for “free” items or limiting internet coupons to $2 or less off one. Of course for some household or personal care items, internet coupons may be upwards of $5 off one.
Great refresher. Very helpful especially to those just getting started. Plus, if we all play by the rules then the picky cashiers won’t have anything to be picky about 🙂
Hi Michelle & co –
Thank you so much for refreshing the group! We’ve had a few situations lately that recently came up and it’s always good for newer members to understand the rules so that we all can continue to benefit from coupons!
The *last* thing I would ever want is my lovely, generous Publix to want to restrict its coupon policy because a few people behaved fraudulently! 🙂
Michelle, thanks so much for the pointers. There are so many people picking up couponing and it’s great for a detailed explanation for them.
Thanks so much for this info Michelle! I’ve heard of so many people unethically using coupons simply because they didn’t know the rules, so this explains them so well. Thanks so much (I love Publix and don’t want our deals to change!)
The coupon world got a bit more confusing with some of the coupons with the wording “Redeem at Publix” and “retailer coupon” in the logo instead of manufacturer coupon. I assumed that they were store coupons. They are Manufacturer coupons. My Publix was generous and let me stack them but informed me that they were in fact manufacturer coupons. I just spied the number 5 at the beginning of the bar code so I will be more careful in the future. These were Kraft coupons for cheese and deli fresh meat.
Thank you for writing this post. I bumped into an extreme couponer at Publix several months ago and was told that he/she would make extra copies of Save-A-Lot $5 coupon and use it quite often to reduce is out of pocket. I went and told customer service since it was wrong of that person to cheat the store. We are trying to save money but cheating or beating the system is a no-no in my book.
Like Michelle said, copies are never a good thing.
I did want to mention that you can personally get multiple $5/$25 save a lot coupons if you have friends whom you’ve referred to the program and they’ve signed up.
The company will send you another coupon that you can print and it will have your same email address listed on the front as the first coupon you earned when you signed up yourself. I don’t remember these coupons having anything unique other than your own email address on it, but in this case it’s possible to have ethically gained more than one of these coupons.
If someone flat out told you they’re making copies like it’s some sort of golden secret though is definitely in the wrong!
It’s true, you can feasibly get more than one Save-a-lot coupon. When you sign-up you get one and then you can send it out to 5 friends and get one for each friend.
When that ran out, I signed up with another email and sent to 5 more.
But I should say she probably isn’t actually copying them, but rather when the print screen comes up it gives you an option to select how many copies you want. So in that sense it’s kind of a gray area.
Now I would say if she was using several in one trip, then yeah that’s not cool.
Another wrinkle to Save A Lot? They print out with your name on them. Does it matter? Let’s say I traded some Qs for it and it says someone else’s name on it? I guess it wouldn’t as the store isn’t reimbursed for competitor’s coupons anyway, but is it ethical?
What if I found 5 in the trash and took them out and used them. Is that ethical, as long as I came by them honestly?
Oh, the questions seem to bring up more questions!
It’s true, Save-a-lot coupons are kind of mystery to me. What if I print two because I want to use one at Save-a-lot and one at Publix, and then decide not go to Save-a-lot? Can I trade the coupon away? Use it at Publix?
Sometimes the ones CVS sends in emails do the same thing, allowing you to print more than one at the first print.
I never use more than one in a week at my Publix, even though I know they would let me, just because I don’t want my Publix to stop being so generous.
This person actually copy the printed coupons and used it multiple times. This person said that since everything is the same when it allowed you to print the coupons twice, therefore, the store would not know the difference. If it is printed, then it would not bother me that much but when a person start copying, this is when it ruins for the honest couponers.
This is a great explanation for using your coupons properly. People make
mistakes (customers and cashiers). But if every one tries to do act responsibly
then we all get a great deal. But be prepared, a Publix birdy tells me that
corporate is setting new rules and stacking coupons may become a thing of
the past. I hope not, but am enjoying it while I can.
Given that the other retailers allow stacking of store and manufacturer coupons – CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Target, perhaps even Kroger (don’t shop there often so I’m not sure), it seem it would be pretty unwise for Publix to be the first to eliminate that.
