THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[debinwa]

Feb 2, 2011 22:19:08 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 2, 2011 22:09:52 GMT -5 debinwa said:

I did some shopping at Safeway today and bought four small packages of meat and some other items. When I handed the cashier my four SW coupons, they rang up at 1c each. Cashier didn't even notice until I pointed it out. She said there was nothing she could do. I told her it was Safeway's own coupon from the coupon book, and she said they were not meant to be used 'like that'. When I asked what she meant, she said they were supposed to be used one at a time; however, NONE of the coupons rang up right, including the first one. Frustrating to me, because I don't appreciate them trying to blame me for the fact that their hosed up coupons don't work. Is anybody else having the same issues with this coupon? I'm thinking about calling their customer service to see what they say.

deb: Yes, that's the way that they are ringing up at my store too; but they work perfectly fine at my mom's store. Each time that I have used one the cashier has had to push it through. The first time I used it I bought (2) packages and the manager rang me out. He told me that they probably were a limit of one per transaction (which didn't make sense since the first one rang up $.01 just like it did for you), but I pointed out to him that the coupon states one per package.

Anyway, I have just profiled my cashiers and picked the ones that I know will push them through. It has allowed me to use them on the packages of ground beef which I'm sure is ground up Rancher's Reserve, but do not have a RR tag on them.

Boy it bugs me when they act like you're doing something wrong. I had to point out that they were one per item last time I bought some too. Unfortunately, I don't usually shop at Safeway, so I don't know the cashiers there. Now I know 2 I won't use next time though!

[debinwa]

Feb 2, 2011 13:40:30 GMT -5 GirlGreen said:

Is there a coupon trade list, or a site that's good for trading?

girlgreen: I don't know if you've made use of the forums on a full cup and hot coupon world, but both of them have threads for trading coupons. You can usually get a much better deal there than on ebay, but that's an option too if you need some for an upcoming deal.

[shelly527in]

You are all welcome about the RA Dove deal. I was just repeating what I read on www.weusecoupons.com

GIRLGREEN--- that site also has coupon traders..

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 2, 2011 22:19:08 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 2, 2011 22:09:52 GMT -5 debinwa said:

I did some shopping at Safeway today and bought four small packages of meat and some other items. When I handed the cashier my four SW coupons, they rang up at 1c each. Cashier didn't even notice until I pointed it out. She said there was nothing she could do. I told her it was Safeway's own coupon from the coupon book, and she said they were not meant to be used 'like that'. When I asked what she meant, she said they were supposed to be used one at a time; however, NONE of the coupons rang up right, including the first one. Frustrating to me, because I don't appreciate them trying to blame me for the fact that their hosed up coupons don't work. Is anybody else having the same issues with this coupon? I'm thinking about calling their customer service to see what they say.

deb: Yes, that's the way that they are ringing up at my store too; but they work perfectly fine at my mom's store. Each time that I have used one the cashier has had to push it through. The first time I used it I bought (2) packages and the manager rang me out. He told me that they probably were a limit of one per transaction (which didn't make sense since the first one rang up $.01 just like it did for you), but I pointed out to him that the coupon states one per package.

Anyway, I have just profiled my cashiers and picked the ones that I know will push them through. It has allowed me to use them on the packages of ground beef which I'm sure is ground up Rancher's Reserve, but do not have a RR tag on them.

Oh yes, my trip to Vons (Safeway) was a nightmare. I was hoping to get ten coupon books so I can get 10 more Chex Mix at RA with DF's card. At the first store they didn't have theirs out on the counter so I had to ask for them and they only gave me two. Then they had no meat in the price range I was looking for.

Second store I "helped myself" to ten books at the empty customer service desk and a cashier came over, told me I could only have one, and took the rest right out of my hands. Sheesh!

