THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[alphayankee]

momof2 - I have to concur with MissPT. Rent the carseat and gate check the stroller.

The first time we traveled with DS, we took everything and it was such a pain. We checked the carseat with the rest of our bags and gate checked the stroller. We've since learned to travel lighter. We rent carseats and I use a baby carrier or sling to carry the baby.

[kathyattraverse]

NAG BUT CRUCIAL: This town is located in the Upper (way Upper) Peninsula of Michigan. Iwas wondering if I could get you to vote for Grand Marais. They are trying to raise money toward saving the G.M. harbor. This is critical, not just cosmetic. Crucial to the town. You can vote 10 times in a row each day until Feb 11, 2011. Just go to www.wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com click on Grand Marais, Michigan & click on Cheer 10 times! Also would appreciate you letting anyone else know who might like to help Grand Marais.
There are 5 more voting days. As of 1:07 today we were 7710 votes ahead of second place. They keep creeping up so we desperately need your votes.
I really appreciate it. You can also vote from more than one e-mail address. Just logout and re-login from second e-mail. You have to register the first time but after that just log in daily. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[momof2]

Do they have a big selection of car seats? My daughter is 5 months and I like the one she has because it clips into the stroller (we are going to be doing LOTS of walking so I need it). If that's the case I will just rent it!

[kathyattraverse]

Feb 2, 2011 15:57:37 GMT -5 gardenergirl said:

I messed up somehow on my shopping trip to WAGS today. I wanted to get the Vicks deal - buy $20 in Vicks & get $10 RR. I got $21.50 in merchandise together, but I had Qs totalling $5.50. So is that maybe why I did not get my RR? Does it have to be $20 after Q?

In the past I purchased 4 boxes and had 4 $4 q's making it $4 OOP and the $10 RR printed. You should go back and see what happened.

[momof2]

Kathy - I voted! As someone else who lives in MI I was surprised to see so many Michigan cities in the top 20!

[missourimommy]

momof2,
We took our son to San Juan, PR when he was 3-months old and gate checked the car seat because we had the car seat/stroller combo, too. I would check with your carrier. I used to work in travel. If you want to pm me and let me see what I can find out for you, I'll be happy to. I still have lots of friends who book travel if that helps.

[kcgal]

Kathy-I voted too.

[debinwa]

Feb 3, 2011 8:39:59 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

I'm still holding onto my Rite Aid $20 GOS. I was THINKING that next week might be a good week to use it and convert it to cash because there are a lot of free after SCR rebates, a few are small money makers, but nothing great. It's also not stuff I will use...what do y'all think? Have you used yours yet or are you still holding them for a better deal?!

I'm still holding onto mine too. I figure I will hold on for a bit since it doesn't expire for a while. I fell the same way as you do: the stuff that's part of the SCR offerings for next week are not sturr we need either and it seems stupid to buy anyway. Maybe we can find a better way to use them in a couple of weeks.

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 3, 2011 12:03:56 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Feb 3, 2011 0:58:07 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

FreeSalsa: Geez, you mean someone did not think of the full ramifications of the coupon BEFORE they had thousands of copies of it printed and distributed? I don't know if that is a BS Alert or the truth, but in any case - oops, too late.

I don't know what you mean dancinmama, that NEVER happens! Remember that $3 CVS coupon good for any $3 of CVS stuff? Ahhh...such fun!

Oh yes, I remember that one. And my store was accepting expired coupons at the time so I was able to use it even after the expiration date for a while, until they finally told me that they wouldn't take that one any more. I didn't take advantage of it like I should have but I do remember getting free granola bars and bottled water. Ah, the good old days!

[debinwa]

Feb 3, 2011 12:25:12 GMT -5 murphath said:

Re Safeway q's:
When some of those q's came up as a .01 deduction, I asked the cashier. She said they take it off at the end and I would see it on the bottom of my receipt. Sure enough, there was the listing of all the q's used--although I do think the computer allowed 1 of the $2/Rancher Reserve q's. So no I know to only use one of those at a time.