I agree, why would Publix discourage stacking coupons…I used to do ALL my shopping at Walmart because in all reality, they ARE cheaper than Publix but when we can combine BOGO’s and stack coupons, now ALL my shopping is done at Publix. They have “stolen” me from Walmart and I’m sure this is true for many people. We are still the minority and they are making tons of money for the people that choose to not take the time to coupon. Look around next time you are in line at the store and see who is really using coupons?! Not many!!
These rumors fly from time to time, and so far it hasn’t happened.
I was wondering if this site is a helpful resource for double checking your printables before using them? I don’t want to accidentally print a fraudulent coupon and try to use it. I want to feel confident that my coupons are LEGIT when I hand them over to a cashier.
http://www.cents-off.com/body_coupon_counterfeiters.cfm
A good way to avoid fraudulent Q’s is simply to print from only the reputable coupon sites. (coupons.com, redplum, smartsource, or the manufacturers website) If you receive a coupon via email that is attached to a word document it is fraudulent. Someone has scanned that coupon and sent you a copy so you would want to discard any of those.
Yes that is a great place to look–but is it not a comprehensive list. Like Tina says, stick with coupons from legit sources and remember if it looks to good to be true…it probably is!!
You will almost never find a printable for a totally free item. If a friend emails you a pdf of a coupon where there are 6 exact coupons on one page for something free–it is NOT a valid coupon 🙂
Very helpful information. I have printed a copy to include in my packet to help teach others couponing. We are starting a group in our church called Get Snippy where we are helping others learn how to coupon. Your information will be a great help. We refer our friends to your site to help them with couponing so thanks for being attentive to help us. It is much appreciated.
Great Summary!
It’s true that we all start somewhere and it’s easy to get confused or be tempted to just see if your coupon can slide through with the pack, so to speak. Just like everyone, I would be terribly sad if Publix were to find it necessary to restrict their coupon policies due to fraudulent uses.
It just comes down to being honest – even when you make mistakes. I recently went shopping before the holiday with a huge cart full of food, including 10 Kraft dairy items to use with the $5/5 coupons. In my hurry, I had grabbed 5 Publix brand cheeses instead of Kraft! When I got home and was updating my totals, I saw the mistake that neither I nor my careful cashier saw. In the end, I paid about $4 more than I could have if I picked up the right cheese, but I really just wanted to make sure the cashier wouldn’t be reprimanded for taking the wrong coupons. I called up customer service and they said it was no problem, and that they appreciated my call.
Just a few minutes on the phone and my guilt was gone.
I’ve had to go back a few times and usually they just say thanks for telling us but it always pays to be honest and admit especially when it was a mistake. They seem to really appreciate the honest couponers
Hi! Thanks for the article above! I do have a question on coupon usage or “ethics”. A lot of people get “peelie” coupons. I was wondering, if you see a product with a peelie, do you peel it off if you aren’t buying it right then so you can save it for when it’s on sale? Of course, you would use it on a later purchase, but is it OK to peel a coupon off a box you’re not buying? Many times peelies are mentioned and I go to the store, and there aren’t any peelies on the items because they’ve all been peeled off already! So, if it’s OK to do, I will start doing that too! 🙂 Just wasn’t sure about it.
THANKS!!!
I think every person is different on the peelie issue. Personally with Peelies/Blinkies/hangtags I ask myself. Am I going to use this anytime soon? If so I will take no more than 3. BUT if its just a bunch of peelies that I may or may not use I usually leave it alone. My husband calls it Peelie Poaching hehe. If you can walk down an isle and “see” the path of the Peelie Poacher you know someone has been a little unethical. The ooltewah Walmart has a very bad one. She/He actually tries to take the “sticker” peelies and you will walk past boxes with half the “coupon” tore off the box. In the end they got nothing and the person actually buying the product got nothing. Plus it makes your local store look very trashy.
Go with your gut if you feel guilty doing it then don’t do it. Bottom line.
Michelle might answer this too, but everything I’ve read and heard is that this is a gray area/personal conviction issue. You will have people on both sides of the issue: some think you should leave them there, some think it’s OK to take it if you’re going to use it later.
Some of my trips to Publix are solely for coupon hunting, and I do take peelies. I never take more than a couple, and I always move boxes/bags around so that the ones in the front still have peelies on them. Taking them when I see them means that I have them for when a sale or stackable coupons come along. Plus this method keeps me from impulse buying 🙂 It also helps me save more later, because I can wait for the sales.
