Publix - any tips?

[Kay1]

Weekly specials come out on Wednesdays and start on Thursdays. You can see these on Publix.com, if you like. When you enter the store, look around for the specials and their in-store coupons.

Also, you can buy jugs of real sweet tea at the Deli. One thing I don't like at our Publix is the coconut cream pie. Blah! Not worth the calories.

 

[HayGan]

Weekly specials come out on Wednesdays and start on Thursdays. You can see these on Publix.com, if you like. When you enter the store, look around for the specials and their in-store coupons.

Also, you can buy jugs of real sweet tea at the Deli. One thing I don't like at our Publix is the coconut cream pie. Blah! Not worth the calories.

Jugs of REAL sweet tea - OMG thank you for telling me this! I sweet tea. Between these wonderful sandwiches I keep hearing about and the sweet tea, I think I will be spending lots of time in their deli!!!

 

[Ephany]

I think this is only in the Atlanta area. South Florida you have to buy both items. They don't ring half price. So make sure you ask in Orlando. Atlanta stores I think stepped it up to compete with Kroger. Atlanta also doubles coupons where I don't know of any other publix's that do.

Hmm, here you don't. I'm in Georgia, but our store's in the Lakeland division (FL) and we can buy just one item for half price. It must vary by district or region. Still even BOGO can be a good deal, and I'd rather shop at Publix than any of their local competitors. Oh, and sometimes other stores have higher prices on meat, but Publix doesn't put carbon monoxide in the meat to make it look fresh longer on the shelf. I'll pay slightly higher prices and get the non-gassed meat.

 

[swilshire]

I think this is only in the Atlanta area. South Florida you have to buy both items. They don't ring half price. So make sure you ask in Orlando. Atlanta stores I think stepped it up to compete with Kroger. Atlanta also doubles coupons where I don't know of any other publix's that do.

I think in the Orlando stores, you have to buy two to get the discount. I've watched them ring up. The first is at regular price and the second at zero.

Sheila

 

[orlando-rocks]

We much prefer Publix for groceries compared to Wal-mart, Winn Dixie or Target! They have a great bakery, their fresh bread is soooo Delish and the Cheesecake is to die for! They also do really good Subs! Yummy!

 

[RobinFabulous]

We much prefer Publix for groceries compared to Wal-mart, Winn Dixie or Target! They have a great bakery, their fresh bread is soooo Delish and the Cheesecake is to die for! They also do really good Subs! Yummy!

We have the same, minus Target and add Piggly Wiggly.... Publix is the most expensive (generally) but also the highest quality. The meat beats Walmart or WinnDixie every time, may be pricier, but look for sales. The produce is always the freshest, and usually not too much higher, the other basics are comprable. Their sales prices are normally great here.

We're close to Atlanta (not very, but kind of) ours doesn't double coupons, but you can buy one of the B1G1 for half price, I do this often.

 

[DalGal]

One word if you are headed to the bakery for dessert...TIRAMISU!

 

[Princess April]

OK, no card (as many others have stated). If you should happen to see someone using a card it's because they are using their Publix U Promise card, free to join and it offers savings for college thru the U promise program. It offers no savings to the items that you are buying, just $$ for college. You can ask any cashier for it at the checkout and they can give it to you and you can use it that day.. the only catch is #1 you can only use the card at Publix and #2 you must activate it online or over the phone before you use it again or you will loose the "points" assessed the 1st day.
Most all the items at Publix are top notch, way above the competition is quality. People will sometimes say that the prices are higher, well that may be the case in some circumstances but.... #1 quality is superior, #2 variety is unmatched, #3 honestly, I can't see THAT much of a price difference... sure maybe a penny here and there but it isn't enough to make me shop elsewhere. (and I'm a super shopper)
The customer service is AWESOME.. they offer complementary carry out service and TIPPING is not accepted. This is a service they offer for free and you do not have to tip for it, the workers can get in trouble if they are caught taking a tip.
So many items are just sooo good, the Bakery yummo! Fresh everything! The Deli is delish! Produce is always fresh and inviting!!!
Also, while it is true that they do not double coupons, no one here in Orlando does, they do accept a Publix coupon and a manufactures coupon for the same item, if you have it! look at the front of the store, there will a large stand (it turns) and they often have Publix coupons available there! Also, the sale prices can't be beat.. for instance, I got Lysol, large size on sale of $3.99, I had a coupon for $2.00 off so I got it for $1.99 ! Look online for their sales flyer...... it will help in planning your shopping trip! Also, they have this thing called a Publix Promise... If you purchase an item that rings up more than what is priced on the shelf, you get one of that item free! (no alcohol or tobacco tho..) The pricing is usually pretty accurate, but look out for it, you never know!

 

[HsvTeacher]

We love Publix! We are lucky that ours will double coupons, and the B1G1F items ring up at half-price. (Really stretches our food budget!!!)

I agree that the subs are great, and we also like their fried chicken and chicken fingers. Yummm! We also like to get steamed shrimp there. You can choose from several different flavors, and they do it for free.