My SW has some really great cashiers--very helpful and coupon friendly. When I asked her about the .01 thing, she gave me the above explanation and said, "it's so stupid, isn't it?" I responded, "yes, because the customer can't tell if the discount is being given." She totally agreed with me.

It didn't work this way for me. I only purchased two items on one transaction, so it was easy to see that the coupon rang up 1c, and that's all it took off the total. I did four separate transactions that day and the checker had to manually enter the $2 each time. I guess he goofed one time because I got to looking at the receipts at home and I see nothing but the penny came off. I'll have to address this with CS in the store next time I go in.

I called Safeway about the coupon issue this morning and she acted like it was the first they have heard of it. I told her it's all over the internet. She said she would notify the marketing department, since they issued the coupon. I told her that was good for the future, but for now they need to issue a memo to notify the stores, and to let them know how they expect it to be addressed. I suggested blaming the customer should probably not be their expectation. Of course, I am skeptical that my call will resolve anything, but maybe if they get enough similar calls something will happen. I have more meat coupons and I would like to use them.

[saveinla]

Feb 3, 2011 16:09:25 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Feb 3, 2011 12:25:12 GMT -5 murphath said:

Re Safeway q's:
When some of those q's came up as a .01 deduction, I asked the cashier. She said they take it off at the end and I would see it on the bottom of my receipt. Sure enough, there was the listing of all the q's used--although I do think the computer allowed 1 of the $2/Rancher Reserve q's. So no I know to only use one of those at a time.

My SW has some really great cashiers--very helpful and coupon friendly. When I asked her about the .01 thing, she gave me the above explanation and said, "it's so stupid, isn't it?" I responded, "yes, because the customer can't tell if the discount is being given." She totally agreed with me.

It didn't work this way for me. I only purchased two items on one transaction, so it was easy to see that the coupon rang up 1c, and that's all it took off the total. I did four separate transactions that day and the checker had to manually enter the $2 each time. I guess he goofed one time because I got to looking at the receipts at home and I see nothing but the penny came off. I'll have to address this with CS in the store next time I go in.

I called Safeway about the coupon issue this morning and she acted like it was the first they have heard of it. I told her it's all over the internet. She said she would notify the marketing department, since they issued the coupon. I told her that was good for the future, but for now they need to issue a memo to notify the stores, and to let them know how they expect it to be addressed. I suggested blaming the customer should probably not be their expectation. Of course, I am skeptical that my call will resolve anything, but maybe if they get enough similar calls something will happen. I have more meat coupons and I would like to use them.

Mine works the same way like for murphath. It shows only .01, but in the final receipt, I can see it being taken off and my calculations are correct. But it's hard to decipher that bill.

I have gone back to one of my older Vons stores and they seem to be much more coupon friendly unlike the closest Pavilions.

The CS for SW is not very helpful and I don't call them anymore.

[saveinla]

There is a deal on Groupon - 20$ voucher to Barnes and Noble for 10$, but it's hard to get into that site now.

[misspt]

kathy: I put my 10 votes in, too.

[suziq38]

Feb 3, 2011 12:21:19 GMT -5 murphath said:

dancinmama:
I was just saying the same thing to my DH re CVS. Nothing going on there at all. There was the Skippy peanut butter deal this week, but I'm not getting any good CRT's at all! RA has been the go to place lately.

I agree, Murpath!
Unfortunately, CVS just has not been good lately.
I hope they figure out something good to sell me, LOL.
For example, I did buy a cute, stuffed white bear in a box holding a Faith Hill fragrance. It was $15.99, I also bought other things, $9.01 (Physicians Formula 90% markdown), to make my total $25.00.
I used a $5.00 off of $25.00, to bring my total down to $20.00.
I paid the $9.01 down with 3 $3.00 MQ's from PF) Now I only owed $11.00, so I paid for the $11.00 or so balance with EB's.
I received a new EB with a new date for $10.00 in return.
Yes I was down a $1.00 or $2.00 in EB's, but now I have a cute gift and PF makeup for DD.