Hope this helps!
Recently, I bought Yoplait YoPlus yogurt. Through trading I scored several packages for $.25 each using $1.00/1 coupons (and they were BOGO). There were at least half the packages that had $.55/1 peelies on them. I did not use the peelies because the deal I was doing at the moment was better, but when I got home I saved the peelies for another trip (or a different deal down the line).
The peelies were ‘mine’ because I ‘bought’ the item, but I mentioned this in the forum and so I’ll ask it here, too –
I thought you couldn’t be ‘charged’ for a coupon. Legally speaking, even when you order from coupon clipping sites or Ebay it explicitly tells you that they cannot be ‘sold’ or ‘resold’, so when you pay the clippers or Ebay you’re getting the coupons as a ‘gift’ and you’re paying for their time, effort and postage. Applying that logic, peelie stealing could be considered ethical (skirting the borderline?). You don’t *have* to buy the product to get it, you don’t *have* to use it on that item, unless explicitly told to do so…
Generally, I don’t take peelies, but I have done on occasion. I always use them at the store that I ‘took’ them from, and for the products indicated, so I don’t know how anyone’s losing out – with the possible exception of someone who might have had that peelie on the product…but even they might not have used it right then.
Sometimes things are grey areas.
That being said, I don’t make it a habit to do that, or clear out tearpads or blinkies, either. To me, it would be discourteous.
I think Michelle answered that one week in the “ask iheartpublix” segment. I believe her answer was it’s a personal choice and she isn’t going to say one way or another.
The peelie belongs to the person who buys the item. I wouldn’t call it stealing, but I would call it dishonest. I sure felt bad for an elderly woman the other day who said she doesn’t have a computer to print coupons, and someone had taken all of the Yoplait YoPlus peelies. This is the same Publix that changed their policy because of dishonest coupon users, so I feel strongly on this issue.
Does that mean they are charging you for the coupon, then, if you have to buy the product to get the peelie?
No, you get the peelie because you bought the product.
You have to buy the product to get the peelie, so they are charging you for the coupon.
I don’t think it is any different than if they had put the coupon inside the package. You wouldn’t open a package to get the coupon so I don’t take peelies unless I am buying the product.
How can you be charged for a coupon? You can’t use the coupon unless you buy the product.
Yes, you can. That’s what I am telling you. In the illustration above, I bought YoPlus with a peelie on it – I didn’t use them right then, I took them home. They didn’t have to be use that *that* particular product. I used a different, higher value coupon and saved the peelies for another trip.
That lets me know they don’t *have* to be used right then. Otherwise, I would have had to use them on that purchase.
It’s not about if you use it right away. The fact is, you bought the product so the peelie belongs to *you*.
Yes, because you ‘purchased’ the item, and the coupon with it. Technically, you were charged for the coupon, since it is attached to the item you had to buy to get it. 🙂
Unless, of course, you see it as a ‘free gift’. But unless it says ‘free gift with purchase’, legally anyone could use it.
I wonder if the manufacturer even cares, as long as the products are bought and used. This seems to be made into a way bigger moral and ethical issue than it needs to be…lol
I’ve heard of people calling the manufacturer before and they said they didn’t care. Haven’t tried calling personally, but maybe someone here will?
I agree with you xysea, I think people make it into a bigger moral/ethical issue than it is, mingled with a little bit of annoyance because of the many times they get to an item that has the remains of where a peelie used to be…
OK, xysea, we’ll have to agree to disagree. 🙂 I’m not trying to be mean-spirited in any way. My concern is for the elderly people I see shopping all the time who are living on a tight budget but don’t have a computer to get the awesome coupons that we do.
Also, you reminded me of something I wanted to share. The other day I bought some Pillsbury rolls with a peelie. The cashier proudly announced to me that she scanned the peelie ($.55 off 3), which was a bummer because my coupon that I planned to use was better ($1 off 2). She scanned mine also and took both, so it worked out. I didn’t think the register would even let her do that but it did. 🙂
bottom line…We are passionate about what WE believe is right. We will justify anything if it is for our advantage.
And this is the sad part! Ask yourself…IF it was right…why do I look around to make sure no one is looking?
Ashley, why do you assume I look around to see if anyone is looking? I don’t.