I found two packages of meat (two coupons is the store limit) and bought a few other things to get my total to $10 so I could use the store coupon to buy the pistacios (sp?) and after I waited five minutes in the produce department for someone to show up, the worker very rudely told me that they never got them in. I meant to ask for a rain check but by the time the rest happened I completely forgot and didn't dare spend any more time in the store, risking being on their radar.

First the checker told me that I could only use one Ranchers Reserve coupon, even though the store policy is two. Then he said it wouldn't scan. I had to argue so instead of using the coupon he price modified the meat and took $2 off of it. Fine.

The problem was that when I checked my receipt, the other package of meat rang up at the regular price, not the store card price. He said it had to do with using two coupons. He said that the coupons were really meant for the family pack size, even though the coupon doesn't say that, and that the store was losing money.

I had to stand there for almost ten minutes explaining it to him. I got out my cell phone and used the calculator to show that the total was wrong. He was like, "But then you'll only be paying $1.xx for your groceries!" Now I just got this phone and I couldn't figure out how to make a decimal point so I kept adding things wrong because I did the decimal wrong, causing me to have to re-start. He was so annoyed/impatient/fed up with me that he finally refunded the difference. Originally I was going to go back for another transaction but I just wanted to get the heck out of there.

Next time I'm just going to do one at a time at several registers, and hope they don't remember me.

[dancinmama]

Feb 3, 2011 0:02:13 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Feb 2, 2011 22:19:08 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

deb: Yes, that's the way that they are ringing up at my store too; but they work perfectly fine at my mom's store. Each time that I have used one the cashier has had to push it through. The first time I used it I bought (2) packages and the manager rang me out. He told me that they probably were a limit of one per transaction (which didn't make sense since the first one rang up $.01 just like it did for you), but I pointed out to him that the coupon states one per package.

Anyway, I have just profiled my cashiers and picked the ones that I know will push them through. It has allowed me to use them on the packages of ground beef which I'm sure is ground up Rancher's Reserve, but do not have a RR tag on them.

The problem was that when I checked my receipt, the other package of meat rang up at the regular price, not the store card price. He said it had to do with using two coupons. He said that the coupons were really meant for the family pack size, even though the coupon doesn't say that, and that the store was losing money.

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.

[dancinmama]

Okay, I think the major consensus on the board is that Safeway SUCKS, uhm I mean - is not very coupon friendly. I know at my store there are only a couple of cashiers that I like (one in particular). I just pray that ONE of them is there whenever I go in.

I know that suzi's cashiers are not coupon friendly AT ALL. Holly has repeatedly complained about her store. Now, both debinwa and FreeSalsa are having problems too.

And although I have gotten some great deals there, I really don't like shopping there. But I have no choice - Safeway and Nob Hill (which rarely has good deals) are the only grocery chains that I have.

[debinwa]

Feb 3, 2011 1:08:15 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Okay, I think the major consensus on the board is that Safeway SUCKS, uhm I mean - is not very coupon friendly. I know at my store there are only a couple of cashiers that I like (one in particular). I just pray that ONE of them is there whenever I go in.

I know that suzi's cashiers are not coupon friendly AT ALL. Holly has repeatedly complained about her store. Now, both debinwa and FreeSalsa are having problems too.

And although I have gotten some great deals there, I really don't like shopping there. But I have no choice - Safeway and Nob Hill (which rarely has good deals) are the only grocery chains that I have.

Safeway hasn't ever been my favorite store, but I stop on rare occasions when there is a deal I'm interested in. There are two Albertsons near me that have fabulous customer service and better prices, so they normally get my business.

What really gets to me is that Safeway has buggered up their own coupon and then they won't take responsibility for the problem. I didn't print the darn thing, for crying out loud! They know by now that there's a problem, so why don't they issue a memo letting their cashiers know how they want to handle it? And hopefully that won't be blaming the customer for doing it wrong. Grrr.

[suziq38]

Safeway and Von's ladies:
Yes, I have had the same problem with those meat coupons.
I just ask them to push it through anyway.
Several cashiers tried to tell me no, but I just told them that that is not what the coupon says.