[suziq38]

Kathy, I put a vote in!
Thanks for telling us.

[dancinmama]

debinwa / constanz: It might not make a difference to you, but almost all of the free after SCR items (except the eye drops) are part of the Buy & Save promo, so you get cash back and credit toward your $100 required to get the Winter Savings promo (or whatever they're calling it).

[debinwa]

Feb 3, 2011 17:36:25 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

debinwa / constanz: It might not make a difference to you, but almost all of the free after SCR items (except the eye drops) are part of the Buy & Save promo, so you get cash back and credit toward your $100 required to get the Winter Savings promo (or whatever they're calling it).

Oh, good point! I am at about $78 so far. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe I should rethink using the GOS sooner...

[ooty1234]

One of my coupon buddies I had before we moved just told me she had her Mad Coupon order stolen by someone at the post office. She received her envelope all torn and taped up and inside was the ziploc bag with a stupid cheap metal star inside. She has filed a complaint with the PO and I'm sorry, but I had to LOL thinking of the poor guy on the other end of the phone...."So, someone stole your COUPONS???" I can only imagine what must have been going through his head with a livid female on the other end complaining about coupons? She did say she told him about WUC and AFC and mentioned the postal carrier who stole the 10.00 JCP Q's and sold them on Ebay. Maybe they will take her complaint more seriously.


My current job is as a CSR for an automotive company. I gotta tell you, it is a tough job. I actually care about the caller on the other end and understand their financial difficulties and hate not being able to help them ALL!! and then there are the other people who call us and rant and rave and I have no idea what they are actually mad about.

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 3, 2011 16:09:25 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Feb 3, 2011 12:25:12 GMT -5 murphath said:

Re Safeway q's:
When some of those q's came up as a .01 deduction, I asked the cashier. She said they take it off at the end and I would see it on the bottom of my receipt. Sure enough, there was the listing of all the q's used--although I do think the computer allowed 1 of the $2/Rancher Reserve q's. So no I know to only use one of those at a time.

My SW has some really great cashiers--very helpful and coupon friendly. When I asked her about the .01 thing, she gave me the above explanation and said, "it's so stupid, isn't it?" I responded, "yes, because the customer can't tell if the discount is being given." She totally agreed with me.

It didn't work this way for me. I only purchased two items on one transaction, so it was easy to see that the coupon rang up 1c, and that's all it took off the total. I did four separate transactions that day and the checker had to manually enter the $2 each time. I guess he goofed one time because I got to looking at the receipts at home and I see nothing but the penny came off. I'll have to address this with CS in the store next time I go in.

I called Safeway about the coupon issue this morning and she acted like it was the first they have heard of it. I told her it's all over the internet. She said she would notify the marketing department, since they issued the coupon. I told her that was good for the future, but for now they need to issue a memo to notify the stores, and to let them know how they expect it to be addressed. I suggested blaming the customer should probably not be their expectation. Of course, I am skeptical that my call will resolve anything, but maybe if they get enough similar calls something will happen. I have more meat coupons and I would like to use them.

Thanks for doing that, deb. Hopefully that will help all of us. I told my family about the deal and had to warn them about all the possible problems they might have using the coupon. It shouldn't be that difficult to use a coupon.

[oreo]

I have another question for all of you coupon experts. I just printed some coupons from Target.com and they say "Target Web Coupon" on them. Can I also use a mfr coupon for the same item? Like I need to buy some Huggies diapers, can I use the Web coupon and a mfr coupon?

Thanks for all of the help! Thanks to you guys I bought 4 StayFree packages yesterday for just over $2!

