Are Costco flyer "no coupon needed "discounts real?

[PinballFamily]

Recent new member and just started getting the monthly flyer - half of the coupon-looking ads in it aren't actually coupons ("save $2.00 on Frosted Flakes - no coupon needed") but the other half actually are coupons. Strange...and confusing, but whatever...

But, call me a skeptic - are those "no coupon" discounted items *really* lower priced or were the items recently marked up just to be marked down for the sale period? It is a bit of a drive there, so would love to hear before I plan a trip. Thanks for any info/experience you can share!

 

[princessmorgan]

I don't know about this flyer's items, but in the past the coupon items I purchased were the same price, so I didn't notice a markup. Also I bought a coupon item last night (one that said coupon needed) and I didn't actually need it. It rang up without me giving them the coupon.

I will say that Costco has the best customer service! I returned two costumes last night, and the cashier noticed I had two more on my receipt. He asked me if I was keeping the other two, I told him yes. He then said, "Oh, well they are on promo right now, so go buy two more and I'll return them for you and refund you the difference." Anyone who wants to save me money is OK in my book.

ETA: In the store you'll see signs for the coupon items that post the original price and then show you the discount they are giving you, so you can do your own comparison.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Costco does not mark their items up to then give you a sale. The sales on items that don't need coupons, are legit and sales where the manufacturer doesn't need each coupon for the discount. I plan on buying a few boxes when I go next week. But thankfully Costco is a local stop for me.

A good tip, if you buy electronics, or an expensive item, keep your reciepts. I have done that, and if the item then goes on sale (within a reasonable anmount of time) I do get the price adjusted. Even if I buy and return while I am there.

 

[ssawka]

You no longer have to bring in the coupon. You use to and that's why the flyers are printed the way they are, but a cashier told me you no longer need the coupon. If your nervous about it, it doesn't hurt to bring the coupon in. We still clip them as a reminder of what we want to get when we are in the store.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

They are coupons you just don't have to present them at checkout. They are limited time though just like their regular coupons.

 

[LJSquishy]

The "no coupon needed" discounts are real. They do not mark up their prices and then run the sales. Usually those are instant manufacturer's rebates.

If you have an actual Costco coupon for items you want, all of the coupons have the same barcode so you do not need to tear out all of the coupons you want to use. Just hand one of them to the cashier and all of the coupon discounts will be applied to your total. Some stores don't require you to hand them a coupon even, I guess you just ask and they do it...I haven't tried that yet.

Right now they have great prices on feta cheese, chicken broth, frozen spinach ravioli, and Tide detergent. I just bought Glide floss on sale, but I can't remember if it was really that much better priced than stores.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also I bought a coupon item last night (one that said coupon needed) and I didn't actually need it. It rang up without me giving them the coupon.

My Costco ALWAYS require a coupon when the item requires a coupon. I've heard that other stores allow it without scanning the coupon, but not mine.

 

[3angelsmom]

I only joined Costco a few months ago and was skeptical, too, having been a Sam's Club member where only select items were a true deal.

I have to say, I'm impressed. The prices, even without the coupons, are very competitive. The items with the coupons are clearly marked throughout the store so even when I forgot my booklet, it was easy to find the sale items I wanted. When I went to check out, I tried to tear out the coupon but the cashier said I didn't need to do that, it would scan automatically.

I was also able to do a price match for a large item a few weeks after I bought it when a rebate was offered.

 

[Duchie]

I was at Costco once and the girl checking me out told me that I didn't need to scan all of my coupons (from the book). If you just scan one, the register will go through all of your purchases and automatically deduct any applicable coupon. And if you don't have the coupons, no worries. The cashier will scan one that they keep at the register, and all applicable coupons are applied. Easy!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I was at Costco once and the girl checking me out told me that I didn't need to scan all of my coupons (from the book). If you just scan one, the register will go through all of your purchases and automatically deduct any applicable coupon. And if you don't have the coupons, no worries. The cashier will scan one that they keep at the register, and all applicable coupons are applied. Easy!

This is exactly correct.

 

[swilshire]

Costco opens in our area in a couple of weeks. I can't wait!

Sheila

 

[letsgoreds]

The automatic 'coupons' are just as good as the manual ones. Those particular manufacturers simply don't require a manual coupon.

I have never cut out a coupon (recent history), but DO always bring my book or pick one up at customer service when I get there.

Maybe 6 months ago the cashiers would automatically scan the coupon book for you, but then Costco got in trouble with some manufacturers for such a high coupon usage rate...90% where it used to be maybe 60%, so now Costco is no longer supposed to automatically scan the coupons for you.

My suggestion to everyone is bring the book during a coupon usage period, and just scan one of the coupons in the book to make sure you receive any available discounts.

LOVE Costco customer service!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I was at Costco once and the girl checking me out told me that I didn't need to scan all of my coupons (from the book). If you just scan one, the register will go through all of your purchases and automatically deduct any applicable coupon. And if you don't have the coupons, no worries. The cashier will scan one that they keep at the register, and all applicable coupons are applied. Easy!

This is exactly correct.

Sorry this is not correct at all. It depends on the Manager of the Costco. We have a bunch of different Costco's near us. The one near where DH worked wanted each and every coupon. The one we used to shop at together, only wanted one coupon. Then one opend a few miles from my house. They wanted NO coupons, they would have it at the register and scan them. Then they changed and wanted the coupons. So, check your stores, they are all different, which is a pain. BUt other then that I love my Costco .

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Sorry this is not correct at all.

It's obviously correct for the Costco where I shop, as well as the Costco where the poster I agreed with shops.

 

[mmorris72]

My store doesn't require the coupons either. The cashier automatically scans a coupon at the start of the order.

 

[ladylyons]

I shop at only one Costco and for me it actually depends on the cashier. One cashier says I need to tear out each and every coupon (I avoid them when I see them!!), other's just ask for one coupon from the book (doesn't even have to be an item your buying) and other's have the coupon on their register and just scan it for me and it takes off all my coupon's. So sometimes it can differ in the same store!! My closest store is literally 3 mins away so I know I'm not confusing my stores.

I love Costco overall. I've even been sent gift cards when an item I've bought has gone to a lower price cuz they've negotiated a better deal with the supplier. They also called and told me about a recall once on dog food!! I was big and pregnant with my 2nd child so I waited quite a while to go in to return it until my DH was with me and they told me if somethng like that happened again to just get him to load it in the car and when I came in to return it to let them know that I needed help getting it out of my vehicle and they would send some one to help me. Great customer service if you ask me!!!