[suziq38]

I still am having problems getting the Neuragen Gel at about 3 of my Rite Aid stores.
I am about to try the one at the "wrong" end of town if you know what I mean, LOL.

Since several of my stores didn't have ANY, and never got any Neuragen, I am going to complain to the main office.
I will also do some research about how to notify The Department of Weights and Measures ( the government agency that regulates bad consumer practices)
about this particular complaint about RA.

[constanz22]

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?!

[marvholly]

Ok. I survived our bad weather. Not sure about the cold we have today though. I am debating about going out at all again today.

Something big & heavy drove thru my alley at 4:30 am. I suspect it was a plow. I will have to wait until about 7 am to actually see. Yep, Piles of snow like from a plow. Neighbors told me they cannot get their car out of the garage due to the heavy snow & drifting. I guess there are some advantages to NOT having a garage. I offered to drive the wife to work since I paid to have my car dug out yesterday but since she is a school principal and there is no school today it was not needed. Bunches of cars still parked on my street so MANY people still off school/work.

Just looked out my front windows. Town has already been thru a second time so both sides of the street are plowed.


Feb Fun Dates
2/4 Thank a Mailman (not mine)
2/8 Fly A Kite (not here)
2/15 gumdrop Day (Valentine clearance??)
2/17 Random Acts of Kindness (believe it when/if I see it)
2/20 Love your Pet (only 1 day??)
2/22 Be Humble (fat chance)
2/27 Polar Bear (probably w/our weather this year)

[missourimommy]

NAG:

Today is:

National Carrot Day
Wedding Ring Day,
and, the "most important"..

ELMO'S BIRTHDAY!!!

[ohmomto2boys]

Constanz - I still have my $20 for RA as well. I was looking to turn it into cash next week too! They are products I won't use, but will get donated. Mine expires 2/21 so I still have some time.

[constanz22]

Feb 3, 2011 10:09:51 GMT -5 ohmomto2boys said:

Constanz - I still have my $20 for RA as well. I was looking to turn it into cash next week too! They are products I won't use, but will get donated. Mine expires 2/21 so I still have some time.

The GOS (Gift of Savings) from the end of 2010 is what I have, and it's good til the end of April...that's part of the reason I can't decide whether to continue to hold out for some better ways to convert it to cash...

[saveinla]

Feb 3, 2011 10:25:38 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Feb 3, 2011 10:09:51 GMT -5 ohmomto2boys said:

Constanz - I still have my $20 for RA as well. I was looking to turn it into cash next week too! They are products I won't use, but will get donated. Mine expires 2/21 so I still have some time.

The GOS (Gift of Savings) from the end of 2010 is what I have, and it's good til the end of April...that's part of the reason I can't decide whether to continue to hold out for some better ways to convert it to cash...

Ladies, The Prilosec OTC is a good deal this week to convert the GOS to a gift card. Check out the previous posts about this on page 6 or 7 from ooty and frugalsuz. Unfortunately my store is completely out of the 42 count, so I cannot do this . The next closest store is at least 10 miles away and I don't have the time to go anywhere else.

[dancinmama]

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?!

Anytime I get the opportunity to convert to cash, I go for it. To me, $20 coming in a check is much better than a GOS certificate. IF something comes along later, you'll have $20 in cash to do the deal; if not, you'll have $20 cash to spend ANYWHERE.

[dancinmama]

I am REALLY glad to see the deal on the eye drops at RA that come 30 to a pkg. DH uses these all the time when he is wearing his contacts. All the Blink that we have gotten is not for specific for contact lens wearers. I will definitely be stockpiling them cuz the limit is (2).

[dancinmama]

Feb 3, 2011 9:53:48 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

NAG:

Today is:

ELMO'S BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELMO!!

I just love Elmo.