I too do not look around when I take a peelie, just like I don’t look around if I take some tearpads, or blinkies. Why should I? In fact, Publix employees have seen me take them and said nothing.
Actually the other day a whole roll of peelies was sitting on the shelf not on products. They weren’t attached to anything then… I took only 2 though.
Peelies are a gray area. Do what you feel is best. If you think it is wrong, then don’t take them, but don’t be surprised when they aren’t there when you want them. Just like any coupon found in the store they may or may not be there when you go, so yay! if they are and oh well if they aren’t. That’s my motto.
This is one of those grey areas…I do have an opinion on peelies. I just choose not to share my opinion as it is just that— MY OPINION and is only correct for me 🙂
Since there is not a couponing rule book, sometimes you have to go with you feel is right. I can see both sides of the argument and giving my opinion will seem judgemental (one way or the other based on your stance). I don’t want to be one of those people who force my opinion on others 🙂 As long as people follow the rules and do what they feel is appropriate for THEM then all is good in my book!!
There are times when the peelie does actually state that it is to be used for the purchase of “this item” or similar verbage. In that case, I would not take it unless I was going to purchase that specific item. I’ve also seen a peelie state that it was not to be honored unless the cashier removed it. Hmmmmmmmmmmm
I went to CVS a few days ago so I could get a deal on the Hydro 5 shaver. They were supposed to have peelies on them for a free can of Hydro shave gel. ALL of the razors’ peelies had been removed so I wasn’t able to score the free shave gel. I really wish people would not take peelies off of packages that they don’t buy. Eventually they are going to be the ones that miss out on a deal because someone else took the peelies.
Those peelies are meant to be for the people that purchase those packages!
I agree with you, Stacey.
Thanks for the information, some of us haven’t been doing this for all that long, and it can get confusing! After reading Loretta’s post, I’m wondering whether I might have accidently done the same thing she did, but didn’t get caught? I can’t remember for sure whether I stacked them, but I know I thought those Kraft coupons labeled “retailer coupon” were store coupons!
Mine was an accident and some of those coupons didn’t have bar codes, some did. The ones with the bar codes were the manufacturer ones. It was just very confusing but we are all on a learning curve. Publix is the BEST to offer so many ways to save money for our families.
@Shauna –
I am interested to find out about peelies, too, as we have been having an ongoing discussion in the Forums on the ethics of taking peelies. 🙂
When the verbage reads “SAVE NOW…..on this package”, I consider it unethical to take the peelie for a different package. If you can find a peelie that doesn’t have that verbage, then knock yourself out. 🙂
Thanks a bunch! This is helpful. Last year when I got on board to all the couponing, it seemed like if you had different amounts of coupons for an item you could stack them all. Now Publix only takes their store coupon plus 1 MF coupon per item. I used to have $1 off, 50c off, 40c off, and get things pretty cheap, but I think a lot of stores have changed the rules because everyone is couponing so much now!!!
It’s always been one MF coupon per an item. Some cashiers just don’t pay attention and just scan away.
It’s not actually a rule change, but rather the cashiers are now being trained to pay attention, so people don’t inadvertently break the rules.
What slid thru the system and what was actually correct to use are 2 different things. There are a lot of people out there who think that using multiple coupons-for different prices or from different sources- is acceptable to use on one single item. This is not nor has it ever been allowed. It has always been one store and one manuf. coupon per item.
I copied this from the super deals for this week. Please know I’m only asking (not trying to acuse anyone of anything) after reading the post to clarify your point – but doesn’t that mean we can’t use both the $2 Fuel for School and a coupon that discounts the crackers since the coupon says fruit “and” crackers? I don’t have the coupon with me so I don’t have the exact wording. Possibly I just mis-understood.
-$2 off Fresh Fruit, and (2) packages of Keebler AND/OR Sunshine Right Bites Snacks (6 ct or larger, any flavor, mix or match) – Kellogg’s Fuel for School Booklet
-$2 off Milk, One Gallon (any brand or flavor), and (2) packages of Keebler and/or Sunshine Multi-packs and/or Gripz products (6 ct. or larger, any flavor, mix or match) – Kellogg’s Fuel for School Savings Booklet
The Fuel For School coupons paired with a coupon that discounts the cookies/crackers will make for a GREAT deal!!