[constanz22]

Feb 3, 2011 19:28:07 GMT -5 oreo said:

I have another question for all of you coupon experts. I just printed some coupons from Target.com and they say "Target Web Coupon" on them. Can I also use a mfr coupon for the same item? Like I need to buy some Huggies diapers, can I use the Web coupon and a mfr coupon?

Thanks for all of the help! Thanks to you guys I bought 4 StayFree packages yesterday for just over $2!

Yes! You can use a Target coupon AND a mfr coupon together!

[rubyslippers]

Frugalsuz: Thank you for your Rite Aid match up on your blog this week. I appreciate the coupons you've matched up with the SCR items and they will save me more money.

[debinwa]

Feb 3, 2011 17:41:04 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Feb 3, 2011 17:36:25 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

debinwa / constanz: It might not make a difference to you, but almost all of the free after SCR items (except the eye drops) are part of the Buy & Save promo, so you get cash back and credit toward your $100 required to get the Winter Savings promo (or whatever they're calling it).

Oh, good point! I am at about $78 so far. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe I should rethink using the GOS sooner...

I went back and looked at next week's SCR items and I remember why I wasn't going to buy them. The Boiron coupons (the company that makes most of the items) beep like crazy. They are apparently miscoded and they beep no matter where they are used. I'm just not sure I'm up for that, especially at my Rite Aid. For those of you who do intend to use them, be ready!

[saveinla]

Feb 3, 2011 20:28:32 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Feb 3, 2011 17:41:04 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Oh, good point! I am at about $78 so far. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe I should rethink using the GOS sooner...

I went back and looked at next week's SCR items and I remember why I wasn't going to buy them. The Boiron coupons (the company that makes most of the items) beep like crazy. They are apparently miscoded and they beep no matter where they are used. I'm just not sure I'm up for that, especially at my Rite Aid. For those of you who do intend to use them, be ready!

debinwa, I remember that it happened last time and my store refused the coupons. That's why I am also hesitant to print the PDFs. I am going to try one of them with the coupons.com Q, although the value is not as high and see.

[frugalsuz]

Feb 3, 2011 19:39:42 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Frugalsuz: Thank you for your Rite Aid match up on your blog this week. I appreciate the coupons you've matched up with the SCR items and they will save me more money.

You're welcome!

The Boiron coupons ALWAYS beep. I meant to put an FYI on the blog about that but I forgot. I'll do that tonight. I believe the coupons on coupons.com have the same exact code as the PDF's, so they'll probably beep too. A bunch of folks on Slick Deals have called, emailed, posted on their Facebook page about it already. Boiron's response? They mailed the folks who complained a new coupon. BUT ITS THE SAME AS THE ONES WE CAN PRINT!!!! Someone on SD said they should rename the company Moron.

[frugalsuz]

So I went to RA today to use a $4 UP that's expiring Saturday. Somehow in all my trips this week I missed it. I gave the cashier the $4 UP to scan first and then my coupons. I noticed it didn't go through, so she tried it again and it beeped. Then I remembered it was one I'd tried to use previously but my subtotal was too low so they gave it back to me. Now its not scanning. Is that not the stupidest thing ever? Anyway, she calls the Manager over. While we're waiting, I gave the cashier three $1.99 UP's (balance was $12.80, so I'd have plenty left after these went through to use my $4 UP). As she's scanning, I see that a fourth $1.99 UP has stuck its little self to the others. In slow motion, I say "ooooohhhhh nnnnnoooooo dooooonnnn'ttttt sssssccccaaaannnn iiiitttttt!" but of course, I was too late and I hear BEEP as it goes through. Now my subtotal is again too low to use my $4 UP. (momentous sigh)

I picked up a candy bar just as the Manager comes up. She starts to tell me that they won't be able to use this UP b/c it won't scan. I explained what happened and she did a lot of sighing and then decided to put it through. Then she has the nerve to tell me the same thing happened to her the other day! And then she says to me - Don't do that again! She was half joking, but half serious. Well ya know what genius, you just admitted you'd done the same exact thing! And this is the only store I've ever been to where once you scan something, you better be ready to use it because it won't scan again! (jumping down from soap box now)