[dancinmama]

I know that a lot of us have been kept pretty busy at RA, but has anyone else noticed how uninspiring CVS has been? The sales have been awful and the red machine hasn't given me much of anything lately. In addition, what's up with the ad previews. There is still nothing on iheartcvs for 2/13!!

If anyone finds an ad preview for the 13th on another site, PLEASE post the link here.

[alphayankee]

I know that a lot of us have been kept pretty busy at RA, but has anyone else noticed how uninspiring CVS has been? The sales have been awful and the red machine hasn't given me much of anything lately. In addition, what's up with the ad previews. There is still nothing on iheartcvs for 2/13!!

I AGREE!! I've barely been able to keep my ECB's rolling lately. I've had so much time, I've been able to get back into WAGS and dip my toes into Rite Aid this week.

Thanks to the Healthy Heart deals and the Stayfree BOGO, I was able to get my $20 UP Rewards in only four trips this week. My bad, though, I just realized my stores have been giving me the full $6.99 for the BOGO q, instead of $6.

I might have to get a card for DS just so I can do the promotions again this month.

[momof2]

NAG:

I don't know where else to ask this! So we will be traveling to California in a month and our little one will have a lap seat with me or her dad. We don't want to have to pay to check her stroller and carseat since they charge to check the bags, is there anyway to get around this? Someone had said if I bring the stroller and carseat to the gate and then check them with the crew its free....anyone know?

[frugalsuz]

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

Feb 3, 2011 0:02:13 GMT -5 FreeSalsa 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!

[nickyleey]

Feb 3, 2011 11:56:02 GMT -5 momof2 said:

NAG:

I don't know where else to ask this! So we will be traveling to California in a month and our little one will have a lap seat with me or her dad. We don't want to have to pay to check her stroller and carseat since they charge to check the bags, is there anyway to get around this? Someone had said if I bring the stroller and carseat to the gate and then check them with the crew its free....anyone know?

We traveled with DD when she was 15 months old back in 2009. We didn't buy her a ticket because technically she qualified as a "lap child" but we did bring her carseat because we were going to be renting a car at our destination. The crew let us use an empty seat for us to buckle her into her carseat on the plane. We had her carseat, diaper bag and DH and I each had carryons plus my purse. We were never charged extra for anything, but I do remember having to check something curbside, maybe one of our carryon bags? Again - there was no charge. However, this was before the airlines started charging up the wazoo for everything. Perhaps you could call customer service for your carrier to confirm.

[murphath]

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.

[murphath]

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.

[misspt]

Feb Fun Dates
2/4 Thank a Mailman (not mine)
2/8 Fly A Kite (not here)
2/15 gumdrop Day (Valentine clearance??)
2/17 Random Acts of Kindness (believe it when/if I see it)
2/20 Love your Pet (only 1 day??)
2/22 Be Humble (fat chance)
2/27 Polar Bear (probably w/our weather this year)
[/quote]

Holly: Thank you for this, you made me laugh out loud. ;D ;D

[misspt]

Feb 3, 2011 11:56:02 GMT -5 momof2 said:

NAG:

I don't know where else to ask this! So we will be traveling to California in a month and our little one will have a lap seat with me or her dad. We don't want to have to pay to check her stroller and carseat since they charge to check the bags, is there anyway to get around this? Someone had said if I bring the stroller and carseat to the gate and then check them with the crew its free....anyone know?

We just did this, we rented a car seat, b/c it was one less thing to hassle with at the airport, but we gate checked our stroller with no hassle.

[misspt]

A weekly car seat rental was $15 or $25 btw.

[dancinmama]

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.

murphath: Yes, and the Skippy deal wouldn't even be all that good except that I was able to snag some of the $1/1 Skippy from the Safeway booklets which a lot of people don't have.

[dancinmama]

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!

frugalsuz: Yes, I certainly remember you gals chatting and laughing about it on the GC; unfortunately that was before "my time" at CVS.