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TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” is changing the rules of the coupon game for the rest of us as retailers update their coupon policies to prevent consumers from buying hundreds of dollars of groceries for almost nothing. Here’s how some retailers and a manufacture have changed their coupon policies. If you are new to couponing, here’s an easy guide to getting started.
Rite Aid – Amended its policy to allow just one buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupon per pair of items. Previously, shoppers could combine BOGO offers to take home both items for free. The drugstore also limits shoppers to four of the same coupon, and managers can further restrict the quantities if an item is running low. No more 87 bottles of mustard for free!
Procter & Gamble – This manufacturer now limits consumers to four of the same coupon per shopping trip for P&G coupons. It’s counting on retailers to impose the new rule. That means you’ll have to
make more trips if you have more coupons.
Target – Like Rite Aid, Target amended its policy to allow one BOGO coupon or sale per pair of items purchased.
CVS – Changed its policy to only accept one manufacturer’s coupon per item. CVS does not double or triple coupons. If you want to read its complete policy, you’ll have to requesting a copy via email as its policy is not online.
Publix – This grocery store accepts one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon (or a store coupon from a rival) per item. Previously, some locations had allowed “triple stacking” by using all three types of coupons.
Wal-Mart – This store is now by far the most coupon-friendly. It recently eliminated per-transaction coupon limits and will also offer a credit if the coupon value exceeds the item price. It also matches competitor’s prices. I wonder if more episodes of Extreme Couponing will be shot at Wal-Mart and if the chain will see an influx of hard core couponers.
Walgreens – This drugstore will begin cracking down on coupon bar code fraud. Some shoppers are using coupons on single items intended for larger quantities, one way to save a bundle. Walgreens is working to combat this fraud by adopting a new type of bar code that holds more data.
Kroger – This grocery store has discontinued doubling and tripling of coupons. Kroger will also now only allow three identical coupons per item for every shopping trip.
Albertsons – Effective July 17, Albertsons stores will no longer be offering its Twice the Value coupons in their stores at Customer Service. The only way you will be able to obtain these valuable coupons will be through the Sunday papers. Additionally, Twice the Value coupons will be discontinued for Montana and Wyoming.
Will these new policies restricting coupons (in most cases) change the way you shop? Or will hard core couponers merely make more trips, and get back in line more times?
Welcome to Niconail! I’m Niko, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I am not at all surprised by the retailers’ move to curb extreme couponers. Once that show aired, I knew manufacturers as well as retail executives would be watching the shoppers’ tactics too and work quickly to find ways to put a cease to it. Stores in my area put limits on double coupons a long time ago. And they don’t offer overages either. Essentially, all the extreme couponers featured in episodes so far have shot themselves in the foot. By showing off their extreme couponing habits to the entire world, they changed the way coupons will allow to be used from now on.
When I first saw the show, I felt that the episodes were not reality.. All the stores I shop at have a limit on the products. Always a limit.. So the ladies on tv getting 101 gatorades would be impossible when my local grocery store usually limits at max 10.. I have seen some of the best deals with just a limit of 2. And these limits are set by the customer reward card, so they can keep track. Also several of the local stores will only double 20 coupons a day. So although the extreme coupon show is great to watch and an inspiration, its not been a reality in my neck of the woods..
@Christine Judd I always wondered if the TV show persuaded the store managers and clerks to let them bend the coupon rules a little (or a lot). The store wants the publicity, perhaps makes accommodations to the show…I’m speculating, of course. But none of the clips I’ve seen – granted these are not the full episodes – mention the grocery store they are shopping at. So perhaps the grocers realized they were actually not getting any publicity out of it.
Another scenario could be that the show has spawned so many more extreme coupon users that stores are seeing coupon use hit their bottom line. Another guess, but I’m sure there is some reason behind the major changes in so many stores’ coupon policies.
Reader Jessica in VA says her store is still doubling coupons. That’s great!
Some stores are following the corporate rules while others are making their own decisions so make sure to ask for your store’s policy.
We have not had doubling in a lot of areas in California but now that I am going to start the coupon tour it figures the companies would put a limit on coupons. It is just another sign of major companies keeping the small tax paying folks like us down who are struggling with this bad economy that our ” Wonderful ” Government tries to blanket our eyes by saying the economy is turning around. Yea right, the corporations will profit stupidly as we buy smaller belts.
@bargainbabe Let me let you in on a little secret. ALL REALITY SHOWS are scripted!! I have worked for NBC Studios in Burbank now for over 25 years. I am the gaffing electrician for the Tonight Show w/ Leno and yes these shows are bogus. As far as WHAT each show will script I could not tell you. But yes I too feel rules were bent with smoke and mirrors because you the public will believe 90% of the crap we put out there. Sorry to burst someones bubbles but even the housewives of O.C. do not pay for half of the ” Claimed” things they do. The production company does because it is for good ratings.