The Fuel for School coupons read (I’m copying them from the book in front of me)
“Save $2 on ONE Gallon of Milk (Any Brand or Flavor) when you purchase any TWO packages of Keebler and/or Sunshine Multi-packs and/or Gripz products (6 ct. or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
and
“Save $2 on Fresh Fruit when you purchase any TWO packages of Keebler and/or Sunshine Right Bites Snacks (6 ct or larger, any flavor, mix or match)”
So that means the coupons attach to the milk and fruit and you can use a coupon on the keebler/sunshine products.
Awesome! Thanks!
my Publix here in FL lets you use an attached peelie with a manufacturer coupon but my winn dixie does not. But once the peelie is peeled off you can’t stack.
Is it that they have said you can or that the cashier just peels it and it scans? There’s a big difference.
I have asked..they let you use both but only if the peelie is attached and the cashier takes it off! They do this at both Publix that I shop at.
Missy, the cashiers that are allowing this are just misinformed on the rules of coupon usage. The store will not get reimbursed for both coupons. You should correct your cashier next time they do this.
maybe they allow this in FL since we don’t have double coupons????
I live in Florida, not allowed at any of the stores I have shopped at…
The manager of my Publix told me I could do this. I had never tried, usually taking the peelie off so the cashier wouldn’t forget it. But he said as long as it was still attached I could use both.
This also happens at my local Publix. I shop at about 5 different ones, at various times. I asked why and was told it was fine. It was like an instant savings. BUT, it only happens at Publix. After several times of bringing attention to it with different levels of personnel, I stopped and just enjoy the savings. I think of it as a YMMV. If it does, it does and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.
My store said the same thing. The manger said you could use a peelie (if still attached to the product) with a manufacturer coupon. They said they weren’t going to keep us from the savings that were attached to the product we are buying.
My stores also want to peel them off.
THIS is also why “stealing” peelies is wrong to me. It’s not just another coupon for whoever wants to take it, it is intended for the person who buys THAT item.
I agree!
Could you explain the correct use of BOGO coupons with BOGO sale items at Publixs. I live in Florida and our BOGO sale items ring up at full price for the first item and then a net price of zero for the second item. When I also have a BOGO coupon, I always get 3 and end up paying for just one. Is this the correct procedure?
No it is not. i also live in FL, south FL. We have what is called “true BOGO” meaning we pay for one and one is rung up at full pirce but then immediately removed as a sale.. This allows us to use 2 coupons on those 2 items. It also means that we can use a BOGO Q on a pair of BOGO items and BOTH are totally FREE. Tax is all you pay. Example: SoBe life water is BOGO at CVS this week and if you have a BOGO Q, then 2 are FREE. Another example: recently Taco bell dinner kits were BOGO at 2.69. I had a BOGO tearpad and this Q made 2 kits totally free. The store is giving you one and the coupon is paying for the other.
Also remember that in the land of true BOGO, you always want to get an even number of BOGO products to get the best deal! If you’re not going to use all of them, you could donate them.
Steve…
With a true BOGO, and you have a BOGO coupon, you can get both items for free. One item is being paid from the manuf coupon, and the other item is being paid from the store. You don’t need to get a 3rd item, which if you did that then you should have gone ahead and got the 4th item for free since its a true bogo. Here in GA our BOGO sales run 1/2 price so if I had a BOGO coupon, I’m paying 1/2 price to get 2 items for free.
Well said, Michelle!
Thank you for the refresher… I know I needed it! I do have a question, though. I was in my store several weeks ago and they had deoderant BOGO (1/2 price) and I had a B1/G1 Free Q. The iems had .25 off peelies on them as well. I had a different Q for $1/1, so I asked the cashier (Who was the CS Manager) not to peel. She rang the items and then took off for my BOGO Q and my $1/1 Q. She then told me that I could also use one of the Peelies because each item is allowed 1P and 1 MQ. I thought (as you said earlier in your example of the cookies and milk Q) if I had a BOGO Q I couldn’t use anything else on the qualifying item. I actually asked her if she was sure and she told me that it was okay… “It is our policy”. Can this vary store to store? I don’t want to cheat… But the manager brought it up!! What to do in this situation?
to clarify… The CS manager told me that the BOGO Q was attatched to the free item and I could use 2 Qs on the two paid items…
I felt lucky and guilty all at teh same time… UGH!!