[dancinmama]

Feb 3, 2011 20:53:41 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

So I went to RA today to use a $4 UP that's expiring Saturday. Somehow in all my trips this week I missed it. I gave the cashier the $4 UP to scan first and then my coupons. I noticed it didn't go through, so she tried it again and it beeped. Then I remembered it was one I'd tried to use previously but my subtotal was too low so they gave it back to me. Now its not scanning. Is that not the stupidest thing ever? Anyway, she calls the Manager over. While we're waiting, I gave the cashier three $1.99 UP's (balance was $12.80, so I'd have plenty left after these went through to use my $4 UP). As she's scanning, I see that a fourth $1.99 UP has stuck its little self to the others. In slow motion, I say "ooooohhhhh nnnnnoooooo dooooonnnn'ttttt sssssccccaaaannnn iiiitttttt!" but of course, I was too late and I hear BEEP as it goes through. Now my subtotal is again too low to use my $4 UP. (momentous sigh)

I picked up a candy bar just as the Manager comes up. She starts to tell me that they won't be able to use this UP b/c it won't scan. I explained what happened and she did a lot of sighing and then decided to put it through. Then she has the nerve to tell me the same thing happened to her the other day! And then she says to me - Don't do that again! She was half joking, but half serious. Well ya know what genius, you just admitted you'd done the same exact thing! And this is the only store I've ever been to where once you scan something, you better be ready to use it because it won't scan again! (jumping down from soap box now)

frugalsuz: When one of mine is scanned and then I end up not using it, I ask the cashier to write 'not used" on the UP and initial it so that the next cashier will push it through. IF it REALLY had been used then why would you still have it? DUH!!

How are you going to handle the fact that the Boiron PDFs will probably beep? I was thinking about copying the entire page from the Boiron website showing that they actually were offered and came from the company. What do you think?

[constanz22]

I think I'm going to hold onto my $20 GOS for awhile. There's gotta be some better deals coming up and it's still good for over 2 months. I'm just not excited about next week's deals...
I think I have around $70 toward the Winter Rewards already, so, I don't really feel the need to "boost" that. I'm sure I'll reach it with no problem. If not next week, definitely the following week.
I've had the "already used" issue with Ups too. It is just rediculous! Now, I try to pay closer attention to the amount I owe before it cuts into tax, but, it is not super easy to figure out. I actually have to do MATH, quickly, to figure it out Luckily my cashiers have always pushed them through when I explain what happened. But, yeah, as dancinmama said, "DUH!"

[frugalsuz]

Feb 3, 2011 21:03:07 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 3, 2011 20:53:41 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

frugalsuz: When one of mine is scanned and then I end up not using it, I ask the cashier to write 'not used" on the UP and initial it so that the next cashier will push it through. IF it REALLY had been used then why would you still have it? DUH!!

How are you going to handle the fact that the Boiron PDFs will probably beep? I was thinking about copying the entire page from the Boiron website showing that they actually were offered and came from the company. What do you think?

This is the first time I've had an issue using a previously scanned UP. Most of the stores I shop at know about this issue and manually enter it. This store has given me some issues about my coupons (its a new store for me) and I'm slowly trying to educate them on their own policies.

As for the Boiron coupons, I'm planning on shopping at the most coupon friendly stores in my area and hoping for the best. Even if they won't accept my coupons, I'll still buy the items just to convert my UP's into rebate money and then cash. Most of the cold stuff is free without coupon anyway. I wish Boiron would fix their coupons already! This has been an issue for ages.

[family legacy]

Newbie question about RA brand diapers.

Next week, Tugaboos diapers are $2/25 w/ $4 UPs on 2. Is this a good deal for these diapers or will something better to come along? Also, I usually buy Walmart brand diapers...Are Tugaboos comparable in your opinion?