Sadly, I am grateful that the stores have decided to crack down a bit. I am a beginning couponer and have used savingsangel and some other sites to help my family save a bit of money. Watching some of the shows and reading some things about “REAL” people who are extreme and are ruining it for the rest of us made me slightly sick! BY ruining it, I don’t mean by making the stores change policy, I mean ruining it by selfishness! I hated when I went to the store to try to get a deal, and it was completely GONE!!!. I understand getting a good deal, but it seems that some thought more about themselves then others and would empty the shelves because they could, not because they needed it!. I think stockpiling is a good idea, but hording and obsession on others part made those of us who wanted to use moderation in couponing miss out!
I live in a small town with only a couple of major markets and a couple of small regional markets. Nobody here doubles and there are coupon limits. BUT, I still manage to routinely save 40-60% when I shop by stacking store cpns with mfg cpns, only buying what is on deep discount sale, looking for clearance items that I have cpns for.
In addition, I make use of the hot deals at Rite-Aid and Walgreens. Same as the grocery stores, rinse and repeat! Don’t forget, they have their own store cpns, too.
There are so many other possibilities. If you have ethnic markets, they are usually good sources for inexpensive produce. My day-old bread store sells whole wheat and whole grain breads as low as 80 cents a loaf on some days.
What else? Sign up for several frugal blogs (ahem, I recommend Niconail as one) and check them frequently to get opportunities for free samples and/or free product cpns. My cpn wallet is full of them.
The key to all of this is stockpiling. No, not quite what the supposed Extreme Cpners do. Still, I usually have enough everyday products so that I can go “shopping” in my garage when I need a jar of mayo or roll of paper towels.
Takes time (yeah, and $$$ too) to get started stockpiling. You may even find you’re spending more in the beginning than usual. After a short time though, you’ll find your weekly bill shrinking.
There are many more ideas. Spend some time googling and read up on this stuff. You’ll save hundreds or thousands of $$$ a year.
Good fortune, all.
Bath and Body Works has interesting customers who will take the entire basket of 75% of items including the one you are contemplating in your hand! Annoying, and just plain greedy!
@Denise I’ve never heard of someone taking merchandise out of another customer’s hand. How rude! But I’d think I polite “Excuse me, I picked that up because I am thinking of buying it,” would persuade them to give it back.
@ Denice and Niconail I actually had someone do that to me at a yard sale. My husband and I had been talking to the lady about her crib set (crib, dresser, and changing table) and while my husband ran to the ATM to get the money (and me staying at her sale), some lady walked up and said I will give you $X for all this baby stuff (She had lots of other stuff but we only wanted the crib set) and the owner actually sold it to her. I was like “wait we are buying the crib set, my husband is going to get the money”. She basically told me too bad and sold the lady everything. I was so mad I cried. My husband was equally as mad and the other stuff we had planned on buying there (some books and randoms) we just left. I was appalled that someone would do that.
@Mandi What terrible manners! I’ve guarded stuff at garage sales that I wanted to buy, and if I don’t have enough to get an item, I’ll put a deposit down with whatever I have in my pocket while I run to the ATM. Sounds like the seller was very unfair to you and your husband. I’m glad you left without buying anything!
BTW, I worked at Ralph’s Grocery Store (in CA) about 11 years ago, and even then and still now, they only allow up to 3 similar coupons to be used per order. That was always open to some interpretation by the Manager, because sometimes one store would allow coupons to be used for several of the same items, so long as they were clearly different coupons. Other stores would only allow the customer to buy 3 similar items with coupons, period. I think Ralph’s & now Kroger, are meaning to use the latter as the standard.
In Minnesota, most of the stores have a 10 coupon doubling maximum. So, I generally bring a friend shopping to make additional purchases for me. They learn about using coupons, and I usually pay them with free, or almost free items.
@Barb Good tactic. Works for everyone!
@Christine Coupon policies are really very local, despite grocery chains having stated policies. Find a manager and clerk who are willing to work with you, and let the savings begin!
When I go to church sales now I notice people running through the place, pushing and grabbing things randomly, and then taking their armloads of goods into a far off corner and sorting through it there to see what they want. I’m sorry, but there’s never been anything at any sale I’ve gone to that was worth acting like you’re on Supermarket Sweep.
And as for the Super Couponers, 90 bags of croutons? Give me a break. These people have ruined it for the rest of us.
I live in Jacksonville FL and would like to know how to save $$. Where can I get higher end coupons? saving .75 on yogurt is wonderfui but I need to save more. Currently living with a relative so I do not have room for stockpiling and would like to save up so I can move out. Any direction would be grand. HELP!!!!