I posted on this up the page a bit just now. It happens to me always. I have been super couponing for a year now and i asked several times at different stores and with different levels of personnel and pretty much got the same answer that it is considered an instant savings. I finally stopped asking and am just enjoying the savings. If I get it, great, if it ever stops, oh well it was nice while it lasted.
This puts a whole nother level on the peelie stealing debate.
Ok Morgan for me it is easier to write it out…
HALF PRICE BOGO –DEO BOGO $2.50
Deo #1 $1.25–BOGO MQ attaches = $0(no other MQ can be used on this item)
Deo #2 $1.25–$1/1 MQ attaches = 25¢ (no other MQ can be used on this item)
You pay 25¢ for both items
TRUE BOGO –DEO BOGO $2.50
Deo #1 $2.50–BOGO MQ attaches = $0(no other MQ can be used on this item)Deo #2 Free with BOGO Publix sale
If your store allows overage you could use the $1/1 MQ to get overage as the 2nd item can still have a coupon attached to it.
In either situation…If you had Publix coupons you could use one Publix coupon per item to reduce the cost even more!!
Thank you! I appreciate the follow up!
I’m really glad that Michelle mentioned the making copies of internet coupons. I was in the store a few weeks back and a lady in front of me had a fistful of coupons, like I did … however, she was buying something like 20 of the same item and using IE coupons. I asked the cashier if I could see the coupons and A) they were OBVIOUSLY copies with all the background spots, and B) they had the same number. 🙁 That makes me really upset as they WILL stop allowing printables before much longer if that happens …
I would like to know why the Rite Aid coupons from the video values all say manufacturer coupon on them. They aren’t really, are they? The reason I ask is that my Publix has decided that they won’t allow these to be stacked w/a true MFR Q since the Rite Aid says MFR coupon on it. Surely if these RA coupons were really mfr coupons that would mean I could take them to Target or anywhere to use them. For that matter, they should scan at the Publix! I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, so I just didn’t use that RA coupon. I know Publix is a great store allowing us to use competitor coupons, so I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth. I wonder if I should say anything. Still, why does the RA coupon say that?!?! To be honest, I never really noticed it before until the cashier pointed it out. Aparently she hadn’t noticed before either since I’ve been using RA coupons at Publix (always use same cashier) for months now…
Hey Andrea
These are not true MQ’s…if I remember correctly they being with RC and not a number at all.
I am not sure why RA put that on there as even at RA you can use them with a MQ…it is in their policy 🙂
My guess on this is that RA and the manufacturer has reached some sort of agreement wherein the manufacturer gives RA an additional discount to pass on to the buyers but that is tied to watching the ads. So, it is neither a true store Q or a true MQ. But, like I said, this is all just a guess
B1G1 free question: I bought 4 frozen dinners on sale for 2.50 each. I had two B1G1 free coupons that I used and one $1/2. Publix cashier would only let me use the 2 B1G1 saying they attached to all 4 dinners. I went to CS (I needed a rain check anyway) and that girl said the same. The manager came by and said “Let her use it”, but in a way that sounded like I really shouldn’t get it. My question is, was I right or were they? I thought the B1G1 attached to one product only. Thanks!
You should have been able to use both coupons with no problem.
dinner #1 -BOGO attaches
dinner #2 -BOGO attaches
dinner #3 -$1/2 attaches to items 3 & 4
dinner #4 -no additional coupon can be used unless it is a store coupon
🙂
I was just at publix this past Sunday, The lady that was checking me out told me that I could use the peelie coupon on the yogurt along with my manur. coupon. I told her that the ones I have are for more off and she still told me that It don`t matter cause it is an instant coupon. I don`t know what all that means but she used all of them and had no problems.
Yes peelies are considered instant savings at my store too. the yogurt is a perfect example. I got them BOGO plus 2 man coupons plus 2 peelies!!!!
I work for publix and unfortunately many cashiers still haven’t been trained properly. You can only use one or the other.
In which = FREE!!!!! LOL Loved it… Learned something new that day. 🙂
I’m confused about the coupons that begin with a ‘5’ but say redeem at Publix only or redeem at BJ’s only. Are those manufacturers coupons or store coupons?
They are manufacturer coupons, but because of the word ONLY, there must be a clause somewhere that states that specific store will only get reimbursed.
