Coupon use at BJ's?

[maslex]

I know that BJ's have their "own" coupons to use in the warehouses. Can you combine these with regular manufacture coupons? Like if I have a BJ's coupon for a certain item and have the identical man. coupon, can I use them both together? I've only been here like once or twice (and this was YEARS ago) so I don't remember much.

And for those of you who do go there on a regular basis, do you really find things are a better deal by buying in bulk? How are their meats? Produce? Or do you usually just stick with paper products, HBA stuff?

Thing is, I don't work during the summer (school bus driver) and if I can come up with a few hundred dollars I would like to stock up on quite a bit of stuff. Like enough paper products, HBA stuff, hopefully meats, canned goods and frozen stuff to make it through much of the summer. With prices at BJ's, do you think I could get by on like $1000 there? Or is that too much? Not enough? Right now, I roughly spend about $200 a week for our family of four. If I could stock up enough stuff for summer and then only have to go to my weekly store for milk/produce, etc, should I be okay?

Like I said earlier, I've been once or twice before but not for a "stock up" type of shopping. Just basically browsing around and picking up a couple thigns.

Please let me know of your shopping experiences at BJ's or other warehouse shopping (BJ's is the only one in my area and it's still 50 mins away)

 

[Cindy B]

You can double up coupons but in some cases the cashiers are very literal... they will not let you use say $1 of two --even if there are two of something in the container.

It depends on the cashier and how busy the store is. Look for the free 60 day pass, that should tide you over in the summer and keep you busy for a while.

As for prices, I find my local grocery store has better deals on most things. I am in the double, triple coupon area though. There are some things that are cheaper such as Stouffer's four packs--Bertolli frozen food, and my son's contacts.

There are many things that are the same price-- lunchmeat, milk and bread.

We are a very low key BJ's shoppers though. Our usual bill is less than $40.

 

[christa112]

The BJ's I shop in lets me use BJ's coupons and manufacters coupons together. They also let use multiple coupons for one item

example:

Lets say I am purchasing a box of diapers and there is 4 seperate pkgs of diapers inside the box, my BJ's will let me use either 4 coupons one for each pkg or 2 if the coupon reads $1.00 off of 2.

 

[Resseda]

I think the keys to BJs are 1) make sure you will eat all the varieties in a variety pack (because only liking 4 of the 5 flavors of whatever means part will be wasted, and that's not a good deal) and 2) really look at BJ's prices versus your local supermarket. BJ's is not always cheaper. We find paper products frequently-but not always-cheaper, meats are cheaper and good quality. Chocolate chips are a steal-I always buy mine there because they are far cheaper than our local grocery store. Some of the HBA products are cheaper for our family. It all depends on what brands you use-if you normally buy all store-brand generics at your locla store, BJ's may not be a big savings for you.

Ress

 

[polineedyan]

The wholesale club shopping really works. We have a family of six, and I can tell you that a box of 40 oatmeal packets is way better than paying Giant Beagle's prices..My only advice on shopping at these stores is similar to what other posters have said. Only buy in bulk the things you know you will use. We just had to pitch a bunch of tomato soup because it expired before we could eat it. Guess we really dont need 12 cans of tomato soup..lol

 

[Bren's Mom]

You can double up coupons but in some cases the cashiers are very literal... they will not let you use say $1 of two --even if there are two of something in the container.

http://www.bjs.com/help/index.shtml

Can I use coupons?
Absolutely! BJ’s accepts all manufacturers’ coupons — including the ones that come in your Sunday newspaper — giving you additional savings on top of our everyday low prices. Plus, we offer BJ’s Members-only coupons throughout the year. After all, saving you money is what BJ’s is all about.

You can get your exclusive BJ’s coupons:

* Online. To access and print online coupons, you will need to activate your Profile by creating a Password.
* In BJ’s Journal, a BJ’s Member magazine
* Through special-offer mailings
* In BJ’s in-Club coupon flyers

Can I use more than one coupon?
You may not use more than one coupon on a single item. However, if you buy a multi-pack (a pack that contains multiple full-sized packages of a single product shrink-wrapped together) you may use multiple coupons.

For example, if you have 2 coupons for 50% off an 8-oz. bottle of face cleanser and you are buying a multi-pack that contains 2 or more 8-oz. bottles of face cleanser you may use both coupons.

I printed out their coupon policy and keep it in my coupon binder. This policy can save you ALOT. A 4 pack of Secret Flawless, for example, when you are using (4) $2 coupons good for 1 deodorant is REALLY a great deal. Or if there is a $3 or $4 off BJ's coupon in their flyer for the 4 pack you can use that plus an additional 3 manufacturer's coupon. I've used $1 off 6 yogurts coupons before; if it's a 12 pack of yogurt I can use two. If the cashier has a problem with it just whip out your copy of the coupon policy!

ETA: My friend mentioned the other day she was able to use her Wholly Guacamole coupons to get a great deal. There are 4 individually sealed packs of guac in each box, so she was able to use 4 coupons. It was almost FREE!

 

[QT Pooh]

I've found that you can't combine a manufacturer's coupon and a BJ's coupon on an item if it's a single item, but if there are multiple items (like a 4 pack of something) and you have more than one coupon, they will take it. I find that we save quite a bit of money at BJ's even after the yearly membership fee. There are some things we can find just as cheap or cheaper at Walmart or the local grocery store - so we do comparison shop. BJ's will send you the coupons monthly through the mail, have separate ones in a flyer inside the store, and they also have online coupons as well (which may be different from what you receive through the mail).

 

[pilesoflaundry]

They always used to but lately many of them have the wording "may not be used with any other coupon for the same product or item" and whatever coupon that goes through first is fine and the second one beeps and won't go through and freezes up the terminal until the cashier overrides it. I think it may have to do with the fact more and more bj's coupons are now manufactuer coupons, not store coupons.

I've also had more problems lately using multiple coupons for the same item. Like 4 packs of spaghetti in one box and you can use 4 coupons for say .50/1 box. Now it beeps and says "duplicate product coupon" so sometimes the cashier allows it and sometimes no.

It's not as good as it used to be! It's still nice they take them though and I haven't had any problem using coupons that say $1/2 it's using more than one for 1 that is harder.

 

[plummer925]

Wow - this is awesome! THe other thing about BJ's (at least at my local one) is they take food stamps for those who are in need. Sam's Club does not take food stamps or coupons.

Does anyone know if BJ's is running any sort of membership special? I can't bring myself to pay $45 when Sam's is $35 (and I have a $10 gift card offer if I renew).

Thanks!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Wow - this is awesome! THe other thing about BJ's (at least at my local one) is they take food stamps for those who are in need. Sam's Club does not take food stamps or coupons.

Does anyone know if BJ's is running any sort of membership special? I can't bring myself to pay $45 when Sam's is $35 (and I have a $10 gift card offer if I renew).

Thanks!

Last week at my BJs they were offering a membership deal, I think it was a $10 gift card and special coupons...but wasn't paying a whole lot of attention because we renewed a few months ago. Call them!