 

[RobinFabulous]

OK, no card (as many others have stated). If you should happen to see someone using a card it's because they are using their Publix U Promise card, free to join and it offers savings for college thru the U promise program. It offers no savings to the items that you are buying, just $$ for college. You can ask any cashier for it at the checkout and they can give it to you and you can use it that day.. the only catch is #1 you can only use the card at Publix and #2 you must activate it online or over the phone before you use it again or you will loose the "points" assessed the 1st day.
Most all the items at Publix are top notch, way above the competition is quality. People will sometimes say that the prices are higher, well that may be the case in some circumstances but.... #1 quality is superior, #2 variety is unmatched, #3 honestly, I can't see THAT much of a price difference... sure maybe a penny here and there but it isn't enough to make me shop elsewhere. (and I'm a super shopper)
The customer service is AWESOME.. they offer complementary carry out service and TIPPING is not accepted. This is a service they offer for free and you do not have to tip for it, the workers can get in trouble if they are caught taking a tip.
So many items are just sooo good, the Bakery yummo! Fresh everything! The Deli is delish! Produce is always fresh and inviting!!!
Also, while it is true that they do not double coupons, no one here in Orlando does, they do accept a Publix coupon and a manufactures coupon for the same item, if you have it! look at the front of the store, there will a large stand (it turns) and they often have Publix coupons available there! Also, the sale prices can't be beat.. for instance, I got Lysol, large size on sale of $3.99, I had a coupon for $2.00 off so I got it for $1.99 ! Look online for their sales flyer...... it will help in planning your shopping trip! Also, they have this thing called a Publix Promise... If you purchase an item that rings up more than what is priced on the shelf, you get one of that item free! (no alcohol or tobacco tho..) The pricing is usually pretty accurate, but look out for it, you never know!

Also they are a partner in education with my children's school... We have a card and when it's scanned they give a percentage of your total order to the PTA.... So you can see those cards being used as well... They're called Publix Partners.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I haven't read all of the responses, but Publix beats any grocery chain that I have ever shopped at. They will take ANY competitor's coupons at face value. The manager of mine called me to confirm that and also confirmed that they view BJ's as a competitor. All of those "off any" coupons that you get from BJ's can be used at Publix AT FACE VALUE Is that insane or what?! Also, they take Publix coupons and manufacturer/competitor coupons on the same item. They take 2 coupons on B1G1F. This place is amazing. Oh, and they take those $10 off $50 coupons or whatnot from any competitor, so use those first and then use your other coupons. I love, love, love Publix!!!!

ETA - Here is a link to their coupon policy that someone posted on a blog. Other than the doubles being only in GA, I've found this policy to be entirely accurate at my store. Did I mention that I love Publix?!

http://blog.al.com/centsible-living/2009/03/publix_official_coupon_policy.html

 

[Desiree1972]

I absolutely love Publix as well
one more item - in the deli - spinach artichoke dip
mmmmmmm mmmmmmmm

 

[NaplesRI]

If I don't make something, when we have company and are thinking what to get for dessert, we always head to Publix.
We have a carrot cake (loaf bar) sitting here right now waiting for us to devour. YUM!

We had one bad experience where we got a pie that had almost no filling and when DH told the service dept the next day they told him to get any dessert he wanted and it was free. Didn't help with the dinner we had the night before, but nice of them anyway.

We will always go there- we love their pastry and their customer service!
BOGS some weeks are unbelievable. Definitely check it out.

 

[riaesq]

Funny coincidence, timing-wise.
I am in NJ (no Publix here )and was just at a friend's tonight- her mom just came up from FL and brought her a loaf of Breakfast Bread from the bakery- she was sad that she only got one as apparently it's VERY yummy! It has a bunch of different dried fruit in it. Will have to try it next trip.

 

[FluffyPumpkin78]

I used to work at Publix as a cake decorator, and a few things I liked were: the mac and cheese from the deli case, the buffalo and mardi gras chicken wings, along with the fried chicken and tenders. The banana pudding from the deli was also very good. My favorite sandwiches were the philly and the pressed cuban.

From the bakery, the cakes and cupcakes are the best. Publix has the best icing ever! Also the carrot cake adn key lime pies are very good. The donuts are yummy. I think they are better than dunkin donuts or krispy kreme.

I moved back to CA from FL, and I miss Publix. I do have a Trader Joe;s to make up for it though!

 

[MomtoGKC]

I saw you mentioned getting snack foods for your trip - all of the Publix brand pretzels are great - and their tortilla chips and salsa are great, too. Anything in the bakery will be delicious. Their packaged bread is good. They carry my favorite guacamole - Wholly Guacamole - by the deli dept.

We get the half off one item if we only get one from the BOGO sales. If you check online and plan around their circular you can do great. They almost always have at least one brand of crackers, one brand of cookies and one brand of chips on the BOGO sale.

On a side note, when my first DD was really little we would always tell her, "Mommy went to Publix" whenever I would try to sneak out of the house to do anything without her. One day my parents were asking her bunches of questions and the conversation went like this....

"Where does nana live?" "Boston." "Where does uncle live?" "California." "where does Mommy live?" "Publix."

 

[Kit'smommy]

I love my Publix store! I live near Tampa and ours does not charge half for the BOGO. You have to get both items.

The subs, fried chicken, sushi and deserts are wonderful. I highly recommend the carrot bar cake and doughnuts.

 

[Paige Michalchuk]

I thought the beer and wine selection was pretty good. We got some fruit also (for breakfasts and snacks) and the sale prices were in line with what I'd expect at home.