Publix no longer accepts all competitors' coupons

[NOLA_Tink]

I am so frusterated! I always check out SuperTarget & Winn Dixie's online coupons for extra savings at my local Publix. Sadly, Publix has modified their "We accept competitor's coupons" offer and they are no longer accepting coupons from Super Target! The cashier also showed me a LONG list of other grocery stores that they no longer accept. It was just an extra $2 in savings, but I felt duped. Grrrr!

 

[Ephany]

Ours hasn't for awhile. The signs in the store specifically say 'traditional, local competitors'. The store manager told me they had a huge problem with fake coupons, especially internet ones. It's a bummer, but unfortunately those people who scam/cheat the system ruin it for the rest of us who do follow the rules.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I am so frusterated! I always check out SuperTarget & Winn Dixie's online coupons for extra savings at my local Publix. Sadly, Publix has modified their "We accept competitor's coupons" offer and they are no longer accepting coupons from Super Target! The cashier also showed me a LONG list of other grocery stores that they no longer accept. It was just an extra $2 in savings, but I felt duped. Grrrr!

Why would you feel duped? It is the other stores coupon, no where is is budgeted at Publix to absorb another retailers coupon discounts. They have plenty of their own to absorb. The WinnDixie put the coupon out there to bring you to their store not to the local Publix.

 

[Kit'smommy]

Why would you feel duped? It is the other stores coupon, no where is is budgeted at Publix to absorb another retailers coupon discounts. They have plenty of their own to absorb. The WinnDixie put the coupon out there to bring you to their store not to the local Publix.

I wouldn't be annoyed about the Super Target ones. However, we have some local fundraiser coupon books that have been around for years. Most people I know that buy them do so for the Albertson's coupons, which our local Publix stores have always accepted. I can understand the OP's frustration, even if I also understand Publix's position.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Ours hasn't for awhile. The signs in the store specifically say 'traditional, local competitors'. The store manager told me they had a huge problem with fake coupons, especially internet ones. It's a bummer, but unfortunately those people who scam/cheat the system ruin it for the rest of us who do follow the rules.

Thanks for your post! I was able to use them last week, but I do understand their problem. Plus, I had additional coupons sent via snail mail from Target- and they've always accepted those too. Honestly, my biggest frustration was that I went to Publix specifically to buy a few items and I didn't find out that they no longer accept those coupons until I was checking out. I would have been bummed, but understanding, if they had at least put up a sign somewhere stating, "We no longer accept coupons from..." It's frustrating when you've committed to buying treats for your DH or kids because it's on sale and you have a coupon, but I find out that it's not the expected price at the register. The real stinger: She told me that they accept coupons from Walmart and SuperWalmart. (Although, I didn't think they had coupons.) Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Why would you feel duped? It is the other stores coupon, no where is is budgeted at Publix to absorb another retailers coupon discounts. They have plenty of their own to absorb. The WinnDixie put the coupon out there to bring you to their store not to the local Publix.

I believe that if a grocery store, or any commercial establishment, has a claim or policy to "accept competitor's coupons," then they should honor their claim. I think that they expect to absorb that cost if they make that offer. Plus, they never changed the signs in their store to modify their claim. I wasn't told until I was checking out.

 

[Foladar]

Is this new? It might be store-by-store, I used a Target coupon at ours yesterday.

 

[Metsfan520]

I believe that if a grocery store, or any commercial establishment, has a claim or policy to "accept competitor's coupons," then they should honor their claim. I think that they expect to absorb that cost if they make that offer. Plus, they never changed the signs in their store to modify their claim. I wasn't told until I was checking out.

That's true, but they also have the right to end the benefit any time they choose. They may have put a sign near the customer service desk--I know that's what the supermarkets do here. So if you never go near there, you'd never know a policy changed until you checked out. Most stores don't like to advertise they are no longer doing some perk, I'm sure. It stinks, I know.

 

[enchantingodin]

Publix worker here. Our store has never excepted anything other than Albertsons and Winn Dixie coupons. Basically it is up to the discretion of the "store manager" - read cust service manager really. Because sadly most store managers are from the grocery department and are pretty clueless when it comes to the front end.

Did your store get a new CSM? Might be why they changed. Unfortunately I think the way it's worded is very interpretable. On purpose of course. Personally to me a competitor is anyone who sells the same products. But I don't get to make the rules...

 

[frogger21]

I work at a Publix in Florida.

There is a new coupon policy and it has been on the news recently. The policy went into effect on May 23, 2011. Basically, the competitor coupon thing goes like this: We DO accept competitor's coupons. However, each store will only accept them from competing stores in their area and within a certain mile radius. My store, specifically, has had a problem with the Albertson's meat coupons and and the Albertson's $5.00 off a $50.00 order coupon. My store doesn't accept Albertson's coupons but some Publix stores might if there is an Albertson's in the same area nearby.

Please, everyone, bear in mind that this is not a choice of the managers of your store. It is a corporate policy. If anyone has a problem with aspects of the coupon policy, that is something you need to call corporate about. I am a cashier and I would have no problem accepting those coupons if I was allowed to. I shop at Publix, too, and I understand that coupons help out a lot. But honestly, it is incredibly frustrating to cashiers because we are being yelled at by people every day as though it is our fault and that is NOT FAIR. I cannot change a corporate policy and like I stated before, if I were allowed to accept certain coupons, then I would gladly do that. But if I can't, don't yell at me. There's no sense in making a stranger feel like crap when they have done nothing to you.

Each Publix store should have a piece of paper with all the information on the coupon policy as well as a list of the competitor's coupons they accept. If you ask for one, a cashier or someone at customer service can give one to you.

 

[manhattan]

Publix shopper here too and I only found out about it because someone posted here on the boards the change. Last week I had to go to customer service and they have a notice there about which stores they accept. I noticed yesterday each cashier had the same notice at their register. Personally, I am happy with whatever they do take.

 

[Metsfan520]

newbie bumping up old thread, but at least this one makes sense.

 

[JB2K]

Most people I know that buy them do so for the Albertson's coupons, which our local Publix stores have always accepted.

Could that be because Publix took-over many of the Florida Albertson's stores back in 2008?