Thursday, May 31, 2012

Price Matching and Coupon Policies

Price Matching

We seem to be getting a few questions about price matching and what stores do it, and what they will price match. I thought it might be helpful to explain it a little bit.  Price matching is where a store will match the price of a an item that has been advertised at a different store.  It is an effective way to save money especially when you stack coupons on top of the price matching.  It saves time, gas, and money.  
Which stores in Omaha price match? Click on the links below for full policies.  I recommend that you print them out and keep them with your coupons, along with a coupon policy.  


Walmart: 
We gladly match the price in the following types of ads:*
  • Buy one, get one free ads with a specified price
    • Example: Buy one for $2.49, get one free (BOGO)
  • Competitors' ads that feature a specific item for a specified price.
  • Preferred shopping card prices for specific items that are in a printed ad.
  • For fresh produce and meat items when the price is offered in the same unit type (lb. for lb.; each for each)
*The following are guidelines and limitations:
  • We will match any local competitor's advertised price.
  • We do not require customers to have the ad with them to honor a competitor's ad.
  • Items purchased must be identical to the ad (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc.)
Price Match Policy
Coupon Policy 


HyVee  
 Stonybrook and 180th and Q are the only locations I am aware of that does price match.  Ask for a copy at the customer service desk.  They will price print ads, that must be presented at check stand.  They will only price match name brand, no store brands or private labels. They will not price match an ad that says celery $.77, however they will price match it if it says "Dole" celery, brand for brand match. 
Fareway
Fareway has neither their coupon policy nor price match policy online, but you should be able to get them at the store if you ask a manager for one.  If not they will be able to tell you where to get one. 
Here's what I know.  They will price match for same brand, size and quantity.  They don't honor other stores in-store coupons.  They often will price match their produce and meat to reflect competitors prices.  Ads much be presented at check out stand.
Fareway Stores, Inc. will gladly redeem manufacturers’ coupons legitimately obtained from newspaper or magazine advertising, mailings, and the Internet.
Due to the unfortunate rise in counterfeit activity, redemption of manufacturers’ coupons that involve the word “FREE” or are of questionably high dollar value, or other unusual circumstance(s) will be left to the discretion of the local manager.
No Frills
No Frills will price match or ad match same product and same size.  You can match other store brands with their store brands.  They will not match produce, or lower grade meat.  They do BOGO only if the price and size is listed.  They will not price match % off items.  
Super Saver
Super Saver will price match the same product and the same size.  They do not price match No Frills ads and they don't do Aldi's prices.  You will need to ask for a ad match policies at customer service or talk to manger.

 Target
Coupon Policy

Walgreens

  • All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
  • Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.
  • Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
  • Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.
  • Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
  • The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register RewardsTM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
  • Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.
Walgreens Coupon Policy

Terms and Acronyms

So what does it all mean...

Some of you are new to couponing, and some of the terms might be new to you as well. I hope this will help make better use of what you've reading. This is something you "need to know" going forward. So here we go.

Sunday Paper Coupon Inserts:

P&G: Procter & Gamble insert
SS: SmartSource insert
RP: RedPlum insert
GM: General Mills insert

When we list a coupon to use from the paper, it will usually say something like “Use $1/1 coupon from 9/26 RP.” That means the coupon can be found in the RedPlum insert from the 9/26 Sunday paper.

Coupon Lingo:

$1/1, $1/2: One dollar off when you buy one item, one dollar off when you buy 2 items, etc.
3/$5, 4/$10: three items for five dollars, four items for ten dollars, etc.
B1G1 FREE: buy one item, get one FREE
B2G1 FREE: buy two items, get one FREE
Blinkies: grocery store coupon dispensers with blinking lights found in the store aisles
Catalina: a catalina coupon is one that prints from a separate machine when after your receipt prints out; usually good on your next shopping trip
ea: each (as in “”Final cost $0.50 ea”)
ECB: ExtraCare Bucks, CVS’s rewards system (Now that CVS is in town, I will hopefully start posting deals from there. I don’t live near one, so I’m not getting their ads yet.)
ETS: a coupon that Excludes Trial Sizes
Exp: expires
GC: gift card
IVC: Instant Value Coupon, Walgreen’s store coupons found in ads and their monthly booklets
MIR: Mail-in Rebate
MQ: manufacturer’s coupon
Peelie: peel-off coupon found on the product packaging
RRs: Register Rewards, Walgreen’s catalina coupons
Q: coupon
Stacking: using both a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on the same item
Tearpad: pad of coupons attached to a store display or shelf
TQ: Target coupon
WIAC: with in-ad coupon
WYB: when you buy