I know that is VERY BAD to copy coupons because the store will not get reimbursed for duplicate coupons. But what about copying competitor coupons? For example, if I were to use a copy of a Target store coupon at Publix. Publix does not get reimbursed by Target, so would it really matter if I used a copy or an original internet print?
(I haven’t done it yet; I was just wondering if I could)
I would think this would be a no-no, too. My store has stopped accepting Target, and I suspect mis-use may be a reason. They said they’re losing too much money… If everyone did that, then they’d be out a good bit.
I had one of my few bad experiences at my Publix after someone in my area decided to copy Target coupons (they must have used alooot at one time). The store has since changed it’s policy on Target printables because of the incident, so it probably isn’t a great idea….
Are you in Montgomery, by chance? We had the same thing happen at my store here.
I have a questiong concerning the quantity of coupons you can use when the wording is this scenario from your post “-$1 off milk when you buy Nabisco Cookies –Here you are getting a $1 discount on milk when you buy a qualifying product. The coupon does not discount the cookies so you may use an addtional coupon to “discount” the cookies.” My question is this: If I buy 3 Nabisco Cookies and have 3 coupons with this wording, do I have to buy 3 milks or can I use all three coupons towards 1 milk?
I’m still in shock that you have cashiers that take your peelies off for ya! Never ever have they done that here where I live. If you don’t take them off and hand them to her you don’t get the deal…Thanks for this great website and this informing article.
They have done that for me. (Walmart was the only place where the cashier didn’t take off a peelie and then told me I had to do it).
Thank you SOOOOO much for saying a word about making copies of coupons. I have seen an increase of customers trying to pass off copies. Most of which deny they are copies even though the unique barcode is the same on all copies.
I have some manufacturers coupons for 50 cents that start with a 9, so they didn’t automatically double. When I looked at my receipt and saw this, I went to customer service. They pulled the coupons, and they said “do not double” on them, so they would not double them manually for me. Is Publix policy to double all coupons 50 cents & under (even if they say do not double)? I’m trying to figure out if this is a store specific policy, because I have several Publix stores near me, and I thought about trying to see if they would double them at another store. And, should I ask at customer service or ask the cashier to double them?
My publix will not double “do not double ot triple” Q’s either… I am in Alabama. Is it a policy?
In my experience, the “do not double” coupons will automatically double at the register unless the cashier presses a button to supress the doubling. I’m not sure why yours didn’t automatically double. Maybe the cashier supressed it. I always try to find a male cashier–they are usually less picky about coupons. 🙂
A few weeks back, I bought 2 Weber seasonings and tried to use both $1/2 Weber seasonings coupon and $1 off meat wyb any 2 Weber seasonings. The cashier wouldn’t let me use both, even though I thought it would be fine because the first attached to the seasonings and the second attached to the meat. I assumed she wouldn’t let me use both because the $1 off meat is a manufacturer coupon (from Weber). Should I have been able to use both?
Yes, you should have been able to. $1 off meat wyb Weber was attached to the meat and the $1/2 to the seasonings.
FYI – my Publix in Gainesville, FL just changed their policy on competitors coupons. They now only accept one of each competitors coupon. Tonight i had two $1/1 coupons for Planters nuts (which were BOGO this past week) and the lady only let me use one of the coupons 🙁
if you read the coupons some from target, food lion, and dollar general state “one per person, per transaction, per day” so they are probably just going by the wording on the coupons. I noticed not so many of the store coupons like target and publix have this wording when they are in the newspaper inserts.
Yes Dawne, you’re right. Even so, the young lady at the register said it was a new policy and that they would now only accept one of each coupon from a competitor.
Thanks, I was never sure where a “retailer coupon” actually fit, lol. It is kind of confusing but I guess it’s their way of trying to insure a manu. is used at a specific store?? I think they should stick to manu. or store q’s just to save the confusion, or send us all a manual!!:)
Thw Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in Orlando will no longer accept online coupons because some dishonest cheap skates ruined it for the rest of us.
Is a “retailer coupon” considered a store q or a manu. q?
I read a lot on here about the “Publix may stop taking Target coupons” thing. Well, I decided to do an internet search on it and there were people a year ago posting the same thing on blogs. I guess this no more Target coupons thing is kinda like the Verizon iPhone….